INTRODUCTION:

Around the world, ecotourism has been hailed as a panacea: a way to fund conservation and scientific
research, protect fragile and pristine ecosystems, benefit rural communities, promote development in poor
countries, enhance ecological and cultural sensitivity, instill environmental awareness and social conscience
in the travel industry, satisfy and educate the discriminating tourist, and, some claim, build world peace.
Ecotourism is a form of tourism that attempts to minimize its impact upon the environment, is ecologically
sound, and avoids the negative impacts of many large-scale tourism developments undertaken in the areas
which have not previously been developed.

According tothe International Ecotourism Society (TIES),1 ecotourism can be defined as “responsible

travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and
involves interpretation and education”. Such traveling can be created thanks to an international network of
individuals, institutions, and the tourism industry where tourists and tourism professionals are educated on
ecological issues.

According to Ceballos-Lascurain, ecotourism is the,” traveling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated

natural areas with the specific objective of studying, admiring, and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants
and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestation (both past and present) found in these areas.”
Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as,” responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the
environment and improves the well-being of local people.”

According to the Ecotourism Association of Australia,“ecotourism is nature-based tourism that involves

education and interpretation of the natural environment and is managed to be ecologically sustainable.”This
definition recognizes that ‘natural environment’ includes cultural components and that ‘ecologically
sustainable’ involves an appropriate return to the local community and long-term conservation of the
resource.

According to Tickell, ecotourism is “travel to enjoy the world’s amazing diversity of natural life and human
culture without causing damage to either”. Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism that fosters
environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.

1
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is an American organization dedicated to promoting ecotourism globally. The
organization was founded in 1990 and contributed significantly to the growth and development of ecotourism, providing
guidelines, technical assistance, training, research and publications.
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History of Eco Tourism:

The origins of the term ‘ecotourism’ are not entirely clear, one of the first to use it appears to have been
Hetzer(1965), who identified four ‘pillars’ or principles of responsible tourism: minimizing environmental
impacts, respecting host cultures, maximizing the benefits to local people, and maximizing tourist
satisfaction. The first of these was held to be the most distinguishing characteristic of ecological tourism.

Other early references to ecotourism are found in Miller’s (1978) work on national park planning for
ecodevelopment in Latin America, and documentation produced by Environment Canada in relation to a set
of road-based ‘ecotours’ they developed from the mid-1979s through to the early 1980s.Ecotourism
developed ‘within the womb’ of the environmental movement in the 1970s and 1980s. Growing
environmental concern coupled with an emerging dissatisfaction with mass tourism led to increased demand
for nature-based experiences of an alternative nature.

At the same time, less developed countries began to realize that nature-based tourism offers a means of
earning foreign exchange and providing a less destructive use of resources than alternatives such as logging
and agriculture.By the mid-1980s, a number of such countries had identified ecotourism as a means of
achieving both conservation and development goals. The first formal definition of ecotourism is generally
credited to Ceballos Lascurain2 in 1987.

Types of Ecotourism:3

Fennell considers that ecotourism exits within the broader classification of tourism types which, at an initial
level, can be divided into the following types:

1. Mass Tourism
2. Alternative Tourism

2
Hector Ceballos-Lascurain is a Mexican conservationist and an architect by profession.
3
https://tourismnotes.com/eco-tourism/
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Mass tourism we saw as the more traditional form of tourism development where short-term, free-market
principles dominate and the maximization of income is paramount. The development of the tourism industry
was originally seen as a desirable and relatively ‘clean’ industry for nations and regions to pursue. This was
particularly true in terms of benefits in foreign exchange earnings, employment and infrastructural
development such as transport networks.
These days we are more prone to vilify or characterize conventional mass tourism as a beast; a monstrosity
which has few redeeming qualities for the destination region, their people and their natural resource base.

This is not to deny that ‘mass tourism’ has caused problems, because it has. There has, quite justifiably,
been a need to identify an alternative approach to tourism development that lessens the negative
consequences of the mass tourism approach.

Thus the ‘alternative tourism’ perspective has become a popular paradigm. This alternative approach has
been described as a ‘competing paradigm’ to mass tourism, but it can also be viewed as a complementary
approach to tourism. That is, it is not possible to have ‘alternative tourism’ to.

So, the discussion returns to a semantic debate, perhaps it is best to accept that alternative tourism is a
natural outcome of the maturing understanding of tourism development and its strengths and weakness. 

Fennell states that:Alternative tourism is a generic term that encompasses a whole range of tourism
strategies (e.g., appropriate, eco, soft, responsible, people to people, and green tourism) all of which purport
to offer a more benign alternative to conventional mass tourism in certain types of destinations.

However, Weaver quite rightly points out that there are also many criticisms of alternative tourism. It is
clear that just because alternative tourism has developed as a reaction to the negative consequences of mass
tourism it is not necessarily less harmful or better than its alternatives.

Nature of Ecotourism:

Tourism activity is expected to grow by 4.3% per annum in real terms between 2008 and 2017. Ecotourism
or nature-based tourism has become the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry growing 3 times faster
than the industry as a whole.

There can be no doubting of the increasing trends in environmental concern allied with the historically
prevalent trend of travel as for, of escape to nature, driven by the pressures of urban living encourage people
to seek solitude with nature, therefore, increasing the numbers of visitors to national parks and other
protected areas.

There are a number of dimensions to nature-based tourism. All forms of travel to natural areas are not
necessarily ecotourism, but this provides a useful step in differentiating nature-based tourism from
ecotourism and gives us a number of levels at which to distinguish the relationship between specific tourism
activities and nature:

 Those activities or experiences that are dependent on nature.

 Those activities or experiences that are enhanced by nature.
 Those activities or experiences for which the natural setting is incidental.
There are several classes of nature-based tourism, each utilizing a combination of these dimensions. Bird
watching, for example, can provide a pleasant and relaxing holiday based around a general interest in nature
and the environment. So that without the natural environment it would be difficult to carry out the activity.
Similarly, camping is an activity/experience which often enhanced by nature. Most people would prefer to
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camp in some type of natural setting rather than on the side of a busy road. Therefore, nature is an integral
part of these experiences but not the fundamental motivation for them.

Principles and Guidelines of Ecotourism:4

Ecotourism attracts people who wish to interact with the environment and, in varying degrees, develop their
knowledge, awareness, and appreciation of it. The Ecotourism Society gives the principles and guidelines
of ecotourism. These are following as:

  Prepare travellers to minimize their negative impact while visiting sensitive environments
and cultures before departure.
 Prepare travellers for each encounter with local cultures and with native animals and plants.
 Minimize visitors impacts on the on the environment by offering literature, briefing, leading
by example, and taking corrective actions.
 Minimize travellers’ impact on cultures by offering literature, briefings, leading by example,
and taking corrective actions.
 Use adequate leadership, and maintain small enough groups to ensure minimum group impact
on destination. Avoid areas that are under-managed and over-visited.
 Ensure managers, staff and contract employees know and participate in all aspects of
company policy to prevent impacts on the environment and local cultures.
 Give managers, staff and contact employees access to programmes that will upgrade their
ability to communicate with and manage clients in sensitive natural and cultural settings.
 Be a contributor to the conservation of the region being visited.
 Provide competitive, local employment in all aspect of business operation.
 Offer site-sensitive accommodations that are not wasteful of local resources or destructive to
the environment, which provide ample opportunity for learning about the environment and
sensitive interchange with local communities.
 Focuses on personally experiencing natural areas in ways that led to greater understanding
and appreciation.

