— KC Patar Eco-tourism is known as ecological tourism. In simple words eco-tourism means management of tourism and conservation of nature in a way so as to maintain a fine balance between the requirement of tourism and ecology on one hand and the needs of local communities for jobs, on the other. The world tourism organisation defines eco-tourism as, “tourism that involves travelling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the specified object of studying, admiring, enjoying the scenery and it’s wild plants and animals as well as any existing cultural aspects found in the areas”.
Some of the general characteristics of eco-tourism are: It should be nature-based and ecologically sustainable involving appropriate returns to the local community and long-term conservation of resources. It should involve education and interpretation of natural environment to manage it in an ecologically sustainable way. Natural environment includes cultural components also. A main motivation of the eco-tourists is the observation and appreciation of nature as well as the traditional cultures prevailing in the natural areas, small groups should be organised to offer full benefits of such programmes. It should also support the protection of natural areas by creating economic opportunities and providing alternative employment for local communities.
It is a travel which takes the eco-tourists to undisturbed, unexploited and pristine land free from all sorts of pollution and close to mother nature. The main attractions are flora, fauna as well as existing local cultures. Eco-tourism is a programme which harmonises tourism with environment. Major constituents of eco-tourism are education and interpretation and economic benefits of the local people. If a travel does not satisfy any of these constituents then it is not called a real eco-tourism venture. In addition to environmental and cultural factors, other components of eco-tourism are promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities.
In the global scenario, tourism is the world’s largest industry. With advances in transportation and information technology, eco-tourism is already the largest source of foreign exchange in countries like Costarica, Belize and Guatemala. There is significant increase of the gross domestic product and other economic activities in Coastarica, Ecuador, Kenya, Madagaskar and Antarctica. South Africa is one of the countries which is significantly benefitted from eco-tourism.
The World Eco-Tourism Summit was held in Quebec city, Canada in 2002. The Quebec Declaration asked the governments to ensure the protection of nature, local and indigenous culture, traditional knowledge, genetic resources and rights to land and property. It also asked the governments to promote and develop educational programmes addressed to children and young people to enhance awareness about nature conservation and sustainable use. The majority of the eco-tourists come from USA, followed by Western Europe, Canada and Australia. Tourism is the primary industry in Maldives. Maldives has made considerable progress in the field of eco-tourism. It is a compulsion on the part of resort and hotel operators to dispose off their garbage, conserve water and recycle the waste material.
To maintain ecological balance and preservation of indigenous culture of the local people, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India has advocated super segmentations of the tourism market in the tourism policy of 2002. The special segments are eco-tourism, cultural tourism and heritage tourism. With a view to create employment opportunities and bring about socio-economic benefits to the local communities in the interior and remote areas and preserve, enrich and promote Indian cultural heritage, special provisions are made in the new tourism policy. It also included provision for active participation of local people in tourism programmes to achieve the objectives. India is a country where unity in diversity is prevailing. India has a wide range of geo-climatic conditions and varieties of flora and fauna and also diverse human culture. Thenmala in Kerala is the first planned eco-tourism destination in India created to cater to the eco-tourists. There are six types of areas that are being promoted as eco-tourism sectors in India. These are (1) biosphere reserves of the Nilgiris, Great Nicobars etc., (2) mangroves of northern Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sunderbans and Goa, etc., (3) coral reefs of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshwadeep Islands and Gulf of Kutch etc., (4) the Great Thar Desert, (5) mountains and forests, and (6) flora and fauna.
The NE region has tremendous potential for sustainable development of nature-based tourism resources. Natural resources of NE region are plenty in number with various flora and fauna. It has numerous rare and endangered species which are endemic to the region. It has many tourist destinations with picturesque surroundings, calm scenario and healthy environments. One can enjoy the treasured wealth of mother nature.
Eco-tourism in India is facing various challenges mainly due to lack of infrastructural facilities such as roads and accommodation, strategic business plans, well-trained nature guides, methods of gaining community concensus and awareness programmes etc. To most of the eco-tourists visiting India, facilities such as roads and accommodation are average or poor. As a result, we receive less visitors than Singapore. It is therefore necessary to develop infrastructure facilities to attract more eco-tourists to our country. The eco-tourists do not need five star hotel facilities in the interior and remote areas. They prefer to stay in the camps made of locally available material such as bamboo, cane, ekra, thatching grass (ulu kher) having adequate sanitary facilities. Cleanliness in the camps is a pre-requisite. Such camps are eco-friendly and there is no chance of environmental damage. As an example, lack of adequate sanitary facilities in many East African parks result in the disposal of camp site sewage in rivers, thus contaminating wildlife, livestock and people who use river water for drinking. Placing hotels in a splendid landscape is detrimental to the eco-system and found to be irrelevant for eco-tourism purpose. To attract eco-tourists, many terms such as nature tourism, green tourism and bio-tourism etc., are used in the name of eco-tourism although they are not synonymous with eco-tourism. For such green washing, eco-tourists are misled and real purpose not served. Such programmes are environmentally destructive, economically exploitative and culturally insensitive.
There is a need to develop appropriate models for infrastructure development and to evolve frameworks to guide tour operators. Effective tour guide training programmes are to be organised for local nature guides. It is also necessary to promote guidelines for facilitating greater community participation in the planning and management of eco-tourism. Eco-tourism can be made successful only when there is consent and active participation of the local people in the planning and management of eco-tourism programmes. Without full cooperation of the local people, success of eco-tourism programmes are very remote.
It is heartening to note that some local people inhabiting outside the Kaziranga National Park have set up some eco-clubs under the guidance of the State Forest Department. This type of venture has been highly appreciated by both domestic and foreign eco-tourists.
As citizens of India, we have a great responsibility towards protection of environment, including forest and wildlife. So we need to develop a sense of values that lead us to protect them, i.e., whatever is left. Apart from this, we must also value and respect the existing human culture. In order to minimise the negative aspects of conventional tourism, it is necessary to bring about some changes in tourism programmes. This change will definitely help a great deal in tourist perceptions in increasing environmental awareness and in exploring the natural environment. source: assam tribune
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