Tourism in Bandipur Tiger Reserve

1. “ CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF WILDLIFE TOURISM IN
BANDIPUR TIGER RESERVE AND NATIONAL PARK ”
A Project Report Submitted In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements
For The Academic Year 2020 – 2021
MASTER OF TOURISM AND TRAVEL MANAGEMENT (MTTM)
UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE
Submitted by
SURYAJITH
Register No: 16MTT045
X th Semester, MTTM
Under the Guidance of
DR. SATISH.G.CHETTY
PROFESSOR AND HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana PG Centre
(A Unit of SBRR Mahajana First Grade College) Affiliated
to University of Mysore
K.R.S. Road, Metagalli, Mysuru – 570 016, Karnataka, India
2020 – 2021

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana PG Centre
(A Unit of SBRR Mahajana First Grade College) Affiliated
to University of Mysore
K.R.S. Road, Metagalli, Mysuru – 570 016, Karnataka, India
MASTER OF TOURISM AND TRAVEL MANAGEMENT (MTTM)
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the dissertation report entitled “CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
OF WILDLIFE TOURISM IN BANDIPUR TIGER RESERVE AND NATIONAL
PARK”, submitted to University of Mysore by me with Reg.No : 16MTT045 for the award
of the degree of Master of Tourism and Travel Management (MTTM), academic year 2020-
2021. This is the original work done under the guidance and supervision of
DR.SATISH.G.CHETTY, Professor And Head, Department of Tourism and Hospitality
Management, PBMMPGC, Mysore.
PLACE : MYSURU
DATE :
Guide
Head of the Department
DR.SATISH.G.CHETTY DR.SATISH.G.CHETTY

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DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the project report entitled “CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF
WILDLIFE TOURISM IN BANDIPUR TIGER RESERVE AND NATIONAL PARK”,
submitted to the University of Mysore for the award of the degree of Master of Tourism and
Travel Management (MTTM), academic year 2020-2021 is my original work done under the
guidance of DR.SATISH.G.CHETTY, Professor And Head , Department of Tourism and
Hospitality Management, PBMMPGC, Mysuru and that it has not been previously submitted
for the award of any degree/diploma/other similar title any University or Institution.
Place: Mysore SURYAJITH
Date Register No: 16MTT045

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is a great pleasure to acknowledge the help of many individuals without whose help, this
project could not have been possible.
I owe my wholehearted thanks to DR.SATISH.G.CHETTY, Professor and Head, Department
of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana PG Centre,
Mysuru for having provided me an opportunity to carry out this work.
I express my sincere gratitude to my guide DR.SATISH.G.CHETTY, Head, Department of
Tourism and Hospitality Management, Mysuru for the noble guidance and support
throughout this work by which I was able to complete this work in a successful way.
I would like to thank all the teaching &non-teaching staff of the department who devoted
their precious time in helping me.
Place: Mysuru SURYAJITH
Date:

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SL.NO CONTENT PAGE NO
1 CERTIFICATE 1
2 DECLARATION 2
3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3
4 TABLE OF CONTENT 4
5 SYNOPSIS 10
6 CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION TO TOURISM
1.1 The Origin Of Tourism
1.2 History Of Travel and Tourism
1.3 Nature Of Tourism
1.4 Importance Of Tourism
1.5 Employment Generation
 Infrastructure Development
 Foreign Exchange
 Industries Related To Tourism
 Hotels
 Restaurants
 Retail And Shopping
 Transportation
 Travel agencies
 Tour operators
 Tourist destinations
 Cultural industries
1.6 Leisure ,Recreation And Sports
1.7 Tourism Encompasses
 Outbound Tourism
 Inbound Tourism
 Domestic Tourism
 Tourism Sectors
1.8 Classification Of Tourism
 Recreational
 Cultural
 Sports/Adventure
 Health
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 Convention Tourism
 Incentive Tourism
1.9 Impacts Of Tourism
 Economic Impacts
 Economic Benefits
 Social Impacts
 Cultural Impacts
 Cultural Benefits
 Environmental Impacts
1.10 Tourism In India
1.11 Nature Of Indian Tourism
1.12 Development And Impact Of Tourism Industry In
India
1.13 Positive impacts
 Generating Income And Employment
 Source Of Foreign Exchange Earnings
 Preservation Of National Heritage And
Environment
 Developing Infrastructure
 Promoting Peace And Stability
1.14 Negative impacts
 Undesirable Social And Cultural Change
 Increase Tension and Hostility
 Creating A Sense Of Antipathy
 Adverse Effects On Environment and Ecology
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7 CHAPTER-2
WILDLIFE TOURISM
2.1 Biodiversity
2.2 Wildlife Watching And How It Relates To Tourism
2.3 Need Of Wildlife Tourism
2.4 Wildlife In The Agenda 2030
2.5 Reasons For Wildlife Protection And Conservation
 Biodiversity
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 Agriculture
 Research
 Economics Of Eco-Services
 Ecotourism
 Environmental Indicators
 Education
 Psychological Benefits
2.6 Challenges In The Wildlife Global Cause
2.7 Research On Wildlife Tourism
2.8 Training Of Guides In Interpretation
2.9 Effects Of Disturbance From Tourism On Wildlife
2.10 Physiological Effects Of Disturbance
2.11 Damage To The Wildlife Habitat
2.12 Managing Visitors To Minimize Impacts On Wildlife
2.13 Environmental Impacts Of Tourists
2.14 Human-Wildlife Conflicts
 Human Death And Injuries
 Destruction Of Crops
 Livestock Depredation
 Transmission Of Diseases To Livestock
And/Or Human
 Adverse Interaction With Other Species
2.15 Positive Effects Of Wildlife Tourism
2.16 Impact Assessment And Wildlife Tourism
2.17 Major Stakeholders Regarding Wildlife And Tourism
 Governments
 Private sector
 Local Residents In Tourism Destination
 Other Key Stakeholders
 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s)
 Inter- Governmental Organizations
 Research Institutions
2.18Integrated Wildlife And Tourism Management
2.19 Impact Management
 Impact management
 Legislation,Regulations And Permits
 Trade
 Wildlife Off-Take
 Compensation
 Prevention Practises
2.20 Community Awareness
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 Convention On Conservation Of Nature
 Convention On Conservation Of
European Wildlife
 Convention on conservation of African
2.21 Good Practice On Wildlife Conservation And Tourism
2.22 International Awareness Regarding Wildlife And
Activities
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8 CHAPTER-3
WILDLIFE TOURISM IN INDIA
3.1 Importance Of Wildlife Tourism In India
3.2 Tourism In National Parks And Reserve Forests
3.3 Nature’s Paradise
3.4 River Valleys
3.5 Pastures And Forests
3.6 Safari Parks
3.7 Bamboo Forests
3.8 Wildlife Of Saal Forests
3.9 The Mountain Forests
 Herbal Tracks
 The Land Of Wild Flowers
 Orchids And Ferns
 Oaks,Myrica
sepida,Rhododendron,Ceder,Fir,Juniper
 Tubers
 Linghad ,Shishua And Ghanyaa
 Lupiya,Loichatta,Pattar Chatta
 Mountain Flowers And Vegetables
 Samoyaa,Vanasha,Catflowers
 The Moonlit Nights
3.10 Wildlife Tourism In Maandaakhal
 The Natural Beauty
 Wildlife
3.11 Increase Wildlife Tourism
3.12 Factors Behind Increased Wildlife Tourism In India
 Presence Of Rare Fauna Species
 Beautiful Collection Of Floral Species
3.13 Tourism Aiding Conservation
3.14 Growth Of Wildlife Tourism In India
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9 CHAPTER-4
WILDLIFE TOURISM IN KARNATAKA
4.1 Danger To Flora And Fauna
4.2 Poaching
4.3 Habitat Destruction
 Construction Of Dams and Reservoirs
 Destruction Of Forest Land For Agriculture
 Mining Operations
4.4 Human –Wildlife Conflicts
4.5 Pollution
4.6 Invasive New Species
4.7 Relocation Of Human Population
4.8 Usage Of Technology
4.9 Staff Empowerment
4.10 Endangered Fauna That Can Be Spotted In Karnataka
4.11 Endangered Flora That Can Be Spotted In Karnataka
4.12 Endemic Birds That Can Be Spotted In Karnataka
4.13 Fish That Can Be Spotted In Karnataka
4.14 Orchids That Can Be Found In Karnataka
4.15 National Parks Of Karnataka
4.16 Wildlife And Birds Sanctuaries
4.17 Tiger Reserves In Karnataka
4.18 Fish Sanctuaries In Karnataka
4.19 Biosphere Reserve
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CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF WILDLIFE
TOURISM IN BANDIPUR TIGER RESERVE AND
NATIONAL PARK
5.1 History
5.2 Geography
5.3 Bandipur National park: Facts At A Glance
5.4 Fauna
5.5 Birds
5.6 Conflicts And Threats
5.7 Tigers In Bandipur Tiger Reserve And National Park
5.8 Human-Wildlife conflicts And Larger Conservation
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5.9 The Many Ways Fires Damage Forests
5.10 The Road To Recovery
5.11 Night Ban In Bandipur National Park
5.12 NGO’s In Bandipur National Park
5.13 Animal Conservation
5.14 WWF India
5.15 Wildlife Trust Of India
5.16 Roads Alter Animals Behaviour
5.17 Need For Through Environmental Assessment
5.18 Population Estimation
5.19 Habitat Contiguity
5.20 Kabini Reservoir
5.21 Proliferation Of Exotic Weeds And Its Impacts
5.22 Weed Management
5.23 Forest Fire And Its Impacts
5.24 Fire Management
5.25 Biotic Pressure
5.26 Biotic Pressure Management
5.27 Waterholes
5.28 Waterhole Management
5.29 HEC Mitigation
5.30 Poaching Pressure On Animals
5.31 Status Of The Tusks And Investigation
5.32 Anti Poaching Measures
5.33 Control Measures
5.34 Status And Management Of Captive Elephants
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11 FINDINDS 89
12 SUGGESTION 90
13 CONCLUSION 91
14 BIBILOGRAPHY 92
15 ANNEXURE 93

