CHAPTER - 1

INTRODUCTION
Eco-tourism also known as ecological tourism. The term “Eco-tourism” was
allegedly coined by Hector Ceballas Lascurain in the early 1980s. Eco-tourism is a
word, which is the combination of two words, “Eco” and “tourism”. The word “Eco” is
derived from the Greek word “Oikos”, which literally means the habitat and is an
abbreviation of the term Ecology. It is the scientific study of the relation of living
organisms to each other and their surroundings. The word tourism means the
commercial organisaton and operation of holidays and visits to places of interest.
Therefore, in this view, ecotourism essentially means eco-logical tourism; where
ecological has both the environmental and social connotations.

Eco-tourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine and

relatively undistributed natural areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale
alternative to standard commercial (mass) tourism. Its purpose may be educating the
traveler to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic
development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for
different cultures and for human rights. Since the 1980s, ecotourism has been
considered a critical endeavor by environmentalists. Ecotourism is different from
traditional tourism. It is broadly defined as low impact travel to endangered and often
undisturbed locations. It allows the traveler to become educated about the areas — both
in terms of the physical landscape and cultural characteristics, and often provides funds
for conservation and benefits the economic development of places that are frequently
impoverished. Ecotourism is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry. It has
the potential to build local economies provide opportunities for cultural exchange and
encourage sustainable, development in tourism. It also has its challenges. Ecotourism
has become an important economic activity in natural areas around the world. It
provides opportunities for visitors to experience powerful manifestations of nature and
culture and a learn about the importance of biodiversity conservation and local cultures.
At the same time, ecotourism generates income for conservation and economic benefits
for communities living in rural and remote areas. The attributed of ecotourism make it a
valuable tool for conservation. Its implementation can;

i. Given economic value to ecosystem services that protected areas provide;

ii. Generate direct income for the conservation of protected areas;
iii. Generate direct and indirect income for local stakeholders, creating incentives
for conservation in local communities.
iv. Build constituencies for conservation, locally, nationally and internationally.
v. Promote sustainable resource for Natural Resource and
vi. Reduce threats to biodiversity.

Some areas have greater potential for realizing the benefits of ecotourism than
others. In areas with low visitation, the potential is not usually clear. In others, tourism
may already be an important factor. In both cases, the ecotourism planning process is
critical to achieving ecotourism’s potential as a powerful conservation strategy. Of
course, not all tourism to natural areas is ecotourism. Nature tourism, as opposed to
ecotourism, may lack mechanisms for mitigating impacts on the environment and fail to
demonstrate respect for local culture. Economically, nature tourism is also booming.

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Consequently, we are witnessing an onslaught of visitation to natural areas which in
many cases, is undermining the values that make these areas attractive.

Ecotourism is usually centered on activities related to nature.

Before ecotourism was introduced, these activities were called special interest, nature
tourism, and Green tourism. It is environmentally responsible Tourism. Eco tourists are
generally interested to visit natural areas least affected from human intervention. Any
tourist or traveler worth his salt must have come across the term Ecotourism. It was
almost a buzz word and about time while most people have a vague idea, it is important
to understand what is really means and entails.

Eco-tourism is not merely a catch phrase. It is more than just a word as far as
nature loving travel is concerned. Eco-tourism aims at preserving the diversity of the
natural and cultural heritage of the world. The main focus of eco-tourism lies on local
culture, personal growth, wilderness adventure and new ways of living on the planet.
Tourism involving travel to areas of natural or ecological interest, for the purpose of
observing wildlife and learning about the environment. This is a conscientious form of
tourism and tourism development. It encourages going back to natural products in every
aspect of life and helps preserve nature. It is also the key to sustainable ecological
development.

More recent industry buzzwords include sustainable tourism, Green tourism,

nature tourism, responsible tourism ethical tourism, mindful travel, conscious travel,
pro-poor tourism and many others. With the United Nations designating 201 as the
International year of sustainable tourism for Development, this seems like a great time
to deepen the conservation about what ecotourism is an why it is important for the
future to travel. In simply, the meaning of eco tourism is travel that makes a positive
impact on both the Ecology and Economy. Ecotourism is an enriching experience for
those who would like to research and understand the environment around them.
Promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation and creation of economic
opportunities for the local communities are an integral part of ecotourism. It aims at
reducing the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and
enhancing the integrity of local people. In order to promote ecotourism in its real sense,
many environmentalists have argued for a global standard of accreditation,
differentiating ecotourism companies on the basis of their level of environmental
commitment. For enforcing accreditation procedures, a national ro international
regulatory board would be formulated with representation from government, hotels, tour
operators, travel agents, guides, airlines, local authorities etc.

