Surwahi Social Kanha

Property Highlights

Overview

Surwahi Social Ecoestate Story

Surwahi Social Ecoestate Kanha was created with a simple but uncomfortable realisation. Travel around one of India’s most important forests was rarely benefiting the forest itself, or the people who live beside it.

What started as a question slowly became a commitment: Can tourism protect instead of consume? Can it include instead of exclude? Can it leave something behind that actually matters?

That commitment shaped Surwahi.

The Spark of an Idea 

Founders Ankit Rastogi and Pradeep Vijayan envisioned a place where travel doesn’t just visit nature but supports it, where communities aren’t sidelined but integrated, and where every visitor contributes something to the land and to the people. This led to them building a place that was designed not as another wildlife lodge, but as a space where nature, community, and conscious living coexist. At Surwahi, the forest is not a backdrop, it is a responsibility. The village is not a workforce, it is a partner. And the traveler is not just a guest but the most important participant in a larger ecosystem for its sustainability and betterment. 

Building with a Conscience 

Every structure on the estate reflects a philosophy. 

“To exist in harmony with the land, without asking it to change for us.”

The property wasn’t built quickly. It was built deliberately. Where most lodges would pour concrete and import fixtures, Surwahi chose mud, bamboo, local stone and reclaimed materials, materials that leave minimal footprint and maximum character. Built using traditional techniques, the spaces remain deeply rooted in the land they stand on. Sustainability is not added later, it is embedded into the foundation, from energy use and water systems to waste management and sanitation practices.

Accessibility and inclusion are equally central to our vision. From varied accommodation options to thoughtfully designed spaces, we believe responsible travel should be possible for everyone. 

Growing with Community 

Surwahi’s true strength lies beyond architecture. The ecoestate exists because of its people, the farmers, artisans, musicians, craftsmen, and families who carry the cultural memory of this region. By employing locally, supporting women’s self-help groups, and encouraging traditional livelihoods, Surwahi ensures that tourism strengthens identity instead of replacing it. Guests here experience culture through sharing meals with families, learning music and pottery from tribal artisans, and walking the farms and forests that shape everyday life here. 

An Evolving Dream 

Over time, Surwahi has evolved into more than a place to stay. It has become a learning ground for travellers, researchers, volunteers, tourism professionals and policymakers who are seeking better ways to shape the future of travel.

Today, Surwahi Social Ecoestate stands as a living example of regenerative tourism, where conservation, community, and curiosity come together. Recognition and awards have followed, but they are not our purpose, they are simply a reflection of consistent intent. Our real measure is when every guest leaves with a deeper respect for this land, its nature and its people. 

We’re not done. This is a story still growing, and every visitor, researcher, traveller and local partner becomes a part of its next chapter. 

Facilities