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SYNOPSIS
INTRODUCTION
The Tourism industry tends to use the term ‘Wildlife Tourism’ rather than
wildlife watching tourism. In may cases, the two terms are identical, but wildlife tourism
is sometimes also used to refer to hunting or fishing tourism, and in a few cases to the
viewing of captive wildlife in zoos or confined parks where the animals no longer live a
wild existence .
Wildlife watching particularly overlaps with ecotourism, which is a form of tourism
based on the principles of making an active contribution to the conservation of natural
and cultural heritage; involving local and indigenous communities in its planning
development and operation, and contributing to their well-being; and interpreting natural
and cultural heritage to visitors.
Ecotourism is often based on relatively low levels of tourism in an area and is therefore
particularly suited to organised tours for small groups, and also for independent
travellers. Bandipur national park was set up in 1974 as a Tiger hold under project tiger
,is a National park situated in the Province of Karnataka ,which is the state with the
second most noteworthy tiger populance in india . Alongside neighboring, Nagarhole
National Park ,it is one of the premier Tiger Reserves in India.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Wildlife watching tourism overlaps with many other aspects of tourism. Sometimes
wildlife watching may be undertaken by tourists who have purchased a specialist
package – such as a birdwatching holiday – with the specific objective of seeing certain
kinds of wildlife. Equally, there are tourists who engage in wildlife watching as part of
activities that focus on adventure in wild places, and for whom watching animals is an

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added attraction but not necessarily their main motivation and there will be different
negative and positive aspects in the tourism in the wildlife premises . This can be
controlled with several measures and policies by the government sector and the private
sector.
LITERATURE REVIEW
THE HINDU: After witnessing an increase in tiger population over the lat five years
,Bandipur National Park emerged as the most visited tiger reserve in the country and
according to the recent study by a travel information portal. The reports of HolidayIQ
says that for two succesive years Bandipur National Park was the most visited Tiger
Reserve even as Tiger Tourism in the country has grown by 230 per cent. Based on the
user interaction on our portal during the travel seasons of october ,november and
december last year and this year ,the number of visitors also reveal that tigertourism is
fast growing in the country .
(CHARU CHOWDARY): Bandipur National Park is a beautiful forest reserve
located in the state of Karnataka and holds a special place in India’s efforts towards
natural conservation. Recently, a small section of the park had caught fire, causing
mayhem to the environment around been loss of forest vegetation and some fauna to an
extent, because Bandipur lies in the shadow of the Western Ghats, the region is well
endowed in terms of flora and fauna.
From deciduous and evergreen forests to open grassy woodlands, the place abounds in
valuable hardwoods such as rosewood and teak. The highlight of the forest is Moyar
River, which also acts as a boundary between the park and Madumulai Sanctuary.
Bandipur’s open spaces make it a pleasant and convenient place for spotting the Asiatic
elephant in its natural surroundings. Bandipur is also home to a sizeable number of
tigers.
it. However, everything is in control now, and harmony restored. Even though there has
RESEARCH GAP:

