Jalori Jot Sets Community Eco-Tourism Benchmark
3 min read
Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Nestled at an altitude of nearly 10,800 feet in Kullu district, Jalori Jot is emerging as one of Himachal Pradesh’s finest examples of community-based eco-tourism, where environmental conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and local participation go hand in hand.
Developed by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department with support from the Local Area Development Authority (LADA), the project has been created at an investment of around ₹5.5 crore. It includes 11 eco huts, a Nature Interpretation and Service Centre, and other visitor amenities aimed at promoting responsible tourism while preserving the region’s rich biodiversity.
The initiative stands out for placing local communities at the heart of tourism development. Residents of Lajheri, Khanag, and Phanouti panchayats have been directly involved in managing the project. Seven eco huts have been allotted to local families, enabling them to provide accommodation, traditional Himachali cuisine, and hospitality services to visitors. This has created sustainable income opportunities while ensuring tourism benefits reach the grassroots.
The remaining eco huts serve public and conservation purposes. One functions as a Nature Interpretation and Service Centre, educating visitors about the area’s forests, biodiversity, ecology, and cultural heritage. Another has been reserved for women self-help groups to showcase and sell locally made products, while one serves as a rescue and transit facility for emergencies.
Tourism infrastructure at Jalori Jot has also been strengthened with improved accommodation, electricity, hospitality services, and drinking water facilities, which are expected to become fully operational soon. The upgrades have significantly enhanced visitor comfort and safety in the remote mountain destination.
The project has generated meaningful employment for local residents. Operators like Rinku Thakur and Beli Ram say managing the eco huts has provided them with stable livelihoods while creating new opportunities for youth and families in the surrounding villages. Hundreds of people now benefit directly and indirectly from the initiative.
Women have emerged as key stakeholders in the model. Nearly 100 members of self-help groups sell handmade shawls, pattus, woollen socks, gloves, mufflers, traditional caps, and other local handicrafts along the trekking routes to Raghupur Fort and Serolsar Lake. The initiative not only strengthens rural incomes but also promotes Himachali craftsmanship and cultural heritage among visitors.
Jalori Jot also serves as the gateway to popular trekking destinations such as Raghupur Fort and Serolsar Lake, attracting thousands of tourists every year. Recognising the environmental sensitivity of the region, local eco-tourism societies actively participate in maintaining cleanliness, collecting plastic waste, and protecting the surrounding forests and trekking trails.
The project is managed through local organisations, including the Raghupur Eco Tourism Society, Jalori Eco Tourism Society, and Lajheri Eco Tourism Society. Under the revenue-sharing model, 60 percent of the income supports forest management and project operations, while 40 percent goes to local societies for infrastructure maintenance, cleanliness, and community development.
Jalori Jot’s community-based eco-tourism model demonstrates how sustainable tourism can simultaneously protect nature, empower local communities, strengthen rural economies, and provide authentic travel experiences. As tourism pressure grows across India’s mountain regions, the initiative offers a replicable model for balancing development with environmental conservation.
