Travelling to the UNESCO-acclaimed World Heritage Site of the Taj Mahal in Agra is also about being conscious of its bustling tourist destination. Were you aware that it has the highest foreign tourist footfall in the country, attracting 17% of total foreign tourists (nearly 11.5 lakh) visiting India? The Taj Mahal alone attracts 7-8 million domestic and foreign visitors.

As a responsible tourist, you need to make a point of ramping up your commitment to reduce the carbon footprint in the city by opting for more favourable ways to enjoy it; this means, more emphasis on walking tours, e-rickshaw and bike explorations, tonga rides and local boats, which make for the perfect eco-friendly discovery of the places that you plan to explore. Wherever possible these options should always be your first choice of exploring any destination you plan to have a vacation in. You should also prioritise transport and stay options which facilitate eco-friendly experiences.

Here are some ways to enjoy a guilt-free tour of one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

Agra Gets the Eco-Smarts

Did you know that Agra has been a pioneer in providing tech-savvy services for citizens? It has an App to lodge complaints of locations where waste has not been collected; a Mobile app for locating toilets; an App to monitor sanitation workers and track SWM vehicles.

The city has also been a pioneer in water treatment technology—powered by MBBR technology-based water treatment technology, the first of its kind in the country. It has been a pioneer in eco-friendly initiatives such as banning the use of plastics through the Polythene-free Agra initiative. It has a strong healthcare infrastructure: Available hospital beds per 1000 population is 5, which is superior to the national average of 0.9 beds per 1000 population.

Sustainable travel and transport

From Delhi and Jaipur, you don’t need to catch a flight to the city of Agra, which makes up the third of this iconic Golden Triangle for tourists from all over the globe. Instead, a lovely driving tour allows you to hop off and hop on your vehicle to enjoy some lovely places along the way.

Sikandarabad, on the city outskirts, is famous for the ‘Baby Taj’, the beautiful Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah. Empress Noorjehan commissioned this thoughtful memorial to be built between 1622 and 1628 for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg.

The importance of this tomb lies in its classic architectural lines and the first-time use of Pietra Dura or marble inlay work. Pietra Dura was later used as an embellishment with a lavish hand, and with stunning effect, in the Taj Mahal in Agra under the directions of Emperor Shah Jehan.

Located here, too, is the Tomb of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Set in a beautiful Mughal Garden, the complex is a five-tiered structure in sandstone. The top storey, which was added by his son, the Emperor Jehangir, is constructed in white marble. At the centre of the courtyard here features a square platform, atop which stands a white marble cenotaph profusely carved with arabesques and floral patterns.

Fathepur Sikri, the abandoned capital of Akbar, is also worthy of an exploration on the road journey to Agra. The first planned Mughal city was built in the second half of the 16th century in red sandstone. Akbar’s magnificent ‘City of Victory’ is notable for its Indo-Islamic architecture. The Buland Darwaza, rising into the skyline at a height of 40 m, commemorated the victory over Gujarat in 1572.

Points of interest in the vast complex include the Jami Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Diwan-i-aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Naubat Khana, Jodha Bai’s Palace, Anup Talao, Birbal’s house, Hiran Minar, Pachisi court, and Ibadat Khana. The site is also noted for its exceptionally carved stonework. Check out the stonecraft in the Panch Mahal, the Diwan-i-Khas—and engraved sheer stone grills of Khwaja Sheikh Salim Chisthi’s tomb in white marble.

Another great spot to take time out on the road to Agra is the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, also known as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. You can enjoy a wonderful birding tour by e-rickshaw with knowledgeable guides. This UNESCO-acclaimed World Heritage Site is one of India’s most important Wetlands.

Sustainability-driven Stays

When choosing a hotel for your visit to Agra do keep in mind it should be eco-compliant on many counts. That means finding a hotel which is big on sustainability initiatives. For example, it opts for energy-saving features such as solar energy; rainwater harvesting; wastewater harvesting; reuses recycled wastewater for gardening; uses non-toxic fertilizers and manure for gardening; uses organic toiletries; provides the local community with job opportunities— and most laudable of all, uses profit margins to protect and restore heritage.

