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India.com
17-05-2025
- India.com
Explore Mumbai: Tips For An Eco-Friendly Vacation Experience
Mumbai is famous for its culture, historic sites, and crowded regions. Travelers from all over the world are putting more focus on enjoying areas like Mumbai while trying their best to be eco-friendly. As the world becomes more environmentally aware, reducing a carbon footprint while traveling is becoming more common practice. Eco-friendly vacations in Mumbai are absolutely possible and allow one to enjoy the city's charm while guaranteeing sustainability at the same time. In this article, we are going to look at some amazing tips on how to plan an eco-friendly trip to Mumbai. 1. Select Environmentally Friendly Hotels And Other Facilities In order to make a trip eco-friendly, one has to choose vacations that guarantee sustainability and have eco-friendly policies. Eco-friendly guesthouses and hotels that prioritize energy saving, waste management, and water conservation are popping up everywhere. Make sure to choose hotels with certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) that incorporate savvy practices like using solar power, rainwater harvesting, and solargurtas. The Orchid Hotel happens to be Asia's first eco-friendly hotel and a five star eco friendly hotel in Mumbai along with several boutique hotels which have a number of green initiatives to practice. 2. Use Public Means of Transportation or Green Commuting Options If you did not know already, Mumbai has one of the most well developed systems of public transportation in the country. It is possible to get around the city without a car. The local trains and BEST buses as well as the metro system are quite affordable. Most importantly, they help to cut down on emissions. For very short distances, walking or cycling is a great option. In addition, electric rickshaws and shared cabs, which are booked via apps, are becoming more common in Mumbai and provide a more environmentally friendly option compared to normal taxis. 3. Purchase From Markets that Support the Community and are Environmentally Friendly A very effective way of supporting the local economy and helping the environment is fostering local enterprises. Buy fresh and organic vegetables and other handmade products from markets like Farmers Market in Bandra or Organic Farmers Market in Juhu. Enjoy meals at restaurants that practice local sourcing and sustainability. Many of such places have opened in Mumbai where food is sourced directly from farms, thereby minimizing the distance food travels and promoting sustainable food practices. 4. Lessening Does of Plastic Similar to other cities, Mumbai has copious amounts of plastic waste. As a sensible tourist, you can minimize your usage of plastic. Try to carry a water bottle, shopping bag, and personal cutlery for example. More hotels and restaurants in Mumbai, and India, have water purifiers to refill bottles to limit single-use plastic bottles. Furthermore, try to steer clear of the purchasing of high quantities of plastic products and instead focus on more sustainable options. 5. Discover Mumbai's Parks Among Mumbai's attractions, a number of them include beautifully maintained parks. These parks and gardens provide an escape from the noise of the metropolis and give an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate nature and its beauty. Some of these parks include: Sanjay Gandhi National Park: The park is a vast buffer forest with several flora and fauna species including leopards and ancient caves. Hanging Gardens: Located on Malabar Hill, the Hanging Gardens provide an exquisite backdrop as it overlooks the south city. Powai Lake: It is one of the popular spots to spend time watching birds and morning and evening strolls. These green spaces not only allow you to appreciate the beauty of nature, but they also help you conserve the areas. 6. Engage in Ecotourism Activities The city boasts eco-tourism undertakings that the travelers can participate in whilst being responsible. You can participate in understanding nature by going for guided nature walks, arranging for a bird watching tour, or local environmental groups organize beach clean-ups to which one can volunteer. For example, The Mangrove Foundation of Maharashtra does conduct tours with the purpose of helping out visitors appreciate the critical role that mangrove ecosystems have on the protection of the coastline of Mumbai. Engaging in such activities greatly adds value to your travel experience all while ensuring the proper measures of conservation are taken. 7. Appreciate Local Culture and Environment An environment friendly holiday does not only center around the amount of carbon emissions one produces. It primarily has to deal with how the local culture and environment is treated. Be sensitive to the rich history of Mumbai such as when you go to the Siddhivinayak Temple or Haji Ali Dargah. Resistance from the local culture such as appropriate dress codes should be adhered to. Steer clear of throwing waste, particularly on the beaches on Juhu and Marine Drive, and bring along a bin to put your trash in. Respectful and responsible travel helps the preservation of the city and facilitates good relationships between visitors and the local people. 