Dia Mirza's Guide To Travelling Consciously In India

As someone who has always been vocal about the need to protect our planet, this Bollywood actor has the best recommendations for eco-tourism spots, and how to visit them responsibly

- Farzana Patowari

Dia Mirza has always been innately passionate about the environment, and so, the Bollywood actress' love for an eco-conscious lifestyle comes as no surprise. "I came across this disturbing article about how tourism has gone up exponentially in a place like Ladakh, post-COVID. And, how that is creating such a huge strain on the infrastructure of the region, on the drainage system, the water resources, and waste management system. All of that is getting badly impacted. So, one thing, of course, is that you know, every state and region would want people to travel to them. But I think, we need to be equally responsible while on a vacation," shares the 41-year-old actor and do-gooder.

The eco-warrior approaches travel with a certain sensitivity. "One of the things that I do before I travel is that I actually find out whether the place has an adequate waste management system. If they don't then, I ensure that I don't carry items which are not degradable. Secondly, being respectful to the culture and community of that area. Exploring the local cuisine and interacting with people, but also treating them with dignity and gratitude. These little things can contribute in a significant way," she suggests. Understandably, as a practitioner of responsible travel, she has quite a few recommendations for places, where you can fuel your love for wanderlust without causing much harm to the planet. Here are a few eco-tourism spots worth visiting this year, as suggested by Mirza.