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Ecotourism in Karnataka

Ecotourism in Karnataka. What is Ecotourism?. The Ecotourism society in 1991 defined it as “ Responsible Travel to natural areas that conserves the Environment and sustains the well-being of the local people”

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Ecotourism in Karnataka

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  1. Ecotourism in Karnataka

  2. What is Ecotourism? • The Ecotourism society in 1991 defined it as “ Responsible Travel to natural areas that conserves the Environment and sustains the well-being of the local people” • It came to be described as, “travelling 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 manifestations found in these areas”

  3. Origin of Ecotourism • Alexander von Humboldt– grandfather of Ecotourism, born in 1769,Berlin . Idea of interrelation of all natural objects. 8 characteristics of Ecotourism • In the 20th century- In 1983 the word ‘Ecotourism’ coined by Hector Ceballos-Lascurain, Mexican architect and environmentalist

  4. Environment and Tourism • Tourism is a panacea - but is in fact a queer mix of the good and the bad. The good is associated with sustainable development policies, the bad is dubbed with mass tourism. • The dilemma is when tourism is allowed to penetrate into vulnerable and fragile environments, like coasts, wetlands, tropical forests - and mountains. • Mountains - used as a metaphor for stability and strength, but their ecosystems are inherently weak and have limited tolerance for human activity - and above all for aggressive tourism. • God does not seem to have designed mountains for people, not for too many of them anyway

  5. Environment and Tourism • Envt – core of Tourism Product • Profitability in Tourism depends on Attractiveness of tourist destination • Tourism is Double-Edged Sword- it has the power to enhance the Envt. And also to destroy it, if not planned properly. • Therefore steps must to be taken to preserve and protect Envt. But how? • To the rescue came the concept of Ecotourism

  6. What is ecotourism? • A walk through the rainforest is not ecotourism unless that particular walksomehow  benefits that environment and the people who live there. However,   this concept is getting    lost with most players seeking to make profits fromthe buzzword . • Often the notion of ecotourism is confused with the broader concept of sustainable tourism or with certain types of adventure tourism that have nothing to do with ecotourism. • experts began to reason saying mere nature travel cannot be termed ecotourism

  7. What is ecotourism? • Natural areas have originally been home to numerous indigenous communities. Their culture, lifestyle, is completely in sync with their natural surroundings. When more and more people took to these virgin wilderness areas in the name of ecotourism, there came an expected reaction from the locals and thus came in the component of welfare of the local people • ecotourism came to be defined as "responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people". • A walk through the rainforest is not eco-tourism unless that particular walk somehow benefits that environment and the people who live there. A rafting trip is only eco-tourism if it raises awareness and funds to help protect the watershed.

  8. The Focus of Ecotourism • Ecotourism focusses on wilderness adventures, volunteering , personal growth and learning new ways to live on our very vulnerable planet. • It is responsible tourism which includes programmes that minimise the adverse affects of traditional tourism on the natural Envt. • It is environmentally friendly travel and an alternative to mass tourism

  9. Ecotourism in disguise? • the forests of Bandipur and Madhumalai are often exploited in the name of ecotourism. Several organizations make tall claims of a natural experience and loosely use the word ecotourism to describe their package. How much of the money earned is ploughed back for local development? And who keeps tabs on this? It’s anybody's guess that there is hardly any resources being invested back. If so why are we risking our few remaining patches of natural areas.

  10. Eco-tourism in India • Today Eco-tourism as advertised in India is technically “Nature Tourism” • Ecotourism was born out of a need to practice “Nature Tourism” Sustainably • The high-dollar international tourist is in search of ecotourism • The market niche is unique and practically untapped in India at this time

  11. Nature tourism • Nature tourism is often referred to and is confused to be Ecotourism • Its primary focus is on experiencing natural areas that foster environmental understanding and conservation • Nature tourism activities include- hunting, fishing, photography, birdwatching • It is distinct from Adventure tourism • It is a tool for Sustainable development

  12. Benefits of Ecotourism Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well being of the local people”. The Ecotourism Society (1991 ) • Contributes actively to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, • Includes local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation, and contributing to their well-being, • Interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the destination to visitors, • Lends itself better to independent travelers, as well as to organized tours for small size groups.

  13. The Indian Story • Ecotourism mentioned in tourism policy but forgotten in budgetary allocation • Government is still unclear about what is ecotourism ….. Mentions amusement parks, Spas etc in ecotourism • Not even an indication of community participation • Few states have come up with policy/guidelines…Kerala, Sikkim, MP, HP, Tripura, Karnataka • Kerala TD working on certification • Periyar … model example of ecotourism in India

  14. The Karnataka Fact file • One State – Many worlds • Represents variations of topography- high mountains, hills and long coastal stretches • It is part of high biodiversity-rich region • Tropical evergreen forests, mangroves • Has 4500species of flowering plants, 600 species of birds, 160species of mammals, 160species of reptiles,70sp of frogs, and 800sp of fish • 25%of elephant popn, and 10%of tiger popn • 14 heavy rainfall stations, 20%of forest cover • 5 national parks and 21 wildlife sanctuaries

  15. Coastal environment • Sun, Sand and Surf -Environmental issues– use of NR, disposal of waste and sewage, depletion of groundwater • Uncontrolled coastal tourism has led to – loss of bio-diversity, erosion of sand dunes, decline of fish catch, and siltation • pollution of backwaters and impacting fisheries wealth. Food chain is thus affected • Sand mining and infrastructure devt leads to increasing pressure on environment.

  16. Coastal environment • Devbagh- in the name of Ecotourism, the coastal region is being damaged. Construction of Hotel complex on the beach is in violation of the CRZ , but not much is being done to remedy such violation due to influential hotel lobby. • Mangalore- pvt residential dwellings also in violation of CRZ.

  17. Misuse of benefit • World Bank estimates that in less developed areas the percentage of money generated through tourism retained in the local economy is often very low. In many of the popular ecotourism circuits it was found that as little as 10 percent of the money was pumped back into the local economy. Within a particular country the money may end up in the large cities or in the hands of the wealthy elite.

  18. Case of Nagarahole • long-standing conflict between the natural inhabitants of India's Nagarahole National Park in Karnataka, the Adivasis, and the forest authorities. • Karnataka Government leased out 56.41 acres of forest land, to Gateway Hotels, a division of the Taj Group of Hotels for 18 years to launch a Rs.40 crore hotel project inside the National Park • In the legal battle High Court declared in April 1997 that 'the assignment of a portion of forest land was in violation of Wildlife protection Act, 1972 • Central Government directed the State Government to reclaim the land leased out to Taj Group within 45 days.

  19. Forest and Wildlife • So called ferocious animals- no longer so. • Littering of trekking trail. • Camp fires not doused- forest fires • Loss of flora and fauna • Poaching and hunting in reserve forests • Loss of pasture lands • Loss of medicinal plants

  20. Loss of Habitat • Birds have been left with no habitat • Hardly any sparrows now in cities • Rare birds are fast disappearing and may soon be extinct

  21. System to monitor impact of tourism on ecology vital' • Developing some excellent policies on eco-tourism and properly implementing these policies is the most important test of any State's commitment to eco-tourism

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