Foreign visitors enjoy Mineral Spring delicacies as just part of the local hospitality during a farmstay near Darjeeling, India

Set against the jaw-droppingly gorgeous backdrop of the snow-covered Himalayas and surrounded by the phenomenal forests and streams of rural Darjeeling, India, the little village of Mineral Spring is a community knit together by strong cultural values that have made it a model of sustainable growth.

Two of these values are commitments to traditional agriculture and to protecting the region’s incredible biodiversity. This vibrant ensemble of small farms has been producing high-quality and certified organic Darjeeling tea since 1998 – even competing successfully against large corporate tea companies – without losing sight of the health and long-term preservation of their local environment. All of this is particularly important given the adjacent Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, whose resident birds and wildlife such as rhesus monkeys, barking deer and Himalayan flying squirrels know no borders.

Ever mindful of the difficulties involved in maintaining traditional ways of life and protecting nature, local farmers have also started harnessing the power of community-based tourism as an opportunity for additional income. The Himalayas and the people who inhabit them have long been powerful magnets to adventurous travellers, particular those interested in rural lifestyles and culture. Now, in Mineral Spring, homestays with locals have been set up, satisfying the desires of both mindful travellers and responsible hosts, the latter eager to share the unique character of their village and local environment.

It’s a win-win situation that brings greater economic prosperity to Mineral Springs and emboldens local efforts to ensure the vigour of the environment.

Homestays in the Himalayas
The Mineral Spring homestay initiative was lauched by (Local Travel Movement partners Tathagata Journeys, a local tour operator that aims to promote socially responsible and sustainable tourism, and specialises in off-the-beaten-path travel experiences.

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