Two nature enthusiasts – Joseph Barreto and Benhail Antao – are bringing their wildlife-rich knowledge to the camping table, offering offbeat tourism experiences to tourists and locals of Goa. The demand for this niche tourist attraction has been picking up in recent times.
Till now, the duo have organised over five camping excursions at the Green Goan Village in Dharbandora on the banks of the River Mandovi, providing nature lovers the opportunity to explore their wild side.
Barreto, who owns nature resorts, and the multifaceted Antao – a wildlife rescuer who has featured on National Geographic TV shows – offer adventurers off-the-beaten-track experiences in the untamed Goa.
Green Goan Village, tucked away deep inside Dharbandora on the banks of River Mhadei (Mandovi), is a haven of wilderness, where one is most likely to encounter Goa's wild souls.
The overnight camping experiences at the Village are designed in such a way that the campers leave the site not only with unforgettable memories but also equipped with wide knowledge about Goa's forests.
On arrival at the campsite, the day one starts off with participants being split into small groups to set up their tents. Next, it’s time to make a checklist of accessories like sleeping bags and headlamps and learn how they are used at camps.
But before the tents go up, Antao – one of Goa’s well known snake catchers – makes sure to arm the campers with basic survival skills that include wilderness first aid and campfire safety. He does this to instil confidence in them to cope with the dangers of the wild.
And while he does this, he encourages campers to come up with queries to addresses their concerns and sooth their fears of the wild. This interactive approach fosters a friendly learning environment and generates a feeling of camaraderie between the campers.
The sole purpose of Antao is to connect people to nature and foster genuine respect for wildlife through these camps; "the main goal of my camps is to try and help people understand the ecosystem we live in and how to share space with wildlife".
Though the camping excursion has a pre-set itinerary, Antao is open to participants’ suggestion. This allows him to tailor the experiences to their interests. This, he feels, leads to more engaging discussions, activities, and even spontaneous wildlife observations.
Even though it’s Antao who puts together the two-day camp, he never fails to acknowledge that he is able to put life to it only because Barreto allows him to bring his expertise to his forest property – the Green Goan Village.
The Antao-Barreto partnership is a win-win for both. It allows Antao to indulge in his passion for the wild, and Barreto’s property gets a wider exposure with a steady flow of campers.
After the success of his partnership with Antao, Barreto is now ready to tie up with others looking to organise camps or other immersive adventure or nature activities at his property.
"I have the infrastructure ready, all that one would need to do is come up with ideas and share them with me," he offers.
Barreto's offer could entice many partners besides those focused on camping in future; “it could be birdwatching tours, yoga retreats or educational programmes about the local flora and fauna – these are some of the possibilities”.
He goes on to add, “Sustaining an eco-tourism business is not easy but maintaining a steady stream of activities can target customers throughout the year".
Sustaining an eco-tourism business is not easy but maintaining a steady stream of activities can target customers throughout the year
Joseph Barreto
Barreto's vision has the potential of turning Green Goan Village into a thriving centre for eco-tourism with unique experiences in Goa. It also promotes responsible interaction with the natural world through meaningful partnerships.
This vision of his could well serve as a model for sustainable eco-tourism development and its growth in the region.
DETAILS:
WHAT: Adventure camping
WHERE: Green Goan Village, Marad, Dharbandora
ACTIVITIES: Camping, forest walks, kayaking
LOCATION: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6i46rw7VfkekBSEm9?g_st=ic
CONTACT: +91 98221 21421/+91 98235 21879