By Alex Narracott, Managing Director, Much Better Adventures

If you want to explore the mountains and valleys of the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas, 3 of the 5 local travel operators who form India’s groundbreaking Green Circuit initiative offer the perfect opportunity to do so. This 3 part blog will explore the northern Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh with Spiti Ecosphere (Part 1), the North Eastern regions and the Neora Valley National Park with Help Tourism (Part 2), and Nepal’s Tamang heritage trail with Social Tours (Part 3).

Part 2 – Adventures in North East Himalayas with Help Tourism

Help Tourism have been at the vanguard of sustainable tourism initiatives in North East India for well over a decade. They have developed a wide variety of adventure and activity programs, including trekking in the Himalayas, tiger, rhino and bird spotting in the National Parks and Reserves networks, elephant safaris, jungle lodges, heritage and cultural tours in this fascinating and diverse region of India.

Uniquely, all these programs are designed with specific sustainable development and conservation goals in mind. The organization has single-handedly implemented 26 community-based tourism projects in the remote forest and mountain villages of this region.

Take for example the Neora Jungle Camp in Neora Valley National Park. This is one of the last remaining pristine ecosystems of the Eastern Himalayas, and is home to many rare and endangered plants, animals and birds. These include the Red Panda, a variety of Leopards, the Himalayan Black Bear, and Royal Bengal Tiger, 106 species of birds and a variety of colourful Wild Orchids.

Neora Valley Jungle Camp (Photo: Help Tourism)

The park is totally uninhabited, but easily explored from the community run jungle camp in Kolakham, which adjoins the national park, and has inspiring views overlooking Mount Kanchenjunga. From the camp, which blends local atmosphere and modern amenities, visitors can head out birding, on nature walks, jungle treks and to explore the local villages and traditions.

Neora Valley Jungle Camp was established with the aim of involving the fringe villagers in creating a community buffer for the Neora Valley National Park. The general population of the village lives below the ‘poverty level’ as per the Indian standards. Set in the snow-capped mountains, the scope of good agriculture is low, and due to the lack of pastures, cattle rearing are negligible.

Infrastructure work was started in February 2006 after receiving the offer of land from a local community leader, who had the farsightedness to see the benefit of the initiative for the local population. The camp has since developed as a place where the unemployed youths of the village can learn the art of tourist handling and develop themselves as service providers.

Help Tourism Adventure Camp (Photo: Help Tourism)

The global tourist attention has motivated villagers to pride in the conservation of the local nature. The process also help to maintain age-old traditions, fast being lost in the world of consumerism.

>> Learn more about Help Tourism on MuchBetterAdventures.com.

More about Much Better Adventures

MuchBetterAdventures.com is a travel directory of independant tour operators and eco-travel adventure companies, making it easier for travelers to find friendly local adventure choices that also support the local communities and destinations.

More about Help Tourism

Help Tourism is a tour operator and destination management consultant specialising in East- and North East India, promoting tourism as a tool for conservation and sustainable development. Help Tourism provides purposeful travel to natural areas to understand and connect with the local Heritage, Environment, Livelihood and People.