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From the extensive literature reviews and other known factors the Wildlife Tourism is
one of the important type of tourism and which it can gerate huge income through tourism.
Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Natinal Park has sufficient resources such as the flora and
fauna for the pushing of the tourists to the destination.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of this study is to know the positive and negative impacts of
Wildlife Tourism in Bandipur Tiger Reserve and National Park.
 To know the challenges facing by the tourist and animals while visiting the
destination.
 To know the tourist flow to the destination.
 To analyse the growth of wildlife tourism in destination.
 To understand the policies of the government undertaken for the development of
tourism.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve is situated in the contiguous landscape
spreads in two revenue districts of southern Karnataka namely the Mysore and
Chamarajanagar. Geographically, it is an “ecological confluence” as the western and Eastern
Ghats meets and constitute this area as distinctive and extraordinary from the point of its
fauna and flora. The notified forests included in the park and the adjoining notified and non-
notified forests including the community land areas of all the border villages have become an
integral part of the tiger reserve.
 Examining the flora and fauna in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and National Park.
 Examing the number of domestic tourist and international tourist visiting the
destination.
 Providing the guidliness and government policies for visiting the national park.
 How the growth of Tourism benefit the government and local community.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The methodology used in the present study entitled “ CHALLENGES AND
PROSPECTUS OF BANDIPUR TIGER RESERVE AND NATIONAL PARK” is prepared
with the help of secondary source. Research Methodology is the way to solve the Research
problem.

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LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
 Similarity in information.
 Lack of sources to collect the related data.
 Difficult to collect detailed data because covid-19 pandemic situation.
CHAPTER SCHEME:
 Chapter I - Introduction to Tourism
 Chapter II - Wildlife Tourism in India
 Chapter III - Wildlife Tourism in Karnataka
 Chapter IV - Bandipur Tiger Reserve and National park
 Chapter V - Challenges and Prospectus of Bandipur Tiger and National park

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CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION TO TOURISM
Tourism is one of the world’s fastest growing industries and a major foreign
exchange and employment generation for many countries. It is one of the most remarkable
economic and social phenomena. The world ‘tour’ is derived from the Latin word tornus,
meaning ‘a tool for making a circle’. Tourism may be defined as the movement of the people
from their normal place of residence to another place with the intention to return for a
minimum period of twenty-four hours to the maximum of six months for the sole purpose of
leisure and pleasure.Tourism is a dynamic and competitive industry that requires the ability to
adapt constantly to customers’ changing needs and desires, as the customer’s satisfaction,
safety and enjoyment are particularly the focus of tourism businesses. According to WTO
(1993) ” Tourism encompasses the activities of persons traveling and staying in places
outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business,
and other purposes. The Rome conference on tourism in 1963 defined tourism as ‘ a visit to a
country other than one’s own or where one usually resides and works’. This definition,
however, did not take into account domestic tourism, which has become an important money-
spinner and job generator for the hospitality industry. The UNWTO defines tourists as
‘people who travel to and stay in place outside their usual environment for not more than one
consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an
activity remunerated from within the place visited’. According to the Tourism Society of
Britain,” tourism is the temporary short-period movement of people to destination outside the
places where they normally live, work; and activities during their stay at these destinations.”
This definition includes the movement of people for all purposes. The development of
technology and transportation infrastructure, such as jumbos jets, low-cost airlines, and more
accessible airports have made tourism affordable and convenient. There have been changes in
lifestyle – for example, now retiree-age people sustain tourism around the year. The sale of
tourism products on the internet, besides the aggressive marketing of the tour operators and
travel agencies, has also contributed to the growth of tourism. September 27 is celebrated as

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world tourism every year. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of
UNWTO were adopted. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the role of tourism
within the international community.
1.1 The Origin of Tourism
By the early 21st century, international tourism had become one of the world’s
most important economic activities, and its impact was becoming increasingly apparent
from the Artic to Antarctica. The history of tourism is therefore of great interest and
importance. That history begins long before the coinage of the word tourist at the end of
the 18th century. In the Western tradition, organized travel with supporting infrastructure,
sightseeing, and an emphasis on essential destinations and experiences can be found
in ancient Greece and Rome, which can lay claim to the origins of both “heritage tourism”
(aimed at the celebration and appreciation of historic sites of recognized cultural
importance) and beach resorts. The Seven Wonders of the World became tourist sites for
Greeks and Romans.
1.2 History of Travel and Tourism
For centuries movement of people continued to grow due to the efficiency of transport
and the assistance and safety which the people could travel. By the end of the 15th century,
Italy had become the intellectual and cultural center of Europe. It represented the classical
heritage both for the intelligentsia and the aristocracy. Travel was originally inspired by the
need for surviving (food, shelter, and security), the desire to expand trade and quest to
conquer. As the transportation system improved the curiosity for transforming the vast and
virgin world into a close neighborhood created a new industry However, the developments of
rails, roads, steamships, automobiles, and airplanes helped to spread technology across the
globe. Earlier travel was a privilege only for wealthy people but with the industrial
revolution, the scenario altogether changed. Transportation, as well as accommodation,
became affordable to middle and working-class citizens. Travel is as old as mankind on the
earth. The man at the beginning of his existence roamed about the surface of the earth in the
search of food, shelter, securities, and better habitat. However, in course of time, such
movements were transformed into wanderlust.

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1.3 Nature of Tourism
Tourism as a socio-economic phenomenon comprises the activities and experiences
of tourists and visitors away from their home environment and serviced by the travel and
tourism industry and host destination. The sum total of this activity experience and services
can be seen as a tourism product. The tourism system can be described in terms of supply and
demand. Tourism planning should strive for a balance between demands and supply. This
requires an understanding not only of market characteristics and trends but also of the
planning process to meet the market needs. Often tourist from core generating markets are
identified as the demand side; the supply side includes all facilities, programmes , attraction,
and land uses designed and managed for the visitors. These supply-side factors may be under
the control of private enterprise, non-profit organizations, and government. New and
innovative forms of partnerships are also evolving to ensure the sustainable development and
management of tourism related resources. The supply and demand side can be seen to be
linked by flows of resources such as capital, labor, goods and tourist expenditures into the
destination, and flows of marketing, promotion, tourist artifacts and experiences from the
destination back into the tourist generating region. The tourism system is both dynamic and
complex due to many factors linked to it and because of the existence of many sectors
contributing to its success. These factors and sectors are linked to the provision of the tourist
experience and generation of tourism revenue and markets .The dynamic nature of tourism
system makes it imperative to scan the external and internal environment of the destinations
on a regular basis so as to makes changes when necessary to ensure a healthy and viable
tourism industry.
1.4 Importance Of Tourism
Tourism and hospitality which are inextricably linked to each other, are among the
major revenue-earning enterprises in the world. They happen to be among the top employers
too. There has been an upmarket trend in tourism over the last few decades as travel has
become quite common. People travel for business, vacation, pleasure, adventure or even
medical treatments. With several business-related activities associated with tourism, the
industry has a tremendous potential of generating employment as well as earning foreign
exchange. There are many countries in the world, such as Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore,