8. Mitigate Your Carbon Footprint While reducing your carbon footprint can be difficult, contributing to environmental efforts can help mitigate it. Many organizations provide carbon offset programs that funnel funds into renewable energy, reforestation, and conservation projects. Before heading out on your next trip, calculate the emissions associated with your travel and donate them to a credible program in order to mitigate your carbon footprint. This simple change, although small, can create a ripple effect in global sustainability. Conclusion Taking a green trip around Mumbai is not only possible, but also highly rewarding. By selecting green accommodation, utilizing public transportation, engaging with local vendors, minimizing plastic consumption, visiting more parks, participating in eco-tourism, being sensitive to the local culture, and mitigating one's carbon footprint allows one to experience the culture and energy of Mumbai while caring for the environment. We can all make a difference and mitigating tourism to Mumbai is a wonderful step. So, pack your bags to green up your travel habits and visit the City of Dreams meaningfully.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Discover native mango varieties in Chennai
The Organic Shandy, Mylapore Native mango varieties reign this year says organic farmer and co-founder of Organic Shandy, PB Murali. He adds that the mango season in Tamil Nadu has been quite the disaster so far, with farmers managing only about 20% of the expected yield. However, as they are all discovering, the heritage varieties are more resilient. At his farm in Madhuranthakam, near Chennai, the harvest from over 5,000 trees spread across 60 acres, was hit due to unexpected, unseasonal rains and thunderstorms two weeks ago. Despite the poor yield in the state, Murali's store stocks several types of mango, including Banganapalli, Imam Pasand, Malgova, Alphonso, Mallika, Pathiri, and Panchavarnam, the native variety from Rajapalayam. 'This year one of our farmers harvested a local variety called Yaanathalai (translating to elephant head), which is a huge fruit weighing over a kilogram,' he says. This pivot to finding, sourcing and cultivating native varieties has been observed across the state. Murali also points out that supply is abundant from neighbouring states. 'Prices have hence, come down this year,' says Murali. While you are shopping, also pick up their mango jam, pulp and milk shakes. Orders can be placed over the phone, with home delivery available across the city. The shop is open from 10am to 8pm, and is closed on Sundays. Phone: 7708612348. Organic Farmers Market, Adyar Despite the challenges this year, some native varieties appear to be more resilient to climate conditions. 'We have hence stocked a variety called Karunkurangu, which has a dark green and very thick skin, sourced from Dindigul, and we are trying to source more native varieties,' says Anantha Sayanan, co-founder, Organic Farmers Market (OFM). He notes that the Salem region, which usually has good yield, has also been affected by unseasonal rains. 'Salem, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri, which are major mango-producing regions in the state, were the worst hit this year, due to unexpected rainfall during the flowering season. The season had a late start, and now we are dealing with significantly less yields,' he says. At OFM, they have Imam Pasand, Banganapali, Malgoa, Alphonso, Senthuram and small quantities of Kalapadi. As their mission is to support the farmers they work with, they keep margins low, making the produce affordable. OFM is open from 10am to 6pm. They also have additional stores in various locations within Chennai, apart from Adyar. To place your order, call 6380169943. Cholayil Farm to Table, Anna Nagar Susmera Cholayil, co-founder, Cholayil Farm to Table store, is left with over two tonnes of raw mangoes, that are not suitable for sales. 'The 85 acre, Cholayil mango grove at Vengal village in Tiruvallur, with around 900 trees and nearly 45 varieties of mango, has produced just 30% of its expected yield,' she says. She adds, 'We hope to harvest remaining fruits by the end of May. ' In the meantime, she is exploring ways to process the raw mangoes into pickles and solar-dried products. 'We are expecting an extended season this year, and gradually, all varieties at our farm will be harvested by next month and available for sale,' she says. Currently, they have stocked Banganapalli, Bengalura, Alphonso and more varieties such as Kalapadi, Swarnarekha, Neelam, Malgoa, Pathiri and Rasalu, will be stocked as and when it is harvested. The store is open from 10 am to 7 pm. To pre-book your mangoes, call 7550155005. Safe Foods, Thiruvanmiyur Gopi Devarajan, who founded Safe Foods, an organic store, brings over a decade of experience in sourcing organic food products. He says he primarily sources his mangoes from farmers in Tamil Nadu as well as from the border regions of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. There has been moderate to poor yield in the Tiruvallur and Dindigul districts.'This year, the Banganapalli from Kadapa is particularly sweet, and I am looking forward to the arrival of native varieties such as Kalapadi, Nadusalai, and Sakkarakatti in a few weeks,' says Gopi. He observes that the mango season has been relatively good in the neighbouring southern states. At Safe Foods, the current stock includes Banganapalli, Imam Pasand, Senthuram, Malgoa, Alphonso, Javari, and Mallika. More varieties are expected to arrive during the first week of June. Mangoes can be prebooked between 11am to 8pm. Phone: 9790900887. reStore Organic Store, Kottivakkam At reStore, which sources mangoes from across Tamil Nadu, a wide range of varieties are currently available. These include Malgoa, Mallika, Kesar, Rasalu, Senthuram, Dasheri, Imam Pasand, Alphonso, Javari and Banganapalli are now available. 'Some farmers are yet to complete their harvest, so the mango season is likely to extend till August,' R Karthik, manager of the store, says. He is also looking forward to the arrival of native varieties such as Peether and Pathiri from Kanchipuram district. You can book your mangoes and get them home delivered. 10am to 7pm. Phone: 9840571842.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