Definition of the Term Ecotourism

According to the Oxford English Dictionary the word ‘ecotour’ was first
recorded in 1973, followed by ecotourism in 1982. It ws perhaps best defined in 1990
by Megal Epler Wood, the co-founder of the International Ecotourism Society. Now,
the director of the International sustainable, tourism initiative at Harvard, Epler Wood’s
original definition was more simple and to the point. She described ecotourism as
Responsible travel to natural areas that conserved the environment and improves the
wellbeing of local people.

CREST (Certificate less Registry for Electronic Share Transfer) defines

ecotourism as, “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment,

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socially and economically sustains the well-being of local people, and creates
knowledge and understanding through interpretation and education of all involved
(including staff, travelers and community residents)”

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), based in the US and the most
International of the ecotourism organizations, defines ecotourism as, “responsible travel
to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local
people”.

The Australian National Ecotourism strategy defines ecotourism as a “nature

based tourism that involves education and interpretation of the natural environment and
is managed to be ecologically sustainable.

Principles of Ecotourism
Due to the growing popularity of environmentally related and adventure travel,
various types of trips are now being classified as ecotourism. Most o these are not truly
ecotourism, however, because they do not emphasize conservation, education, low
impact travel, and social and cultural participation in the locations being visits.
Therefore, to be considered ecotourism, a trip must meet the following principles set
forth by the international ecotourism society:

i. Minimize the impact of visiting the location.

ii. Build respect and awareness for the environment and cultural practices.
iii. Ensure that the tourism provides positive experiences for both the visitors and
the basis.
iv. Provide direct financial aid for conservation.
v. Provide financial aid, empowerment and other benefits for local peoples.
vi. Raise the traveler’s awareness of the host country’s political, environmental and
social climate.
vii. Minimize physical, social, behavioral and psychological impacts.
viii. Building environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
ix. Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
x. Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
xi. General financial benefits for both local people and private industry.
xii. Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise
sensitivity to host countries political, environmental and social climates.
xiii. Design, construct and operate low impact facilities.
xiv. Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous people in your
community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment.

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 Awareness to
Mass Tourism
Impacts

Tourism
Outdoor and Development in
Adventure Developing
tourism Countries

ECOTOURISM

Awareness and Alternative

Creation of Income
Protected Areas Hypothesis

Rise of Global
Environmental
Movement

Ecotourism in the Global Context

During this current period of globalization, the global community is faced with
the challenge of protecting resources of international importance while at the same time
facilitating economic growth in both the developed and developing worlds. The current
era of globalization has seen an increase in the exploitation and degradation of natural
resources due, in part, to the opening of markets, an increase in trade and
industrialization, and developing countries struggling to improve their standard of
living. Much has been written about sustainable development and its use as a possible
solution to the challenge of economic growth and environmental protection. One tool
that can be used as part of a sustainable development approach to link economic growth
with conservation of natural resources in developing countries is ecotourism.

Tourism is big business. As the world's largest industry, it currently accounts for
more than ten per cent of global employment and eleven per cent of global GDP — and
the annual number of tourist trips worldwide is predicted to double to 1.6 billion by
2020. The sheer number of people travelling around the world has a major, and ever-

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increasing, impact on both people and nature. Mass tourism clearly is not sustainable.
Inappropriate tourism developments and practices degrade habitats and landscapes,
deplete natural resources, and generate waste and pollution. Across Southern Africa,
nature based tourism reportedly now generates roughly the same revenue as farming,
forestry and fisheries combined. Ecotourism, also known as nature based tourism. It is
frequently described as one of the fastest growing sectors of the world’s largest
industry. It is a very important justification for conservation.

