Ecotourism

Dr. Saheli Pradhan Mitra

• Tourism is a form of development
that brings about radical changes in
the socio-economic conditions of
people in the host destination.

• In order to establish the relationship

between tourism and ecology, the
principles of sustainable development
are being propagated for the citizens
to choose appropriate model of living
on the earth without destroying the
global ecosystem. It secures for
future generations to find the living
with the untouched living resources.

• It is now a cause of concern for the

governments to find a harmony
between tourism development and
conservation of plant and animal life
at the destination.
• The relationship between tourism and
ecology is complex as the former is
consumer and the later is producer.

• Both are practically contrary to each

other due to the lack of clarity in the
policy and planning for tourism
development.

• Each tourism destinations is influenced

by a particular ecosystem and tourists and
their needs and demands largely affect the
functioning of ecosystem.

• Tourism development must respect the

ecological vulnerability that can be
possible with the promotion of
responsible tourism or sustainable
tourism.
Tourism & Environment-
A Perspectives
Tourism has made an adverse impact on nature conservation, and it has resulted in the loss of habitat,
damage to soil and vegetation, fire, pollution, and disturbance of flora and fauna. The study on the
relationship between tourism and environment was largely undertaken in the last quarter of 20th century.
There were not much literature on tourism and environment prior to 1980.

However, Mathieson and Wall’s work on Economic, Social and Ecological Impacts (1982) explained about
the tourism development and conservation of nature. It was a major breakthrough in the tourism literature
when Romeril (1985) contributed a research paper on Tourism to the International Journal of
Environmental Studies. Many researchers were motivated to contribute the research papers on how to
counter or overcome the negative impacts of tourism. It became a global concern, and the world leaders
expressed their concern over the loss of major habitats from the natural ecological system.

The United Nations Human Environment Conference of 1972 ( Human and Environment), the World
Conservation Strategy of 1980, the Report of the Brandtland Commission (1987) and the Manila
Declaration on World Tourism in 1980 have made significant mark in the study of tourism and
environment.
Pearce (1985) reproduced in the special
edition and explained the framework for
the study of environmental stress as
established by the OECD in 1981. These
are the following objectives identified in
the framework.
➢ Permanent environmental
restructuring
➢ Generation of waste
➢ Tourist activities
➢ Effects on population dynamics
Ecology of Sustainable Tourism
The ecology of sustainable tourism
aims at explaining the roles of
tourism industry to make through
checking of lighting, landscaping,
exterior and interior decorations,
and city themes, and internal
transportation service to help
visitors understand the richness of
the places of tourism interest. Local
festivals reflect the long tradition of
local community and festivals
should be made a part of ecology of
sustainable tourism. It is the duty of
the local administration to ensure
safe and secure atmosphere. Thus,
it must be part of the planning and
there must be psychological and
sociological analysis for making
the ecology of sustainable tourism
more appealing and enticing.
Environmental
Protection &
Tourism
The nature and environment is closely associated on their values. Environment is an interaction of its
subsystems comprising the biosphere, technological and social sphere. As it is explained, the complex
consequences of tourism activities influence the environment. Thus, it needs certain protections.
➢ Reduction of intensive exploitation of land areas to save the landscape
➢ Reduction of pollution of air, soil and water; fuel burning, evaporation of solvents, leakage of chemicals,
waste disturbance factors like noise or stench.
Marketing Activities in Tourism
& Ecological Balance
The need for protection of environment is significantly contributing to the efforts for making the
sustainable relationship between man and nature.

As suggested, municipalities in tourist resorts should be included in tourism planning and the use
of domestic products and services should be stimulated.

Partnerships with private companies and public institutions should be strengthened to develop a
strong framework for sustainable development of tourism.

Practitioners must take into consideration the following :

➢➢ Integrating tourism with planning

➢➢ Supporting of local economy
➢➢ Involving local communities directly in the decision-making
➢➢ Establishing undisrupted communication network between shareholders and community
➢➢ Training and developing skills of local people
➢➢ Promoting responsible tourist marketing
According to the WTO, "tourism
that involves traveling to
relatively undisturbed natural
areas within the specialized
object of studying, admiring and
enjoying the scenery and its wild
plants and animals, as well as any
existing cultural aspects (both of
the past or the present) found in
these areas" is defined as eco-
tourism.