While all hotels may not tick off each of these features, you should look for one that is veering toward more eco-conscious operations. You can add your bit by behaving more responsibly as an eco-friendly visitor, which means switching off lights and charging ports, minimal use of AC, not wasting water, minimal need for changing bath linen etc.

Eco-conscious Sightseeing

The city of Agra boasts of 48 ASI-protected monuments, including two World Heritage sites the Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – and the Agra Fort.

Exploring the monumental splendour of Agra is an even more memorable experience if you opt for a walking tour or pedalling around the city on an e-bike or hiring the services of a driver of an eco- friendly battery-operated rickshaw. To enjoy a more immersive experience of the city, hiring a good local guide is value for money. On the other hand, it’s an excellent way to support local people in their various endeavours.

Pedalling along on your bike can take you to spots in tightly set streets which cars can’t access and e-rickshaw drivers can offer you some amazing local insights of the places you visit. Imagine the fun you’ll have exploring traditional bazaars like Kinari Bazaar, Lohar Gali and spice street of Rawat Para! A local boat ride down the Yamuna offers a whole new perspective of the city skyline at night or the early hours of the morning.

You might enjoy participating in Agra's heritage conservation efforts in guided walks organized by local preservation societies, where you can learn about and contribute to ongoing restoration projects.

The Taj nature walk trail is located on Fatehabad Road, 500m away from the East Gate of the Taj. It stretches all the way up to the Yamuna River’s right bank. This green belt area, marked by a mix of thorny and broad-leaved tree species, is dotted with high grasslands. Atop one of them, near the Mehtab Bagh, is a great Taj viewing spot, a platform developed for this purpose by the Agra Development Authority. Along with six grass mounds, there is a 9-km long nature trail providing visuals of Taj Mahal from different angles.

Shopping Sprees and Eating Out

When in Agra, the lure of its ancient bazaars is one of its most enduring experiences. Make concerted efforts to add your bit to the economy of the local communities of artisans, transporters, entrepreneurs etc.

The city is fabled for its inlay work, leather-ware, embroidery, zardosi weaving and jewellery. The crafts bazaars are a great place to watch craftsmen at work and buy from them directly.

Do give your support to local initiatives when it comes to sampling the amazing culinary offerings of this historic city. Checking out Agra’s famous eat streets offers a wonderful opportunity to interact with local vendors and enjoy the tasty snacks, savouries and sweets on offer while unravelling their stories and learning about the recipes of the eats that have endured over the ages. Trawl the bustling environs of the petha mandi and the eat street of Seth Gali - an old market of traders filled with a load full of halwai shops and savoury snack vendors, to fill your memory bank with lots of exciting vignettes of this tour.

Check out Sheroes Hangout Café, a unique café run by women who survived as victims of acid attacks. Enjoy tempting dishes culled from Italian, Chinese, Indian food traditions. At Deviram do as the locals do, dive into a traditional veggie breakfast of bedhai/bedmi puris with thick and crispy textures served with a spicy sabzi. Team this with an eco-friendly clay tumbler of lassi and decadently sweet jalebis.

An unmissable local mithai, the petha in various flavours and hues has to be on your takeaway list for family and friends back home. Madhu Ice Cream has stood the test of time as a homemade, completely vegetarian (no eggs or gelatine went into its making), offering from the Kapur family who migrated to Agra from Lahore.

Enjoying the many delights of Agra the eco-friendly way can be one of the most rewarding holidays you can treat yourself to. Not only do you have a great time, you’ll feel even more satisfied contributing in some small way in protecting the heritage and conservation efforts of this historic city. Added to that, is a sense of accomplishment in supporting the local communities through your patronage of their products and services even in the smallest way.