Tree House Hideaway : Eco Tourism and Sustainable development in Bandhavgarh National Park

Tree House Hideaway

Eco Tourism and Sustainable development in Bandhavgarh

National Park

Philosophy“Our policy is to practice sustainable wildlife

tourism under high standards, returning back to all main keys of eco sensitivity, namely environmental,

social-cultural and economic development”

Just 6 years ago, we found 22 acres of virgin forest, designated to loose it’s purpose to careless construction or use. Nowadays, Tree House

Hideaway has contributed to the growth of natural habitat due to responsible tourism and property

management adding a small, yet significant area for wildlife to freely move around!

History… Mind Changing Strategy

Tree House Hideaway, an eco lodge of Pugdundee Safaris, is a result of ever changing strategies. With initial plans to construct over 20 rooms, we convinced the owners of changing the concept to a lodge that up to date only counts 5 exclusive Tree Houses, leaving over 95% of the property untouched and reserved for wildlife. Pugdundee Safaris has taken over the full management and successfully created a niche market that sustains the return on investment with minimal impact on the environment.

Nowadays, it’s rather common than rare to find a wide range of wild animals habituating inside the property that call our little reserve adjoining Bandhavgarh National Park their home. Without any artificial landscaping, we have managed to create a natural corridor with proper field management to sustain the future and growth of the natural surroundings, setting an example for future entrepreneurs residing near National Parks.

Content of Sustainability!

Our Eco Sensitive Points and Strategies

Material Selection of Construction

Design with Nature in Mind

Allocation of Construction

Labour Policies

Our Team

Water and Energy Resources

Provision and Supplies

Waste Management

Conservation Cell

Press & Media

Material Selection of Construction

Sal Wood: Locally available and extensive durability. It’s solid, long lasting and naturally treated against termites for long lasting support and therefore used as the core of our construction. Purchased from the forest department.

Eucalyptus: A Soft wood highly invasive and not part of Bandhavgarh’s original eco-system. Widely spread around the property, removal supports the original eco-system and gives endemic species support of growth.

Bamboo: The most commonly found around Bandhavgarh, highly productive. Strategically cut bamboo provides a natural look and high sustainability.

Waste Wood: Small leftover pieces (generated from wood cutting farms) are continuously integrated in our designs, which forms the foundation of our roofs. It gives a natural wild look, and no extra wood purchase or cutting needed.

Grasses: For waterproofing and temperature control local grasses are used for roof topping at all our construction, reducing heat loss and contributing to temperature control.

Stones: Natural stones are used for our terrace, which has been locally sourced. Less treatment necessary and locally crafted gives a rustic and environmentally concerned look.

We have used waste wood where-ever possible, creating natural looks and effective designs!

Natural Furniture

Our roofs all accross the property are created solely out of wastewood which reduced our wood consumption greatly.

Waste Wood Roof

With no artificial landscaping and infrastructure, we leave more for mother nature!

Natural Infrastructure!

In our vulnerable landscape such as Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, it is crucial to be eco-sensitive and do whatever possible to minimize the impact on the environment, it’s animals and human beings living there!”

DesignWith nature in mind

Allocation of Construction

Just 5 Tree House and a common facility are the only construction found at the property. Far away from each other, it creates privacy in reduces the noise created at one area, leaving wildlife undisturbed.

All rooms are set 12-16 feet off ground level in the branches of a tree. The branches provide natural shade and coverage reducing the carbon footprint and energy consumption inside the rooms. Due to it’s elevation, wildlife can freely move around without any obstacles inside the property.

All Rooms are facing south, receiving optimal sunlight year round, reducing the use of artificial lightning during daytime. Natural Air circulation is maximized due to different (opening) points in all units, as well as the common facilities of the property.

The common area is set strategically in the back of the property, facing the forest. Since most activities are held there, it reduces movement, noise and pollution all around the property. All rooms are connected through natural mud pathways around the property boundary, leaving the forest in the front undisturbed.