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Characteristics of Eco-Tourism:

Ecotourism is travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and (often)
small scale. It helps educate the travellers, provides funds for conservation, directly benefits the economic
development and political empowerment of local communities, and fosters respect for different cultures
andforhuman rights.Some important characteristics of ecotourism are following as:

1) Involves travel to the natural destination. These destinations are often remote areas, whether inhabited
or uninhabited, and are usually under some kind of environmental protection at the national, international,
communal, or private travel.

2) Minimize impact. Tourism causes damage. Ecotourism strives to minimize the adverse effects of hotels,
trails, and other infrastructure by using either recycled or plentifully available local building material,
renewable sources of energy, recycling and safe disposal of waste and garbage, and environmentally and
culturally sensitive architectural design.

3) Builds environmental awareness. Ecotourism means education, for both tourist and residents of nearby
communities. Well before the tour begins, tour operators should supply travelers with reading material about
the country, environment, and local people, as well as a code of conduct for both the traveler and the
industry itself. Ecotourism projects should also help educate members of surrounding communities,
schoolchildren, and the broader public in the host country.

4) Provides direct financial benefits for conservation. Ecotourism helps raise funds for environmental
protection, research, and education through a variety of mechanisms, including park entrance fees; tour
company, hotel, airline, and airport taxes. And voluntary contributions.

5) Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people. Ecotourism holds that national parks
and other conservation areas will survive only if, there are happy people around the perimeters. The local
community must be involved with and receive income and other tangible benefits (potable water, roads,
health clinics, etc.) from the conservation area and its tourist facilities.

6) Respects local culture. Ecotourism is not only “greener” but also less culturally intrusive and
exploitative than conventional tourism. Whereas prostitution, black markets, and drug often are byproducts
of mass tourism, ecotourism strives to be culturally respectful and the human population of a host country.

7) Supports human rights and democratic movements. The United Nations-sponsored World Tourism
Organization proclaims that tourism contributes to “international understanding, peace, prosperity, and
universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
Such sentiments, however, are little reflected in conventional mass tourism. In this way, ecotourism supports
humans’ rights and, to establish international peace.

Economic Effects of Ecotourism:

The job generated by ecotourism provide an important reason for interest in and support for, the
phenomenon. These jobs often occur in areas relatively untouched by traditional development efforts and
represent tangible economic benefits from natural areas.Several studies have assessed the local employment
benefits of ecotourism; not surprisingly, the level of benefits varies widely as a result of differences in the
quality of attraction, access and other factors.

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Some important economic effects of ecotourism are following as:

1) Fiscal Impacts (taxes, fees, expenditures) - Ecotourism not only generates government revenue through
business and other general taxes but also through industry-specific channels, such as payment of occupancy
and departure taxes.

2) Reduced access to the resource - Tourism utilizes various resources as inputs into the products and
services provided to visitors. In the case of ecotourism, one of these products is nature in a partially or
totally preserved state.Preservation of natural areas often involves reduced local access to resources, such as
wood or medicinal plants. In so far as tourism is a partial or sole rationale for preserving an area, it also
causes reduced access to resources.

3) Inflation - Many destinations have experienced increased price for goods, services, and land due to
tourism development, and this is a cost borne by residents of the area who purchase these items.

4) Effects of the income distribution - In some cases, tourism development exacerbates existing income
inequalities within destination communities, while in others it generates new financial elites.

5) Revenue sharing - At some ecotourism destinations, residents’ benefit from revenue-sharing

programmes that either provide cash payments or, more commonly, funding for community projects such as
well or schools.

Environmental Effects of Ecotourism:

The impacts of ecotourism depend on what ecotourism is. The critical issue is that ecotourism should
involve deliberates steps to minimize impacts, through the choice of activities, equipment, location and
timing, group size, education and training, and operational environmental management.

There is now quite an extensive literature on impacts such as trampling, which is easy to quantify
experimentally. However, very little is known about impacts such as noise disturbance, soil and water-borne
pathogens, and interference with plant and animal population dynamics and genetics, which are likely to
have far greater ecological significance.Some important environmental effects of ecotourism are following
as:

 Crushing or clearance of vegetation.

 Soil modification.
 Introduction of weeds and pathogens.
 Water pollution from human waste.
 Air pollution from generator exhausts, noise from machinery, vehicles, and voices.
 Visual impacts.
 Disturbance to wildlife through all of the above, and through food scraps and litter, etc.

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Who is an Ecotourist?5

A new group of tourism clients has emerged who are demanding different activities, experiences and
approaches to tourism from the industry: ‘these are the ecotourists – people who require environmentally
compatible recreational opportunities, where nature rather than humanity predominates’.
They are shrugging off the shackles of traditional tourism in search of knowledge and experience. Their
interest is not in lounging by hotels pools or hectic sightseeing schedules. They are interested in visiting
wilderness, national parks, and tropical forests, and in viewing birds, mammals, trees and wildflowers.

They want to experience new lifestyles and meet people with similar interests to themselves and they want
to see their traveling dollars contributing toward conservation and benefiting the local economy.Ecotourists
can be generally characterized as having higher than average incomes, largely holding tertiary qualifications
and there tend to be more female ecotourists than men.
According to the International Ecotourism Society, ecotourists are experienced travellers who are more
likely to have a college/university degree and have a higher income bracket.
Ecotourists are expecting discovery and enlightenment from their ecotourism experience. Personal growth in
emotional, spiritual, as well as intellectual terms, appear to be expected outcomes from ecotourism travel for
the majority of these travellers.

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 ECOTOURISM IN INDIA:

India, the land of varied geography offers several tourist destinations that not just de-stress but also
rejuvenate you. There are several ways to enjoy Mother Nature in most pristine way. The few places like the
Himalayan Region, Kerala, the northeast India, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep islands
are some of the places where you can enjoy the treasured wealth of the Mother Nature. Thenmala in Kerala
is the first planned ecotourism destination in India created to cater to the Eco-tourists and nature lovers.

The India topography boasts an abundant source of flora & fauna. India has numerous rare and endangered
species in its surroundings. The declaration of several wildlife areas and national parks has encouraged the
growth of the wildlife resource, which reduced due to the wildlife hunt by several kings in the past. There
are numerous Botanical and Zoological Gardens in India, which are working towards the enhancement of
the Ecosystem. Poaching has stopped to large extent. There are severe punishments for poachers, hunters
and illegal traders of animals and trees. Tree plantation are taking place in several places. Numerous
organisations and NGOs are coming forward to provide environmental education to the common people at
the grass root level.

