KABANI – the other direction is a non profit initiative of a group of people who love their land and want others to love it too. KABANI is concerned about the impacts of tourism and development on people’s livelihood and environment. Our prime objectives are sustainable socio–economic development of local communities and conservation of natural resources that provides the basic of community livelihood. Named after the Kabani River, one of the rivers in Kerala flowing in the ‘other direction’ than most of the rivers in Kerala, We are trying to facilitate an ‘other direction’ in the present form of tourism We attempt to question the present models of tourism development which is not inclusive and investment intensive.

The genesis defines the outcome: We are carrying out research, advocacy, campaigns, networking and training activities to endorse sustainability in the context of tourism and development. We facilitate community tourism initiatives, which find their basis in the local population, focussing on the socio-economic security and sustainability of the place. These programmes are community initiatives focusing on sustainable socio-economic development of villages and the conservation of natural resources. We are working mainly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, but also in other places where people can benefit from our ideas and experiences.