STH. lar - £26.15 Keotourism and {ts Impact on Forest Conservation Ecotourism (es an impact on natural ecosystems but more importantly, it offers a way to promote conservation in ecologically fragile regions benefit the economies of local communities le the public with a nature-based education experience provi introduce visitors to local culture Ecotourism’s impact can be good or bad.A new century of environmental consciousness is e human population growth, our planet’s natural dawning, Under the pressures of explo: communities are shriveling rapidly. They are shrinking on all sides because of the expansion of agriculture, urbanization, damming, forest fragmentation, contaminants into water tables, road ‘building,-and_even more indirect human impacts such as the invasion by exotic species and the ribution of genetic crops. In Nepal, ecotourists flock to hike one of the remaining wilderness regions on the planet, but these hikers have stripped the landscape bare of sticks and twigs for fuel and left trash that spoils the experience for future visitors. In the Galapagos, the burgeoning number of visitors strains these sensitive and fragile islands. The impact of these visitors, manifested by disease, fire, and theft, has altered the natural balance of the island ecosystems. In the last decade, approximately 20 of the 230 species of plants face immediate extinction, and another 10 are thought to be extinct.2 In contrast, I have witnessed the salvation of exploited tropical regions by the interests of conservation and the economy of ecotourism working collectively. What is ecotourism? Ecotourists learn about natural as well as cultural history.Ecotourism is loosely defined as nature-based tourist experiences, whereby visitors travel to regions for the sole purpose of appreciating their natural beauty. As early as 1965, responsible tourism was defined:3 respeets local culture optimizes benefits to local people minimizes environmental impacts maximizes visitor satisfaction The first formal definition, coining the term “ecotourism,” was published in 1987: “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 festations (both past and present) found in these areas.’ existing cultural man Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the ETS,1991) -heing of local people (1ervation, communities, and sustainable travel diversity of the world's natural and cultural It aims at uniting con: It helps in preserving and sustaining the environments Ecotourism probably had its foundations inthe ethies of conservation, but its recent surge has certainly been due to its economic benefits as developing countries begin to recognize that nature- based tourism offers a means of earning money with relatively little exploitation or extraction of resources. It is this economic incentive, perhaps more than the consciousness of human ethics, that has given tise to the global expansion of environmentally responsible tourism activities.A variety of ‘educational experiences is possible.The objectives of ecotourism are to provide a nature-based, environmental education experience for visitors and to manage this in a sustainable fashion. As forests become logged, as streams become polluted, and as other signs of human activity become ubiquitous, the requirements of'a truc ecotourism experience are increasingly difficult to fulfill, ‘To compensate for the “invasion” of human fisturbance, ecotourism has promoted the educational aspects of the expe: nee, Examples include opportunities to work with scientists 10 collect field data in a remote wilderness (¢.g., Earthwatch) or travel with a naturalist to learn the secrets ofa tropical rain forest (e.g., Smithsonian Institution travel trips). Environmental education serves to provide information about the natural history and culture of a site; it also promotes # conservation ethic that may infuse tourists with stronger pro-environmental attitudes. Principles of ecotourism Minimize impact + Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect + Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts + Provide direct financial benefits for conservation and empowerment for local people + Raise sensitivity to host countries political, environmental and social climate Importance: Ecotourism is a growing segment of the global tourism industry. It makes significant positive contributions to the environmental, social, cultural and economic well-being of destinations and local ‘communi s around the world. It also provides effective economic incentives for conserving and enhancing bio-cultural diversity and helps protect the natural and cultural heritage of our planet. Byincreasing capacity building opportunities, ecotourism is also an effective vehicle for empowering local communities around the world to fight against poverty and to achieve sustainable development. thas provided an impetus to assist in greening the tourism industry How ecotourism is different? and supported by years of industry and 2 ET is responsible for travel to natural