Today, tourism in India has significant potential given its rich culture and heritage, variety in ecology, and
terrains and places of natural beauty. Tourism is also a potentially large employment generator, besides
being a significant source of foreign exchange. India is often viewed as a hotspot for biodiversity and its rich
natural heritage is unparalleled. The country offers diverse tourism experiences—cruises, adventure,
medical, wellness, sports, MICE, ecotourism, film, rural and religious.
Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile and relatively untouched natural areas, intended as
a low-impact alternative to conventional commercial mass tourism. Ecotourism is a conscious effort to
preserve the beauty of a naturally gifted region and conserve wildlife in their natural habitat. In the process,
ecotourism glorifies offbeat places, their rich culture and traditions.
Covid-19 and lockdown have had a catastrophic impact on the country’s tourism sector. While the world is
on its way adapting to a new normal, there’s still uncertainty regarding international travel; however, the
search volumes for domestic travel indicate an appetite for going on vacations. After months of lockdown,
people want to be amid greenery and nature to get some fresh air and enjoy good weather. Several niche
offerings such as medical tourism, ecotourism and domestic leisure, wherein people can travel in their own
cars to remote untouched areas, are expected to fuel demand.
Covid-19 has had a massive impact on the mode of transport opted by tourists. They are more interested in
responsible and sustainable travel. Current travel trend shows that the classic road trip is ready to make a
comeback, as most tourists are looking for nearby offbeat destinations, away from the crowd and close to
nature, which can be comfortably reached by car rather than travel by flight or train.

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Need for Ecotourism in India:

Rising threat of global warming and nature degradation have given a fillip to ecotourism. Promoting and
preserving fragile and undisturbed nature, reducing carbon footprint and connecting secluded environments
with the mainstream are a few concerns that ecotourism will tackle head on. Today, there are many
sprawling farms, resorts, homestays and eco-friendly hotels in India offering a natural retreat in popular
tourist destinations.
Alok Gupta, Principal Secretary, Rajasthan Tourism, stated that the pandemic has caused an unprecedented
crisis worldwide and perhaps, hit the tourism sector hard. I believe tourists are concerned about safety and
are choosing destinations away from the hustle bustle of big cities. I expect a rising preference for lesser-
known destinations and excursion sights near major destinations; this will likely be the next big driver for
attracting tourists.
Sunil Mehta, Tree House Resorts, also pointed out that even after the last of the pandemic, the scars and fear
will take a long time to heal. Resorts at easily drivable distances from the metros will benefit the most.
Wildlife and ecotourism: These will definitely take off as potential travellers understand the need to be with
nature and in open natural surroundings.

Government Initiatives for Overall Tourism6:

The government has realised the country’s potential in tourism and taken several steps to make it a global
tourism hub and subsequently, encourage ecotourism.
Mr. Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, spoke at a session on ‘Future of
Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Industry and The Way Forward’ (organised by FICCI) and highlighted that
while revival of international tourism would take some time, domestic tourism will be in focus.
In line with this strategy, some major government initiatives to boost tourism and ecotourism are as follows:
 In October 2020, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi inaugurated four new tourist attractions
in Gujarat—Arogya Van, Ekta Mall, Children's Nutrition Park and Sardar Patel Zoological
Park/Jungle Safari (near the Statue of Unity at Kevadiya in Narmada district).
 The initiative is part of the 17 new planned projects. Additionally, the government will also
launch a seaplane service from Ahmedabad to the Statue of Unity, lending a major push to
India’s tourism.
 The Ministry of Tourism developed an initiative called SAATHI (System for Assessment,
Awareness & Training for Hospitality Industry) by partnering with the Quality Council of
India (QCI) in October 2020. The initiative will effectively implement Covid-19
guidelines/SOPs for safe operations of hotels, restaurants, B&Bs and other units.
 The Ministry of Tourism launched the Dekho Apna Desh webinar series to educate viewers on
various destinations and showcase the sheer depth and expanse of the Indian culture and
heritage. 
 The Prime Minister has urged people to visit 15 domestic tourist destinations by 2022.
 The government is working to gain 1% of the global international tourist arrivals pie by 2020
and 2% by 2025.

Recent Ecotourism Initiatives in India:

The government has designated ecotourism as a ‘thrust industry’ in states such as Jammu & Kashmir,
Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal. A range of incentives are available for ecotourism projects such
as hotels, resorts, spas, entertainment/amusement parks and ropeways.

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Projects Initiated for Ecotourism Development in India:
 Development of Horsely Hill in the Chittor district of Andhra Pradesh has been sanctioned.
 Development of Satkosi in Orissa (Rs. 4.25 crore) has been approved. The following are
proposed under the project: building an interpretation centre; landscaping; elephant camps;
trekking park; watch towers; parking facility; etc. 
 The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has sanctioned Rs. 2.63 crore for an ecotourism project in
Morni-Pinjore Hills and Sultanpur National Park in Haryana.
 The project on integrated development of tribal circuit, with focus on ecotourism in Himachal
Pradesh, has been approved for Rs. 6.98 crore.
 Expansion of Wayanad in Kerala for Rs. 2.01 crore. 
 Development of Tourist Circuit (Western Assam Circuit) DhubariMahamaya-Barpeta-Hajo
has been sanctioned for Rs. 4.97 crore.
 Expansion of Mechuka destination (Rs. 4.41 crore in Arunachal Pradesh).
 Development of tourist destination in Khensa for Rs. 4.58 crore in Nagaland Circuit
Udhyamandalam-Madumalai-Anaimalai, Tamil Nadu.
 Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Karnataka (provides experience of living in the wilderness).
 Private initiative in Kerala-Casino Group of Hotels, Tours India Ltd. (adopted 2 tribal villages
in Periyar Tiger Reserve for growing indigenous pepper to help local communities realise
financial gains).
 GEF Project-Gulf of Mannar, Tamilnadu (ecotourism as an alternative method of livelihood
and preservation of biodiversity in the region).
 Sikkim Biodiversity and Ecotourism Project (developing collaboration between TAAS, local
orgs., and communities for biodiversity, conservation, and income generation).
 Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala–India Ecodevelopment Project, Corbett–Binsar–Nainital
Ecotourism Initiative (Uttarakhand), and Great Himalayan National Park, HP – Eco
Development Project (promoting participation of local communities in biodiversity
conservation through incentive-based mechanisms)

10 States That Are Encouraging Ecotourism:7

Eco Sensitive Zones in India boast of geographical diversities and lovely tourist places that have been or are
rapidly becoming popular getaways in India!

 Ladakh: Traveling To The Himalayas Done Right:

The Himalayas have been on top of every traveller’s bucket list and therefore left gasping for breath in
recent times. Now that tourism has found a foothold in Trans – Himalayan region and most of the places
have been glorified, ecotourism is penetrating to encourage sustainable travel and extensive tours.
Leh Nutrition Project, established by Save The Children Fund (UK) in 1979, happens to be the NGO
working towards the overall upliftment in Ladakh. They have been addressing issues related to child care,
development, education, livelihood, and watershed development in the difficult terrains. In addition to
that, Leh Nutrition Project and Ladakh Ecological Development Group have been actively working to
promote the sustainable society in Ladakh.

