Tree House Hideaway, an eco lodge of Pugdundee Safaris, is a result of ever changing strategies. With initial plans to construct over 20 rooms, we convinced the owners of changing the concept to a lodge that up to date only counts 5 exclusive Tree Houses, leaving over 95% of the property untouched and reserved for wildlife. Our policy is to practice sustainable wildlife tourism under high standards, returning back to all main keys of eco sensitivity, namely environmental, social-cultural and economic development. Tree House Hideaway has contributed to the growth of natural habitat due to responsible tourism and property management adding a small, yet significant area for wildlife to freely move around! Website : http://www.treehousehideaway.com/

1. Tree House
Hideaway
Eco Tourism and Sustainable
development in Bandhavgarh National
Park

2. Philosophy
“Our policy is to practice sustainable wildlife tourism
under high standards, returning back to all main keys of
eco sensitivity, namely environmental, social-cultural and
economic development”
Just 6 years ago, we found 22 acres of virgin forest,
designated to loose it’s purpose to careless construction
or use. Nowadays, Tree House Hideaway has contributed
to the growth of natural habitat due to responsible tourism
and property management adding a small, yet significant
area for wildlife to freely move around!

3. History… Mind Changing Strategy

Tree House Hideaway, an eco lodge of Pugdundee Safaris, is a result
of ever changing strategies. With initial plans to construct over 20
rooms, we convinced the owners of changing the concept to a lodge
that up to date only counts 5 exclusive Tree Houses, leaving over
95% of the property untouched and reserved for wildlife. Pugdundee
Safaris has taken over the full management and successfully created
a niche market that sustains the return on investment with minimal
impact on the environment.
Nowadays, it’s rather common than rare to find a wide range of wild
animals habituating inside the property that call our little reserve
adjoining Bandhavgarh National Park their home. Without any
artificial landscaping, we have managed to create a natural corridor
with proper field management to sustain the future and growth of the
natural surroundings, setting an example for future entrepreneurs
residing near National Parks.

4. Content of Sustainability!
Our Eco Sensitive Points and Strategies

Material Selection of Construction

Design with Nature in Mind

Allocation of Construction

Labour Policies

Our Team

Water and Energy Resources

Provision and Supplies

Waste Management

Conservation Cell

Press & Media

5. Material Selection of Construction

Sal Wood: Locally available and extensive durability. It’s solid, long lasting and naturally
treated against termites for long lasting support and therefore used as the core of our
construction. Purchased from the forest department.

Eucalyptus: A Soft wood highly invasive and not part of Bandhavgarh’s original ecosystem. Widely spread around the property, removal supports the original eco-system and
gives endemic species support of growth.

Bamboo: The most commonly found around Bandhavgarh, highly
Strategically cut bamboo provides a natural look and high sustainability.

Waste Wood: Small leftover pieces (generated from wood cutting farms) are continuously
integrated in our designs, which forms the foundation of our roofs. It gives a natural wild
look, and no extra wood purchase or cutting needed.

Grasses: For waterproofing and temperature control local grasses are used for roof
topping at all our construction, reducing heat loss and contributing to temperature control.

Stones: Natural stones are used for our terrace, which has been locally sourced. Less
treatment necessary and locally crafted gives a rustic and environmentally concerned
look.
productive.

6. Design
With nature in mind
Natural Furniture
We have used waste wood whereever possible, creating natural
looks and effective designs!
Waste Wood Roof
Our roofs all accross the property
are created solely out of
wastewood which reduced our
wood consumption greatly.
In our
vulnerable
landscape
such
as
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, it
is crucial to be eco-sensitive
and do whatever possible to
minimize the impact on the
environment, it’s animals and
human beings living there!”
Natural Infrastructure!
With no artificial landscaping and
infrastructure, we leave more for
mother nature!

7. Allocation of Construction

Just 5 Tree House and a common facility are the only construction found
at the property. Far away from each other, it creates privacy in reduces
the noise created at one area, leaving wildlife undisturbed.

All rooms are set 12-16 feet off ground level in the branches of a tree. The
branches provide natural shade and coverage reducing the carbon
footprint and energy consumption inside the rooms. Due to it’s elevation,
wildlife can freely move around without any obstacles inside the property.

All Rooms are facing south, receiving optimal sunlight year round,
reducing the use of artificial lightning during daytime. Natural Air
circulation is maximized due to different (opening) points in all units, as
well as the common facilities of the property.

