Travel Essentials for India: Eco-Friendly Gear for Wildlife Explorers

In the last couple of years, I have seen that the trend of wildlife tourism intersecting with environmental sustainability has been rapidly increasing. Purchase of travel essentials for India specific wildlife exploration by many individuals from various brands signifies the changing shift and rising awareness towards sustainable ecotourism. And frankly speaking, that’s how it should be. 

We should not harm the environment for our selfish pleasures, and it’s high time to shift towards non-biodegradable wildlife travel products. The rise of eco-conscious wildlife travellers is a positive shift, and I stand in favor of it completely. 

So, in this blog, from my years of wildlife exploration experience, I have tried my best to put together a comprehensive list of eco-friendly safari gear items and green travel accessories that you must purchase while planning your next wildlife trip across Indian National Parks and Bird Sanctuaries.

I have visited many Indian Wildlife Parks, and I keep on posting about the adventure trips and stories on my YouTube Channel. It’s because of this passion of mine that I have realized the true importance of eco travel products, and have started adding them to my wildlife travel checklist. 

Eco-friendly Travel Essentials for India Based Wildlife Adventures

When it comes to curating a comprehensive checklist for travel accessories for wildlife trips that are eco-friendly, these are the areas you must look at:

• Sustainable backpacks and carrying systems.
• Solar-powered equipment and energy solutions.
• Eco-friendly water and hydration items.
• Natural fabric clothing.
• Biodegradable personal care products. 
• Sunscreens
• Natural Insect protection.
• Sustainable footwear solutions
• Camera and equipment protection items.
• Reusable utensils.
• Natural Fiber Sun Hats

So let’s dive into each of these one by one and understand in detail.

Start Curating Eco-friendly Safari Gear with Sustainable Backpacks

Wildlife explorers today have started transitioning to eco-friendly material-based backpacks that not only will help you carry your items with ease but also minimize environmental impact. 

Backpacks made up of ECONYL® regenerated nylon material are one of the best options for you, as they’re made from waste materials. It not only provides professional-grade protection but also supports the motto of eco-friendly tourism. They come in sizes varying up to 60L capacities and are best suited for all types of wildlife explorers and adventurers. 

They are extremely durable, made up of recyclable materials, and serve multiple purposes. 

Solar Powered Equipment And Energy Solutions

Another essential component of building an eco-friendly travel gear for your wildlife trips includes solar-powered equipment. That’s because often the wildlife parks are situated in remote locations with limited access to power. 

So in that case, having solar-powered equipment can really be super useful. Solar-powered gear items include solar power banks with fast charging capabilities, solar tents with inbuilt battery storage systems, and portable solar chargers that you can use to charge your cameras, phones, GPS devices, and much more. 

They are completely eco-friendly and promote sustainable tourism. 

Eco-Friendly Hydration Items: Another Part Of Green Travel Accessories

When it comes to eco-friendly travel essentials for India specific wildlife adventures, hydration items like water storage products form a major part of it. These can include products like bamboo-based water bottles or paper packaging-based sustainable water storage units. 

They are remarkable when it comes to biodegradable water packaging systems, as they decompose very seamlessly without causing any environmental trouble. They are paired with complementary materials that make them extremely durable and leak-proof. 

Many such products made from biodegradable materials often come with an inbuilt water purification mechanism in case you encounter bad water quality. So, truly a lifesaver equipment that you must make a part of your eco-friendly safari gear.

Natural Fabric Clothing: Must Have Travel Essentials For India Trips

As a wildlife explorer who is passionate about uncovering the hidden gems of Indian wildlife parks and sanctuaries, you must make a shift to natural fabric-based clothes, which are eco-friendly at their core. Usually, these clothes are made up of organic cotton, hemp fabric, and other recyclable materials. 

They not only balance functionality with environmental responsibility, but also come with a presentable style statement. They are usually quick-dry clothes made up of natural, organic, and recyclable materials. Also, they are lightweight, highly breathable, tear-resistant, UV-resistant, and antimicrobial. 

All the characteristics needed for building a perfect biodegradable clothing item. 

Biodegradable Personal Care Products

These are another essential component of eco-friendly travel essentials for India specific wildlife adventure trips. It can include items like biodegradable toiletries, which cause no harm to the environment once disposed of. 

They are great alternatives to chemical-based products and may consist of items like solid soap bars, shampoo and conditioners, bamboo-based toothbrushes, toothpaste tablets, and plant-based deodorants. 

All of these items do not come in any type of plastic packaging. Their packaging is also biodegradable materials based which causes no harm to the environment. These are compact and spill-proof alternatives to liquid products that are often chemical-based. They are completely made up of organic ingredients, which not only provide effective cleaning but also are environmentally friendly. 

Sunscreen is also another big component of biodegradable personal care products. They are usually called Reef-safe Sunscreen products and are made up of various minerals instead of harmful substances that cause harm to the marine ecosystems. 

