ECOTOURISM AND ITS PROSPECTS IN KERALA
Ecotourism is a relatively new concept in tourism. It is a purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the cultural and natural history of environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing economic opportunities that make conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people. The term Ecotourism was coined in 1983 by ‘Hector Ceballos-Lascurian’ a Mexican environmentalist, was initially used to describe nature-based travel to relatively undisturbed areas with an emphasis on education. In short, ecotourism can be conceptualised as "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." The term ecotourism means ecologically sustainable, low impact, culturally sensitive, earning oriented, and community supporting tourism. Nowadays travelers are more informed, conscious and sensitive towards nature, forcing tourism industry to give a serious thought towards this concept.
Ecotourism may appeal to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. Generally it focuses on volunteering, personal growth and environmental responsibility. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. One of the goals of ecotourism is to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats. The concept has, however, developed into a scientific approach to the planning, management and development of sustainable tourism products and activities.
Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimise the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities.
Ecotourism is a form of tourism which
§ Involves travel to natural destinations.
§ Minimises impact
§ Builds environmental awareness.
§ Provides direct financial benefits for conservation.
§ Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
§ Respects local culture.
§ Supports human rights and democratic movements.
§ Protects cultural diversity through ecosystem protection
§ promotes sustainable use of biodiversity, by providing jobs to local populations
§ ensures sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous peoples by having their informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises
The concept of ecotourism is widely misunderstood and in practice is often used as a marketing tool to promote tourism that is related to nature. This is an especially frequent malpractice in the realm of Jungle tourism. Critics claim that these green washing practices, carried out in the name of ecotourism, often consist of placing a hotel in a splendid landscape, to the detriment of the ecosystem. According to them, ecotourism must above all sensitise people to the beauty and the fragility of nature. They condemn some operators as green washing their operations: using the labels of "green" and "eco-friendly”, while behaving in environmentally irresponsible ways.
Currently, there are various moves to create national and international ecotourism accreditation programs, although the process is also controversial. National ecotourism certification programs have been put in place in countries such as Costa Rica, Australia, Kenya and Sweden.
Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. Though a variety of terms like Nature tourism, Sustainable Nature tourism, Scientific or Research tourism, Green/Sustainable tourism and Responsible Tourism are frequently linked and sometimes confused with Ecotourism, principles like the following differentiates it.
Principles of Ecotourism:
· Minimise the impact.
· Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
· Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
· Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
· Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
· Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate
If a tourism project does not satisfy any one of the above components then it cannot be called a real ecotourism programme.
Merrits
- Implementation of ecotourism in nature-related destination may be the best form of income generating activity that is completely ecological.
- Reduction of pressures on the natural resources,
- Improves the living standards of local people
- Co-operation among regions and countries,
- Acceleration of information
- Low impact upon protected areas;
- Involvement of stakeholders (individuals, communities, ecotourists, tour operators and government institutes) in the planning, development, implementation and monitoring phases;
- Respect towards local culture and tradition;
- Generation of sustainable and equitable income for local communities and other stakeholders, including private tour operators and;
Demerits
§ Negative impacts of tourism
§ Direct environmental impacts
§ Displacement of people
§ Threats to indigenous cultures
§ Threats to biodiversity
§ Green washing
- Problems of Mismanagement
The Kerala Initiative
Kerala, of all the states in India, offers the maximum potential for the promotion of ecotourism. Miles and miles of endless serene beaches, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, pristine valleys and mountains, exotic species of rare flora and fauna, wild life sanctuaries and national parks, enchanting art forms, magical festivals and cultural monuments are all unique to Kerala and has given it the sobriquet of “Gods own country”. The national geographic traveler has labeled Kerala as one of the 10 paradises in the world. Kerala is thus ideally suited for the promotion of ecotourism and has already initiated several steps in this direction. Thenmala ecotourism, India’s first planned Ecotourism destination in the foothills of Western Ghats in Kollam District was inaugurated in January 2001. Thenmala is 72kms from Trivandrum and 66 Kames from Kollam.
Thenmala offers products for both general tourists as well as for ecotourists. The facilities as part of the ecofriendly general tourism are culture zone with musical dancing fountain, information center, amphitheater shop courts etc. the adventure zone accommodates elevated walkway, nature trail, adventure activities like river crossing rock climbing mountain biking etc. the leisure zone has a sculpture garden with the theme of man and nature a board walk and a suspension foot bridge.Apart from this Thenmala ecotourism offers one hour boating in the Shenduruney wildlife sanctuary reservoir and tourists can spend time at the deer rehabilitation center with a children’s ecopark.
In addition to Thenmala another 55places have been identified for development as ecotourism destinations giving emphasis to conservation, ecological sustainability, environmental education and local community benefits. Keeping this objective in mind the Kerala Tourism has setup a separate ecotourism wing to give policy support for the development of the ecotourism destinations in the State.
SOME OF THE POTENTIAL ECOTOURISM SPOTS IDENTIFIED IN THE FORESTS OF KERALA
1. Agastyarvanam Biological Park
2. Neyyar
3. Peppara
4. Ponmudi
5. Thenmala
6. Palaruvi
7. Gandhi Smrithivanam, Purakkad
8. Kumarakom
9. Kolahala Medu / Peerumedu
10. Kuttikkanam
11. Thekkady
12. Munnar
13. Rajamala / Eravikulam
14. Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
15. Athirapally
16. Peechi
17. Nelliyampathy
18. Silent Valley
19. Parambikulam
20. Malampuzha
21. Muthanga
22. Kuruva Islands
23. Thirunelli
24. Pythalmala
25. Aralam
26. Ranipuram
The above places can be developed as ecotourism destinations giving emphasis to conservation and environmental education. The products such as trekking, bird watching trails etc. can be developed and operationalised through the constitution of Eco-development Committees / Participatory Forest Management Committees (Vana Samrakshna Samithi), thereby ensuring local benefits from ecotourism. Forest Department has already evolved expertise in the formulation of Eco-development Committees and VSS through institutionalised means. This will help in channellising the benefits of ecotourism to the local people, which will ultimately elicit support of local community for forest protection.
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