 Himachal Pradesh: Responsible Travel In The Highlands:

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The mountainous landform of Himachal, bordering Tibet and Jammu & Kashmir, has rich biodiversity,
which attracts a large number of tourists every year. As a result, popular holiday destinations in Himachal
are suffering due to excessive commercialization.
The Ecotourism Society in Himachal has been practicing Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET), which is a
collaborated effort towards the conservation of nature and cultural resources in the region. Various
approaches like Participatory Forestry Management for the development of forests have been initiated.
The efforts have been widely appreciated by the people of Himachal as well as tourists. Besides, they’ve
generated a lot of revenue for the state.
A huge credit for promoting ecotourism in Himachal also goes to Ecosphere – an organization that focuses
on initiatives for saving the rich bio-reserve, keeping the environment sound, and making lesser known
places more popular.

 Delhi: Good Vibes Straight From The Capital:

New Delhi has seen a commendable effort from organizations like Ecotourism Society of India that have
been encouraging sustainable practices in the capital. From minimizing carbon footprint to creating
awareness and further collaborating with like-minded bodies to promote eco-tourism, they have come a long
way.
Resources have also been fuelled towards identifying new ecotourism destinations and making them
popular. For example, Chhawla-Kanganheri – an ecotourism park near Najafgarh drain has been revamped
and recreational activities like boating, camping, paintball and obstacle course are available for the
entertainment of tourists. Farmstays also have a major role in the promotion of ecotourism; a few have come
up in the heart of the city, besides many in the outskirts.

 Uttarakhand: Cascading From The Garhwal Himalayas:

To make travelers aware of the diverse culture and surroundings, several village treks have been initiated by
the tourism department of Uttarakhand. These trails give an insight into the lives of Kumaoni villagers. It is
a collective effort from Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, Garhwal-Kumaon Mandal Vikas
Nigam, and ecotourism division of the state forest department and has seen the successful execution of eco-
tours, which has taken adventure tourism to new heights. The organizations also run homestays in the area
by providing essentials and required finances to the homeowners to operate efficiently.
State Bird Spring Festival organized by forest department has experienced a tremendous growth over the
years and has been a boost to the tourism. Communities like Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve – a tiger
conservation reserve in Ramnagar has been highly benefitted because of all the eco-friendly initiatives taken
at places in Uttarakhand.

 Arunachal Pradesh: Crown Of The Northeast

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Arunachal Pradesh is one of the prized jewels of the Northeast India. It boasts of diverse topography and
unexplored terrains, which make it a popular destination for ecotourism in India.
Organizations like Future Generations Arunachal and Green Pastures have been focussing on projects to
impart awareness on ecotourism and encourage homestays in the region. Also, institutions like NgunuZiro
by Future Generation Arunachal have been contributing towards the cause of preservation of tribal culture
and safeguarding the nature around.
Apatani Plateau Initiative, Ziro and Tangsa Community Conservation Reserve Initiative, Changlang District
have been major initiatives executed by Association for Conservation and Tourism in the state. They aim at
the sole motive of creating a friendly environment for tribals and making conserving the pristine
environment.
Further, game viewing at wildlife sanctuaries, climbing, trekking and nature walk in the valleys and splendid
sightseeing make Arunachal Pradesh an ideal place for ecotourism.

 Meghalaya: Into The Abode Of Clouds

This unexplored paradise in the northeast has a lot of cultural diversity and plenty of secluded
wonders. Living Roots Ecotourism Society has unearthed a hidden treasure in the northeast and
glorified Nongblai – a lesser-known village in the East Khasi Hills district. The village has record 16 living
root bridges. Raid Nongblai – a collective organization of Nongblai, Suthim, and Wahlyngkhat villages
have jointly taken up the responsibilities of these living root bridges that are like a god to them.
Regional Workshop on Environmental Service Learning, conservation of Hotspots of Biodiversity and
Ecotourism that focusses on biodiversity conservation and ecotourism. Moreover, the exciting village tours
and untarnished natural beauty has a raw appeal for every aspiring traveller.

 Assam: Of Secluded Environs And National Parks

Remote places, tribes, and their exciting traditions make Assam an exciting destination for ecotourism in
India. People, over the years, have shown acceptance to responsible travel and now workshops are
conducted at different places.
Understanding the need of the hour, Ecotourism Society of India in partnership with Assam Tourism has
been organizing workshops to promote responsible tourism. Assam Tourism Development Corporation
(ATDC) has also been keen on supporting initiatives by setting up eco-camps all managed by deprived
youths in the region. These camps, mostly frequented by the foreigners and backpackers are a huge boost to
the tourism.

 Sikkim: Taking Indian Tourism To Another Level

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In the lap of the Himalayas, Sikkim experiences large number of footfalls; especially honeymooners! People
who turn out to be ignorant while making memories end up spilling garbage at random thus affecting the
nature.
To save the beautiful environment of the northeast, sustainable tourism and eco-friendly measures have been
devised by Directorate of Ecotourism in association with Forest Department of Sikkim. In this region,
promotion of wildlife and nature has remained a prime focus.
GoingWild is another responsible organization in the northeast working towards the development of
ecotourism by promoting several wildlife and birding tours.

 Karnataka: Of Rainforest, Wildlife, And Adventures

There couldn’t be anything more exciting than taking up eco-trails, walking through the valley, and
spending moments camping in the dense rainforests of Western Ghats. The vastness of nature in the Ghats
has treasured ecological diversity, which needs to be explored and brought into the people’s knowledge.
Jungle lodges, heritage sites, and resorts make Karnataka a popular ecotourism destination in the country.
For all the rush and visitors that come down to visit the city, Karnataka Ecotourism Development Board
(KEDB) and National Tiger Conservation authority have collectively rolled out policies aimed at attracting
more investment, creating more awareness at the tourist hotspots, and facilitating ambitious activities to
attract tourists.

 Kerala: There In The Foothills Of Western Ghats

From being the first place to execute planned ecotourism in India to treating the visitors with warmth, Kerala
– in the heart of the Western Ghats, is a popular sojourn for nature lovers. The Ghats are counted among the
top 18 biodiversity hotspots in the world and boast of quite a few endangered wildlife species.
Hill stations, plantations, backwaters, and the unique biological settings of Kerala make it a perfect
ecotourism destination. The infinite gardens and tea estates are perfect for nature walk and treks. Thenmala
Ecotourism Project is a prominent development in the South India that works towards the development
of Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary Reservoir and Deer Rehabilitation Centre. The sanctuary offers a
number of leisure and adventure zone for tourists.
Centre for Ecotourism of Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies has been promoting sustainable
tourism by organizing seminars and community service in the area.

Road Ahead:
The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the tourism industry. For uncertain events such as these, the country
must look to build and grow domestic travel as international tourism will take some time to resume. Lessons

Page | 13
from the ongoing pandemic are loud and clear. Social distancing, importance of hygiene and sanitation
cannot be overlooked. Now, it is deeply ingrained in the human psyche at large. In these times, ecotourism
assumes a depth and meaning which people were unaware of/oblivious to earlier, leading to a rise in
preference for lesser-known destinations and excursion sights near major destinations, which will likely be
the next big driver to reboot tourism.