A number of international organizations, including the United Nations

Environment Programme (UNEP) and Conservation International, support ecotourism
as a component of their sustainable development and environmental conservation
strategies. Ecotourism is touted as a successful tool for promoting sustainable economic
practices in developing nations, and for encouraging environmental conservation
worldwide. Eco-tourists may also visit local cultural and historical sites, and even
participate in cultural activities. Many ecotours employ native guides and interpreters
who can help visitors fully appreciate the natural and cultural significance of their
experience. Organizations like the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the
International Ecotourism Society (IES) investigate various ecotourism enterprises, and
can provide potential ecotourists with valuable guidance in choosing a company to
guide them on a safe, sustainable adventure. Ecotourism appeals to ecologically and
socially conscious individuals. It involves travel to pristine and protected areas, where
flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the main attractions. It helps the traveler to have
personal growth and learn new ways to live on the planet. There are several
characteristics of ecotourism including travel to natural destinations, building
environmental awareness, providing financial benefits and empowerment for local
people. Supporting human rights and Demographic movements etc. There is also a wide
range of ecotourism and outdoor education activities available to high school and
college students. Ecotourism helps in community development by providing the
alternate source of livelihood to local community which is more sustainable. Its aim is
to conserve resources, especially biological diversity, and maintain sustainable use of
resources, which an bring ecological experience to travelers, conserve the ecological
environment and gain economic benefit.

According to Patterson (2002), characteristics of an ecotourism business are that

it:
1. Have a low impact upon a protected area’s natural resources and recreation
techniques.
2. Involve stakeholders (individuals, communities, ecotourists, tour operators and
government institutions) in the planning, development, implementation and
monitoring phases.
3. Limits visitation to areas, either by limiting group size and/or by the number of
groups taken to an area in a season.
4. Supports the work of conservation groups preserving the natural area on which
the experience is based.
5. Orients customers on the region to be visited.
6. Hires local people and buys supplies locally, where possible.
7. Recognizes that nature is a central element to the tourist experience.
8. Uses guides trained in interpretation of scientific or natural history.
9. Ensures that wildlife is not harassed.
10. Respects the privacy and culture of local people.

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According to Chesworth (1995), Ecotourism has six characteristics. These are:
1. Ecotourism involves travel to relatively undisturbed natural areas and/or
archeological sites.
2. It focuses on learning and the quality of experience.
3. It economically benefits the local communities. Ecotourists seek to view rare
species, spectacular landscapes and/or the unusual and exotic.
4. Ecotourists do not deplete resources but even sustain the environment or help
undo damage to the environment.
5. Ecotourists appreciate and respect local culture, traditions, etc.

Eight best Ecotourism Destinations in the World

As places around the world begin to disappear forever due to environmental
changes, ecotourism is becoming more popular and important than ever. Ecotourism
destinations not only allow travelers to see some of the most extreme and beautiful
natural wonders around the world, they also ensure that travelers do so responsibly.
Often, the money pumped into an economy by tourists is than put back into preserving
and conserving its natural environment - in other words, everybody wins.

1. Costa Rica
The country undoubtedly most associated with ecotourism, Costa Rica has made
a name for itself as a travel destination because of its well-protected natural beauty. The
South American country, with coastlines on both the Caribbean and Pacific, is almost
one-fourth rainforest, the main draw for visitors. In addition to the rainforests, there are
breathtaking volcanoes and pristine beaches, both of which add to the stunning
biodiversity in the country.

2. Norway
Norway might not be a place that first comes to mind when thinking of
ecotourism, but the country’s culture of trying to live sustainably has influenced its
travel industry extensively — especially in the Norwegian Fjords. Fjord Norway is even
one of four pilot destinations of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s program for
new criteria for destinations. Among other things, the government ensures that fishing,
hunting and drilling for oil are all well regulated in this area.

3. Kenya
Kenya is one of the prime destinations to take an African safari due to its
grasslands full of animals such as giraffes, lions, and rhinos. However, the country has
more to offer than that, with beaches, coral reefs, and mountains as well. Such varied
landscapes means that Kenya has a lot of biodiversity, especially of birds. Though the
country has lost many animals to illegal poaching, organizations within the country
have done their best to make sure travelers respect the ecosystem.

4. Palau
Palau, an island nation in the western Pacific that is part of Micronesia, is known
more for its oceans than for its land. Off the coast is a beautiful, crystal blue sea home to
coral reefs and hundreds of species of fish. On shore, the country has diverse forests and
untouched beaches. The country has dedicated itself to preserving such beautiful
landscapes by making much of its reefs no-fishing zones. Additionally, he Palau
Project, part of Blue Planet United, brings university students to Palau to learn about the
island, makes documentary films about the country and supports ecotourism.

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5. Galapagos Islands
In 1978, the Galapagos Islands were declared the first ever Natural World
Heritage Site due to the amazing and unique fauna that call the archipelago home.
Luckily, the country has a Directorate of the Galapagos National Park which
implements a visitor management system to make sure that the natural area is respected
and tourism remains sustainable.

