villa, Ecotourism

Ecotourism is more than just a catch phrase for environment-friendly travel. It goes beyond being minimally destructive to the environment. The true essence of ecotourism lies in both travellers and service providers realizing their responsibility towards preserving and sustaining the diversity of the world’s natural and cultural environments.

ecotourismConcern for Ecotourism

In Indian culture, nature and environment have long played a key role in the people’s day to day lives, sometimes as protectors and deities, at other times as ravagers and destroyers. However, with rapid modernization and industrialization over past few decades, there has been severe damage to the country’s rich flora and fauna. It is high time that all the stakeholders in tourism in India, recognize their responsibility towards promoting ecotourism and conserving the local culture and ecology of the tourist locations.

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Ecotourism in India

Eco-Tourism in India is still at a very nascent stage, but several conscious efforts are being made to foster and promote ecotourism across the country. Indian government’s tourism campaign, Incredible India’s website lists out some tips for the budding ‘ecotourist’:

  • Learn about your destination before you get there. Read guidebooks, travel articles, histories, and/or novels by local authors and pay particular attention to customs such as greetings, appropriate dress, eating behaviours, etc. Being sensitive to these customs will increase local acceptance of you as a tourist and enrich your trip.
  • Follow established guidelines. Ask your eco-tour operator, guide and/or the local authorities what their guidelines are for limiting tourism’s impact on the environment and local culture. Staying on trails, packing up your trash, and remaining set distances away from wildlife are a few ways to minimize your impact in sensitive areas.
  • Seek out and support locally owned businesses. Support local businesses during your eco-travels to ensure maximum community and conservation benefit from your spending.

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