• Qtr No - H # 1, NBMC&H Campus Siliguri, Dist: Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. PIN - 734014
• +91-97334 65000, +91 94740 92500
• infodreamwaydestinations.com

Eco Tourism and Home Stay - Community based tourism

WWF has identified the stretch of Eastern Himalayas as a Global 200 ecoregion. Conservation International has upscaled the region hotspot to include all the eight states of Northeast India, along with the neighbouring countries of Bhutan, southern China and Myanmar. Northeast India receives more than 1000 mm i.e. 39 inch of rainfall anually. Mid April to late October are the months where most of the rainfall in Northeast India occurs with June and July being the rainiest months. Arunachal Pradesh, in the northern border with China experience the lowest temperatures with heavy snow during winter and temperatures drop below freezing. In the hilly areas of Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, winters are cold while summers are cool with heavy rainfall during monsoon. The region is rich in medicinal plants and many other rare and endangered species along with diversified flora and fauna. 

The charm and appeal are the magnificent heritage architecture, colourful folk festivals, beautiful arts and crafts, traditional and contemporary music and delicious ethnic specialities of various tribes. It is truly a brilliant experience offering unique diversities. The region is home to National Park & Sanctuary or Reserve. The economy of the region is dependent on agriculture, Tea, Tourism and Timber.

As many as 15 species of non-human primates and the major ones like hoolock gibbon, stumptied macafue, pigtailed macague, golden langure, hanuman langur and rhesus monkey can be spotted here in Northeast India. One of the most important and endangered species is one-horned rhinoceros. Wildlife of the region includes the habitats of elephant, royal Bengal tiger, leopard golden cat, fishing cat, marbled cat, etc. the Gangetic dolphin in the Brahmaputra is also an endangered species along with otter, crocodile, tortoise and some fishes.

Wild life in North East includes Namdapha National Park, Manas National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Khangchendzonga National Park, Mouling National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Balphakram National Park, Intangki National Park, Nameri National Park, Murlen National Park, Orang National Park, Phawngpui National Park, Nokrek National Park, Sirohi National Park, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Bison (Rajbari) National Park, Clouded Leopard National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Gorumara National Park, Jaldapara National Park, etc. The people of North-East India is of several racial group like the Mongoloids, the Indo-Aryans, the Australoids or Austric and the Dravidians, and by some immigrant population. Most of the tribal communities are concentrated in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, on Myanmar border, and Meghalaya, sandwiched between Assam and Bangladesh. Nagas, Kukis and Mizos in their present habitat is relatively recent.

North-East India have embraced Christianity transforming the social and cultural practices of the Nagas, Mizos, Khasi and Garos. The Bodos in Assam have adopted Hinduism and are known by different names like Bodos, Kacharis and Mechs. Some are under the influence of the Royal Koch dynasty call themselves Rajbanshis. Kukis of Manipur and Tripurs of Tripura are other tribal groups. Ao Naga, Apatani, Assamese, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Bhutia, Bishnupriya, Biate, Bodo, Chakhesang, Chakma, Chorei, Deori, Dimasa, Garo, Hajong, Hmar, Karbi, Kami, Khasi, Khampti, Kom, Kuki, Lepcha, Limbu, Meitei, Mishing, Miyas, Mizo, Mara, Mishmi, Naga, Nepali, Paite, Pnar, Purvottar maithili, Rabha, Ranglong, (Langrong), Singpho, Sylheti, Tamang, Tiwa, Tripuri, Yimchunger, Zomi people (Paite, Vaiphei, Zou, Teddim, Simte, Gangte) are the some of the major tribe/communities/people of the region.

Some of the popular festivals of the Seven Sisters of Northeast India includes the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, Ziro Festival of Music in Arunachal Pradesh, Bihu,  Brahmaputra Beach Festival, Baishagu & Dehing Patkai Festival in Assam, Myoko Festival in Arunachal Pradesh, Wangala Festival in Meghalaya, The Aoling Festival of the Konyak Tribe in Nagaland, Mopin Festival in Arunachal Pradesh, Moatsu Festival in Nagaland, Dree Festival in Arunachal Pradesh, Torgya Festival in Arunachal Pradesh, Nongkrem Dance Festival in Meghalaya, Ambubachi Mela in Assam, Chapchar Kut in Mizoram

Perhaps Raas Mela is the oldest festival in the North Bengal region. Other major festivals includes Poyla Baishakh (Bengali New Year), Rathayatra, Dolyatra or Basanta-Utsab, Diwali, Poush Parbone, Christmas, Eid ul-Fitr, Eid uz-Zuha and Muharram. Generally most festivals of are equally colourful and are accompanied by dance, food and music. 