6. Antarctica
Antarctica remains one of the least-touched places on Earth for obvious reasons.
One can only even reach the landmass during the summer. Still, thousands of tourists
make the journey via boat each year to see the icebergs, penguins, and whales. The
International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators aims to promote
environmentally responsible practices among private sector travel to the continent.

7. Iceland
Iceland has recently become a top tourist destination as it lures visitors in with
its remote beauty. The country is the cleanest energy consumer in the world, and
travelers can reduce their footprint by camping instead of staying in big hotels, or
hiking, biking and horseback riding instead of driving when exploring the country. If
you visit southern Iceland, stay at this eco-friendly home in Eyrarbakki.

8. Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon has already suffered extremely from climate change and the
encroachment of man, but some areas around the huge forest are aiming to change that
by having native become guides to lead tourists around the forests in ways that are
sustainable and even promote the health of the ecosystem.

So ecotourism is a subject of the tourism industry that reflects on ethos if

responsible involvement with the environment and with local cultures. Ecotourism
includes, but is not limited to nature hiking, diving, wildlife viewing and cultural
tourism, usually with some attention given to the ecosystem, biodiversity education, or
sustainability. Since 1990’s, ecotourism has been one of the fastest growing sectors of
global tourism. It has been widely promoted as an important conservation tool and one
way for people to have a positive impact on the environment. It has the potential to
improve public education on cultural and biological biodiversity, conserve wild habitats
and improve economic conditions for host nations. However, whether or not ecotourism
actually provides the benefits it claims remains debatable as few reliable monitoring
programs have yet been implemented.

Much of ecotourism includes an aspect of wildlife viewing, which differs

significantly from other situations in which people may encounter wild animals. Zoos
and animal parks, for example, make efforts to house animals in species‐appropriate
social groups and enclosures, but they remain captive animals in artificial settings. With
wildlife viewing at an ecotourism site, however, visitors must go to the animals and
encounter them on their own terms. In most cases, ecotourists are aware of the
challenges inherent in viewing wildlife in their natural setting, and ecotourism
companies are careful to note that seeing wild animals is never a given.

Among the animals commonly sought as part of ecotourism are the nonhuman
primates. The long association between primates and human settlements in many parts

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of the developing world means they often number among the species available for
tropical ecotourism excursions. Primates are generally well known to the public,
sociable, and entertaining to watch, and their physical and behavioral similarities to
humans make them favorites for tourists. Ecotourism is well established with the
macaques and orangutans in Southeast Asia, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in East
Africa, and baboons in East and Southern Africa, and many other sites around the globe
offer visitors a chance to see primates in their natural habitat. With nearly 60 percent of
all primate taxa threatened with extinction (IUCN 2014), the opportunity to see these
creatures in the wild could provide an important boost to their conservation.

The level of interaction between visitors and nonhuman primates varies and is
not always regulated by tourist sites. Some sites require visitors to remain distant,
prohibit physical contact or provisioning, and limit the number of visitors per day. The
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, for example, limits primate tourism to
eight visitors per gorilla group for a maximum of one hour, and groups are not to be
visited more than once a day. At other sites, nonhuman primates are fed, may sit or
climb on people, and sometimes engage in aggressive encounters with visitors. The
monkey parks in Japan were originally designed with provisioning in mind, both to
encourage tourism and to discourage crop raiding by the macaques, and some continue
to actively feed the monkeys for tourist viewing. In most primate tourism sites, feeding
or approaching the animals is prohibited, but the willingness or ability of site staff to
monitor and enforce these rules is widely variable. Tourist interviews indicate that most
visitors have a basic understanding of why animals should not be fed, but many tourists
do not understand primate postures or facial expressions well enough to recognize an
impending aggressive interaction, and have little understanding of the potential for
spreading disease to the animals.

Ecotourism in Indian Context

India is the home of one of the world's oldest living civilizations and a land of
multiple religions and innumerable languages but still has a common thread of emotion
connecting the nation with its population. Stretching from the Himalaya to coast to coast
legacy, India with its highly diversified nature is one of the popular eco-tourism
destinations in the World. India, with a wealth of cultural heritage of great antiquity and
a mega biodiversity country in the world has immense potential for ecotourism.
Occupying about one-fifth of the world's land surface area, mountains provide a
direct life-support base for about one-tenth of humankind as well as goods and services
to more than half the world's population. Mountains are crucial to all life on earth. They
are also an essential source of freshwater. The tourism industry has succeeded in adding
an impetus to the immense deforestation activities. Forests form an integral component
of Indian culture, religion and folklore. Indians worship trees, and their sages meditated
under them. Ayurvedic medicine, developed through centuries of knowledge on the
medicinal effects of plants, depends on forest trees and herbs to find cures for ailments.
With this vast forest cover area there is a lot of scope for the development of ecotourism
destinations and ecotourism education.

