Assessment of Ecotourism in Palamau Tiger Reserve: State of Jharkhand, India

1. Assessment of Ecotourism in Palamau Tiger Reserve:State of Jharkhand, India Diksha Kumari Prasad Conservator of Forests, Department of Forests & Environment, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi -834002, India Phone – 00919431775121, 0091-651-2482759 E-mail – dikshap64@yahoo.co.in

2. Contents • Introduction • Background • Methodology • Opportunities • Challenges • Conclusions

3. According to Heather Robinson (2006): Ecotourism is sustainable tourism that "contributes actively to the conservationof natural and cultural heritage; includes local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation, contributing to their well-being; interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the destination to visitors; and lends itself better to independent travelers.”

6. One of the first 9 Tiger Reserves notified in 1974. First census of tigers through pug mark identification technique was carried out here in 1934.

8. Stakeholders • Local communities • Forest Department • Tourism Department • Private sector • NGOs and • National/international tourists

9. Opportunities • Tourist spots • Roadsand Transport • Accommodation • Nature Trails • Bird Watching sites • Nature Camps • Signboards • Elephant rides • Interpretation • Education

11. Year wise tourist visits to PTR

12. Challenges • Bad law and order situation • Lack of Ecotourism Policy • Lack of overall planning • No recycling of Tourism Revenue • Lack of Qualified Staff for Ecotourism • Lack of involvement of Local Communities in Ecotourism • Lack of Dissemination of Information • Weak Scientific Research & Monitoring

13. 1- very good, 5- very bad N- not applicable

15. Conclusion

16. Thank you for your attention See you in India