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Fiji, and the Caribbean, whose economies are primarily driven by tourism. Tourism can
contribute to the economic growth of a country in the followings ways:
1.5 Employment Generation
It creates a large number of jobs among direct services providers (such as hotel,
restaurants, travel agencies, tour operators, guide and tour escorts, etc.) and among indirect
services providers (such as suppliers to the hotels and restaurants, supplementary
accommodation, etc.)
Infrastructure Development
Tourism spurs infrastructure development. In order to become an important
commercial or pleasure destination, any location would require all the necessary
infrastructure, like good connectivity via rail, road, and air transport, adequate
accommodation, restaurants, a well-developed telecommunication network, and, medical
facilities, among others.
Foreign Exchange
The people who travel to other countries spend a large amount of money on
accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping etc. Thus, an inbound tourist is an
important source of foreign exchange for any country. The World Travel and Tourism
Council (WTTC) predict in 1997 that the twenty-first-century economy would be dominated
by three industries: telecommunications, information technology, and tourism. The travel and
tourism industry has grown by 500 percent in the last 25 years. Now withstanding this bright
outlook and prospects, the tourism and hospitality industries are very vulnerable to the
fluctuations of national economies and happenings in the world, especially terrorist attacks
that have at times dealt severe blows to business. In recent years, there have been a few
setbacks in tourism, such as the terrorist siege of the Taj and Oberoi in Mumbai, India (26
November 2008); the attack of the World Trade Centre in the United States of the America
(11 September 2001); bombing in a hotel on the Indonesian island of Bali (12 October 2002);
tsunami in Southeast Asia and South Asia on 26 December 2004, in which thousands of the
lives where lost and consequently tourism was hit. Nonetheless, the sector is now getting
back to business.

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Industries Related To Tourism
Over the years, tourism has become a popular global activity. Depending upon the
nature and purpose of their travel, tourists, need and demand certain facilities and services.
This has given rise to a wide range of commercial activities that have acquired industry
proportions. Thus travel and tourism now days represent a broad range of related industries.
Hotels
Hotels are the commercial establishment that provides accommodation, meals, and
other guest services. In travel and tourism industry, the hotel industry plays a very significant
role, as all tourists need a place to stay at their destinations, and require many more services
and facilities to suit their specific needs and tastes.
Restaurants
Restaurants are retail establishments that serve prepared food and beverages to
customers. In the travel and tourism industry, restaurants and other food and beverage outlets
are very important as tourists like to experiment with local cuisines of the places they are
visiting.
Retail And Shopping
The retail industry is very important as tourists shop for their day to day necessaries
as well as look for mementos and souvenirs. In the recent years, some cities in the world have
been promoted as shopping destinations to attract people with a penchant for shopping by
offering various products, such as garments, electronic goods, jewelry, and antiques. New
York, Paris, London, and Milan in Italy are famous as fashion havens of the world.
Transportation
It is the movement of people and goods from one place to another. A well-
developed transport industry, as well as infrastructure, is integral to the success of any travel
and tourism enterprise.

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Travel Agencies
A travel agency is a retailing business that sells travel related products and
services, particularly package tours, to customers on the behalf of suppliers such as airlines,
car rentals, cruise liners, hotels, railways, and sightseeing.
Travel agencies play a very important role as they plan out the itinerary of their clients and
make the necessary arrangements for their travel, stay, and sightseeing, besides facilitating
their passport, visa, etc.
Tour Operators
A tour operator assembles the various elements of a tour. It typically combines tour
and travel components to create a holiday. Tour operators play an important role in the travel
and tourism industry.
Tourist Destinations
A tourist attraction is a place of interest for tourists, typically for its inherent or
exhibited cultural value, historical significance, nature or build beauty or amusement
opportunities. These are the basic fundamentals of the tourism industry.
Cultural Industries
Cultural or creative industries are responsible for the creation, production, and
distribution of goods and services that are cultural in nature and usually protected by
intellectual property rights. As tourists like to visit places of cultural significance and soak in
the culture of the area, the cultural industry is very important to travel and tourism.
1.6 Leisure, Recreation, and Sport
Leisure or free time is a period of a time spent out of work and essential domestic
activity. Recreation or fun is spending time in a manner designed for therapeutic refreshment
of body or mind. While leisure is more like a form of entertainment or rest, recreation
requires active participation in a refreshing and diverting manner.As people in the world’s
wealthier regions lead an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, the need for recreation has
increased. These play a significant role in the travel and tourism sector.

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Tourism Products
A tourism/tourist product can be defined as the sum of the physical and
psychological satisfaction it provides to tourists, during their ‘traveling and sojourn’ en route
at the destinations. Since travel and tourism industry is an agglomeration of too many sectors
that promote travel related services. These sectors are referred to as travel vendors and their
services and goods are called ‘travel products’. A tourism product includes five main
components such as physical plant, services, hospitality, freedom of choice, and a sense of
involvement. Thus, whatever the natural and man-made resources, services brought about the
consumption of tourists is called tourism products.
1.7 TOURISM ENCOMPASSES
Outbound Tourism
Outbound tourism is what you may be most familiar with. It involves the people going
from British Columbia to other provinces, territories or countries. For example, going to
Hawaii for a holiday is considered outbound tourism.
Inbound Tourism
The tourists coming to BC from other places are called inbound tourists. BC competes
in a global market to attract tourists from the United States, Japan, Germany and many other
countries. The industry also implements marketing campaigns aimed at attracting travellers
from other parts of Canada, as well as from within British Columbia.
Domestic Tourism
Approximately half of the tourists in BC each year are actually from within the
province. BC Stats and Destination BC consider those travelling beyond their usual
environment (typically more than 80 km from home) for business or for pleasure to be
tourists.
Tourism Sectors
There are different ways to measure the size of the tourism industry, as tourism does not
conform to the usual ways that industries are defined, such as manufacturing, forestry and
other industries. Tourism constitutes a wide variety of sectors that provide diverse products

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and services to visitors. However, these businesses also provide products and services to local
residents.
1.8 Classification Of Tourism
 Recreational: Recreational or leisure tourism takes a person away from the humdrum
of everyday life. In this case, people spend their leisure time at the hills, sea beaches
etc.
 Cultural: Cultural tourism satisfies the cultural and intellectual curiosity and involves
visits to ancient monuments, places of historical or religious importance, etc.
 Sports/Adventure: Trips have taken by people with a view to playing golf, skiing
and hiking, fall within this category.
 Health: Under this category, people travel for medical, treatment or visit places where
there are curative possibilities, for example, hot springs, spa yoga, etc.
 Convention Tourism: It is becoming an increasingly important component of travel.
People travel within a country or overseas to attend conventions relating to their
business, profession or interest.
 Incentive Tourism: Holiday trips are offered as incentives by major companies to
dealers and salesmen who achieve high targets in sales. This is a new and expanding
phenomenon in tourism,
1.9 Impacts Of Tourism
Establishing or developing a tourism industry involves expenditure as well as gains,
costs, and benefits. If these impacts are taken into consideration from the outset of planning,
strengths and opportunities can be maximized while weaknesses and threats can be
minimized.Each destination will be different in terms of tourism characteristics. The cost and
benefits of tourism will vary in each destination and can change over time, depending on
tourism and other activities in a destination’s local and regional context.
Economic Impacts
Tourism activities impact the economy of the country as well as the local economy of
the destination.