Page | 14
 ECOTOURISM AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS

In the international arena, many different organizations address ecotourism related issues.   

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)8 is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion
ofresponsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.As the leading international organization in the
field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and
environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and
tourism policies worldwide.

World Tourism Organization (WTO) plays an important role in the development of ecotourism.

UNWTO has been involved in the field of ecotourism since the early 1990s and developed a set of
guidelines focusing on the strong link between protected area and tourism, with the aim of ensuring that
tourism contributes to the purposes of protected areas and does not undermine them.
In the framework of the UN-declared International Year of Ecotourism (IYE) 2002, UNWTO undertook a
wide range of activities, including the organization of regional conferences and the World Ecotourism
Summit, and published guidelines and methodologies for ecotourism development and market studies, as
well as supported regional and national activities.At the request of the United Nations General Assembly,
the World Tourism Organization prepared a report on the activities undertaken by States and major
international organizations in the framework of the International Year of Ecotourism. Also, UNWTO
prepared a series of market reports to increase the knowledge of seven important countries considered
“Ecotourism generating markets”.

Tourism and environment in the practice of the UN WTO9:

• The Manila Declaration on World Tourism (1980) "The satisfaction of tourism requirements must not
be prejudicial to the social and economic interests of the population in tourist areas, to the environment or,
above all, to natural resources, which are the fundamental attraction of tourism"

• The Hague Declaration on Tourism (1989) Principle III(2): In view of th[e] intrinsic inter relationship
between tourism and environment, effective measures should be taken to: […] (b) Promote the integrated
planning of tourism development on the basis of the concept of “sustainable development” […]

• The Lanzarote Charter for Sustainable Tourism (1995) and Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism
Industry (1997) Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while
protecting and enhancing opportunity for the future. It is envisaged as leading to management of all
8
https://www.unwto.org/about-us
9
https://www.unica.it/unica/protected/282708/0/def/ref/MAT265086/
Page | 15
resources in such a way that economic, social, and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural
integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support system

• The Code of Ethical Tourism (1999)

Soft law instrument distilling non-binding ethical principles addressing all relevant stakeholders in the
tourism sector

Article 1: Tourism's contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies Art.
Article2: Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfilment Art.
Article3: Tourism, a factor of sustainable development Art.
Article4: Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and contributor to its enhancement Art.
Article5: Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities Art.
Article6: Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development Art.
Article7: Right to tourism Art.
Article8: Liberty of tourist movements Art.
Article9: Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry.

• The 2019 Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics:

It largely reproduces the Code of Tourism Ethics.

It will translate the ethical principles contained therein into legally binding commitments.
An Optional Protocol reintroduces the conciliation function of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics.
Not yet entered into force.

The CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development:

• They are addressed to all stakeholders with a view to securing the application of the Convention provisions
in the development and management of tourism policies, strategies, projects and activities.
• Three key principles:
• In-situ conservation
• Sustainable use of biodiversity
• Involvement of indigenous and local communities

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is another international governmental organization that
deals with ecotourism, through its international development assistance programme.

WTO and UNDP are just two examples of how international governmental ecotourism related
organizations can play a role in making ecotourism a tool for sustainable development. At the international

Page | 16
level NGOs also play a role.Tourism Concern, a UK based NGO dedicated to ensuring tourism is just and
sustainable form of business has worked for many years to make tourism more sustainable.
The US-based TIES is dedicated solely to ensuring that ecotourism is a viable tool for biodiversity
conservation and community development.

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)10 is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting

ecotourism. Founded in 1990, TIES has been on the forefront of the development of ecotourism, providing
guidelines and standards, training, technical assistance, and educational resources. TIES’ global network of
ecotourism professionals and travellers is leading the efforts to make tourism a viable tool for conservation,
protection of bio-cultural diversity, and sustainable community development.
Through membership services, industry outreach and educational programs, TIES is committed to helping
organizations, communities and individuals promote and practice the principles of ecotourism. TIES
currently has members in more than 190 countries and territories, representing various professional fields
and industry segments including: academics, consultants, conservation professionals and organizations,
governments, architects, tour operators, lodge owners and managers, general development experts, and
ecotourists.