It is distinguished from mass

tourism or resort by having a
lower impact on the environment
and by requiring less infrastructure
development
Most common definition of Eco-
Tourism is nature-based tourism
(visitors are mainly interested in
observing and appreciating nature and
traditional cultures in natural areas)
that has following attributes:
• Contributes to Biodiversity
Conservation;
• Supports the well-being of local
people;
• Involves responsible action by both
tourists and local people to minimize
negative environmental and socio-
cultural impacts; Requires the lowest
possible consumption of non-
renewable resources;
• Stresses local ownership, as well as
business opportunities for local
(especially rural) people.
Principles of Ecotourism
Ecotourism comprises number of interrelated components all of
which should be present for authentic ecotourism to occur. Ross K.
Dowling pointed out that there are five key principles that are
fundamental to ecotourism. They are:
I) Ecotourism is nature-based,
II) Ecologically sustainable,
III) Environmentally educative,
IV) Locally beneficial and
V) Generates tourist satisfaction.
The first three characteristics are essential for a product to be
considered 'ecotourism' while the last two characteristics are viewed as
being desirable for all forms of tourism.
I) Nature Based :

Ecotourism is based on the natural environment with a focus on its biological and physical and
cultural features. Ecotourism occurs in and depends on a natural setting and may include cultural
elements where they occur in a natural setting. The conservation of natural resources is essential to
the planning, development and management of ecotourism.
II) Ecologically sustainable:

All tourism should be sustainable - ecologically,

socially and environmentally.

Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism

undertaken in a natural setting.

The challenge to ecotourism in any country or

region is to develop its tourism capacity and the
quality of its products without adversely
affecting the environment that maintains and
nurtures it.

This involves ensuring that the type, location and

level of ecotourism use does not cause harm to
natural areas.
IV) Locally Beneficial
• The involvement of local communities
not only benefits the community and the
environment but also improves the quality
of the tourist experience. Local
communities can become involved in
ecotourism operations, and in the provision
of knowledge, services, facilities and
products. These benefits should outweigh
the cost of ecotourism to the host
community and environment.

• Ecotourism can also. generate income for

resource conservation management in
addition to social and cultural benefits. The
contribution may be financial with a part of
the cost of the tour helping to subsidies a
conservation project. Alternatively, it could
consist of practical help in the field with the
tourists being involves in envirmm1ental
data collection and/ or analysis.
V) Tourist satisfaction
Satisfaction of visitors with the
ecotourism experience is essential
to long-term viability of the
ecotourism industry. Information
provided about ecotourism
opportunities should accurately
represent the opportunities
offered at particular ecotourism
destinations. The ecotourism
experience should match or
exceed the realistic expectations
of the visitor. Client services and
satisfaction should be second only
to the conservation and protection
of what they visit.
The style of ecosystem may vary considerably in regard to a range of factors including:
• The types of natural settings they require
• The extent of direct contact and involvement with the natural environment
• The group sizes involved
• The use and extent of personal interaction with tour guides
• The reliance on mechanized means of transport and supporting infrastructure, a
• The type of visitor satisfaction and experience realized.
1. Eco- tourism should be initiated
with the help of broad-based
community inputs and community
should maintain control of tourism
development.

2. Culturally, environmentally and

economically sensitive community
development.

3. It should lead to nature

conservation and local economic
benefit.

4. Promotion of high-quality
information, well educated guides
and effective service delivery.
5. Education and traveling
programs to improve and
manage heritage and natural
resources should be
established for long term
success.

6. A code of practice should

be established for tourism at
all levels — national regional,
local based on internationally
accepted standards.
Guidelines for tourism
operations impact assessment,
monitoring of cumulative
impacts and limits to
acceptable change should be
established.
EMPOWERMENT
There will be empowerment of the local people if their voices are
taken into consideration. They should be able to decide what forms of
tourism facilities and wildlife conservation programmes should be
developed in their respective regions. The local community should
become an important stakeholder in decision making and for claiming
benefits
 Social
Empowerment