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Economics Benefits
Tourism generates local employment, directly in the tourism sector and in support and
resource management sectors. Tourism stimulates profitable domestic industries, hotels and
other lodging facilities, restaurants and food services, transportation systems, handicrafts, and
guide services. Tourism generates foreign exchange for the country and injects capital and
new money into the local economy. Tourism helps to diversify the local economy. Improved
tourism infrastructure. Increase tax revenues from tourism
Social Impacts
Tourism also affects the society of the destination in good as well as bad ways. It
benefits and costs the local communities.
Social Benefits
The quality of a community can be enhanced by economic diversification through
tourism.
Recreational and cultural facilities created for tourism can be used by local communities as
well as domestic/international visitors. Public spaced may be developed and enhanced
through tourism activity. Tourism Enhances local community’s esteem and provides an
opportunity for greater understanding and communication among people of diverse
background. Without proper planning and management, litter, vandalism, and crime often
accompany tourism development.
Cultural Impacts
Tourism activities also affect the culture of the host country. There are many positive
and negative cultural impact of tourism.
Cultural Benefits
Tourism can enhance local cultural awareness. Tourism can generate revenue to help
pay for the preservation of archaeological sites, historic buildings, and districts. Despite

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criticism about the alteration of cultures to unacceptable levels, the sharing of cultural
knowledge and experience can be beneficial for hosts and guests of tourism destinations and
can result in the revival of local traditions and crafts.
Environmental Impact
Tourism impacts on the environment in positive as well as negative way. These
impacts are following below. Parks and nature preserves may be created and ecological
preservation supported as a necessity for nature-based tourism. Improved waste management
can be achieved. Increased awareness and concern for the environment can result from
nature-based tourism activities and development.
1.10 Tourism In India
India can always boast of its rich cultural heritage. Travel and Tourism in India is an
integral part of Indian tradition and culture. In ancient times, travel was primarily for
pilgrimage –as the holy places dotting the country attracted people from different parts of the
world. People also traveled to participate in large scale feasts, fairs and festivals in different
parts of the country. In such a background, cultural tradition was developed where ‘Athithi
Devo Bhava’ (the guest is god) and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family)
became bywords of Indian social behaviour Nature of Indian Tourism india is a country
popularly known for extending its lavish hospitality to all visitors, no matter where they come
from. Due to its belief in the philosophy of „Vasudeva Kutumbkam‟ its visitor friendly
traditions, varied life styles, vast cultural heritage and colorful fairs and festivals, it holds
multiple attractions for the tourist. The other attractions include beautiful sun drenched
bathing beaches, forests and wild life, majestic rivers,glorious architecture, fascinating fauna
and flora and beautiful landscapes for ecotourism, snowclad mountain peaks etc for
adventure tourism, technological parks and science museum for science tourism, centers of
pilgrimage for spiritual tourism, heritage trains and hotels for heritage tourism, yoga,
ayurveda and natural health resorts and hill stations alsoattract tourists. Indian handicrafts
particularly jewellery, carpets, leather goods, ivory and brass work are the main shopping
items of foreign tourists. Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and famous for its breath taking
lush green landscapes. Patna is one of the oldest cities in India and famous for its historical
relics. Jamshedpur is an important industrial township, home of Tata industries. Allahabad is
the city of Prayag and the world famous fair-Kumbhmela. Varanasi is the most auspicious
cityof the Hindus, famous for its temples and ghats. Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh

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and an important center of Tourism. In West India the major tourist attractions are Mumbai,
Panjim and Udaipur. Mumbai is the commercial capital of India and the city that never
sleeps. Panjim the capital city of Goa is famous for its Golden beaches and pristine waters.
Udaipur is famous for its floating palaces in the middle of Lake Pichola. In South India the
most important tourist sites are Kerala, Chennai, Bengaluru, Cochin, Trivandpuram and Ooty.
Kerala, known as “God’s own country” is very famous among tourists for its lush greenery,
coconut canopies and exotic beaches. Chennai is the automobile capital of India. Bangalore
the silicon valley of India is famous for its software companies and has a pleasing weather
round the year. Thiruvanathapuram is the city of the famous Kovalam beach. Cochin is a
coastal city famous for its historical relevance. Ooty is a fabulous hill station in the The
Nilgiris famous for its verdure valleys. Tourism is fast emerging as a sector which has got
immense potential for bringing in rapid economic development of nations, particularly in
developing nations like India. India has certain unique features that make it specially
suited for taking maximum advantage out of tourism promotion. It is well-known that
India is the seventh largest, second most populous, tenth geographically also there are
certain peculiarities that are favourable to India which make this country stand out distinctly
from the rest of the world
industrialized and the sixth nation to have gone into outer space in the world. However,
India’s uniqueness in respect of attracting the world as one of the most sought after tourism
destinations lies primarily in her very rich cultural heritage, presence of so many historical
places including serene. Because of these reasons, from time immemorial India has been a
land of bounty and prosperity, a nation with vibrant colours with people who are joyous
and tolerant. Further, India and its five neighbouring countries (viz. Pakistan, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) together form a self contained mass of land, fit to be called as
a major sub-continent within the continent of Asia. In fact, physical unity
India is favourably situated in the world’s highways of trade and commerce. The oceanic
routes serving South East Asia and Australia pass through the Indian Ocean. India is
connected with Europe, North America and South America through Suez Canal and the Cape
of Good Hope. In short, India has got a geographical location, natural resources, and a
historical and cultural background which are quite conducive for tourism.
1.11Nature Of Indian Tourism

