Ecotourism
Farm holidays - visits to farms
If
you are considering an alternative ecotourism
holiday, then a holiday visit to a suitable farm
might appeal. The link to farm holidays and ecotourism
is usually made through references to the farm's
local cultural heritage. Where the local population
has relied on the farming industry throughout
it's generations and where it has retained or
preserved it's buildings, equipment, agricultural
or animal stocks and particularly it's traditional
farming practices, then these are of historical
and cultural relevance to the local community
and when farm holidays ecotourism applies.
In
addition, if the farm and farming community have
shown to have put something back into the environment,
replenished original flora and fauna or assisted
in returning the land to how it was originally,
then the farm may be considered worthy of an farm
holiday ecotourism visit by the true ecotourist.
Also, if the farm has shifted some of it's emphasis
over to catering for ecotourists, then this good
divergence practice may have been assisted financially
by local governments who have recognised the changing
face of modern day farming. These farm holidays
ecotourism arrangements will have made good business
sense for the farmer.
So,
look for an agent who can recognise the ecotourism
link and identify which farm holidays are suited
to your true ecotourism ambitions.
  
Examples
of farm holidays ecotourism
One
particular farm in Chattupara Adimali region of
India offers the following :
During
the harvesting season ie. November to March a
visit to the farm will be especially interesting.There
are crops of spices along with coffee, pepper,
cardamom, vanilla and a number of other spices
are grown here. A lake about two hundred metres
long is also part of the farm where fish are grown.
Canoeing facilities are also available. Guides
will be provided for a team of not more than five
members. A herd of cross bred Boer Goats can also
be seen on the farm. Trecking to the high hills
and forest on both sides of the Valley where the
farm is situated could be arranged on prior booking.
farm
holidays ecotourism
It
is also recommended that you visit farms in the
area producing giant sized Amorphophallus (Elephant
foot yam some times upto 100 Kgms), Kaachil (more
than 100 Kgs), Tapioca (Sometimes weighing upto
200 kgms per bunch) and many other agricultural
produces are grown in the area.
farm
holidays ecotourism
You can enjoy angling in the farm lake and also
in the nearby Deviyaar (Deviyaar = River of the
Goddess). The Temple of Goddess Saraswathi (the
Goddess of letters & knowledge) is situated
just next to the farm providing an opportunity
to learn the history, culture and people of the
locality.
farm
holidays ecotourism
You
can visit the Kudis (hamlets) of the clans of
the Mannan and Muduvan Tribes. Watch the Vaarikuzhi
used for trapping wild animals for food and the
Kuthirayala (large cave made specially for resting
horses). Watch the Lemon grass cultivations in
the high altitudes of the Chattupara kudi.
farm
holidays ecotourism
responsible
travel has links to farm holidays
- examples
of agriturismo holidays in Italy
Enjoy
your visits to farms and your farm holidays ecotourism
and farm heritage sites in Tuscany, Chianti, Florence,
Dorset and Italy.
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