Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV) (https://www.ecovillage.org.in/) is a model community in India implementing various green initiatives on its campus and working with the neighbouring indigenous village groups in their sustainable development. GEV is accredited to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and also to the UN Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and has received various national and international awards.

GEV is running initiatives in the area of rural development, where it is facilitating 360-degree services to the villages by training and facilitating their livelihoods through organic farming, women empowerment, skill development for tribal youths, water resource development for drinking and irrigation, rural education, micro-enterprises for landless farmers, and health care (Brochure Rural Development). GEV also runs a free food distribution programme known as Govardhan Annakshetra, where it gives a daily full meal to all the villagers and pilgrims who visit the ovillage. High-level institutions like Yale and Harvard Universities are studying the GEV project as a model for ecological sustainability and rural development, and corporations are supporting it for various CSR initiatives.

The following videos of GEV receiving the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Award, the GEV initiative on Eco-Tourism as a Catalyst for Rural Development, the GEV overall concept, and the GEV Yoga Teacher’s Training Course give more details about its activities and achievements.

GEV also houses the Govardhan School of Sustainability, which offers residential courses like the Study Abroad Programme (SAP), the India Cultural Immersion Programme (ICIP), and the India Cultural and Ecology Immersion Programme (ICEI) for international university students. GEV also hosted a conference in collaboration with Yale University, in which various eminent speakers came from reputed international universities. GEV has researched and implemented various sustainability initiatives on its campus in relation to organic farming, green buildings, soil biotechnology, waste management, water conservation, alternative energy, and animal care.

Govardhan Ecovillage is a place for finding equilibrium for the body, mind, and soul. Over 20,000 visitors come to GEV throughout the year, including spiritual seekers, yoga groups, and environment lovers. Please also find a brochure on foreign tourists visiting GEV and a brief information guide. GEV has wonderful facilities to stay at, including an in-house Ayurveda centre, an international yoga school, and a biodiversity park replicated on the theme of Vrindavan, an ancient holy place in India.