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According to predictions made by industry stakeholders, the tourism sector in Asia
over the next 10 years is projected to grow at a higher rate than most other regions and the
world average as a whole. It is felt that India should capitalize on this great window of
opportunity by evolving a tourist friendly tax regime in the region. The events around the
globe and in the subcontinent have had their impact on the row of overseas visitors to India.
But, in the last 15 years, visits by the domestic tourists have grown by more than 300 million.
From a group of 63 million in 1990 it stood at 382 million in the year 2005. This phenomenal
explosion of domestic tourism is an inevitable by-product of the prosperity that India has
achieved. Domestic tourism in India is also fuelled by a number of factors like important
pilgrim sites of different religions are scattered throughout the country.
1.12 Development And Impact Of Tourism Industry In India
First conscious and organized efforts to promote tourism in India were made in
1945 when a committee was set up by the Government under the Chairmanship of Sir John
Sargent, the then Educational Adviser to the Government of India (Krishna, A.G., 1993).
Thereafter, the development of tourism was taken up in a planned manner in 1956 coinciding
with the Second Five Year Plan. The approach has evolved from isolated planning of single
unit facilities in the Second and Third Five Year Plans. The Sixth Plan marked the beginning
of a new era when tourism began to be considered a major instrument for social integration
and economic development. But it was only after the 80’s that tourism activity gained
momentum. The Government took several significant steps. A National Policy on tourism
was announced in 1982. Later in 1988, the National Committee on Tourism formulated a
comprehensive plan for achieving a sustainable growth in tourism. In 1992, a National Action
Plan was prepared and in 1996 the National Strategy for Promotion of Tourism was drafted.
In 1997, the New Tourism Policy recognises the roles of Central and State governments,
public sector undertakings and the private sector in the development of tourism were. The
need for involvement of Panchayati Raj institutions, local bodies, non-governmental
organisations and the local youth in the creation of tourism facilities has also been
recognised. Present Situation and Features of Tourism in India Today tourism is the largest
service industry in India, with a contribution of 6.23% to the national GDP and providing
8.78% of the total employment. India witnesses more than 5 million annual foreign tourist
arrivals and 562 million domestic tourism visits. The tourism industry in India generated
about US$100 billion in 2008 and that is expected to increase to US$275.5 billion by 2018 at
a 9.4% annual growth rate. India also bagged 37th rank its air transport network. The India

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travel and tourism industry ranked 5th in the long-term (10-year) growth and is expected to
be the second largest employer in the world.
1.13 Positive Impacts
• Generating Income And Employment
Tourism in India has emerged as an instrument of income and employment
generation, poverty alleviation and sustainable human development. It contributes 6.23% to
the national GDP and 8.78% of the total employment in India. Almost 20 million people are
now working in the India’s tourism industry.
• Source Of Foreign Exchange Earnings
Tourism is an important source of foreign exchange earnings in India. This has
favourable impact on the balance of payment of the country. The tourism industry in India
generated about US$100 billion in 2008 and that is expected to increase to US$275.5 billion
by 2018 at a 9.4% annual growth rate.
• Preservation Of National Heritage And Environment
Tourism helps preserve several places which are of historical importance by
declaring them as heritage sites. For instance, the TajMahal, the QutabMinar, Ajanta and
Ellora temples, etc, would have been decayed and destroyed had it not been for the efforts
taken by Tourism Department to preserve them. Likewise, tourism also helps in conserving
the natural habitats of many endangered species
• Developing Infrastructure
Tourism tends to encourage the development of multiple-use infrastructure that
benefits the host community, including various means of transports, health care facilities, and
sports centers, in addition to the hotels and high-end restaurants that cater to foreign visitors.
The development of infrastructure has in turn induced the development of other directly
productive activities.
• Promoting Peace And Stability
Honey and Gilpin (2009) suggests that the tourism industry can also help promote
peace and stability in developing country like India by providing jobs, generating income,

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diversifying the economy, protecting the environment, and promoting cross-cultural
awareness. However, key challenges like adoption of regulatory frameworks, mechanisms to
reduce crime and corruption, etc, must be addressed if peace-enhancing benefits from this
industry are to be realized
1.15 Negative Impacts
• Undesirable Social And Cultural Change
Tourism sometimes led to the destruction of the social fabric of a community. The
more tourists coming into a place, the more the perceived risk of that place losing its
identity. A good example is Goa. From the late 60's to the early 80's when the Hippy culture
was at its height, Goa was a haven for such hippies. Here they came in thousands and
changed the whole culture of the state leading to a rise in the use of drugs, prostitution and
human trafficking. This had a ripple effect on the country.
• Increase Tension And Hostility
Tourism can increase tension, hostility, and suspicion between the tourists and the
local communities when there is no respect and understanding for each other’s culture and
way of life. This may further lead to violence and other crimes committed against the tourists.
The recent crime committed against Russian tourist in Goa is a case in point.
• Creating A Sense Of Antipathy
Tourism brought little benefit to the local community. In most all-inclusive package
tours more than 80% of travelers’ fees go to the airlines, hotels and other international
companies, not to local businessmen and workers. Moreover, large hotel chain restaurants
often import food to satisfy foreign visitors and rarely employ local staff for senior
management positions, preventing local farmers and workers from reaping the benefit of their
presence. This has often created a sense of antipathy towards the tourists and the government.
• Adverse Effects On Environment And Ecology
One of the most important adverse effects of tourism on the environment is
increased pressure on the carrying capacity of the ecosystem in each tourist locality.
Increased transport and construction activities led to large scale deforestation and
destabilisation of natural landforms, while increased tourist flow led to increase in solid waste
dumping as well as depletion of water and fuel resources. Flow of tourists to ecologically

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sensitive areas resulted in destruction of rare and endangered species due to trampling,
killing, disturbance of breeding habitats. Noise pollution from vehicles and public address
systems, water pollution, vehicular emissions, untreated sewage, etc. also have direct effects
on bio-diversity, ambient environment and general profile of tourist spot
CHAPTER-2

