CHINKARA JOURNEYS IS COMMITTED TO RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL PRACTICES

As a nation, India is undoubtedly behind the curve in terms of environmentally sustainable tourism, but that is changing with a collective realisation that our spectacular habitats, abundant flora and fauna and unique culture are our most precious resources.

We know that adventure travel can bring many benefits to the people we visit, helping to provide a living for communities involved in the tourism and promoting cross-cultural awareness. However, travel can also have a negative impact on local people and their environment. We try to identify and reduce negative impacts to ensure that adventure travel is a positive and sustainable experience for our clients and local people. 

A responsible travel policy is only as good as the people who commit to it. As a company we are committed to operating according to the guidelines in this document and we hope with your help we can make a difference. We believe: 

1. The true rewards of travel come from experiencing a different culture while also giving something back to the communities who make us welcome.
2. As a tour operator it is essential to study and respect the customs of the people we visit and to share this knowledge with our clients in order to promote mutual understanding and respect and helping local people to enjoy their interactions too.
3. We ensure that local economies benefit from our business by using locally owned and managed accommodation, employing local people as expert guides, sourcing our food and equipment locally where possible and eating out in locally run restaurants.
4. We make every effort to minimise our impact on the environment by reducing and offsetting our carbon emissions, reducing waste by recycling, repairing and reusing what we can, and being careful of delicate ecologies, wildlife and their habitats.

ACCOMMODATION

We try to look for home stays, lodges and hotels which are safe, comfortable and operated in a sustainable way. In regions that we visit the standard of accommodation varies widely, however we make an effort to seek out accommodation which acts responsibly to the environment and local people.

Local resources such as water and electricity are often in short supply and tourism can put pressure on these services and supplies which can in turn reduce the supplies available to local people. In order to mitigate this, Chinkara Journeys makes every effort to impart information to travellers to help them act responsibly in order to minimise tourism impact on local resources.

VISITING HISTORIC SITES

Many of our tours offer opportunities to visit ancient places such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites where the entrance fees contribute to the maintenance and restoration of these unique places. Chinkara Journeys asks that travellers respect signage, take only photographs and leave no litter or graffiti behind, even if others have done so. Do not attempt to bring home any rocks or stones or other souvenirs of the location and don't purchase such items from vendors as this can encourage the ongoing destruction of local areas of interest.

VISITING NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES

Travel to national parks and wildlife areas can bring positive economic benefits as entrance fees contribute to the maintenance and conservation of local flora and animal species, while visitors benefit from the educational aspects of the area and take away with them an increased awareness of the need and place for conservation.

Chinkara Journeys tour leaders and drivers follow strict policy while visiting national parks to minimise pressure on Tiger Tourism. Our code of conducts is:

1. We do not guarantee sighting of any particular species because this puts pressure on drivers, guides, naturalists, mahouts and other authorities. Rather, we rely on skilled naturalists and guides who are expert in deciphering jungle signs to locate your dream animal/birds.
2. We refrain from rushing through the jungle beyond the permitted speed in the hope of catching a glimpse of a tiger or other animal. We maintain a slow speed, which not only allows the tourists to absorb nature but it is also safe for animals crossing/sitting on the road.
3. We do not go beyond the marked area for tourists inside forest in hope of better sightings.
4. We strictly do not chase animals or disturb their natural behavior for a better look or for the 'ultimate photograph'.
5. Whenever we find garbage or plastic inside the reserve, we carry it out for safe and responsible disposal.
6. Search lights and night driving are not permitted inside or around Indian reserves and we strictly adhere to it.
7. We maintain a safe distance from animals and do not come between parents and offspring.
8. We avoid approaching nesting or breeding sites as this causes unnecessary stress to parents and young ones.
9. We do not support attractions which use animals as entertainment for profit. These animals are often taken from the wild, mistreated and are trained to perform unnatural behaviours, which are not only stressful but often harmful to the animal.
   
   Apart from above, we strictly follow and expect same from our clients to abide by the rules and regulations pointed out by Forest Department of India and local authorities.

OUR GUIDES

Chinkara Journeys knows that a local guide can enliven every tour with local folk-lore, snippets of gossip, names of plants and their medicinal uses. Most importantly particularly in remote villages, our guide is our host, showing us around his or her area. This helps to make our tours an experience of cultural exchange rather than a brutish trample through someone else's way of life.

Our close relationships with local guides and communities allow us to put more money back into the local economies. It also helps younger generation of the community to respect, learn and preserve their heritage. Chinkara Journeys ensures that local partners are employed under fair conditions and are paid a living wage for reasonable hours.

TRANSPORTATION

Chinkara Journeys vehicles comply with strict Euro IV emissions or Bharat Stage III control regulations set by the European Union and Indian Environment Ministry. We regularly check and maintain vehicles to the highest possible standard in order to limit carbon emissions and ensure the comfort and safety of our passengers.

FOOD

We encourage our clients to dine at locally-owned restaurants to experience dishes cooked by local cooks. This not only supports the local economy but also offers a chance to enjoy local customs and cultures along with their cuisines.

TRIBAL DANCE

We believe that it is important for tribal dancing to take place in the dancers' village rather than (often quite shy) tribal dancers being brought to lodges to perform in an unfamiliar environment for a group of foreigners whom they've never met. This ensures that visitors become guests in the dancers' village; it means some proper interaction takes place before and after the dancing; and it ensures that the children and other members of the village can enjoy and appreciate this wonderful apsect of their village culture along with the foreign guests.