Hosted in English | 1.5 Hours

About the workshop

Who doesn't want to start a homestay in the hills? It makes for a comfortable home away from the chaos, noise and pollution of the cities and brings in an income. But if you don't build a sustainable place, it can be a disastrous recipe for not only you, but also for the local community and the environment at large. This workshop will help you start a homestay and avoid the pitfalls along the way. Here’s what it includes: 

• How to pick the right location for your homestay   
  
  
• All about costing and leasing 
  
  
• What makes a good host 
  
  
• Drawing up the house rules and guidelines
  
  
• How to build a sustainable homestay from scratch
  – Insulating the home
  – Harvesting rainwater
  – Growing your own food
  – Harvesting the sun’s energy
  – Balancing local aesthetics and modern comfort
  – Managing waste 
  
  
• Know the legal rules & regulations for a homestay in India
  
  

About the host

Sanjay Austa is the founder/ owner of Meena Bagh Homes, two new award-winning eco-homes in Himachal Pradesh. He is also a journalist, permaculture practitioner, and eco-tourism entrepreneur who divides his time between Himachal and Delhi.

Sanjay also started a permaculture farm as a value-addition to Meena Bagh Homes. Here he grows fruits and vegetables organically and sustainably for himself and his guests. He lives on the farm with his cats, a dog, duck, chicken and sheep. 

What you should carry along

Notebook and pen