sarai at toria

Hotel Type: Boutique | Wildlife Lodge | Eco Retreat 

The Philosophy: The initial idea was to develop long lasting conservation and research programs amongst the communities living around the Panna. Creating a small hotel alongside this was to provide the means to support themselves and also help to fund their work.  This then further developed, and The Sarai at Toria now perfectly demonstrates how comfort and luxury may still be enjoyed while being earth-friendly. Also in the planning is for the Sarai to become a base for wildlife, climate change and conservation research.  

Experiences Offered:Jeep Safaris | Boat ride | Nature Walks | Walk with the Pardhis | Handicraft workshop with Pashoo Pakshee | Picnic treks | Off the tourist trail | The real village India | Trekking | Interaction with local artisans | Nearby monuments | Cookery classes | Cycling | Yoga | Waterfalls

Accreditations:

  

Eco Facts

  • Land reclamation/rewilding: 80-100%
  • Food from a 50-mile radius: 80-100%
  • Organic food used: 60-80% 
  • Wastewater is recycling: 20-40%
  • Natural construction materials:
    Original/heritage building 80-100%
    New buildings 80-100%
  • Single use plastic bottles. 0 – 20%
  • Percentage of staff are locals? 92%

SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES

  • All wet waste is composted the organic garden.  
  • Set menus to minimise food waste.  
  • No bottled water is provided, only RO filtered.   
  • Only natural cleaning materials EM (effective microorganisms) are used.  
  • Single use plastic– no plastic bags, no bathroom plastic cosmetics, no plastic water bottles 
  • Wastewater is filtered back into the ground.  
  • Minimal use of cement and steel in the building.  
  • Mostly mud, locally made brick, stone, lime mortar, grass thatch and locally made tiles. 

Community Projects

Raghu and Joanna founded and run a conservation trust, Baavan (Bagh Aap Aur VAN) that works with the local communities. At present this is mainly entry level activities such as nature education, health camps, eye camps, livestock improvement, aid to schools, litter collection clean-up schemes, park guide training etc.