‘Eco Explorers’ : New meaning for Eco products and expeditions
Partnered by two enterprising naturalists - Darshika Weeraperuma and Tharindra de Silva, ‘The Eco Explorers’ offers travellers five tailor-made expeditions through locations such as Uda Walawe, Kaudulla, Horton Plains, Yala and Sinharaja. The expeditions range from one to three days and offer clients “an educational ecological experience”.
Darshika and Tharindra who bring their abiding love for nature to ‘The Eco Explorers’, said that each expedition has been “meticulously crafted” to give clients the maximum possible options, through the best possible experience, and, within the chosen time frame.
Situated at Lilian Avenue, off Hotel Road in Mt Lavinia, ‘The Eco Explorers’ has also just launched its eco-boutique and theme gallery. The gallery is an exciting permanent exhibition of the work of diverse nature and wildlife artists and photographers who express themselves through oils, water colours, charcoal drawings, and dot art. In keeping with the overall theme, this is essentially a dedicated art gallery which focuses solely on flora and fauna.
The boutique further complements the theme and offers a wide and interesting range of ornamental, utility and gift items made from clay, cloth, reed, recycled paper (from elephant dung, straw, banana fibre etc) and other eco-friendly material. A new line of coconut shell jewellery has also just been launched for the discerning woman!
Says Tharindra (who is also a Director with husband Kumar de Silva at ‘Adahas PR & Media Consultants’), “ours is neither eco-tourism, nor eco-adventure. “Ours is a totally holistic approach to the overall eco-experience. Man and Nature are co-dependent in their eternal quest for existence. Hence, the need for greater understanding.” she said.
Darshika affirmed that “each expedition is, in fact, a fully rounded educational experience whereby clients are taught how to fully appreciate Nature’s flora and fauna. We encourage vegetarianism and abstinence from alcohol and smoking during expeditions. We advocate experiencing the experience as opposed to tasting what you see. We don’t encourage ‘collectors’ either!
The company even organises expeditions to locations of their client’s choice. Its trained and experienced guides share their love for, and knowledge of Nature, with every traveller. The observation of snakes is one of its specialized areas, while dress codes, behaviour, the correct management and disposal of garbage (bio degradable and otherwise) are given importance during expeditions.”
Given the demand from both local and foreign nature lovers to “go beyond the beaten track” Darshika and Tharindra are confident of the success of their new venture. “It doesn’t quite matter if you are a veteran traveller or an uninitiated observer. We welcome you anyway, and give you a never-to-be-forgotten experience through the flora and fauna of Sri Lanka”, they say.
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