DEEKSHA KALRA
Ms. Neelima Hasija
deeksha_k@nid.edu
This project is a design intervention at SABV Botanical Garden, Visapur, aimed at integrating eco-tourism and community empowerment through products and services. Design is used as a tool to enhance visitor experience while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities by working with region-specific materials and skills. The initial brief focused on developing a self-financed and sustainable model aligned with the garden’s goals of education, conservation, and community engagement. A key direction was the creation of souvenirs and products that go beyond decoration to carry stories of local nature and culture. As the project evolved, it expanded into three interconnected directions: products inspired by Chandrapur’s culture and biodiversity, processes exploring local materials such as red clay and bamboo in collaboration with artisans, and experiences designed as participatory workshops. The project demonstrates how design can support socio-cultural and ecological resilience, proposing a replicable eco-tourism model that sustains both people and place.