According to Forest Survey of India, mangroves cover an additional 6,740 sq

km. area. The major concentrations of mangroves in the country are Sunderbans and
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which hold 80% of mangroves of the country. The rest
are in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa.

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 Indian wetlands are mostly associated with river systems such as the Ganges,
Cauvery, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Krishna, Godavari, etc. distributed from the cold arid
zone of Ladakh, warm arid zone of Gujarat-Rajasthan to tropical monsoonic central
India and the wet and humid zone of the southern peninsula.

Tourism in India dates back to ancient times. It is, in essence, linked to religious
tourism. India is a land of gods and diverse religions. It has been the birthplace of
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, and has always embraced new religions that
other cultures brought into the country. Christianity has had long and glorious relations
with India.

Eco-tourism is all about giving developing a friendship with nature, getting

acquainted with the concept of responsible travel and promoting the concept of
sustainable living. It is also a way of seeking the various ways and means of conserving
nature and biodiversity. Eco-tourism is not just about enjoying nature but ensuring her
participation in it.

India, blessed with a natural biodiversity, makes for a great eco-tourist

destination. The diversity in its natural landscape makes it an immensely friendly eco-
tourist destination. Whether it’s the backwaters of Kerala, a quaint village in
Uttarakhand or a National Park in Madhya Pradesh, every destination provides a
wonderful experience while leaving you with a deep appreciation of nature. India is a
diverse country, where one can visit for different types of experiences. One such
amusing experience is that of ecotourism. Ecotourism includes visiting unaffected
natural areas without harming the ecosystem. This type of tourism aims at promoting
the idea of environmental conservation. Ecotourism also highlights unexplored
destinations and unique cultures. As India is blessed with a wide range of geographical
forms, it finds a place in the bucket list of every nature lover or wildlife enthusiast. It is
also a suitable spot for adventure junkies. One can find almost everything in India –
backwaters, beaches, deserts, mountains, valleys, hills, lakes, gardens, national parks,
and much more.

The country has a large treasure of natural beauty, archaeological and

architectural monuments. In addition, there are many hill resorts, beach resorts,
mountains and rivers etc. The northern part of India is famous for its hills, plains, rivers,
and monuments etc- the Himalayas, Kashmir Valley, the Ganges. The Taj Mahal, the
Kutub Minar, religious centers like Varanasi, Badrinath attracts large number of
tourists. The western region has tourist centers like Ajantha-Ellora and industrial centre
like Mumbai. Goa beach attracts foreign and Indian tourists. The southern region has
many temples, beaches, hill resorts, cultural heritage etc. Places like Chennai, Madurai,
Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram are important centres of tourism in South India.
The eastern region has tourist attraction like the Gir Forest, pilgrim centers like Konarak
and industrial centres like Kolkata.

India is one of those rare countries, which has a wonderful blend of all the
resources essential to make it as a golden star on the Tourism map of the world. India’s
glorious tradition and rich cultural heritage are linked with the development of tourism.
Its magnificent monuments attract large numbers of visitors from all over the world.
India has an exceptionally varied climate ranging from the extreme cold in high altitude
and hot summer in the plains. Considering the significance of tourism, 27th September

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is being observed as the World Tourism Day every year. Tourism in developing
countries mainly depends upon its biodiversity. The quality of their natural environment
gives many developing countries a comparative advantage in tourism.

Tourism in India is probably as old as its 5000 plus year old culture. The post
second world war period saw an unprecedented growth in international tourism.
Tourism, unlike other development options such as manufacturing, mining, forestry etc
was widely perceived to be a clean and renewable industry. Because it drew upon ‘free’
natural, historical, social and cultural resources it was thought to be less capital
intensive in its requirements for development. Tourism, as it is known today; began in
India only after 1946, following the recommendations of the Sargent Committee. It was
only after the 1980’s tourism activity gained momentum in India. In India tourism and
its development in an organised manner has received attention over 45 years only. The
significant development that took place was setting up of the Indian Tourism
Development Corporation in 1966 to promote India as a tourist destination and the
Tourism Finance Corporation in 1989 to finance tourism projects. Altogether, 21
Government-run hotel management and catering technology institutes and 14 food craft
institutes were also established for imparting specialised training in hoteliering. The
Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency for the development and promotion of tourism
in India and catering. In the year 1986, Tourism has been declared as ‘Tourism
Industry’ by the government of India. On March 4, 1993, the United Nations Statistical
Commission adopted WTO’s (World Tourism Organisation’s) recommendations on
tourism.

