Ecotourism

Ecotourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well –being of local people.” (TIES)

“Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local peoples.” (IUCN)

Ecotourism is broadly defined as low impact travel to endangered and often undisturbed locations. It is different from traditional tourism because it allows the traveler to become educated about the areas- both in terms of the physical landscape and cultural characteristics, and often provides funds for conservation and benefits the economic development of places that are frequently impoverished. Most tourism in natural areas today is not ecotourism and is not, therefore, sustainable. Ecotourism is distinguished by its emphasis on conservation, education, traveler responsibility and active community participation.

Ecotourism and other forms of sustainable travel have origins with the environmental movement of the 1970s. Ecotourism itself did not become prevalent as a travel concept until the late 1980s. During that time, increasing environmental awareness and a desire to travel to natural location as opposed to built up tourist locations made ecotourism desirable.

Principles of Ecotourism

Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles;

·         Minimize impact.

·         Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect

·         Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.

·         Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.

·         Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.

·         Raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate.

Advantages of Ecotourism

1.       Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing markets in tourism industry.

2.       They help to generate local employment and earn foreign exchange.

3.       Ecotourism helps to bring awareness and conservation measures for ecologically fragile and endangered places.

4.       Attracts government policies and better regulation (than none) and brings funds for conservation.

Criticisms of Ecotourism

1.       There is no single definition of the term so it is difficult to know which trips are truly considered ecotourism. In addition, nature, low impact, bio, and green tourism are often interchanged with ecotourism, and these do not usually meet the principles defined by organization like the Nature Conservancy or the international Ecotourism Society.

2.       In the name of sustainable, nature based and environment friendly ecotourism, commercial tourism schemes with only profit motive and no conservation measures are launched.

3.       Ecotourism if not managed well, can lead to destruction of the resources on which it relies. Unaware and careless tourism damages the environment.

4.       Local communities hardly benefit. Outside investors, hotel and tourist operators garner all the benefits.

5.       Fabric of local life and indigenous culture which was in consonance with natural conditions of the areas gets disturbed.

6.       Heave traffic in ecologically fragile areas puts adverse impact on flora, fauna and physical environment. The situation of Leh- Ladakh, Lahaul and Spiti, etc. are a pointer to it.

7.       With increased tourism inflow and consequent urbanization the virgin lands are also being encroached.