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WILDLIFE TOURISM
Wildlife Tourism can be an Eco and animal friendly tourism, usually
showing animals in their natural habitat. Wildlife tourism, in its simplest sense, is
watching wild animals in their natural habitat. Wildlife tourism is an important part of
the tourism industries in many countries including many African and South American
countries, Australia, India, Canada, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and
Maldives among many. It has experienced a dramatic and rapid growth in recent years
worldwide and is closely aligned to Eco-tourism and sustainable-tourism.Wildlife
tourism is also a multi-million-dollar industry offering customized tour packages and
safaris. Wildlife tourism encompasses non-consumptive interactions with wildlife, such
as observing and photographing animals in their natural habitats. It has the recreational
aspects of adventure travel, and supports the values of Eco-tourism and nature
conservation programs. Wildlife tourism is an element of many nations' travel industry
centered around observation and interaction with local animal and plant life in their natural
habitats. While it can include eco and animal-friendly tourism, safari hunting and similar
high-intervention activities also fall under the umbrella of wildlife tourism. Wildlife tourism,
in its simplest sense, is interacting with wild animals in their natural habitat, either by
actively (e.g. hunting/collection) or passively (e.g. watching/photography). Wildlife tourism
is an important part of the tourism industries in many countries including many African
and South
American countries, Australia, India, Canada, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri
Lanka and Maldives among many. It has experienced a dramatic and rapid growth in recent
years worldwide and many elements are closely aligned to eco-tourism and sustainable
tourism. According to United Nations World Tourism Organization, with an annual growth
about 3%, 7% of world tourism industry relates to wildlife tourism.[1]
They also estimates that
the growth is much higher in places like UNESCO world heritage sites.Wildlife tourism
currently employs 22 million people worldwide directly or indirectly, and contributes more
than $ 120 billion to global GDP.[2]
As a multimillion-dollar international industry, wildlife
tourism is often characterized by the offering of customized tour packages and safaris to
allow close access to wildlife.
Wildlife tourism is an element of many nations' travel industry centered around
observation and interaction with local animal and plant life in their natural habitats. While it
can include eco- and animal-friendly tourism, safari hunting and similar high-intervention

31. 30
activities also fall under the umbrella of wildlife tourism. Wildlife tourism, in its simplest
sense, is interacting with wild animals in their natural habitat, either by actively (e.g.
hunting/collection) or passively (e.g. watching/photography). Wildlife tourism is an
important part of the tourism industries in many countries including many African and South
American countries, Australia, India, Canada, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri
Lanka and Maldives among many. It has experienced a dramatic and rapid growth in recent
years worldwide and many elements are closely aligned to eco-tourism and sustainable
tourism. According to United Nations World Tourism Organization, with an annual growth
about 3%, 7% of world tourism industry relates to wildlife tourism. They also estimates that
the growth is much higher in places like UNESCO world heritage sites. Wildlife tourism
currently employs 22 million people worldwide directly or indirectly, and contributes more
than $ 120 billion to global GDP. As a multimillion-dollar international industry, wildlife
tourism is often characterized by the offering of customized tour packages and safaris to
allow close access to wildlife.
2.1 Biodiversity
Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is a term to describe the variety of life on
Earth. Biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth. It is crucial for the functioning of
ecosystems which provide us with products and services without which we couldn’t live.
Biodiversity includes plants, animals and other organisms. It is defined in the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD) as the variability among organisms from all sources, including
terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they
are part. It includes diversity within species, between species and of and between ecosystems.
2.2 Wildlife watching And How It Relates To Tourism
Wildlife watching tourism is tourism that is organized and undertaken in order to
watch wildlife. This type of tourism has grown dramatically in recent years; a quick search on
the internet provides many examples of tourism companies that either market specific
wildlife watching tours, or promote their products by highlighting wildlife watching as an
optional activity that their clients can enjoy. The tourism industry tends to use the term
“wildlife tourism” rather than wildlife watching tourism. In many instances, the two terms are
identical, but wildlife tourism is sometimes also used to refer to hunting or fishing tourism
and, in a few cases, refers to viewing captive wildlife in zoos or confined parks. The
International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas

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that conserve the environment and improve the well-being of local people”. Ecotourism
focuses on experiencing wildlife in its natural environment. Although the goal of ecotourism
is to enjoy nature, not all tourism in natural areas is sustainable and can be defined as
ecotourism. An official global ecotourism certification scheme remains to be developed, but
most agree that ecotourism should possess qualities such as minimal impact to the natural
environment, sensitivity and enhanced awareness of local environments and cultures,
financial support for local conservation initiatives, and empowerment and participation of
local communities
2.3 Need Of Wildlife Tourism
According to the UNWTO Report ‘Towards Measuring the Economic Value of
Wildlife Watching Tourism in Africa,’ 7% of world tourism relates to wildlife tourism, a
segment growing annually at about 3%. The same document shows that a total of 14
countries in Africa are generating an estimated US$ 142 million in entrance fees for protected
areas. A WWF report shows that 93% of all natural heritage sites support recreation and
tourism and 91% of them provide jobs. For instance, in Belize, more than 50% of the
population are said to be supported by income generated through reef-related tourism and
fisheries.
Wildlife represents biodiversity, essential for our health and the well-being of the whole
planet. We live in an interconnected ecological system, where each macro- and
microorganism, whether animal, plant or fish affects the other. Alteration of the natural
habitat of any organism will trigger a dynamo effect, so non-equilibrium in the ecological
system as a whole endangers the life cycle of many species. Around 40,000 species of
animals, fungi and plants benefit humans. More than the third of our pharmaceuticals
originate from wild plants Wildlife remains a major concern for the international, regional
and local communities. Among the multiple risks that menace wildlife are: diseases, climate
change and actions of human nature, such as poaching and illegal trafficking. According to
the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List Index:
 Amphibians are declining most rapidly in Latin America and the Caribbean, partly
due to the chytrid fungal disease,
 The greatest extinction risks for birds and mammals are found in South-Eastern Asia,
mainly owing to the conversion of lowland forests.

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 7,000 species of animals and plants have been detected in illegal trade, and the list of
species under international protection continues to grow.
 Policy measures and higher sensitization of the general public and of specific
stakeholders like media professionals appear as needed paths to ensure protection of
wildlife and therefore of biodiversity. The engagement of printed, audiovisual and
electronic and online media outlets in advocating wildlife as an essential component
of biodiversity and as an added potential to tourism development by reporting
professionally, accurately and comprehensively on this topic remains a major goal.
The increased capacity of the media will enable a framework of action together with
governments and civil society to improve wildlife and biodiversity protection.
2.4 Wildlife In The Agenda 2030
Besides been mentioned in the SDGs, wildlife and biodiversity have been placed at
the core of most of the discussions of the Agenda 2030. The recent UN Biodiversity
Conference (December 2016) was integrated by two Working Groups. Working Group I
(WG I) addressed cooperation with other conventions and organizations; a global multilateral
benefit-sharing mechanism under the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and
the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization; and socioeconomic
considerations, liability and redress, risk assessment and risk management, and unintentional
trans boundary movement of living modified organisms (LMOs) under the Cartagena
Protocol on Bio safety. The Working Group II (WG II) approved conference room papers
(CRPs) on sustainable wildlife management, recommendations from the UN Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), and climate-related geo-engineering. WG II further
addressed marine debris and underwater noise, marine spatial planning, biodiversity in cold-
water areas and pollinators.
2.5 Reasons For Wildlife Protection And Conservation