Ecotourism has received much attention in recent years especially within the
developing world. Ecotourism in simple terms means management of tourism and
conservation of nature in a way so as to maintain a fine balance between the
requirements of tourism and ecology on the one hand and needs of the local
communities for jobs, new skills, income generating employment and a better status for
women on the other. Tourism policy provides the guidelines, goals and objectives and
tourism planning is the process of identifying objectives and defining evaluations.

In India the emergence of alternative tourism promotes natural and cultural

events and others. Few promising alternative tourism paths include green tourism,
ecotourism, eco cultural tourism, heritage tourism etc. Ecotourism developed in India in
1970s and 1980s. Ecotourism was globally identified as a means of achieving twin goals
of bio diversity conservation and sustainable development. Both short-term goals and
long term goals can be achieved without sacrificing one’s own interests. Sustainable
tourism and nature tourism are umbrella concepts that include ecotourism. India, the
land of varied geography offers several tourist destinations that not just de-stress but
also rejuvenate people. There are several ways to enjoy Mother Nature in the most
pristine way. The few places like the Himalayan region, Kerala, the North-East India,
Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands are some of the places
where you can enjoy the treasured wealth of the Mother Nature.

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 The return on investment in tourism from the point of view of employment
generation is much higher compared to agriculture and manufacturing sector. The table
reveals this:-

Sector Jobs
Agriculture 44.7
Manufacturing 12.6
Mining and quarrying 2.6
Railways 0.9
Other transport 13.8
Tourism 47.5
Contribution of Different Economic Sectors to the Employment

Source: Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) Enterprise, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

So this table shows the contribution of different sectors to employment in 2010.

Comparing to other sectors the tourism sector contributes 47.5% to employment.
Agriculture is the second one. It contributes 44.7%. Other major sectors are
manufacturing, mining and quarring, railways and other transports. Railways contribute
only 0.9% to jobs.

Atithi Devo Bhavah

The traditional treatment of a visitor in India is based on the mythological
concept of Atidhi Devo Bhavah (Guest is God). This was the mantra of the Indian
tourism sector. The Tourism Ministry has launched the “Atithi Devo Bhavah” campaign
under an ambitious programme to attract more tourists. The concept is aimed at capacity
building for service providers and stakeholders in the tourism sector to make the tourists
aware of the benefits in India and the need to treat them with traditional care and utmost
courtesy. This has been further boosted by the New National Tourism Policy, which
revolves round a framework-Government led, private sector driven and community
welfare oriented. The tenth plan approach to the sector was also aimed at ensuring that
the tourist to India gets “physically invigorated, mentally rejuvenated, culturally
enriched, spiritually elevated and feels India within him”. A countrywide awareness
campaign for sensitising the public against Garbage and Graffiti at monuments has been
launched under the title “Atidhi Devo Bhavah” for preservation and protection of
heritage monuments and tourist sites in the country.

Best Ecotourism Destination in India

(1) Kerala
Kerala is the most beautiful state in South India. It is known for sprawling tea
gardens, palm-lined beaches, languid backwaters, lofty hills, lush green forests, diverse
wildlife, etc. Tourists can opt for a stay in a houseboat, which allows them to enjoy
amidst the scenic surroundings. They may also go for cycling or trekking tours in the
lush green valleys of Kerala. During these tours, they can explore the lifestyle of the
local inhabitants. Moreover, they can spot various species of flora and fauna in
wildlife reserves of the state. The most popular one in Kerala is Periyar National Park.
Last but not least, Kerala also has the country’s first planned ecotourism destination –
Thenmala. Nestled amidst the evergreen forests, Thenmala is a hub of adventure and
leisure activities. Hence, Kerala is best suited for eco-tourists.

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(2) Goa
Goa is a little state in West India. It is quite famous among tourists for its natural
beauty, gleaming beaches, varied wildlife, palm trees, blue sea, and exciting
nightlife. Tourists can either spend a lazy day on the shining beaches in Goa or they can
opt for wildlife spotting in the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Goa. No matter
which option do you go for, Goa will surely amuse you with the best of nature.