10
https://ecotourism.org/ties-overview/
Page | 17
 Comparative analysis between three countries regarding the laws on ecotourism:
The three Asian countries— India, China, and the Republic of Korea (ROK)—share large amount of their
economic,political, and cultural experiences through a long history of interactions. In ancient times, political
instabilities, economic fluctuations, and intellectual discoveries in onecountry affected the others.
Nowadays, economic vitality and prosperity allows for stronger and closer economic relationships among all
threecountries. Not surprisingly, the government of each country strives to attract moretourists from the
other two countries. Since 2006, from each of the three countries,the ministers responsible for tourism
growth have begun to hold annual meetings todiscuss the ways in which to boost tourism in their region.
Many local governmentsimprove mutual cooperation by setting up sisterhood relationships,
conveningforums, and making periodic exchanges of officials and experts. The three countries can take
advantage of geographical and culturalproximity as they endeavor to implement various programs for
ecotourism, and thisecotourism can be a viable method in establishing more stability and sustainability inthe
region’s tourism.
One significant issuerelated to the imposition of regulatory measures for ecotourism operators is
theirperceived loss of control in the delivery of services and decision-making (Fennell,1999). As for the
governments, they bear the responsibility of supporting theestablishment of ecotourism, such as contributing
to the drafting of guidelines,providing education for staff members, and supporting nonprofit endeavors.This
study examined ecotourism policies in three countries—China, ROK, and India. They were chosen for a
comparative study of ecotourism policy based on thefollowing aspects: their common cultural backgrounds,
geographical proximity, andmaturity in tourism development as well as their recent implementation of
anecotourism policy11. As Liu (1994) points out, a government policy is crucial in supporting
thedevelopment of ecotourism. For these reasons, this study attempted to analyze eachcountry’s ecotourism
policy and compare them to suggest improvements for futuredevelopment.
Ecotourism Policies of China, ROK, and India12:
Ecotourism Policy in China:
The China National Tourism Administration recently announced that the year 2009has been declared as
Chinese ecotourism year with the slogan, ‘‘Be a green travelerand experience eco-civilization.’’ The most
recent and comprehensive document onecotourism is the National Ecotourism Development Plan (CNTA,
2008) regulatedjointly by the China National Tourism Administration and the Ministry ofEnvironmental
Protection. The plan specifies the mission, goals, types of ecotourism,roles of ecotourism stakeholders, etc.,
as follows:
The mission of ecotourism is advocating the harmony of the environment andthe economy, strengthening
construction of ecological environment, improvingeducation, constantly meeting the demand of ecotourism,
and ensuring sustainabletourism development. Goals are promoting ecotourism products and the conceptof
environment-friendly travel, and encouraging resource-saving tourism operations, with the objective of
satisfying the new trend of tourism consumptionand building Chinese tourism industry into a green industry
with sustainabledevelopment.
Types of ecotourism suggested in the policy involve forest recreationecotourism, prairie ecotourism,
wetlands bird-watching ecotourism, desert exploration ecotourism, countryside experience ecotourism, and
ocean vacation ecotourism.China sets rules for all stakeholders to follow to ensure a healthy
ecotourismdevelopment. Also, CNTA is working on creating an accreditation system. Whatshould be
mentioned in terms of ecotourism is that other organizations in Chinamay also be developing their own
accreditation systems. One example is theNational Forestry Bureau. It has so far accredited 31 natural
11
A policy is a written course of action adopted and pursued by an organization (Eagles, McCool, & Haynes, 2002).
12
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
247528762_Comparison_of_Ecotourism_Policies_and_Implications_for_China's_Ecotourism_Development
Page | 18
reserves for planningand developing ecotourism (CYOL, 2008). Other international organizations suchas
WorldWide Fund also show interest in promoting the principles of ecotourism inChina.
Ecotourism Policy in ROK:
General tourism policies in ROK were developed and implemented by severalministries such as the Ministry
of Environment; the Ministry of Culture, Sport, andTourism; the Ministry of Land, Transport, and Marine
Affairs; and the Ministry ofFood, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. However, the responsibilities
forestablishing, implementing, and monitoring ecotourism are under two ministries—the Ministry of
Environment and the Ministry of Culture, Sport, and Tourism (2008), which defined ecotourism as
‘‘responsible travel to natural areas whichconserves the environment and improves the welfare of local
people’’ (p. 3). In theEcotourism Stimulus Plan, the ministries noted that ecotourism in the ROK
shouldinvolve activities not only in natural resources, such as wetlands or foreshore areas,but also utilize
historical and cultural resources. In addition, they emphasize theimportance of interpretation in ecotourism
and maintain that all ecotourismactivities should include interpretation programs.
Though, ecotourism is a fairly new concept to ROK, interest has been steadilygrowing for several reasons.
First, changes in the perception of leisure and demandof alternative tourism resulted in the increase of
ecotourism awareness. Because ofan increase in per capita income and the implementation of a 5-day
workweek, manypeople in ROK have changed their leisure consumption pattern from spectatororiented to
experiential recreation oriented. Second, the central governmentperceives that ecotourism may be the means
of stimulating local economies andestablishing positive images of local communities. The government also
recognizesthat promoting ecotourism that involves local residents’ participation is morebeneficial than mass
tourism development such as adding hotels in the region.According to the Ecotourism Stimulus Plan, three
goals were set to vitalizeecotourism: (a) to provide a high-quality travel experience to tourists
(touristsatisfaction), (b) to reinvigorate local economies (improving quality of life), and (c)to systematically
preserve and manage the natural environment (conserving thenatural environment). Based on those three
goals, the ultimate goal is to implementan ecotourism model that is unique to ROK.
Ecotourism Policy in India13:
Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India constituted a committee for preparing basic papers on ecotourism policy
for which a workshop was held on 26th June 1997. The final draft was approved by the State Ministers for
Tourism in a conference held on 27th June 1997, and was released in 1998 (Ministry of Tourism, Govt of
India, 1998The policy document comprises four chapters: ecotourism definition, ecotourism resources of
India, policy and planning, and operational guidelines.The Ministry of Tourism is the leading governmental
sections responsiblefor promoting ecotourism in INDIA. It defined the rationale to promote ecotourismin the
law as follows:'responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-
being of local people’. Goal of the policy is Promoting better understanding of' nature and wildlife
conservation while generating income and opportunities for the local communities.
The Ministry has published several policy documents for ecotourism promotionsince 2018. The law required
that ‘‘the government must establish a policy onpromoting ecotourism based on these principles’’ and that
the government ‘‘mustlisten to a diverse opinions’’ in the process of developing a basic policy (Ministry
ofEnvironment, 2018). The policy was developed based on these determinantscomplying with the
Ecotourism Promotion Law.Before the law and policy were set in place, the Ministry of Environment
(2018)had decided to take over eight strategiesfor ecotourism promotion. They involveidentification of
potential sites; assessment of carrying capacity of vehicles and visitors; Building capacities of local
communities to act as nature guides and to provide hospitality management service; monitoring ecotourism
plans; Enabling provisions for management of eco-tourism within protected areas.

13
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329206372_Ecotourism_Policy_in_India_Rhetoric_and_Reality
Page | 19
Comparison of Policies Among the
Three Countries
The publicly available ecotourism policies
for the three countries were compared. As
a result, seven topics were the same in all
three countries: goals, principles,
implementation strategies, definitions,
missions, responsible ministries, and
govern-
mental support. The lack of a ministry-
level policy on the accreditation and
designation of land or resources in all three
countries may suggest a future emphasis
on these policies. Designation of
land/resources is addressed only in the
Japanese
system. An investment plan was
established only in ROK’s policy. This
plan involves
specific numbers and indicates that $832
million will be invested from 2009 through
Page | 20
2012. Most funds will be allocated to
infrastructure development ($703 million),
which includes developing ecoculture
model cities, model ecolodges, and
ecotourism
trails.
Table 2 summarizes the policies of the
three countries based on the checklist
adapted from Hyslop and Eagles’ (2007)
study. An X indicates that a topic exists. A
blank box indicates that no description was
found for the topic area.
Seven topics were alike in all policies in
the three countries: goals and/or
objectives, methods of transportation,
tourist education and interpretation,
facilities, accommodations, human
resources required for ecotourism, and
tourism
use monitoring. The following seven topics
are applied in two countries: trails and
Page | 21
markings, zoning and temporary area
restrictions, enforcement of rules and laws,
waste management, marketing and
competition for ecotourism, measurement
of
economic impacts of ecotourism, and
assessment of tourist satisfaction. The
absence
of these topics may be challenging to each
country because it implies that strategies
are implemented in an inconsistent manner.
For example, a Japanese manual
suggests a method of transportation as a
park and ride system and the use of low
NO
x
emission buses in ecotour destinations.
Japanese policy also defines how to
temporarily restrict tourists’ use in an area
based on the Ecotourism Promotion
Law.
Page | 22
Ten topics are displayed in only one
country. China’s tourist use plan, for
instance, describes the selected areas
designated for tourism activities, the
control of
tourist group size based on carrying
capacity, the sense of environmental
protection,
respect to locals, and communications
between ecotourists and local residents.
The
Japanese manual describes trails and
markings that indicate the design and the
types
of the trails. All of these 10 topics but one
(the tourist use plan) are addressed in the
Japanese system. The abundance of the
coverage in the Japanese system is due to
the
fact that it has evolved around a law that
forces the policy and manual to contain
Page | 23
diverse subjects.
Comparison of Policies Among the
Three Countries
The publicly available ecotourism policies
for the three countries were compared. As
a result, seven topics were the same in all
three countries: goals, principles,
implementation strategies, definitions,
missions, responsible ministries, and
govern-
mental support. The lack of a ministry-
level policy on the accreditation and
designation of land or resources in all three
countries may suggest a future emphasis
on these policies. Designation of
land/resources is addressed only in the
Japanese
system. An investment plan was
established only in ROK’s policy. This
plan involves

