Ecotourism is one of the newer concepts in tourism. In a developing country like India it has emerged as a novel way to protect natural areas in addition to providing benefits to the local people. Ecotourism is a concept wherein the protection of an ecosystem can be allied and integrated with economic opportunities to people who are a part of the same environment.
Ecotourism in India has slowly taken hold over the traveler’s imagination as it offers an array of diverse natural areas and pristine locations to choose from. From trekking in the Himalayas to jungle safaris in India’s wildlife sanctuaries, there is a gamut of options to choose from. One of the fundamentals of ecotourism is making the local inhabitants stakeholders in the conservation efforts. This goes a long way in ensuring an equitable sharing of resources, serving the long term interests of man as well as helping out in the survival of local plant and animal species. The tourist in turn benefits from the new found knowledge and respect for nature acquired in partnership with the locals.
Local people are trained to act as guides or helpers, which gives them a livelihood dependant on the natural environment around them. Moreover, these people are educated as to the benefits of conserving the ecosystem around them. Ecotourism thus brings forth a symbiotic relationship between the people and the environment. This goes a long way in the conservation of the natural resources of that area.
India with its bewildering geographical diversity, has had a difficult time developing the different tourist destinations. Ecotourism in India has given a fillip to this process as well as spreading awareness among the local population about environment protection. Over the years India has emerged as the foremost destination of ecotourism. A tourist to India is fast becoming aware of the advantages of this unique concept. They know that a camping trip in the Himalayas or a fishing expedition in the Kerala backwaters will go a long way in helping the local population as well as protecting the natural environment.
On the whole ecotourism contributes to the concerted efforts for the conservation of available natural resources through a partnership which benefits the entities all involved in the relationship
India has always been associated with its thick forests and enchanting wildlife. Now of course the only a fraction of the original forest cover exists, but even this is enough to leave one spell bound. You can be a part of our fishing and angling in Jim Corbett Park and find yourself in the magnificent environs fishing at a river.
Thus the tenet of Ecotourism in India not only promotes but also protects.
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