Ecotourism

Definition
Ecotourism
is
defined
as
a
purposeful travel to natural areas to
understand the culture and natural
history of the environment, taking
care not to alter the integrity of the
ecosystem,
while
producing
economic opportunities that make
the conservation of natural resources
beneficial to local people

Concept and Characteristics of ecotourism

According to Chesworth (1995), Ecotourism has six
characteristics. These are:
a) ecotourism involves travel to relatively undisturbed
natural areas and/or archeological sites,
b) it focuses on learning and the quality of experience,
c) it economically benefits the local communities,
d) ecotourists seek to view rare species, spectacular
landscapes and/or the unusual and exotic,
e) ecotourists do not deplete resources but even sustain
the environment or help undo damage to the environment,
and
f) ecotourists appreciate and respect local culture,
traditions, etc.

Two attributes of
ecotourism
a) Species and ecosystem
conservation, and
b) livelihood for local communities.

Community-based Ecotourism
It also has the following aims:
to help preserve ecosystems and natural areas
(usually already within protected areas) with a
high tourism potential;
to cultivate environmental consciousness among
the local population by educating them about the
dangers
of
overexploiting
resources
and
unrestricted number of tourists;
to promote new economic incentives, e.g. selling
of local (environmentally safe) products, crafts,
and cultivated medicinal plants thereby create
some entrepreneurial skills;
to ensure communal ownership and control, and
that part of the profits flow into community
development programs rather than into personal

Types of Eco-tourists
Lindberg (1991) provides a typology of nature/ecotourism
types, though many other typologies are possible:
Hard-core:scientific researchers or members of tours
specifically designed for education, environmental
restoration, or similar purposes.
Dedicated:people who take trips specifically to see
protected areas and who want to understand local
natural and cultural history.
Mainstream:people who visit exciting and interior
destinations primarily to take an unusual trip.
Casual:people who partake of nature incidentally, such
as through a day trip during a broader vacation.

BENEFITS / ADVANTAGES OF
ECOTOURISM
Ecotourism is the fastest growing sector in the international travel
industry. The main advantages of Ecotourism are:
1. it provides an excellent source of foreign exchange that can
be used by the governments of developing countries to finance
economic growth and development
2. Ecotourism and its associated activities is a better form of
land use than most agricultural pursuits, especially in arid and
semi-arid areas
3. It is a form of economic development that can, if managed
correctly, spread revenue to the poorest strata of marginal rural
communities. In South Africa it can be a source of restitution for
disadvantaged rural communities
4. It is an industry without chimneys (that is can promote
economic growth with-out damaging the environment) while
assisting social and economic development
5. Ecotourism is a peace industry because it promotes respect
for other cultures and can only safely occur in peaceful areas
It can also promote business partnerships between the private

Planning Principles For

Ecotourism Development

For the successful establishment of Ecotourism destinations we

have learned from experience that there are certain planning
principles that must guide the development. Some of these are:

Apply strict conservation measures to the natural area used

for Ecotourism to protect the flora, fauna and ecosystems, and any
existing archaeological or historic sites, and local culture

Establish carrying capacity standards so that there is no over

development of tourist facilities, or overuse of the environment ensuring that the resource is not depreciated

Develop small-scale tourist facilities in environmentally

suitable locations with locally based designs, use of materials,
energy saving devices and proper disposal of waste material.
Large scale developments are much more difficult to establish in
an environmentally friendly fashion. Develop a visitor centre with
exhibits about the site and local conservation attractions should
also be developed.

Prepare and distribute Ecotourism codes of conduct for

Ecotourists and tour operators, and closely monitor the
application of these codes

Provide well trained tour guides who will give accurate

information to Ecotourists to educate them on matters of

Scope for Eco tourism in

Kerala
1. Thenmala
2. Bhoothathankettu
3. Peruvannamoozhy
4. Thekkady
5. Nelliampathy
6. Konni
7. Kumbalangi
8. Kuruva
9. Thatekkad
10.Poovar

Scope for Eco-Tourism in

India
1. Sundarban Eco-Tour
2. Himalayas
3. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
4. Gir National Park
5. Coorg
6. Kodaikanal
7. Sikkim
8. Shimla
9. Uttaranchal
10.Corbett National Park