Social empowerment refers to a situation in

which a community’s sense of cohesion and
integrity has been confirmed or strengthened by
any collective activity whose benefits are
distributed among the group members
Strong community groups,
including youth groups, and
women’s groups, may be signs of
an empowered community. Social
empowerment is perhaps most
clearly a result of ecotourism
when profits from the tourism
activity are used to fund social
development projects, such as
water supply systems or health
clinics, in the local area.
 Political
Empowerment
The voices and the concerns of the local community
should be able to guide the development of any
ecotourism project from the conceptual stage to its
implementation. It is pertinent to give voice and decision-
making powers Emerging Trends in Anthropology and
Tourism 115 to diverse interest groups within a
community and power to be distributed among all diverse
groups divided by age, sex and class. All the stakeholders
within a community need to have representation on
community and broader decision-making bodies. In order
for the local communities to exert some control over
ecotourism, power need to be delegated to the level of the
community. It is to be ensured that even the most marginal
groups within the community get the benefits.
Psychological Empowerment
• A community is said to be psychologically strong, when its members are positive about
the future, have strong faith in the potentials and abilities of its residents, self-reliant,
independent, and take pride in their traditions and culture.

• One needs to understand that in many small-scale societies, maintaining a group’s sense
of belonginess, self-esteem and well-being is very important. This maintenance is
ensured by preservation of their tradition.

• One of the key features of ecotourism is sensitivity to cultural norms and respect for
local traditions. This sensitivity and respect can be empowering for local people.

• On the other hand, ecotourism can be disempowering if it interferes with cultural

norms of the local people. For example, interfering with the vital relationship between
the local people and their land, may have demoralizing effects.
Look at local community’s access to
resources in area proposed for
ecotourism to determine economic
empowerment or disempowerment. For
example, if certain areas of land are
identified as protected areas for the sake
of ecotourism, it eventually reduces the
access to agricultural lands as well as
hunting grounds. Protection of wildlife
species may even result in destruction
of crops and cause harm to livestock
and people. Local people should have
equitable distribution of benefits,
however there is a concern, local people
will willingly support conservation of
protected areas only if it is
simultaneous with their own
development
Community-based Ecotourism
The need to promote the quality of life of
people and conservation of natural
resources is important for a community-
based approach. In order to make
ecotourism economically and socially
sustainable, it is imperative that members
of local host community be trained. A
community-based approach seeks to
revive reverence for traditions, at the same
time boost local livelihoods by providing
source of income for unemployed
members of local host community.

An important way to establish responsible

community-based ecotourism is to
approach it from a sustainable
development perspective, which takes into
consideration social, environmental and
economic goals. Instead of prioritising
only economic or environmental impacts
of community-based approach, it is
important to take into consideration the
social dimensions of experience of
tourism too.
 Activities of Ecotourism
• Activities that minimize negative impact on the land and its communities are the best
way to travel. Sustainable tour packages are offered on nearly every continent in the
world. Traveling closer to home will leave a smaller footprint than traveling halfway
around the world; however, it is possible to tour in an eco-responsible manner no
matter where you go.

• Contrary to belief, ecotourism is not just for the flower children or granola crunchers,
either. People oriented community based and park centered ecotourism is the hallmark
of Periyar Tiger Reserve.

• These programmes are conducted by locals who are responsible for the surveillance.
By taking tourists along they not only interpret the values of Periyar and enhance the
visitor experience but also add to the protection of the park and earn a livelihood out
of it. Hence, when a visitor joins in all these programmes is directly contributing to the
cause of conservation and community welfare.
 Nature Walk
Ecotourism is better known for its priority for providing
opportunities of jungle or forest walk. The walks along the
forest trails with local nature guide offer wonderful
opportunities of watching a range of birds, butterflies and
wildlife habitats in the natural environs. In addition, nature
lovers also see the trees, plants, creepers, etc to understand
the rich biodiversity and its impacts on human existence. It
is soft form of ecotourism activities conducted for shorter
distance about four to five kilometers with a maximum
number of five to seven persons. It is a regulated tour with
well-designed programmes that include interaction with
indigenous tribes and their occupational activities. The
chirping of birds and nature’s whispers along with sighs
enhance the experience of nature walk.
Trekking

