Tired of working in tea plantations for years, Tamil Nadu natives Joe and Hermie Mathias decided to use their savings and build a homestay in the foothills of Nilgiris.

With their hearts set on retiring, in 1986, the couple set up ‘Jungle Hut’, a sustainable homestay located in the heart of nature.

The legacy of the homestay is now being carried forward by Vikram and Anushri Mathias but with a sustainable twist.

With no background in the hospitality industry, Vikram set out to keep his parents’ legacy alive. Located near the hamlet of Bokkapuram, Masinagudi, Jungle Hut comes under the buffer zone of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, which is home to the Bengal tiger, leopard, and Asian elephants.

The homestay is equipped with a variety of sustainable elements, such as a rainwater harvesting system and solar panels on top of each room. Constructed from eco-friendly materials, such as brick and wood, the rooms feature air conditioning, yet their natural coolness eliminates the necessity to use it.

“We offset more than 50 percent of our normal consumption of electricity because of solar water heaters and heat pumps,” Anushri explains.

The homestay has survived without municipality water for years now by using the nearby stream and marshland water.

“The grey water from bathrooms and kitchens is recycled to a large extent for our own farm and garden,” she says.

Besides being nature-friendly, the couple also tries to uplift the local community by giving them employment opportunities.

Around 25 permanent employees in the homestay hail from the local tribal groups. They have also constructed homes for the staff and support their children in their studies.

A hit among visitors, the homestay attracts more than 5,000 guests in a year.