Fiinovation - With rapid economic development, tourism is subsequently gaining high potential mainly among the middle and high class society, thereby creating a high pressure on the natural resources. Further, due to technology advancement, Fiinovation believes more and more ecologically fragile and remote areas are being explored and made accessible by the tourism agencies/departments in order to attract large number of tourists and high profits. Despite the national parks being closed during mating season, this is not only resulting in degradation of natural habitat of wildlife but presence of large numbers of tourists often disturbs the animal's mating patterns, thereby, resulting in decreased numbers. Further, large scale construction of roads, hotels, lodges and other tourist facilities within these natural areas have resulted in increased deforestation and environmental pollution, thereby contributing to long term climatic changes. In addition, lack of environmental concerns and unsustainable littering habits of the tourists further degrades the aesthetic value of these natural areas. Thus, irresponsible tourism not only affects the natural ecosystem but also creates an uncomfortable environment for the local people living in these areas.
In view of above, there is an urgent need of minimizing the impact on our natural ecosystems and ensure their sanctity for the future tourists. Understanding sustainability and becoming a responsible tourist is the need of the hour.
Responsible travelling to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people is covered under the broad concept of 'Ecotourism'. Ecotourism not only provides a viable alternate income generation option for the local communities but also develops environmental concerns among the tourists. Further, utilizing the revenues generated through tourism to national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for improving these in-situ conservation areas is also a major component of eco-tourism as it ensures sustainable management of these ecosystems. In addition, eco-tourism also includes the concept of green tourism wherein developing an eco-friendly tourist facility is the basic idea. Fiinovation believes, for instance, a lodge/hotel with the facility of solar lightening, composting toilet and gray water collection /treatment system shall probably fulfill the criteria of green tourism. As per the International Eco-tourism Standards developed by the Ecotourism Australia in conjunction with the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), there are eight criteria for defining ecotourism. These include nature area focus, interpretation, environmental sustainability practice, contribution to conservation, benefitting local communities, cultural respect, customer satisfaction and responsible marketing.
Nowadays, ecotourism is gaining worldwide importance due to increasing environmental concerns and the sensitivity of the issue. Most of the countries are adopting ecotourism in order to conserve their natural resources and develop a sense of environmental concern among the common public. India being one of the megadiversity nations in the world and a famous tourist destination is widely promoting eco-tourism and this is becoming the most important agent for ensuring the socio-economic development of the nation without compromising the environment. Developing eco-parks and green tourist facilities, promoting the concept of homestay are some of the initiatives which are gaining high momentum in our country and are attracting the wide range of tourists thereby developing environmental concerns among them. This has also become a source of livelihood for the local community.
During my recent visit to Dhanolti Eco-Park in Uttarakhand, I was extremely delighted to find a perfect example of Ecotourism in my country itself. Developed by the State Forest Department, the Eco-park is managed by Dhanolti Ecology and Ecotourism Development Committee (DEEDC). The park is divided into Ambar, the upper part and Dhara, the lower part. The tourist facilities provided within Eco-Park include accommodation facility in eco-huts made up of bamboo, amusement facilities like flying fox, horse riding and Burma bridge, plantation of memory saplings, nature trails with a yoga centre and an interpretation centre. Further some local handicrafts are also available for purchase within the park. The visitor entry fee and the other expenses are very nominal. Of the total income generated from the park, major share is being provided to the local people for conducting various activities within the park and some share is being utilized for maintenance and development of the park. Moreover, the garbage generated within the park is transported to the nearest Dehradun City, where it is recycled or disposed off properly. While in order to minimize the generation of non-biodegradable waste, DEEDC has placed holdings on the road and vantage points depicting the ill effects of these wastes, thereby spreading awareness among the tourists and locals to use dustbins rather than littering. The Eco-Park has highly contributed to socio-economic development of local communities along with ensuring the conservation of the natural ecosystem and wildlife of the area.
Thus, it can be inferred that although promoting Ecotourism is a national issue, at the same time, bringing about a behavioral change amongst us is more important in order to make the movement successful. Every individual is a stakeholder in this process and now is the time that we clearly need to avoid our negative mindset and serve our responsibility towards nature.
In view of above, there is an urgent need of minimizing the impact on our natural ecosystems and ensure their sanctity for the future tourists. Understanding sustainability and becoming a responsible tourist is the need of the hour.
Responsible travelling to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people is covered under the broad concept of 'Ecotourism'. Ecotourism not only provides a viable alternate income generation option for the local communities but also develops environmental concerns among the tourists. Further, utilizing the revenues generated through tourism to national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for improving these in-situ conservation areas is also a major component of eco-tourism as it ensures sustainable management of these ecosystems. In addition, eco-tourism also includes the concept of green tourism wherein developing an eco-friendly tourist facility is the basic idea. Fiinovation believes, for instance, a lodge/hotel with the facility of solar lightening, composting toilet and gray water collection /treatment system shall probably fulfill the criteria of green tourism. As per the International Eco-tourism Standards developed by the Ecotourism Australia in conjunction with the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), there are eight criteria for defining ecotourism. These include nature area focus, interpretation, environmental sustainability practice, contribution to conservation, benefitting local communities, cultural respect, customer satisfaction and responsible marketing.
Nowadays, ecotourism is gaining worldwide importance due to increasing environmental concerns and the sensitivity of the issue. Most of the countries are adopting ecotourism in order to conserve their natural resources and develop a sense of environmental concern among the common public. India being one of the megadiversity nations in the world and a famous tourist destination is widely promoting eco-tourism and this is becoming the most important agent for ensuring the socio-economic development of the nation without compromising the environment. Developing eco-parks and green tourist facilities, promoting the concept of homestay are some of the initiatives which are gaining high momentum in our country and are attracting the wide range of tourists thereby developing environmental concerns among them. This has also become a source of livelihood for the local community.
During my recent visit to Dhanolti Eco-Park in Uttarakhand, I was extremely delighted to find a perfect example of Ecotourism in my country itself. Developed by the State Forest Department, the Eco-park is managed by Dhanolti Ecology and Ecotourism Development Committee (DEEDC). The park is divided into Ambar, the upper part and Dhara, the lower part. The tourist facilities provided within Eco-Park include accommodation facility in eco-huts made up of bamboo, amusement facilities like flying fox, horse riding and Burma bridge, plantation of memory saplings, nature trails with a yoga centre and an interpretation centre. Further some local handicrafts are also available for purchase within the park. The visitor entry fee and the other expenses are very nominal. Of the total income generated from the park, major share is being provided to the local people for conducting various activities within the park and some share is being utilized for maintenance and development of the park. Moreover, the garbage generated within the park is transported to the nearest Dehradun City, where it is recycled or disposed off properly. While in order to minimize the generation of non-biodegradable waste, DEEDC has placed holdings on the road and vantage points depicting the ill effects of these wastes, thereby spreading awareness among the tourists and locals to use dustbins rather than littering. The Eco-Park has highly contributed to socio-economic development of local communities along with ensuring the conservation of the natural ecosystem and wildlife of the area.
Thus, it can be inferred that although promoting Ecotourism is a national issue, at the same time, bringing about a behavioral change amongst us is more important in order to make the movement successful. Every individual is a stakeholder in this process and now is the time that we clearly need to avoid our negative mindset and serve our responsibility towards nature.
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