(3) Assam
Assam is another favorite destination of eco-tourists. It is situated in North-East India.
This is because the state has unique wildlife, green valleys, tea plantations, lofty
mountains, blooming rivers, etc. A wide range of flora and fauna is found in Assam.

(4) Madhyapradesh
Madhya Pradesh is also an important ecotourism destination in India. There is hardly
anything that one cannot find in the central state of India. There are several places in the
state for eco-tourists. A few popular ones include Pachmarhi, Jabalpur, Pench National
Park, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, etc.

Ecotourism in Odisha
The term Eco Tourism refers to eco-friendly nature based tourism for nature
lovers with enduring passion to admire and enjoy life at its natural best. The tourism
department of Odisha government has given a new dimension to the tourism sector by
promoting ecotourism. One of the major initiatives taken by Odisha tourism under the
ecotourism drive is the conversion of Simlipal and Bhitarkanika sanctuary into a
National Part. Different from Mass tourism and luxury tourism, Ecotourism is promoted
to conserve nature for the welfare of living beings. It is not about watching nature and
deriving pleasure from it, rather it is feeling nature, caring for it and spreading Mass
awareness. The locals of the region have been made aware of the benefits of this
phenomenon. New packages have been launched by the tourism department to lure the
nature lovers who will be then encourages to protect nature. Reception and
interpretation centers will be opened up at the entry points of the National Parks and
sanctuaries. Apart from trained tourist guides, the tourists would be offered clean
drinking water, good transport network, facility for night stay and quality of food under
the drive. Local people of the particular ecotourism destination would also be involved
in these aspects.

The state of Odisha with its rich natural and cultural heritage is one of the most
attractive tourist destinations in the country. The tourists, who know Odisha for its
temples, crafts and dance, deserve greater exposure to its hinterland of hills, forest and
wildlife. Well-endowed with vast forest areas, rivers, coast line, beaches, lakes and
lagoon, the state provides unique opportunities for ecotourism in the state. Odisha has
about 31% of its land covered with forests, supporting around 86 species of Mammals,
473 species of birds, 110 species of Reptiles, more than 3000 species of Plants including
132 species of orchids, 60 species of Mangrove Plants and 350 species of Medicinal
Plants. The rich biodiversity of the state is conserved mainly through a network of
protected areas comprising 2 National Parks and 18 Sanctuaries. This network is
complemented by wilderness areas, wetlands and other bio diverse sites along the coasts
including mangroves and turtle rookeries. Elephants, tigers, leopards, blackbucks,
crocodiles, Olive ridley turtles, Irrawaddy dolphins and migratory birds provide special
attraction to the tourists.

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 CHAPTER- 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE

After furnishing a general introduction, an attempt is made in this chapter to

review the literature on the subject. The literature on various aspects of ecotourism is
quite extensive. In order to find out major developments that took place in ecotourism, a
brief review of existing literature on different aspects of ecotourism is made in this
chapter.

Tourism industry in India plays a significant role in transforming the society and
economy. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s oft-quoted remark, namely “welcome a tourist and
send back a friend” has been the essence of Indian tourism approach in the post
independence era. Tourism as an industry has great potential to bring about social and
cultural development. Today Kerala is the most sought and trusted tourism brand in
India. According to the report of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), travel
and tourism in Kerala is expected to grow at the rate of 11.4% per annum in real terms
between 2004 and 2013.

The importance of ecotourism is evident from a recent study conducted by the

World Tourism Organisation. According to the study global spending on ecotourism
was increasing by 20% a year. This is about six times the average rate of growth for the
tourism industry as a whole. Research findings indicate that there is an increase in the
demand for and participation in outdoor activities in general, specifically ecotourism.
Since the present study is relatively new topic, specific literature on the topic is hardly
available. However, a few studies are available in the different aspects of tourism in
general and ecotourism in particular.

Batra (1990) in his study on ‘Tourism in Rajasthan-Problems, Potential and

Future Prospects’ points out the various snags, impediments and obstacles in the
promotion of tourism in the state of Rajasthan in particular and India in general, some of
which are in-built in nature. He strongly recommends that, tourism activity in Rajasthan
must be taken as a dynamic tool in uplifting the social status of the society. For this he
recommends frequent get together of local people with the foreign tourists. According
to him such meetings will help to break some of the age-old rotten social barriers and
orthodox systems prevalent in the state.