Strictly Local Labour

All construction is done by local communities hired from villages not more than 20 km away from the lodge.

We have supported carpenters and plumbers with training from experts and management; controlling and supervising the entire construction.

The same team is still responsible for all maintenance, leaving a sustainable income year round and increasing their knowledge of field related work.

Our Team

The Staff at Tree House Hideaway

66 % off our staff is hired from the nearby villages.

17 % off our senior staff is hired from neighboring regions or other regions within India.

17 % of specialty positions is done by trained and certified specialists from outside India.

Staff Career Development

All staff receive training in service, English and department related subjects through our specially designed training modules to improve their general knowledge of the industry and professionalism.

Staff turnover is less than 20%, leaving a motivated team that can grow within the company.

54 % of all operational staff has worked with us for 2 or more consecutive seasons, in which they have grown their expertise, and supported by a company structure of wage increase and position / responsibility improvement.

Water & Energy Resources

Water Resources and Waste Management

Annual water supply is guaranteed by an onsite well that provides water to all necessary units.

Sewage and compost drains directly to individual septic units where compost is separated and degraded by natural processes.

All septic systems are equipped with dual flushes, reducing water consumption up to 50 %.

We use quarter turn tabs in all our units, reducing water consumption up to 20 %.

We have created one large water body and two smaller reservoirs which harvests rainwater that helps recharging the ground water level annually.

Electricity and Additional Resources

The lodge is connected to the national power grid providing between 19 and 21 hours of electricity daily.

A back up, diesel powered silent generator supplies when necessary additional electricity during power cuts. Our generator is frequently checked and passed all strict environmental international laws.

All Units are on individual groups. The lodge can easily cut off non-used units to decrease energy consumption.

Provision and Supplies

Fresh Produce

Vegetables and fruits are provided strictly locally, providing local farmers with instant demand and sustainable income annually.

Meat and Fish is provided locally.

We carefully design our menus based on the season and available items throughout the year.

Bulk Items

We minimize the use of packed goods, aiming for fresh produce and home made dishes.

20 % of all our consumption comes from outside, and is delivered only once a month reducing transport costs, as well as vehicle movement resulting in a lower Carbon Footprint.

Waste Management

Garbage and leftover food is strictly divided into bio – and non-biodegradable substances.

Glass and Plastic, as whenever possible is collected by locals or external firms.

Bio-degradable waste is collected in a special designed compost pit and degraded by natural processes.

Water pressure is kept low in all units without additional pressure pumps. This reduces water consumption all across the property. Water Storage is placed strategically across the property to sustain reliable and sufficient pressure for all the guests.

Concervation Cell

Pugdundee Safaris Conservation Cell

Tree house Hideaway actively supports the Pugdundee Safaris conservation cell, an exclusive program lead by biologists, researchers and government related institutions to provide a solid base for natural habitat improvement, by linking all major national parks in MP through natural corridors in the near future. Our project is funded by a percentage of our booking revenues, donations along with 25 % of all sales of our gift shop, selling a variety of gift items. The funds generated support our community development, and educational programs lead by the company and specialists together. It also at the same time creates an active platform for government institutions such as the forest department.

Press & Media

Many national and international firms recognised us!

20 Fabulous boutique Hotels in India – The Observer, UK

Top 12 Jungle Tree Houses on Earth – Sunday Times, UK

Best 100 Retreats in India – Outlook Guide Book – India

Certified by TOFT, Travel Operators for Tigers

Featured in “Unusual Hotels of the world in 2011-2012”

The FutureWe will continue our extensive practices to support environmental, social-cultural and economic issues. We will continue to educate our guests and the local communities on sustainable tourism, in a way we all can benefit directly from each other, now and in the

future!

We will continue investing in better solutions and energy resources such as solar and wind energy, and

continue the growth of Pugdundee Safaris, because together we can make a difference with all our lodges across Madhya Pradesh National Parks!

Thank YouTree House Hideaway

A unit of Pugdundee Safaris India