The common area is set strategically in the back of the property, facing
the forest. Since most activities are held there, it reduces movement,
noise and pollution all around the property. All rooms are connected
through natural mud pathways around the property boundary, leaving the
forest in the front undisturbed.

8. Strictly Local Labour

All construction is done by local
communities hired from villages not
more than 20 km away from the lodge.

We have supported carpenters and
plumbers with training from experts and
management;
controlling
and
supervising the entire construction.

The same team is still responsible for all
maintenance, leaving a sustainable
income year round and increasing their
knowledge of field related work.

9. Our Team
The Staff at Tree House Hideaway

66 % off our staff is hired from
the nearby villages.

17 % off our senior staff is hired
from neighboring regions or
other regions within India.

17 % of specialty positions is
done by trained and certified
specialists from outside India.
Staff Career Development

All staff receive training in service,
English and department related
subjects through our specially
designed training modules to improve
their general knowledge of the industry
and professionalism.

Staff turnover is less than 20%, leaving
a motivated team that can grow within
the company.

54 % of all operational staff has worked
with us for 2 or more consecutive
seasons, in which they have grown
their expertise, and supported by a
company structure of wage increase
and position / responsibility
improvement.

10. Water & Energy Resources
Water Resources and Waste Management

Annual water supply is guaranteed by an
onsite well that provides water to all
necessary units.

Sewage and compost drains directly to
individual septic units where compost is
separated and degraded by natural
processes.

We use quarter turn tabs in all our units,
reducing water consumption up to 20 %.

The lodge is connected to the
national power grid providing
between 19 and 21 hours of
electricity daily.

A back up, diesel powered silent
generator supplies when
necessary additional electricity
during power cuts. Our generator
is frequently checked and passed
all strict environmental
international laws.

All Units are on individual groups.
The lodge can easily cut off nonused units to decrease energy
consumption.
All septic systems are equipped with dual
flushes, reducing water consumption up to
50 %.

Electricity and Additional Resources

We have created one large water body
and two smaller reservoirs which harvests
rainwater that helps recharging the ground
water level annually.

11. Provision and Supplies
Fresh Produce

Vegetables and fruits are
provided strictly locally, providing
local farmers with instant
demand and sustainable income
annually.

Meat and Fish is provided
locally.

We carefully design our menus
based on the season and
available items throughout the
year.
Bulk Items

We minimize the use of packed
goods, aiming for fresh produce
and home made dishes.

20 % of all our consumption
comes from outside, and is
delivered only once a month
reducing transport costs, as well
as vehicle movement resulting in
a lower Carbon Footprint.

12. Waste Management
 Garbage and leftover food is strictly divided into bio
– and non-biodegradable substances.
 Glass and Plastic, as whenever possible is collected
by locals or external firms.
 Bio-degradable waste is collected in a special
designed compost pit and degraded by natural
processes.
 Water pressure is kept low in all units without
additional pressure pumps. This reduces water
consumption all across the property. Water Storage
is placed strategically across the property to sustain
reliable and sufficient pressure for all the guests.

13. Concervation Cell
Pugdundee Safaris Conservation Cell

Tree house Hideaway actively supports
the Pugdundee Safaris conservation cell,
an exclusive program lead by biologists,
researchers and government related
institutions to provide a solid base for
natural habitat improvement, by linking all
major national parks in MP through natural
corridors in the near future. Our project is
funded by a percentage of our booking
revenues, donations along with 25 % of
all sales of our gift shop, selling a variety
of gift items. The funds generated support
our
community
development,
and
educational programs lead by the
company and specialists together. It also
at the same time creates an active
platform for government institutions such
as the forest department.

14. Press & Media
Many national and international firms recognised us!

20 Fabulous boutique Hotels in
India – The Observer, UK

Top 12 Jungle Tree Houses on
Earth – Sunday Times, UK

Best 100 Retreats in India –
Outlook Guide Book – India

Certified by TOFT, Travel
Operators for Tigers

Featured in “Unusual Hotels of
the world in 2011-2012”

15. The Future
We will continue our extensive practices to support
environmental, social-cultural and economic issues. We will
continue to educate our guests and the local communities
on sustainable tourism, in a way we all can benefit directly
from each other, now and in the future!
We will continue investing in better solutions and energy
resources such as solar and wind energy, and continue the
growth of Pugdundee Safaris, because together we can
make a difference with all our lodges across Madhya
Pradesh National Parks!

16. Thank You
Tree House Hideaway
A unit of Pugdundee Safaris India