NE travel startup promotes eco-friendly tourism at COP26

Guwahati: Encamp Adventures, a sustainable travel startup from Northeast India, was part of the launch of ‘Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism’ at the recently-concluded United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) at Glasgow.

The announcement by ‘Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency’ aims to accelerate climate action by securing commitments to reduce emissions in the travel and tourism sector by at least 50% over the next decade and achieve Net Zero before 2050. 

‘Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency’ is a global community of 410 tourism organisations, companies, and professionals committed to delivering a Climate Action Plan aligned with the need to cut emissions in half by 2030. 

At COP26, Rituraj Phukan, its director of sustainability represented Encamp Adventures. He is also the founder of the Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Network and the national coordinator for biodiversity with The Climate Reality Project India.

“Encamp Adventures is committed to facilitating a just transition to net-zero within the travel sector, sharing best practices and learning from our global partners in the network. We will work with our local partners to ensure responsible travel and tourism in the region and across the country. We are determined to create locally sustainable communities providing immersive travel experiences while minimizing environmental impacts,” Rituraj said. 

Ratan Kumar, founder and CEO of the 2.5-year-old startup, was among the winners of the NERES1.0 business pitch competition and was announced by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship as the “Best Travel Entrepreneur” in Northeast India.

“We believe, every organization in tourism should take proactive steps to make the same commitment and sensitize their employees, partners, and esteemed guests,” Ratan said, opening the door for more collaborations in the travel and tourism sector. 

Encamp Adventures is working on a responsible travel tech platform that supports automated carbon emission calculation, conscious reduction and provides offset options to travelers to make every travel itinerary nature positive, and is supported by SAP Ariba, AIC-SMUTBI, and CIIE.CO.

It also provides revenue generation and management services to local/rural partners across homestay/campsites and adventure activities in offbeat locations of Northeast India and Nepal, and is currently undergoing a mentorship programme under UNDP YouthCoLab – India facilitated by Climate Collective. 

Also read: India calls COP26 summit a ‘success’