Rewilding Tourism: How TOFT Is Transforming Sustainable Travel In South Asia

In a world where travel can either regenerate or degrade the natural environments we admire, rewilding tourism has moved from idealism to urgent necessity. At the forefront of this shift stands TOFT, a pioneering force that has spent nearly 20 years demonstrating that tourism, when conducted responsibly, can be a powerful agent of conservation across India and Nepal.A Global Recognition Of VisionThis year has marked an important milestone for TOFT, which was honoured as a Sustainable Travel Innovator at a leading awards ceremony, earning a place among 25 global leaders redefining ethical travel. Later, TOFT also won the Good Travel Frontrunner Award 2025 at the Sustainable Destinations Forum in Dubai, further cementing its reputation as one of South Asia's most credible voices in responsible tourism. These accolades reflect a philosophy that TOFT has championed since its inception: tourism can and should actively contribute to protecting the natural world.From Advocacy To A MovementTOFT's story began with a simple idea that tourism should directly support conservation. What started as advocacy has evolved into a regional movement promoting nature-positive travel across India and Nepal. By uniting governments, forest departments, conservation groups and the travel industry, TOFT has created a collaborative ecosystem with one shared purpose, making tourism part of the solution.At the core of this impact is the PUG Eco Rating Certification, a rigorous evaluation system that measures lodges and safari operators against global sustainability standards. TOFT complements this with continuous investment in capacity building, training guides, naturalists and lodge staff to uphold ethical practices, interpret wildlife responsibly and deliver exceptional visitor experiences.The results are visible across landscapes and communities. TOFT has demonstrated that sustainability is not only about reducing carbon footprints or minimising waste, it is also about regenerating the very ecosystems and communities that tourism depends on.Celebrating Champions Of ChangeTOFT's flagship event, the TOFT Wildlife and Nature Tourism Awards, is now in its eighth edition. The 2025 Awards will be held on December 12, honouring individuals and organisations that have turned sustainability into measurable impact. This year's theme, "Rewilding Tourism: Sustaining Nature, Empowering Communities," echoes a global conversation that travel must evolve from passive observation to active regeneration. The Awards span 19 categories, spotlighting eco-lodges, naturalist guides, filmmakers, photographers, tour operators, and emerging champions of climate and community stewardship.What sets these awards apart is their focus. Instead of celebrating luxury or scale, TOFT recognises innovation, integrity, and meaningful change - work that restores landscapes, protects biodiversity, and uplifts local communities.Communities, The Heart Of ConservationPerhaps the most compelling aspect of TOFT's work is its community-centred approach. Across India and Nepal, communities living around protected areas are showing that tourism can create dignified livelihoods while safeguarding wildlife.Village-run lodges and women-led homestays are rewriting the narrative of rural tourism. Community-managed safari experiences give visitors a deeper, more authentic connection to nature. These models reduce pressure on forests, promote local pride and ensure that tourism benefits stay where they belong, with the communities that have coexisted with wildlife for generations.By highlighting such initiatives, TOFT continues to reinforce a profound truth: that conservation and community empowerment are inseparable.A Vision For The FutureAs climate change accelerates and biodiversity declines, TOFT's message resonates more strongly than ever. Tourism does not have to be extractive; it can be regenerative. With each sustainable lodge built, each guide trained, and each traveller who chooses consciously, we move closer to a future where both nature and people flourish."Rewilding tourism is about reconnecting people with the wild and ensuring that both nature and communities thrive together," said Vishal Singh, Director of TOFT.In celebrating the eighth TOFT Wildlife and Nature Tourism Awards, the organisation is doing more than recognising excellence. It celebrates success stories that prove the future of travel lies in responsibility, restoration, and respect for the wild. As South Asia rises as a global nature tourism destination, TOFT's work offers a roadmap, one where every journey becomes an opportunity to heal, restore and rewild.For more information on TOFT's initiatives, visit toftigers.org or email toftigers@toftindia.org.Sounds Of The Forest And Light Shows After Dark: A Wildlife Photographer's Perspective