Page | 24
specific numbers and indicates that $832
million will be invested from 2009 through
2012. Most funds will be allocated to
infrastructure development ($703 million),
which includes developing ecoculture
model cities, model ecolodges, and
ecotourism
trails.
Table 2 summarizes the policies of the
three countries based on the checklist
adapted from Hyslop and Eagles’ (2007)
study. An X indicates that a topic exists. A
blank box indicates that no description was
found for the topic area.
Seven topics were alike in all policies in
the three countries: goals and/or
objectives, methods of transportation,
tourist education and interpretation,
facilities, accommodations, human
resources required for ecotourism, and
tourism
Page | 25
use monitoring. The following seven topics
are applied in two countries: trails and
markings, zoning and temporary area
restrictions, enforcement of rules and laws,
waste management, marketing and
competition for ecotourism, measurement
of
economic impacts of ecotourism, and
assessment of tourist satisfaction. The
absence
of these topics may be challenging to each
country because it implies that strategies
are implemented in an inconsistent manner.
For example, a Japanese manual
suggests a method of transportation as a
park and ride system and the use of low
NO
x
emission buses in ecotour destinations.
Japanese policy also defines how to

Page | 26
temporarily restrict tourists’ use in an area
based on the Ecotourism Promotion
Law.
Ten topics are displayed in only one
country. China’s tourist use plan, for
instance, describes the selected areas
designated for tourism activities, the
control of
tourist group size based on carrying
capacity, the sense of environmental
protection,
respect to locals, and communications
between ecotourists and local residents.
The
Japanese manual describes trails and
markings that indicate the design and the
types
of the trails. All of these 10 topics but one
(the tourist use plan) are addressed in the

Page | 27
Japanese system. The abundance of the
coverage in the Japanese system is due to
the
fact that it has evolved around a law that
forces the policy and manual to contain
diverse subjects.
Comparison of Policies Among the
Three Countries
The publicly available ecotourism policies
for the three countries were compared. As
a result, seven topics were the same in all
three countries: goals, principles,
implementation strategies, definitions,
missions, responsible ministries, and
govern-
mental support. The lack of a ministry-
level policy on the accreditation and
designation of land or resources in all three
countries may suggest a future emphasis

Page | 28
on these policies. Designation of
land/resources is addressed only in the
Japanese
system. An investment plan was
established only in ROK’s policy. This
plan involves
specific numbers and indicates that $832
million will be invested from 2009 through
2012. Most funds will be allocated to
infrastructure development ($703 million),
which includes developing ecoculture
model cities, model ecolodges, and
ecotourism
trails.
Table 2 summarizes the policies of the
three countries based on the checklist
adapted from Hyslop and Eagles’ (2007)
study. An X indicates that a topic exists. A
blank box indicates that no description was
found for the topic area.

Page | 29
Seven topics were alike in all policies in
the three countries: goals and/or
objectives, methods of transportation,
tourist education and interpretation,
facilities, accommodations, human
resources required for ecotourism, and
tourism
use monitoring. The following seven topics
are applied in two countries: trails and
markings, zoning and temporary area
restrictions, enforcement of rules and laws,
waste management, marketing and
competition for ecotourism, measurement
of
economic impacts of ecotourism, and
assessment of tourist satisfaction. The
absence
of these topics may be challenging to each
country because it implies that strategies
are implemented in an inconsistent manner.
For example, a Japanese manual
Page | 30
suggests a method of transportation as a
park and ride system and the use of low
NO
x
emission buses in ecotour destinations.
Japanese policy also defines how to
temporarily restrict tourists’ use in an area
based on the Ecotourism Promotion
Law.
Ten topics are displayed in only one
country. China’s tourist use plan, for
instance, describes the selected areas
designated for tourism activities, the
control of
tourist group size based on carrying
capacity, the sense of environmental
protection,
respect to locals, and communications
between ecotourists and local residents.
The

Page | 31
Japanese manual describes trails and
markings that indicate the design and the
types
of the trails. All of these 10 topics but one
(the tourist use plan) are addressed in the
Japanese system. The abundance of the
coverage in the Japanese system is due to
the
fact that it has evolved around a law that
forces the policy and manual to contain
diverse subjects.
Comparison of Policies Among the Three Countries:
The publicly available ecotourism policies for the three countries were compared. Asa result, seven topics
were the same in all three countries: goals, principles,implementation strategies, definitions, missions,
responsible ministries, and govern-mental support. The lack of a ministry-level policy on the accreditation
anddesignation of land or resources in all three countries may suggest a future emphasison these policies.
Designation of land/resources is addressed only in the Indian system. An investment plan was established
only in ROK’s policy. This plan involvesspecific numbers and indicates most funds will be allocated to
infrastructure development, which includes developing ecoculture model cities, model ecolodges, and
ecotourismtrails.
Seven topics were alike in all policies in the three countries: goals and/orobjectives, methods of
transportation, tourist education and interpretation,facilities, accommodations, human resources required for
ecotourism, and tourismuse monitoring. The following seven topics are applied in two countries: trails
andmarkings, zoning and temporary area restrictions, enforcement of rules and laws,waste management,
marketing and competition for ecotourism, measurement ofeconomic impacts of ecotourism, and assessment
of tourist satisfaction. The absenceof these topics may be challenging to each country because it implies that
strategiesare implemented in an inconsistent manner. Ten topics are displayed in only one country. China’s
tourist use plan, for instance, describes the selected areas designated for tourism activities, the controlof
tourist group size based on carrying capacity, the sense of environmental protection,respect to locals, and
communications between ecotourists and local residents.
Grounds of improvement for India14:

14
https://imgs.mongabay.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2020/08/21095722/Eco-tourism.pdf
Page | 32
As the existing ecotourism ventures in India vary in nature of origin and scale of operations that range
fromgovernment ownership to government-private partnership, government-NGO partnership,community
owned/run, community owned with government support, etc., the ecotourism policy prescriptions for
planning/implementing/monitoring/ regulations would be very different based on the local contexts. The
accumulated evidences on the implementation of ecotourism across India strongly recommend the
establishment (if it exists, then strengthening) of an independent state level Ecotourism Development
Agency with powers to implement unambiguous legal regulations. Ideally, it should ensure the active
participation of representatives drawn from all relevant sectors/stakeholders with decision making powers.
To start with, they should be provided with training and capacity building inputs on a periodic basis to
promote pro-poor, eco-social enterprises based on well-planned, sustainably-run ecotourism operations. This
can facilitate increased investments in protected areas and reserves, conservation of cultural heritage, a
reduction in poaching, an increase in the non-consumptive value of wildlife through viewing, and
opportunities for rural/coastal/mountain communities to diversify/enhance their livelihoods through tourism-
related jobs, revenue-sharing arrangements, and co-management of natural/biocultural heritage resources.
All these should be incorporated into the national policy on ecotourism.
Almost all ecotourism destination areas in India (including small islands, coasts, mountains, wetlands,
grasslands and other terrestrial and marine ecosystems and habitats) are ecologically/culturally vulnerable,
but are of outstanding beauty and rich biological/ cultural/heritage diversity. Hence, only ecotourism
can be promoted in such areas (if acceptable to the native communities) by adapting the following
appropriate environmental/socio-economic strategies:
• Site improvement is utmost essential. The destination areas should be provided with sustainable
sanitation. Ecosan toilet (urine-diverting dry toilet – UDDT), for example, is a closed system that does not
need water and, hence, it is ideal where water is scarce or where the water table is high with the risk of
groundwater contamination. The toilet is based on the principle of recovery and recycling of nutrients from
excreta (both urine and faeces) to create a valuable manure. Other infrastructure may include biogas, solar
photovoltaic panels, aerogenerators, etc. Adoption of ecological land/water use planning and eco-
technologies based on 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) is inevitable option. Other measures may
include: developing culturally appropriate facilities (e.g. board walks, trails interpretation centers, etc.),
establishment of controls on collection of live specimens, regulation of dumping of untreated mixed
solid/liquid wastes, prohibition of mining of beach/river sand, regulated use of boat anchors in coral
bottom bays, ban on cutting of trees in camping and trekking areas, restriction on feeding of wild animals,
and so on.
• Conserving the vitality and diversity of life by supporting water/nutrient cycles.
• Controlling the human numbers/activities/impacts within the regular absorbing/ carrying capacities and
sustainabilities, so that stability, resilience and diversity of the ecosystem are not irreversibly affected.
• Managing visitorbehavior through host control over visitor number, activities and impacts.
• Reducing poverty by providing alternative livelihoods, promoting equity and improving the quality of life.
• Sustainable use of biodiversity in general and renewable resources and common property resources in
particular.
• Changing personal attitudes and practices in tune with cultural diversity and the locally available
resources.
• Working towards self-sufficiency to meet the local needs of the communities.
• Integration of conservation and development (policies, legislation, implementation, participation, etc.)
based on a gender balanced approach.
Page | 33
• Environmental education/legislation for maintenance of environmental quality/health standards.
• Application of ecological land use planning/zoning (for water also) regulations with appropriate
development standards and good site planning principles in tourism areas. Prevention of linear
development along road/shorelines (Tanja, 2008; Brown, Sanders, and Reed, 2018).
• Proper maintenance of tourist vehicles for energy conservation and pollution control by using electric
cars/vehicles/boats wherever possible or necessary.
• Promotion of tourism activities which use green/sustainable technologies for saving water and energy,
preventing pollution, treating waste water, avoiding the production of solid waste and encouraging
recycling. Similarly, tourism activities which encourage the use of public and non-motorized transport
should be in place.
• Incorporation of interpretation, training/capacity building, outreach programmes and community
regulation for all stakeholders; integration of on-site heritage/culture/biodiversity interpretation by
elders, healers and locals; putting local limitations on the use/access (both temporal and spatial) – hosts
can set limits on access to homelands and sacred sites (spatial limitation); restriction on times for tourist
access/use (temporal limitation), permitted tourist activities (activity limitation); and limiting the access
to cultural knowledge and rituals (cultural limitation).
• Sharpening political and administrative integrity to solve the sectoral/policy conflicts by optimal trade-
offs for enhancing both individual and community benefits at the local/regional levels through more
inclusive, participatory governance.

Page | 34
 CONCLUSION

As one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry, there are bound to be some downsides to
ecotourism. Whenever humans interact with animals or even with the environment, it risks the chance of
human-wildlife conflict or other negative effects; if done so with respect and responsibility in mind,
however, ecotourism can reap enormous benefits to protected areas.
As an industry that relies heavily on the presentation of eco-friendly components to attract customers,
ecotourism has the inevitable potential as a vessel for greenwashing. Part of planning a trip rooted in
ecotourism is doing research to ensure that an organization is truly providing substantial benefits to the
environment rather than exploiting it.
 Ecotourism Can Provide Sustainable Income for Local Communities
Sustainably managed ecotourism can support poverty alleviation by providing employment for local
communities, which can offer them alternative means of livelihood outside of unsustainable ones (such as
poaching).
Research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that communities in regions
surrounding conservation areas in Costa Rica had poverty rates that were 16% lower than in areas that
weren’t near protected parks. These protected areas didn’t just benefit from conservation funds due to
ecotourism, but also helped to reduce poverty as well.
 It Protects Natural Ecosystems
Ecotourism offers unique travel experiences focusing on nature and education, with an emphasis on
sustainability and highlighting threatened or endangered species. It combines conservation with local
communities and sustainable travel, highlighting principles (and operations) that minimize negative impacts
and expose visitors to unique ecosystems and natural areas. When managed correctly, ecotourism can
benefit both the traveler and the environment, since the money that goes into ecotourism often goes directly
towards protecting the natural areas they visit.
Each year, researchers release findings on how tourist presence affects wildlife, sometimes with varying
results. A study measuring levels of the stress hormone cortisol in wild habituated Malaysian orangutans
found that the animals were not chronically stressed by the presence of ecotourists. The orangutans lived in
the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, where a local community-managed organization operates while
maintaining strict guidelines to protect them.
 Ecotourism May Also Hurt Those Same Natural Ecosystems
Somewhat ironically, sometimes ecotourism can hurt ecosystems just as much as it can help. Another study
in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution found that ecotourism can alter animal behaviors in ways
that put them at risk. If the presence of humans changes the way animals behave, those changes may make
them more vulnerable by influencing their reaction to predators or poachers.
It's not just the animals who are at risk. As ecotourism activities become too popular, it can lead to the
construction of new infrastructure to accommodate more visitors. Similarly, more crowds mean more
pressure on local resources, increased pollution, and a higher chance of damaging the soil and plant quality
through erosion. On the social side, these activities may displace Indigenous groups or local communities
from their native lands, preventing them from benefiting from the economic opportunities of tourism.
Empowering local people aims to encourage the local economy to create a multiplier effect. The role and
participation of the local population is the primary target in the economic development of the ecotourism
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services. The higher the role, the more the local communities receive incentives through enhanced
livelihoods and environmental conservation. Towards this end, the revised ecotourism policy should create
appropriate inclusive partnerships with local communities by recognizing site specific traditional rights that
could assist in adopting successful ecotourism strategies. Enforcing existing laws and regulations related to
ecotourism by a system of incentives/disincentives and refining them wherever needed should be
emphasized in the forthcoming revised national ecotourism policy.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

For completing this project I’m utterly thankful to our ProfessorChayan Chakraborty, without whose
personal guidance and in-depth discussion along with continuous attitude of helping each and every single
student of the college. His class discussions and his way of teaching, coupled with continuous wait for
asking for any questions and/or doubts has helped me, and I am sure, would have helped other students as
well. 
Furthermore, the discussion I have had with my friends has also helped me broadened my knowledge and
give me a wider reach for the project. The details taken for this project has been taken from various internet
sources, which has also been very helpful.
I, Saloni Sharma, am grateful that I got an opportunity to work on such an interesting topic. Thankyou.

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