Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT) is delighted to announce that it has 2 eco lodges that raise the standards of the PUG Certification programme to its highest level when it comes to their sustainability and environmental footprint.
Over 50 lodges from some of India’s finest Tiger parks have now been audited but only the very best obtain the highest award, that of an ‘Outstanding’ ranking.
The prized lodges are a small, intimate and privately owned tented camp on the borders of Corbett Tiger Reserve in Utterakhand, called Camp Forktail, and one of India’s largest hotel group properties in partnership with &beyond, Taj Safaris new upmarket lodge, Baghvan, on the borders of Pench National park in Madhya Pradesh.
“After three years we are delighted that we finally have two lodges that reached our very highest standards, and 12 lodges that reach our Quality practice rating. With travellers increasingly making purchasing decisions on environmental considerations and carbon footprint, so more and more wilderness lodges across India are keen to be involved in the campaign and get audited.” says Julian Matthews, TOFT’s founding Chairman.
The PUG Certification programme, was commissioned in 2007 by the TOFT campaign to allow the Travel community to choose the best practice suppliers in India’s most visited Tiger parks, like Kanha, Ranthambhore and Bandavgarh. The PUG certification audits lodges on their economic, social and environmental impacts in and around their park location.
TOFT is made up of over 180 Indian and International travel operators and service providers, and was catalysed in response to the huge decline in the Tiger population in India in 2005. TOFT seeks to advocate and support a more sustainable way forward both with the wildlife travel community, alongside NGO’s and Park authorities.
For further details call Julian Matthews in the UK on 01963 824514 or visit www.toftigers.org