One of the most preferred activities of ecotourism is the

participation of eco-tourists in the trekking. Trekking is a
soft form of organized adventure activity that is
programmed to provide services like camping, food, escort-
cum-guide, binoculars, reading materials, torch lights, etc.
The primary purpose of participating in trekking or hiking is
to see, enjoy and admire the grasslands, evergreen,
deciduous and riverine forests, wildlife and tribal hamlets.
Professional ecotourism operators conduct trekking tours
with varied durations and most of the ecotourism are all-
inclusive packages. Activities of trekking include
photography, watching wild animals, taking bath in the hot-
sulphur spring water, camp-fire, watching folk dance, taste of
local cuisine, paintings, etc.
 Jungle Patrolling
Participation in the tiger or other endangered
animals is an activity in the jungle patrolling.
This activity involves younger visitors with
physical stamina, good health, experience and
commitment to contribute to the conservation of
plants, wildlife and cultural resources of
ecotourism sites. This jungle patrolling
programme is conducted in the fringes of
ecodevelopment zones of the animal reserve and
the visitors are accompanied by armed forest
guards. Visitors are given some short training
and tips to be alert in the night patrolling in the
jungle. This is quite popular in Africa and it has
been introduced in Periyar Tiger Reserve in
Kerala.
 Unlike trekking, participants or eco-tourists need to have experience in
doing hiking in different altitudes. Generally, the altitudinal ranges between
300 to 1,500m with many ups and downs in the hiking trails. The hikers or
trekkers can have clear views of lofty mountain peaks, valleys, terrains,
watersheds, waterfalls, rivers, gorges, animals, plants and people.
Hiking Participants undergo several rounds of physical fitness test before they are
included in the all-inclusive package tour. The adventure or eco-tour
operators conducted the tours with the help of local porters and guides to
carry belongings of eco-tourists.
 Hard-core eco-tourists with much interest in nature and wildlife do
take part in the wilderness activities. This is clearly non-conventional
activity that requires special permission from the authority to trek
through the protected areas to study, understand, appreciate and enjoy
the natural environs and its settings. For those eco-tourists who wish to
Wilderness show interest in experiencing the wilderness must be prepared to adjust
with minimal facilities and foods in the jungle. These eco-tourists are
dedicated and committed to see the undisturbed, uncontaminated and
unpolluted deep forests to satisfy one’s mission in the life.
 Wildlife is a prime attraction and motivation of those nature tourists who
are prepared to undertake wildlife or safari tour to view animals in forest.
Wildlife viewing is an important ecotourism activity in the protected areas.
Wildlife Viewing Watch towers are erected at the key locations to view the grazing of deer,
peacocks and other herbivore animals. For example, seeing the wild
elephants taking the salts is an amazing view and experience for the wildlife
lovers. Many hard-core wildlife tourists spend longer duration to follow the
trails of animals and understand their behaviour.
Thematic Attraction
Apart from creating opportunities for nature
walk, trekking, wildlife viewing,
photographing, etc, thematic attraction for
the children Notes 125 in the interpretation
centre or in the amusement park in the
manipulation zone of the protected areas.
Thematic attractions include the erected
objects made of stone, cement, bricks, etc to
present the relationship of organisms in
different ecosystem. For example, aquarium
presents a wide range of marine species to
make the visitors educated about the marine
ecosystem. Similarly, sculpture garden in
Thenmalai in Kerala showcases the
relationship between humans and nature.
 Soft adventure activities include kayaking, canoeing, rowing, sailing,
horseback riding, river rafting, scuba diving, angling, rock climbing,
Soft Adventure ropeways, river crossing with rope or swinging bridge, searching for
wild orchids, etc. These activities offer more of fun and frolic than
Activity studying. Conversely, these activities have moderate impact on the
ecosystems of lakes, rivers, soil, sea, etc. For example, angling or
catching fish in the Kabini River in Karnataka.
 Impact of Ecotourism Activity
• Ecotourism is an offspring of nature-based tourism with defined objectives of practicing
sustainable development. Needless to say much of about the benefits of ecotourism as it is
one the best means of managing the natural resources for the present and future generation.

• After examining all pros and cons of ecotourism’s impact in the natural environment, the
world leaders unanimously agreed upon the implementation of ecotourism objectives and
principles to regulate the operations of activities.

• All those ecotourism activities have positive impacts for which more ecotourism sites are
being created to empower the local community members.