This year try a native mango variety, like Yaanathalai, Kalapadi or Nadusalai. Here is where you can find them in Chennai
The Organic Shandy, Mylapore Native mango varieties reign this year says organic farmer and co-founder of Organic Shandy, PB Murali. He adds that the mango season in Tamil Nadu has been quite the disaster so far, with farmers managing only about 20% of the expected yield. However, as they are all discovering, the heritage varieties are more resilient. At his farm in Madhuranthakam, near Chennai, the harvest from over 5,000 trees spread across 60 acres, was hit due to unexpected, unseasonal rains and thunderstorms two weeks ago. Despite the poor yield in the state, Murali's store stocks several types of mango, including Banganapalli, Imam Pasand, Malgova, Alphonso, Mallika, Pathiri, and Panchavarnam, the native variety from Rajapalayam. 'This year one of our farmers harvested a local variety called Yaanathalai (translating to elephant head), which is a huge fruit weighing over a kilogram,' he says. This pivot to finding, sourcing and cultivating native varieties has been observed across the state. Murali also points out that supply is abundant from neighbouring states. 'Prices have hence, come down this year,' says Murali. While you are shopping, also pick up their mango jam, pulp and milk shakes. Orders can be placed over the phone, with home delivery available across the city. The shop is open from 10am to 8pm, and is closed on Sundays. Phone: 7708612348. Organic Farmers Market, Adyar Despite the challenges this year, some native varieties appear to be more resilient to climate conditions. 'We have hence stocked a variety called Karunkurangu, which has a dark green and very thick skin, sourced from Dindigul, and we are trying to source more native varieties,' says Anantha Sayanan, co-founder, Organic Farmers Market (OFM). He notes that the Salem region, which usually has good yield, has also been affected by unseasonal rains. 'Salem, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri, which are major mango-producing regions in the state, were the worst hit this year, due to unexpected rainfall during the flowering season. The season had a late start, and now we are dealing with significantly less yields,' he says. At OFM, they have Imam Pasand, Banganapali, Malgoa, Alphonso, Senthuram and small quantities of Kalapadi. As their mission is to support the farmers they work with, they keep margins low, making the produce affordable. OFM is open from 10am to 6pm. They also have additional stores in various locations within Chennai, apart from Adyar. To place your order, call 6380169943. Cholayil Farm to Table, Anna Nagar Susmera Cholayil, co-founder, Cholayil Farm to Table store, is left with over two tonnes of raw mangoes, that are not suitable for sales. 'The 85 acre, Cholayil mango grove at Vengal village in Tiruvallur, with around 900 trees and nearly 45 varieties of mango, has produced just 30% of its expected yield,' she says. She adds, 'We hope to harvest remaining fruits by the end of May. ' In the meantime, she is exploring ways to process the raw mangoes into pickles and solar-dried products. 'We are expecting an extended season this year, and gradually, all varieties at our farm will be harvested by next month and available for sale,' she says. Currently, they have stocked Banganapalli, Bengalura, Alphonso and more varieties such as Kalapadi, Swarnarekha, Neelam, Malgoa, Pathiri and Rasalu, will be stocked as and when it is harvested. The store is open from 10 am to 7 pm. To pre-book your mangoes, call 7550155005. Safe Foods, Thiruvanmiyur Gopi Devarajan, who founded Safe Foods, an organic store, brings over a decade of experience in sourcing organic food products. He says he primarily sources his mangoes from farmers in Tamil Nadu as well as from the border regions of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. There has been moderate to poor yield in the Tiruvallur and Dindigul districts.'This year, the Banganapalli from Kadapa is particularly sweet, and I am looking forward to the arrival of native varieties such as Kalapadi, Nadusalai, and Sakkarakatti in a few weeks,' says Gopi. He observes that the mango season has been relatively good in the neighbouring southern states. At Safe Foods, the current stock includes Banganapalli, Imam Pasand, Senthuram, Malgoa, Alphonso, Javari, and Mallika. More varieties are expected to arrive during the first week of June. Mangoes can be prebooked between 11am to 8pm. Phone: 9790900887. reStore Organic Store, Kottivakkam At reStore, which sources mangoes from across Tamil Nadu, a wide range of varieties are currently available. These include Malgoa, Mallika, Kesar, Rasalu, Senthuram, Dasheri, Imam Pasand, Alphonso, Javari and Banganapalli are now available. 'Some farmers are yet to complete their harvest, so the mango season is likely to extend till August,' R Karthik, manager of the store, says. He is also looking forward to the arrival of native varieties such as Peether and Pathiri from Kanchipuram district. You can book your mangoes and get them home delivered. 10am to 7pm. Phone: 9840571842.
