Imagine a place where clouds wrap around peaks like scarves, rivers carve paths through lush green valleys, and fireflies light up forests as if nature itself is putting on a show. This is Bhandardhara – a region tucked away in Maharashtra’s Akole block, where every corner has a story to tell. Here, Mt. Kalsubai stands tall as Maharashtra’s highest peak, Arthur Lake mirrors the surrounding Sahyadri mountains, and waterfalls spill from cliffs in Sandhan Valley, giving the place an air of rugged enchantment.

Despite its allure, Bhandardhara is far from a typical tourist hotspot. It’s a place where agriculture is the backbone of life, where communities know the rhythm of the land, but tourism remains largely untapped. There are few homestays, little infrastructure, and a sense of tourism that’s waiting to bloom. The potential, however, is enormous.

Tourism as a Tool for Empowerment

The ASK Foundation, through its work with Bhandardara’s farmers and schools on projects from agriculture to healthcare, recognized the transformative potential of community-driven tourism for sustainable development. Envisioning Bhandardara’s natural beauty as a source of sustainable livelihoods, ASK Foundation partnered with GHE to create a tourism model centered around local engagement. Together, they aim to transform Bhandardara into a destination for thoughtful, community-focused tourism that supports the local economy and fosters sustainable growth.

The Approach to community-based tourism

A well-structured approach ensures the program aligns with both community needs and tourism demand, fostering a sustainable model that genuinely benefits local residents. Over the years, GHE has honed its expertise in developing impactful homestay models, from our experience in rural and adventure tourism. In our approach to setting up homestays, we begin by carefully identifying the most suitable homes through a baseline survey. This involves assessing various factors, such as the location’s accessibility, appeal to travelers, and each host family’s readiness and interest in providing hospitality. The baseline survey also captures key community insights, like the availability of local amenities and any unique cultural or environmental elements that could enhance the visitor experience. By analysing these insights, we create a customized model tailored to the destination, ensuring the homestays reflect both the essence of the community and the comfort expectations of guests. We also assess the current level of the potential homestay owners, based on which our capacity building training and content is customized. This approach not only supports sustainable tourism but also empowers locals to become skilled hosts, allowing them to fully benefit from the venture.

A Step Towards Sustainable Tourism

Homestays in Bhandardhara have emerged over the years, but many remain basic, lacking the charm and comfort that today’s travelers seek. GHE set out to work with homestay owners, helping them elevate their spaces not just with aesthetics but with a welcoming atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on visitors. Through training and support, homestay owners are learning how to create an experience that’s as enriching for guests as it is beneficial for the local economy.

Drawing from GHE’s extensive experience in creating eco-friendly homestays, each element of the redesign was chosen with climate and environmental sustainability in mind. By focusing on eco-conscious materials, minimizing plastic use, and integrating solar energy wherever possible, the homestays are now more than just accommodations—they’re reflections of the region’s commitment to responsible tourism. From furniture made of locally sourced wood to biodegradable amenities, every detail aligns with the goal of preserving Bhandardhara’s natural beauty for generations to come.

A Unique Blend of Comfort and Adventure

While every home held potential, not all were infrastructurally equipped to host guests immediately. This posed a challenge—how could we create a comfortable, authentic experience without disrupting the local way of life? The answer lay in the open lands and farms surrounding the village homes, which became the perfect setting for jungle safari tents. These tents offer the same cozy interiors as a homestay, with the added thrill of an outdoor experience that immerses guests in nature.

Blending comfort with adventure, the jungle safari tents quickly became a favourite among both family travelers and adventure seekers. This approach not only broadened tourism offerings but also inspired locals to embrace creativity, showing them how simple resources could transform limitations into new opportunities.

The goal? To make travelers feel at home in Bhandardhara, blending rustic appeal with genuine hospitality, all while giving locals a direct share in the benefits of tourism.

Empowering Local Youth

With Bhandardhara’s rough terrains and thrilling trails come certain risks, especially for adventure-seeking tourists. Through formal training programs, ASK Foundation and GHE are empowering local youth to take on the role of skilled adventure guides. These young people are receiving adventure guide training certifications in safety and rescue, and crucially, in first aid – an essential skill for handling emergencies, especially in light of recent incidents in Maharashtra.

This training is more than just a job opportunity; it’s a step toward creating a network of responsible guides who know their landscape intimately and can offer tourists an experience that’s safe, immersive, and respectful of the region’s natural wonders.

” The 1,200-year-old Amruteshwar Temple in Ratanwadi village is an architectural marvel from black stone.”

Revitalizing the Local Economy Through Sustainable Tourism

This model of tourism goes beyond individual success stories.  Responsible tourism means fewer footprints, deeper connections, and a future where Bhandardhara remains as pristine and magical as it is today.

This initiative doesn’t just bring income; it instils a sense of pride among the locals. As the people of Bhandardhara become stewards of their homeland’s beauty, they’re building a future where tourism preserves and empowers rather than disrupts.

By anchoring tourism in local skills, culture, and safety, ASK Foundation and GHE are building an economic foundation that respects Bhandardhara’s environment and traditions.

A Vision for Rural Maharashtra’s Future

 Bhandardhara is paving the way for a new kind of rural tourism, one that honours its cultural roots and creates real impact. For travelers, it offers the chance to experience more than just sights – it’s an invitation to become part of a movement, to see Maharashtra through the eyes of those who know it best.

Whether it’s standing atop Kalsubai, watching the fireflies dance in Panjare forest, or enjoying a simple meal in a homestay, every experience in Bhandardhara now has a story woven into it – a story of empowerment, sustainability, and a community finding new ways to thrive.

” Sandhan Valley, known as Maharashtra’s Grand Canyon, is famous for its 200-foot-deep gorge.”