A Short Primer on Eco Tourism

chillibreeze writer — Vimala Seetharaman

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Eco Tourism can be introduced as a class of tourism that brings nature lovers in contact with pure unadulterated nature and acquaints them with diverse cultures. It is a form of tourism that promotes eco-responsibility and enhances cultural tolerance.

Eco Tourists, as the name goes for those embarking on Eco Tourism, travel to natural areas with rich natural and cultural heritage that has not been impaired by commercialism, and enjoy their stay without disturbing the local environs. The local community is involved in providing eco tourists with such services as lodging, food services, transport facilities, tourist guides, etc., which helps raise the economic stature of the region. Thus, besides the focus on natural and cultural factors, initiatives by the hosts to promote water conservation, recycling, energy efficiency, and creation of income-generative opportunities for the natives, constitute essential elements of ecotourism.

Eco Tourism contributes to the development of local businesses elevating them to compete with foreign marketers. Further, the revenue generated from ecotourism helps governments fund several conservation projects. Eco Tourism has climbed business growth charts with statistics showing 10-15% annual growth worldwide (Source: Wikipedia).

Origin of Eco Tourism

Eco Tourism was conceived in the 1980s as an alternative to conventional mass tourism, to minimize eco destruction caused by the latter, and enable tourists enjoy nature responsibly. The term ‘Eco Tourism’ was coined by Héctor Ceballos-Lascurain, a famous Mexican green architect, environmentalist, and ecotourism expert, in 1983. It was Hector who presented the basic definition of Eco Tourism to the world in 1983; he describes it as “Ecotourism is that tourism that involves travelling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the specific object of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural aspects (both past and present) found in these areas.” (Source: ecoclub.com)

The Concept evolved since and it was this modified definition by Hector that was officially acknowledged by IUCN – The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources or The World Conservation Union - in 1996.

“Ecotourism is environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy, study and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features - both past and present), that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations.” (Source: ecoclub.com)

Design of an Eco Tour
Responsible tourism, Sustainable tourism, Adventure travel, Nature-based tourism, Ecotourism…with the Tourism industry coming up with new marketing lingo every now and then, it has become difficult for tourists not only to understand the various types of tourism options available, but also to locate authentic tourist operators who can meet their requirements. However; with authoritative information, one can make sound choices.

Eco tour destinations are generally places with attractive tourist elements, primarily flora, fauna and a rich cultural heritage. A travel undertaken for recreational or educational purpose constitutes an Ecotour if and only if it is so designed that

It has minimum environmental interference
It promotes awareness on environment and indigenous cultures
It contributes to environmental and cultural conservation
It provides financial opportunities for the local communities contributing thereby to their economic development
It impacts the tourists as well as the hosts positively
It highly minimizes the usage of non-renewable resources
It educates the visitors about the natural and cultural heritage of the eco tour destination
It involves earnest participation of both Eco tour operators and tourists
It complies with international labor laws and human rights

Eco tours designed to cater to specific interests, to include bird watching, trekking, diving, mountaineering, environment conservation, archeology, spiritual quest, etc., are also available.

Eco Lodges
Everything goes ‘eco’ with eco tourism. An Eco lodge is an accommodation for eco tourists, built with only the basic necessities. Eco lodges are not usually furnished with modern conveniences to allow for the unique feeling of being one with nature. Local service providers and labor are utilized for setting up these eco lodges.

Eco lodges are set up near or in the natural areas designated for the purpose in such a way that they do not interfere with the local life or threaten the cultural heritage and are in accordance with the surrounding environment. The construction of Eco lodges is so planned that they allow eco tourists easy contact with the local people so that they can learn more about the people, their life style and culture. Most eco lodges have gardens, which are sources of healthy, organic food for the eco tourists. These eco lodges also serve as vantage points for watching local wildlife.

Your Responsibilities as an Eco Tourist

First and foremost, make sure that your eco tourist operator is genuine. Web research and forums can be good sources of information for making well-informed decisions on choosing eco tourist operators.
Equip yourself with knowledge on your eco tour destination; acquaint yourself with the local geography, customs, dress & habits, significant terms of their vernacular such as greetings, etc.,. Such gestures demonstrate one’s respect for the local people and culture and helps gain local acceptance.
Act in accordance with the established guidelines. Get to know the guidelines prescribed for tourists to prevent interference with the local environment or the local culture. Such details should be furnished by the eco tour operator or the tourist guide, or can be obtained from the local authorities.
Avoid usage of non-biodegradable items such as plastics and polythene, and cleansing agents such as detergents while washing in streams since they pollute water.
Physical handling of flora or fauna (removing seeds, cutting roots, etc.,) is illegal. Such acts may harm bio-diversity in highly sensitive areas.
Do not contaminate the serenity of nature resorts and wildlife sanctuaries by blaring aloud tape recorders and radios.
Follow safety measures as much as possible; avoid making open fires and leaving live cigar butts in forest areas; further butts of filtered cigars are non-biodegradable.
Make optimal utilization of the local businesses. This will provide a means to enhance the income levels of the local community.
Respect the local culture, and follow the customs at temples and holy sites.

As always there is another side to the coin, and in case of eco tourism it is the presence of unethical eco tour operators who use ‘eco tourism’ merely as a marketing lingo ignoring essential adherence to stringent environment-friendly practices and guidelines, thus raising skepticism regarding the veracity of ecotourism. Different eco tour operators follow different guidelines and absence of an international set of guidelines makes regulation extremely difficult.

In spite of the darker side, the positive impact of eco tourism has been witnessed in many a cases. Eco tourism has been known to be contributive to the preservation of local natural and cultural heritage. Eco tourism is being successfully implemented in many countries, which are turning to realize its potential as a significant economy booster - an encouraging scenario that has propelled eco tourism as a viable business supporting a cause.

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“Books and Nature are Vimala’s primary interests. While Nature endows her with happiness, books teach her about life. She’s passionate about knowledge, and in constant pursuit of it.”

A Short Primer on Eco Tourism

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