Green Travel Accessories also Include Sustainable Footwear

Trekking boots, or boots made for rough terrain, are another essential component of your sustainable wildlife gear checklist. These eco-friendly footwear are not only durable, but also rugged and do not cause any harmful impact to the environment. 

They are high-performance outdoor footwear perfect for your India based wildlife trips. Many shoe brands in India manufacture eco-friendly footwear that not just protects your feet but also reduces carbon emissions by a significant margin. 

They use recyclable materials that help in regulating foot temperature and also absorb moisture significantly. Basically, made from raw materials that are 100% eco-friendly and sustainable. 

Add Natural Insect Protectors To Your Eco-Friendly Safari Gear

Adding plant-based insect repellents to your wildlife gear checklist for India tours is a wise decision that you can make. They provide the exact same benefits without causing any chemical-centric environmental harm. 

They are made up of biodegradable ingredients such as essential oils (Lemongrass, lavender, peppermint, citronella), coconut oil, and neem oil, which provides great protection for up to 12 hours. 

So choose your eco-friendly alternatives from reputed and verified brands instead of going with chemical-based insect repellents. 

Reusable Utensils

Consider adding reusable and biodegradable utensils to your green travel accessories list when planning your next trip to Indian wildlife parks. These can include bamboo-based cutlery sets instead of going with single-use plastics. Not only are they durable, but also great alternatives to cutlery made from environmentally harmful materials. 

The list of items can include bamboo plates, a spoon, a fork, a knife, chopsticks, and straw. The biggest advantages include:

• High biodegradability as they decompose within a few months to years, depending on their density.
• They are heat-resistant and can also enable safe eating and cooking.
• Bamboo cutlery has many anti-microbial properties and naturally shields from bacteria and molds.
• Last but not least, they are extremely lightweight and easy to carry.  

Camera Protection Items

Camera travel essentials for India centric wildlife trips can include items like rain covers and camera bags specifically made for our country’s specific weather conditions. Be it summer or winter, organic camera bags made from materials like recycled nylon, organic cotton, and even cork provide universal protection from dust and environmental hazards. 

They are made to withstand extreme heat or cold conditions, have great grip, come for various camera and lens types, and are compact for storage without compromising on protection quality. Many of them come in forest-themed camouflage patterns, perfect for Indian wildlife conditions. 

Not only that, when it comes to organic and biodegradable waterproof rain covers for cameras and lenses, they are usually made from Recycled Fabrics, Plant-Based Materials, and Biomass-Derived Plastics. These are emerging options and are gradually gaining popularity.   

Natural Fiber Sun Hats

Last but not least, you should not forget to pack sun hats made from organic and biodegradable materials. Made up of hemp material, it provides natural UV protection while ensuring proper breathability and durability. 

The other benefits of using hemp hats for wildlife trips in India include face and neck protection as well from the harmful rays of the sun. This is possible due to their wide-brim design.

Conclusion: Build Your Zero-Waste Wildlife Travel Kit Essentials

So, to conclude on building the perfect kit of gear items containing travel essentials for India-based wildlife tours, here’s a quick summary for you to refer to. 

This includes all the items that we have covered above across various categories. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should I include in travel essentials for India based wildlife tours that I have planned in the coming months?

You should pack the following items without any compromise:

• Sustainable Backpacks
• Solar Powered Equipment
• Eco-Friendly Hydration Items
• Natural Fabric Clothing
• Biodegradable Personal Care
• Sustainable Footwear
• Natural Insect Protectors
• Reusable Utensils
• Camera Protection Items
• Natural Fiber Sun Hats

What are the actual benefits of using eco-friendly safari gear for Indian wildlife trips?

Not only are they biodegradable and do not harm the environment in any way, but they are also durable, dust and water-resistant, strong, have better grip in case of backpacks and bags, and are best suited for Indian wildlife adventure in winter, summer and monsoon..

Are eco-friendly/green travel accessories costly or affordable?

Initially, they may cost more due to their cost of materials, production, and ethical sourcing criteria. But in the long run, they are worthwhile investments as they will enable you to shift from cheap and environmentally polluting material-based wildlife gear items. It depends on the brand, but usually, they are at a sub-premium pricing level, as not many people go towards it. But definitely it is a rising trend gaining widespread popularity and in the coming years will become mainstream. 

Are there any certifications that ensure the eco-friendliness of the wildlife gear I am purchasing?

Yes, there are certain India-specific guidelines and certifications that brands building eco-friendly safari gear generally have. These may include:

• Ecomark Certification by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
• GreenPro Certification by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• NABL Accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
• Environmental Clearance certificates from State Pollution Control Boards.
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compliance certification.

Who can provide me with professional guidance in curating the perfect list of eco-friendly wildlife gear items for my specific needs?

You can get in touch with the Jungle Revives team, and we will help you build the perfect checklist of organic and biodegradable wildlife gear items for various areas. Feel free to contact us.