Srinagar: SAGG Eco Village, an ecological enterprise from Kashmir, has become the first such tourism project from the region to win two prestigious awards at the Outlook Responsible Tourism Summit and Awards (IRTA) 2025. At the grand event in Bhuj, Gujarat, SAGG Eco Village was honoured with the Silver Award in the Sustainable Leadership: BnBs & Guesthouses category. Additionally, its founder, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, received the Gold Award in the Sustainability Champions: Grassroots Heroes category.
The Outlook India Responsible Tourism Awards (IRTA), established in 2016, recognise and celebrate leaders in ethical travel and sustainable tourism. Renowned for their rigorous and transparent selection process, these awards showcase replicable models that inspire and drive change within the tourism industry.
BnBs & Guesthouses category honours accommodations that integrate sustainability into their operations, minimising environmental impact while offering authentic and enriching guest experiences. SAGG Eco Village’s commitment to ecological preservation, community engagement, and the revival of local culture deeply resonated with the jury, earning it this esteemed recognition.
Grassroots Heroes category celebrates individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to sustainability at the grassroots level. Fayaz Ahmad Dar’s dedication to ecological entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, and community empowerment has transformed SAGG Eco Village also into a model of responsible tourism, inspiring others to embrace regenerative practices.
Organised by Outlook Traveller magazine in collaboration with UN Tourism and key industry stakeholders, the IRTA 2025 event in Bhuj brought together global experts, innovators, and policymakers. The summit provided a platform to exchange ideas, share best practices, and develop strategies to make travel sustainable, regenerative, and climate-conscious.
Speaking at the event, Fayaz Ahmad Dar expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family, friends, colleagues, local and global supporters, and all those committed to the mission of regenerative living.
“These awards are a recognition of not just my efforts but of the collective work of everyone who believes in a more sustainable, regenerative, and just world. Our journey at SAGG Eco Village is proof that ecological entrepreneurship can thrive while restoring communities and nature.”