• Ecotourism have more positive impacts than the negative impacts from the perspectives of
community, visitors, government and tourism service providers perspectives. Ecotourism
activities are organized and conducted with due care and attention to the original settings of
environment
Eco-Tourists Largely Get :

➢➢ Free natural environment to spend quality

time
➢➢ A peaceful and quiet environment for
mental rejuvenation and physical invigoration
➢➢ An opportunity to heal the pains from the
mental humdrum of life in the crowded city
➢➢ An open interaction with nature to
understand the complex interrelationships
➢➢ An authentic and novelty experience of
tasting local food and drinks to remember
forever
➢➢ Ample scope for interactions with
community members to learn their socio-cultural
system and practices
➢➢ A sense of pride in sharing knowledge
and experience in preserving biodiversity
➢➢ An opportunity to feel privileged in
helping the indigenous people
Eco-Tour Operators Get
➢➢ An opportunity to operate the tour for environmentally conscious visitors
➢➢ Like-minded clients to provide services without any conflicts
➢➢ Focused clients for conducting the eco-tour activities
➢➢ A sense of pride in injecting the tourism revenue into the local economy
➢➢ A sense of social commitment to the host community, ecology and environment
Government Gets :

➢➢ An opportunity to bring in sustainable socio-economic changes of local community in the

backward area

➢➢ An alternative livelihood to refrain the local people from cutting down the trees, clearing forest for
cultivation, killing animals for domestic and commercial purpose and indulging in the ethnic violence or
rival clash

➢➢ An opportunity to create sustained income for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers

➢➢ Maximum time to alleviate poverty through ecotourism as known for pro-poor

➢➢ Maximum impetus to promote the local handicrafts for persevering the indigenous art and
artisans’ occupation.
Community Members Get :

➢➢ Maximum benefits in terms

of income and employment
➢➢ Adequate opportunities to
know the guest culture
➢➢ Privilege in using the
facilities like road, primary health,
education, etc developed for
ecotourism projects
➢➢ Empowerment in terms of
participating in the decision-
making process
➢➢ Sense of pride in serving the
guests being a host
Successful
Management
of
Ecotourism
• The successful management. of. eco-tourism depends largely on monitoring of environment . The
importance of monitoring is widely recognized in highly environmentally sensitive zones.

• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Business Charter advocates that, environmental

management should be recognized as one of the highest priority and as a key determinant to
sustainable eco-tourism. They published a document in 1993, named Total Quality Environment
Management, which outlines the methods of applying total quality management to corporate
environment strategies. Good Environmental Management has been acknowledged as an essential
component for the successful planning and management of eco-tourism. In order to achieve good
environmental management two approaches should be considered i.e., Environmental qualities
and total quality management.

• To achieve .these goals a proper ecological study is required. Land management should be given
due importance. According to Sharma (2000), on the basis of GIS and Remote-sensing
techniques monitoring, inventorying and management of natural resources including flora, fauna
and land as well as quality of environment can be improved to· a great extent.

• For the purpose of management and planning of tourism industry the land should be given
importance as it is the sole source of sustenance of mankind, supporting the plants and animals.
In the present context, need of the hour is to get reliable, accurate, time-bound and economical
data for the. preparation of land use for tourism development plan. These data are easily acquired
by means of Remote Sensing Technique.
• Remote Sensing techniques as a. tool can provide timely and accurate data on environmental
degradation. i.e., impacts on flora and fauna, resource inventorying as well as data on change in
infrastructure visual interpretation and computer analysis of land use maps is possible by remote
sensing techniques and monitoring of land use for the management of tourism for optimal use in long-
term basis is possible.

• The most important thing about Remote-Sensing techniques is that the study on the structure and
dynamics of land use is possible because of repetitive coverage of the same area. The information
acquired through Remote -Sensing techniques for the preparation of land-use maps form a basic input
in planning and management of Ecotourism.

• To operate Remote-sensing techniques for the .planning and management of tourism industry, there is
a need of solid .and comprehensive database assisted by Geo-Information System which will further
help in the identification of potential areas for tourism.

• To operate and to handle the GIS and Remote-Sensing techniques skilled, trained and knowledgeable
staff is needed. Remote Sensing techniques can be of immense help in regulating tourist stream,
lessening the impact of environment degradation, eco-effective management, planning as well as
monitoring population of species m1d human activities; concurrently, determining the changes in the
number of species and vegetation cover over time for establishing cause and effect. ·