We are trying to develop sustainable village tourism package. It is a tool and has taken extra care to spread awareness of local culture and lifestyle. We as a tourism house try to just promote these homestays and community as they are economically backward.  Recent time knowledgeable, passionate, nature lovers enquire about such places. There are many organization, individuals, Tea Estate or even Government officials help in to develop homestay so that our activities help local people socially and economically. Interaction with travellers and the knowledge that they are visiting for the richness in the culture brings in a sense of pride amongst the people and also brings in supplementary sources of income. We use our time and patience to identify our partners i.e. Homestay owners in each destinations. Our focus was always about finding partners who are already involved in working with local people. Homestay or tea tourism is two of the options most popular among our guests. 

The concept of ecotourism is fast catching up locally and internationally. Dooars / Duars is not far behind. Birding, short trails, angling are part of the stay and are not spoken or written separately, it is part of the concept. With basic infrastructure, enjoying local cultures and green environment makes the tour exciting. A local guide from the destination will help guest with their cultures and ways of life far better and earn a much-needed income. There are festivals and special arrangement for guest who wants more. Staying in cottages, fishing, small walks, cooking or simply doing nothing are some of the options travellers ask for. Village or Home Stay popularity is fast catching up and many of the places in this region are setting up such facilities with some form of adventure for the guest. Guest visit helps the economy, buying local products, buying art materials and using local villagers as a guide or help.

These are newly developed units for the last two decades. Homestay is scattered all over the hills among various tribes and communities.  We prefer a sustainable community and their homestay. Homestay made out of illegal tree cutting and stolen timber is generally not appreciated. Neither do we offer our guests such a stay. Homestay or Eco stay are places to relax. Good Host, Peace-loving villages, Tea Estates, Tea Factories, Valley, Beautiful Locations, decent food, activities, safety and security are the major factors attracting guests. Some homestays  like The host Or locals are quite hospitable and offers their best possible food and comfort to guests. The Homestay is generally clean & hygienic run by family. Guests Activities are based on the homestay and its location. Our vehicle generally is available in all homestay. Homestay packages are generally with food. Dreamway Destinations also arrange for angling apart from the usual hikes, picnics, and sightseeing tours.

The benefits are  participating in Sustainable village tourism, observe about the lifestyle of the group / tribe, guest can spread their own message, Teach and learn environmental issues, Gain knowledge about a particular place /region/people, Enjoy an idea of culture, religion etc, visiting Off beat destination, learn cooking, agriculture, angling etc and Participate in local festivals. Few travelers are like to visit in monsoon also, for lush green valley with different test and discounts, it is recommendation for other traveler to avoid rainy season.

Guwahati in Assam is considered to be the gateway to the North-East states and once you reach there, you can fly to some of the other places such as Silchar, Dimapur, Imphal, Aizawl, Agartala, Jorhat and Dibrugarh. Most of the airports in Northeast have decent connections to other cities in India. Some are in very remote locations. Like Arunachal Pradesh’s airports one will have to take a flight to Lilabari Tezpur Airport in Assam and then drive down from there. 

Indian Airlines, IndiGo, Spicejet and Vistara are some of the service providers of this region. Tourist / Traveler can reach Northeast in the following Airport or Helipad. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport (GAU) in Guwahati in the state of Assam, Bir Tikendrajit International Airport (IMF) in Imphal in the state of Manipur, Silchar Airport (IXS) at Kumbhirgram, nearly 30 kilometers from Silchar in the state of Assam, Dibrugarh Airport, is at Mohanbari, near 15 kilometers from Dibrugarh Town in the state of Assam, Dimapur Airport (DMU) in the Indian state of Nagaland. Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport Or Agartala Airport (IXA) is a domestic airport 12 kilometres from Agartala town.  Two Helipads are Lilabari (IXI) Airport which is nearly 45 kilometers from Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh & Lengpui Airport (AJL) in Aizawl in the state of Mizoram.

North east comprises of eight states i.e. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. The region shares an international border of 5,182 kilometres with several neighbouring countries like Tibet Autonomous Region, China in the North, Myanmar in the east, Bangladesh in the south-west, Nepal in the west, and with Bhutan in the north-west. They are well connected with Roads, National & State highway along with Asean Highway. North-east India have some long distance routes that offers unexplored adventure with winding highways, majestic mountain views, virgin forests and travel through the clouds.