Rupesh Samant
Daijiworld Media Network - Cotigao
Cotigao, Feb 29: It was a Shahrukh Khan-starrer ‘Swades’ movie kind of twist in life that left journalist, Basuri Desai turn into an entrepreneur with his eco-friendly resort at Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary of Canacona.
After working for almost a decade in various publications and television channels, Basuri resigned from Panaji to create his own eco-friendly resort 'Earthern Nest' at Cotigao at his native, around 100 km to the south of Panaji.
The resort was opened on last Sunday, February 23.
Basuri recalls how the vibes within him pulled him back to the village where he was born and brought up.
“I wanted to do something for my village. Thankfully, nature gave in abundance to Cotigao. I wanted to create employment opportunities for the locals and also showcase the wild to the world,” he said.
After a painstaking one-year-old-exercise, the resort was finally built. “It is one of the resorts in India which has exclusive mud houses. The use of plastic or any material that harms nature has been avoided,” he said.
"Cotigao is a home for the Royal Bengal tiger besides several other wild animals including the Flying Squirrel, Slender Loris, Indian Pangolin, Mouse, Deer, Four-horned Antelope, white-bellied Woodpecker, Malabar Trogon, Flying Lizard etc.
"The ‘mud cottages’ have all the amenities in them which are required for the guest. The cottages sit atop a tiny hill providing an uninterrupted view of the forest.
“The tribal kitchen in this area is famous all over Goa. I have introduced a tribal kitchen to the visitors. Also, the waterholes were animals arrive for drinking are must-visit spots. Basuri introduced forest safaris for his guests while sighting of peacocks is an unavoidable phenomenon in this area.
“When we complain about non-Goans taking over the tourism industry, it is our fault that we do not create our spaces. I have tried to carve a niche in the hinterland tourism through this resort,” he said.
Basuri is appreciative of the state government’s intent to give a push to hinterland tourism. “If we want tourists to move away from the beaches, then it is required that we provide them alternatives.”