Summary In the picturesque village of Munsiyari, India, nestled in the Himalayan foothills, a group of local women found a way to turn tourism into a powerful tool for social change. Domestic violence was a pervasive issue in the community, with many women suffering in silence due to social stigma and lack of support for years until Malika Virdi, an avid mountaineer and social activist, came to their aid. The local women, with the guidance of Malika, took a bold step towards empowering themselves and ending domestic violence through the establishment of Maati Sangathan . Although the Sangathan was founded with the primary aim of promoting gender equality and eradicating the pervasive issue of domestic violence that had plagued the community for years, the women have successfully leveraged eco-tourism and handicrafts as ways to enhance their economic independence while also raising awareness about gender-based violence. This case study utilizes secondary published data to demonstrate the effectiveness of Sarmoli’s Himalayan Ark, a community homestay program started under the aegis of Maati Sangathan that incentivizes the conservation of the Himalayan Ecosystem. The program has notably contributed to the restoration of high-altitude lakes, forests, and local communities, ultimately leading to its recognition as a thriving ecotourism model in Uttarakhand. Information © The Author 2023