Jain Spirit 2003 06 No 15

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 49

difference both to myself and to the actual environment and people who live and use (or are affected by) the areas where I design. It is important to invest careful thought into the planning and design of any development. There is a tendency for people to take their built environment and urban spaces for granted, not realising just how their environment actually affects them. It is this realisation that makes ecotourism planning progressive in its approach to design. All the planning and design principles employed in ecotourism are sustainable in nature. In my experience, an ecotourism planner is distinguished by the fact that s/he is not driven by the ego; s/he is sensitive to both environmental and social issues and has a holistic approach to design. This is significantly different to that of the mass tourism planner.
I am a strong believer in using local knowledge at the beginning of the planning process. In most cases, I find that indigenous people are the best stewards of the land and the most non-violent. They live in harmony with their surroundings, leading a sustainable life and treading lightly on the land. Incorporating their wisdom right at the beginning of the planning process helps ensure a win-win situation. Community empowerment through planning is the right thing to do and will guarantee a sustainable project because the local people will embrace it. Respect for other human beings and their ways of living is an important Jain value; it is also integral to ecotourism.
Our office is currently working on the master planning of the first ecotourism destination in India. Located in the Western Ghats of Kerala, this mind, body and soul' | destination will be the first hill station in India that prioritises local architecture and landscaping. Right from the beginning, we organised community meetings and gave local people the opportunity to design and plan their dreams. Their feedback has been invaluable and has greatly enhanced the final master plan.
There is much to learn from ecotourism planning. The synergy between Jainism and the holistic approach of ecotourism to planning is the way of the future. In the words of the famed
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF AUTHOR
MEDITATION HUT
MAINTENANCE AND
INTERPRETATIVE CE RESEARCH LABORATORE
STAPP VILLAR
sustainable design architect, Bill McDonough (Time magazine, 'Hero' of the year 2000): "As we consider having 'designs' on the earth, and as we continue to design our place upon it, the
concept of the ecolodge illuminates our path to the most important work ahead. To become indigenous again means engaging the best of human technology with local natural circumstance and culture in ways that honour all these elements. Ecolodges are a leading strategy for such engagement. One can hope all buildings will one day be designed like this."
Ecotourism has helped me understand Jainism better. There are many consultants around, all claiming their expertise in 'ecotourism'. 'Greenwashing' in the industry is rampant and
people are out to make a quick
buck. Just as in ecotourism, I see much hypocrisy within today's Jain communities. I grew up in Nairobi, where over 90% of the people who claim they are Jains wear leather slippers and shoes, use medicine and cosmetic products that have been tested on animals, develop houses and buildings that are harmful to the environment. I would safely say that this is probably the case with 'Jains' everywhere. We have a world of pseudo-Jains! However, it is better to have those Jains then to have no Jains at all.
Wolong Giant Panda Reserve, China
THE AHIMSA OF ECOTOURISM
TRAL TO OUR RENERVO
I stopped calling myself a Jain a long time ago because I felt that I was breaking a few rules: I played cricket at the highest level with a leather ball; I have unusually flat and wide feet and no non-leather hiking and sports shoes are available that fit me. Even though I eat mainly organic vegetarian food at home, use only products that are biodegradable and not tested on animals, and recycle and reuse, and am a vegetarian, I feel that it would be hypocritical to call myself a Jain. However, I am grateful for the 'Jain' conditioning I have had and I credit the Jain influences in my work. I am thankful that I was born a Jain.
LOREY DINING/LOUNG
Plan for hill retreat in Kerala, India
MANAGERS HOUSE
QUEST COTTAGES
ROAD TO ULUPUN
Hitesh's details are in the contents pages.
June-August 2003 Jain Spirit
47