Sudheer’s (1992) study on ‘Tourism in Kerala-Problems and Prospects’

highlighted the importance of tourism in Kerala and various problems confronting the
tourism sector.

Rajakumari (2007) in her study on ‘Tourism-An Epitome of Incentives’ explains

that to decrease financial leakages in tourism, it would be important to increase local
ownership of tourism-related business, building up tourism infrastructure using local
investors and avoiding purely foreign investment.

Bijender Punia (1999) in his study on ‘Problems and Prospects of Tourism in

Haryana’ has highlighted the importance of elements like climate, seasonality,
accessibility, attitude of host population, availability of man-power resources and the
planning expertise in tourism development in any area, region, state or country.

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 Poya Moli (2007) in his paper on ‘Eco-Cultural Tourism in Indian Islands: Some
Implications’ attempted to focus on paradigm shifts in tourism and environment
management with particular reference to Indian Island eco systems. Sustainable
alternatives are suggested to ensure that the tourism in Indian Islands are not merely
financially self-sustainable, but ecologically and socially sustainable as well, besides
culturally responsible.

Haque Immanuel and Shanawaz Ahammed Dur (2007) in their study titled
‘Dynamics of Tourism Economics: An Indian Perspective’, showed the significance of
tourism specifically with reference to employment sector, infrastructural facilities and
poverty eradication.

Praveen Sethi (1999) in his book ‘Nature and Scope of Tourism’ opines that
earnings from international tourism represent an visible export. They are the result of
selling the country’s tourism product to tourists from abroad. Expenditure on tourism is
the opposite. They represent an invisible import. The residents are buying a tourism
product from elsewhere.

According to Thomas (2002), the former Minister of Tourism, Government of

Kerala, in order to make Kerala the real God’s Own Country, an up market high quality
tourism destination through national utilisation of resources with focus on integrated
development of infrastructure sector, conserving and preserving the heritage and
environment and enhancing productivity, income, creating employment opportunities
and alleviating poverty thereby making tourism the most important sector for the socio-
economic development and environmental protection of the state.

Claire Doole (2000) conducted a study about ecotourism in China. The number
of eco tourists is growing in China. They have realised that to attract foreigners they
have to show their cultural side, offering more traditional singing and dancing and
ensuring that houses are built in the traditional way. Women are now making an income
selling their handicrafts to tourists on the way to the reserve.

Shaik Ameer and Yasmin Fathima (2007) in their paper titled ‘tourism growth in
India and ecotourism impact on rural development’ clarified that ecotourism is based on
the four principles - (i) nature orientation, (ii) ecosustainability, (iii) possibility of
conducting research and (iv) involvement of local people. Modern tourism industry may
take different forms including adventure, health, trade fairs, cultural and religious
festivals, national celebrations and food festivals. Among these ecotourism blends a
different strategy of enjoying the nature’s serenity in its own way.

Tony Parr (1994) conducted a case study about Sirubari Village Tourism Project
and says that partnership between the local community and a commercial promotion and
marketing agency has successfully established Sirubari as the model for future
development.

David and Fennell (2000) in their book ‘Ecotourism: An Introduction’

highlighted the need to promote the right kind of tourism, that is, quality and eco-
friendly tourism, so that maximum benefit can be harnessed without affecting and
altering physical and social quality.

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 In the book ‘Sustainable Tourism-A Geographical Perspective’, Hall and Alan
(1999) describe, “Ecotourism is environmental friendly and sustainable tourism, which
also benefits the local community”. But in fact, many ecotourism ventures destroy the
very ecosystems they claim to protect. With poor planning, ecotourism ends up in
environmental degradation.

Batra and Chawla (1994) In his book, ‘Tourism Management- A Global

Perspective’, hold the view that “ecotourism is perceived as a viable alternative route by
which a measure of economic benefit can be reaped from tourism, with minimal damage
to the environment and society and maximum advantage to local people.”

Peter Murphy (1997) in his book ‘Tourism Community Approach’ highlights the
different impact of tourism in connection with the individual entrepreneurs and
community. He says “Tourism has managed to become a holy cow that can be let in
anywhere”.

Ramesh Chawla (2006) in his book ‘Ecology and Tourism Development’ states
that eco-tourist visits to relatively undeveloped areas in the spirit of appreciation,
participation and sensitivity. The eco-tourist practices a non-consumptive use of wildlife
and natural resources and contributes benefiting the conservation of the site.

Chapter – III

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