KATHMANDU, July 08:Recognizing its contribution to sustainable tourism, Prakriti Resort and Organic Farm has received the prestigious Travelife Certification from the United Kingdom.

Located in Haibung-3 of Melamchi Municipality in Sindhupalchok, Prakriti Resort and Organic Farm was awarded the certification for its focus on eco-friendly infrastructure, organic farming, zero-waste management, and community inclusion. The announcement was made during a special program at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, the resort’s Managing Director, Arun Shrestha, stated that the resort received the Travelife Certification after fulfilling 143 criteria based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and UNWTO’s Sustainable Development Goals. He emphasized that the certification reflects the resort’s long-standing commitment to responsible hospitality, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment.

“This milestone belongs not just to our resort,” Shrestha said, “it belongs to every guest, every partner, every farmer, and community member who believes in the power of tourism that uplifts, heals, and inspires.”

The rigorous certification process included a comprehensive audit on May 31, 2025, validating compliance in areas such as energy use, waste reduction, sustainable sourcing, fair labor practices, and community partnerships. Prakriti Resort has integrated environmentally sustainable systems, including composting organic waste, minimizing plastic use, and tracking carbon emissions through a farm-to-table approach. It has also invested heavily in community collaboration, legal compliance, and ethical staffing practices.

Shrestha shared the personal journey that inspired the resort, from his roots in hospitality at Dhulikhel Mountain Resort founded by his father, to leading ecotourism projects through the Nepal Environment and Tourism Initiative Foundation (NETIF). The lessons from those experiences culminated in the founding of Prakriti Resort in a remote yet pristine area surrounded by Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park.

“Every step required persistence, effort, and patience,” he said. “The local community members and farmers were not just stakeholders but co-creators of the dream of Prakriti.”

Highlighting the resort’s future plans, Shrestha noted that a new Sustainability Action Plan for 2025–26 includes reducing energy consumption, expanding the use of renewable energy, and deepening community engagement. He emphasized that the Travelife Certification is not the end but a beginning of a renewed journey rooted in purpose and collaboration.

At the same event, Sunil Sharma, Acting Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, remarked, “International certifications promote sustainable practices in the tourism sector. Sustainable tourism is only possible with the participation of local communities.”

Echoing this sentiment, Binayak Shah, President of the Hotel Association Nepal, called the award “a boost for eco-tourism” and a testament to the future of green tourism. He added that such achievements encourage broader industry transformation in line with growing global demand for responsible and climate-conscious travel.

Shrestha concluded by stating that he wanted to use this moment as a call for deeper collaboration and creative courage in shaping a future tourism for Nepal where sustainability is not an exception but a must, an expected norm. He ended the statement with, “Let us position Nepal not just as a destination but as a transformational experience for the world.”