esearch. It is implemented based on a set of principles and conserves the environment and benefits the local communities. It also promotes recycling, energy efficiency, water reuse. How ET evolved: Itis the outcome of the Global Envi Ament movement in the year 1970s. By the early 1990s, ecotourism, along with nature-based, cultural, heritage and adventure tourism became among the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry worldwide and also helped in evolving new types of tourism viz. sustainable tourism, pro-poor tourism etc, Sciences/ Fields involved in promoting Eco tourism? + Geographic Information Systems (CIS) + Wildlife Management + Wildlife Photography + M: Biology and Oceanography + National and State Park Management + Environmental Sciences Ecotourism growth over years According to International Tourism Organisation (ITO), ET is the fastest growing market in Tourism industry. Its annual growth rate of 5% worldwide and represents 6% of the world Gross Domestic Product, 11.4% of all consumer spen environmental and s benefits of tourismDo's of ET «Carty back all non-degradable liter such as empty bottles, tins, plastic bags ete. These must ynment or be buried. not litter the ens + Tobe disposed in municipal dustbins only + Observe the sanctity of holy sites, temples and local cultures + Cut noise pollution. Do not blare aloud radios, tape recorders or other electronic entertainment equipment in nature resorts, sanctuaries and wildlife parks «Respect people's privacy while taking photographs. Ask for prior permission before taking photographs Don't’s in ET + Do not take away flora and fauna in the forms of cuttings, seeds or rants. is illegal + Do not use pollutants such as detergent, in streams or springs while washing and bathing + Do not use wood as fuel to cook food at the campsite + Do not leave cigarettes butts or make open fires in the forests © Do not consume aerated drinks, alechol, drugs or any other intoxicant and throw bottles in the wild + Do not tempt the locals, especially children by offering them foodstuff or sweets. Respect local traditions «Polythene and plastics are non biodegradable and unhealthy forthe environment and must not be used Rules to be followed ‘©. Public has to learn about your destination before getting there. © They should read guidebooks, travel articles, histories, novels by local authors and pay particular attention to customs lik gretings, appropriate dress, eating behaviours ete. and enrich your trip © Being sensitive to these will increase local acceptance as a toutFollow established guidelines Ask your eco-tour operator, guide and/or the local authorities. what their guidelines are for limiting tourism's impact on the environment and local culture Seek out and support locally owned businesses Support local businesses during your eco-travels to ensure maximum community and conservation benefit from your spending Eco tourism destinations in India “0 Eco-Tourism Pioncers in Keralu - hip:/Avww.tourindiakerala,com, Jungle Lodges and Resorts - (Eco-Tourism Pioneers in South India) — http://www june com ‘The Camp RapidFire - Rishikesh, Uttaranchal ‘The Camp BodhiSatva - Rajgarh, Himachal Pradesh ‘The Himalayan Trout House - Tirthan, Himachal Pradesh - www.questrails.com Info on Organic Farming & Eco-Tourism The Saat-tal Camp - Saat-tal, Nainital ‘The Camp Purple - Mukteshwar The Camp Kyari (one of the finest models of Eco-tourism in the country) - Village Kyari, Ramnagar Idrift.com Camp Silver Sands - Rishikesh, Uttaranchal Camp Lunagarh - Mori, Uttaranchal - www.treknraft.com ‘The Himalayan River Runner Camp - Rishikesh, Uttaranchal - www.hrr.com The OAI Camp - Rishikesh, Uttaranchal - www.oai.com ‘The Leopard Beach Camp - Rishikesh, Uttaranchal - www.snowleopardadventures.comRecreation Forestry: Ibis the practice of forestry with the object of raising flowering trees and shrubs mainly to serve as recreation forests for the urban and rural population. This type of forestry is also known as Aesthetic forestry which is defined as the practice of forestry with the object of developing or maintaining a forest of high scenic value. Importance of recreational forestry: + Natural resources have long been relied on as a basis for economic activity + They play a large part in defining regional quality-of-life throughout the Lake States. + Natural resources exist within a set of widely divergent social, economic. and environmental values. + Increasingly, the natural resource base provides the foundation of recreation with impacts ou local tourisn businesses. +The “amenity” aspects of natural resources are difficult to address because they typically serve as latent (hidden) inputs. Recreational activities offered by forests include + Camping. 7 + Fishing, + Hiking, ¢ + Sight-seeing, ¢ + Boating, / . + Cycling and/ < + Bird watching Benifits + offer positive health + benefits to participants, can also provide great benefit, including financial reward, to local communities as well as forest authorities.