Want to escape the hustle-bustle of the city and spend days amid natural beauty, enjoying farming, recreational activities, and learning about Kashmir’s cultural heritage? Then, visit Sagg eco village in Kashmir.
De-stress. Heal. Rejuvenate. Recreate. These are the mantras for staying at Sagg eco village. This place promotes natural farming and traditional food preservation methods and organizes camps for children with campfires, trekking expeditions, and barbeque parties. Sounds exciting.
You can engage in all these activities on your trip to Kashmir, specifically Ganderbal, where Sagg Village is located. Learn the importance of sustainable living by actively participating in activities in and around the village.
Wondering what this place offers, who created it, what you can do, and more? Keep reading.
Why Should You Visit Sagg EcoVillage?
If you wish to escape the polluted cities and spend a few days relaxing in the lap of nature, Sagg eco village is your place to be. Located on the Harmukh foothills, the village overlooks Sindh and Nigeen Valleys in Ganderbal, a town in Kashmir. Stay in this regenerative farm cum cultural retreat that design, develop, and promote recreational, educational, and lifestyle services. In addition, they have many programs you can partake in, including natural, cultural, and contemporary ethos.
Enjoy your time here as the village hosts solo, family, and group recreational stays, expeditions, events like parties, meetings, mental health programs, workshops for students, youth, parents, farmers, and entrepreneurs; treks, walks, bike rides, and other exciting activities. Moreover, special recreational camps are held for children and families with female guides to help and walk you along the village.
Also, the beauty of the village is breathtaking, which manifests in the warm-hearted people of Kashmir and their cordial hospitality, which is a major stress-buster. It is also called the “Hidden Gem of Kashmir.”
Additionally, you can learn about organic farming for fresh produce and ways of zero-waste, promoting sustainable tourism in Sagg village.
The Story Of Sagg Eco Village
Fayaz Ahmad Dar, a social entrepreneur, started as an assistant homeopathic dispensary and moved to various fields afterward. Later, he became an administrative and project officer for USIEF, United States-India Educational Foundation.
He gave up his job in 2009, pursued his course in the US, and finally moved to Kashmir. He understood the conditions that people were living in Kashmir. So he decided to share his experiences to guide them. And eventually, he founded a non-profit initiative named Mool Sustainability Research and Training Centre. He collaborated with many NGOs and researched to understand the youth’s needs.
‘Needs Assessment of Youth’ was the first research project where he engaged with students from Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh educational institutions. He needed to understand and give them solutions. He envisioned a society we all wanted to reside in and made efforts for it.
Additionally, He discussed self-sufficiency, dignity, sustainability, equality, and inclusivity without practical initiatives. And that is how Sagg eco village was born.
Fayaz bought a piece of land in 2013, barren and abandoned. Even basic facilities like electricity and water were luxuries here, and the area was covered in thorns and rocks. It took around 3 years to set the village up and open the ecological entrepreneurial venture, a great display of Kashmiri culture and heritage.
But steadily, volunteers transformed what we now call Sagg Village Kashmir, an eco-cultural, recreational, and educational farm and camping facility.
What You Can Do At Sagg Village On Your Kashmir Tour?
Sagg Village facilitates natural farming and traditional food preservation methods. You can take these classes and learn organic farming methods. The village produces products that are completely organic and healthy to consume. Sagg promotes the zero-waste concept and, thus, practices composting, organic farming, etc.
It comprises poultry, meat, vegetables, and fruits. Also, Sagg sells products like Kashmiri wuer (a traditional blend of herbs and spices), dried apples, lotus stem, pickles, and jams.
Learn to make Kashmir handcrafts based on eco-friendly processes from natural and pure ingredients. The village also conducts trekking and mountaineering expeditions for those who want to indulge in adventure activities in Kashmir, including locally-bred horses.
Kids can enjoy camps that are organized especially for them and enjoy bonfire nights and barbecue parties. They can also learn eco-building methods and take part in seminars.
Apart from recreational activities, Sagg Village hosts social gatherings and workshops based on composting, entrepreneurship, food processing, handicrafts, upcycling, eco-therapy, art therapy, and mud-therapy sessions. You can walk around the village with a guide and learn more about sustainability.
Spring, among other festivals in Kashmir, is celebrated enthusiastically at Sagg Village, where families and individuals visit from nearby areas for a day or two to enjoy traditional music and food. On other days, local children and women get free entry.
What Are The Stays Options In Sagg Eco Village Kashmir?
Dormitories, camps, and hostels are offered for staying at Sagg Village. In addition, this eco-village in Kashmir has beautiful, eco-friendly mud houses to stay in. The village also has a garden cafe and indoor and outdoor recreational spaces for all groups. Male and female washroom blocks are separate with composing and flush toilets with hot and cold water supply.
The accommodation in Sagg Village is available at affordable rates, which have been decided keeping young people in mind. Overnight camping charges around INR 500 along with breakfast, and around INR 700 for dormitories. Educational programs like mindset sessions cost INR 299, and the 4-day and 3-night residential camps for students cost INR 5,000 per person.
Note: These prices are subject to change at the time of the booking.
Conclusion
Sagg is not just an eco-friendly village teaching sustainable recreation, but it also molds the young generation in Kashmir especially and guides them to make better life choices. The diverse culture and kind-hearted people treat everyone coming with warm hospitality, making their days here more enjoyable and memorable. So, if you wish to engage in nature activities like trekking, walking, mountaineering, organic farming, and more, book Kashmir tour packages with Indian Holiday. Get more details on call by connecting with our travel experts today.
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