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1. Biodiversity: In nature, different species are connected through various food webs.
The disappearance of one species could influence several others down the line.
2. Agriculture: Promoting wildlife conservation could help secure future food
supplies.
3. Research: There may be many undiscovered plants and animals in the wild. 50
percent of the drugs available in the United States were originally developed from
microbial organisms, plants, and animals.
4. Economics of Eco-Services: ecosystem activities have an effect on the quantity and
quality of fresh water accessible to humans.
5. Ecotourism: enjoying African ecosystems has been a tremendous stimulus for
economies within Africa.
6. Environmental Indicators: various animals can serve as indicators for other
environmental problems is one of the rarely discussed benefits of wildlife
conservation. The loss of peregrine falcons and bald eagles was one of the factors that
alerted scientists to the toxicity of DDT, unnoticed for longer in a less diverse
ecosystem.
7. Education: Studying animals and their habitats can be a valuable learning experience
for students of all ages.
8. Psychological Benefits: Eco tourists experience a tremendous sense of wonder,
contentment, and fulfillment from their wildlife encounters.
2.6 Challenges In The Wildlife Global Cause
Trafficking in wildlife and their parts is a criminal international trade worth an estimated
$20 billion a year
 Several iconic species —including elephants, rhinos, and tigers, as well as many
lesser known species — toward the precipice of extinction
 Examples: The loss of African elephants: 100,000 over the past three years (96
elephants a day, with only 400,000 remaining in the wild across all of Africa).
 Fewer than 30,000 wild rhinos survive.
 A mere 3,200 wild tigers survive in the forests of Asia, including only 1,000 breeding
females.
2.7 Research On Wildlife Tourism

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Tourism based on wildlife is widely assumed to be inherently sustainable.
Nevertheless, few attempts have been made to verify this assumption. Internationally, little
research has been done on the environmental impacts of wildlife tourism. The need for more
rigorous data on the impacts of wildlife tourism is becoming necessary. Most research carried
out on wildlife tourism to date has concentrated on legally protected areas, although wildlife
tourism is not only restricted to protected areas. This research paper highlights the importance
of tourism as a key area where links between people, the global economy, and the
environment are clearly visible. The international tourist sees firsthand the environmental,
social and economic conditions of other countries and cultures. At its best, tourism can be a
powerful way to promote understanding between people and cultures. At its worst, tourism
can result in the exploitation of people, social disharmony and environmental degradation.
2.8 Training Of Guides In Interpretation
Enforcement of codes and regulations can be particularly difficult in many wildlife
watching situations, and the most effective means is to ensure that guides and tourists
understand and are committed to compliance. This requires better training for guides and
better briefing of tourists, linked with certification or licensing schemes for guides and tour
organizers (that include checks on their compliance with wildlife watching codes and
regulations), and on improving the quality of interpretation guides provide for tourists.
Training of guides in interpretation offers scope for enhancing the quality of wildlife
watching experiences for tourists and their awareness of conservation issues. This is because
interpretation is a way of putting a wider context into what the tourist is seeing before them.
2.9 Effects Of Disturbance From Tourism On Wildlife
Wildlife watching tourism can have adverse effects on wildlife in three main ways –
by causing changes in their behavior, changes to their physiology, or damage to their habitats.
Wildlife species are often particularly vulnerable to the effects of disturbance during their
breeding periods and juvenile stages of offspring. Any disruption of courtship and mating
behaviors, or later on when offspring are being cared for, reduces overall breeding success,
and therefore is a serious threat to population maintenance and survival. For example, if the
cubs of big cats, such as cheetahs or leopards, become separated from their mothers, they are
vulnerable to predation. Tourists are often particularly keen to watch mother-offspring
groups, and therefore great care is needed to limit and control any tourism around them.

36. 35
2.10 Physiological Effects Of Disturbance
Recent studies have found physiological changes in animals subject to disturbance
through tourism. The long term implications of such physiological changes on the survival of
individuals and populations are only beginning to be investigated. However, such changes
emphasize the need for caution in managing populations that are regularly subject to wildlife
watching activities.
2.11 Damage To The Wildlife Habitat
Wildlife watching tourism can also result in damage to sites and habitats where
species are watched. One dramatic example of this is the damage that is commonly reported
to coral reefs that are regularly visited by too many recreational divers. Damage to coral
destroys reef organisms and reduces the habitat available to fish for spawning and feeding.
This in turn reduces the abundance of marine life at these sites, and ultimately makes them
much less attractive to divers.
2.12 Managing Visitors To Minimize Impacts On Wildlife
The main options for managing wildlife watching are to reduce visitation, modify
visitation, redirect visitation, and prevent visitation. Reducing visitation involves restricting
the numbers of tourists allowed into viewing sites at any one time - this can be done by
increasing fees for visitation and/or restricting the times when viewing is allowed. Modifying
visitation involves altering the way in which wildlife watching is conducted and briefing
visitors on appropriate behaviour while they watch the wildlife. Redirecting visitation
involves developing alternative attractions and infrastructure, such as visitor and
interpretation centres, viewing points, and additional wildlife watching sites in less sensitive
locations. Preventing visitation involves closing wildlife watching sites and associated
infrastructure to protect sensitive areas, or to allow for maintenance and restoration.
2.13 Environmental Impacts Of Tourists

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Tourists usually want to see animals from a short distance away, and they want to be
able to take close up photographs. But, this may frighten animals, especially at sensitive
times of their life cycle, and can have adverse effects on breeding. Feeding of wildlife by
tourists can change social behaviour patterns. For example, artificial feeding by tourists
caused a breakdown of the territorial breeding system of land iguanas in the Galapagos
Islands. The expansion of wildlife sites and related activities such as creation of hotels can
improves the livelihood of the communities around those sites. However, it affects the natural
organisms and processes on that land. This highlights, for instance, the need for proper
management of waste so that it does not affect the surroundings. Unchecked tourist activities
at sites may have significant detrimental effects on wildlife and ecology.
The cumulative effect may intensify permanent degradation, thereby compromising the
viability of the sites as tourist destinations. Environmental impacts of tourism include, among
others:
• Use of land resources for accommodation, tourism facilities and other infrastructure
provision, including road networks, airports and seaports;
• Damage to or destruction of ecosystems and habitats, including deforestation, draining of
wetlands and intensified or unsustainable use of land;
• Unsustainable consumption of flora and fauna (e.g. through picking plants or buying
souvenirs manufactured from wildlife - especially from endangered species such as coral and
turtle shells or through unregulated hunting, shooting and fishing)
2.14 Human-Wildlife Conflicts
Although wildlife is a valuable natural resource with several beneficial values to the
people, in some regions (e.g. Africa) wild animals may cause damage to society in terms of
attacks on people and livestock, damage to crops and other property such as infrastructure,
and disruption of peaceful existence in local communities living close to wildlife areas.
Increasing human populations brings with it increasing encroachment onto wildlife habitat
(e.g. settlements, cattle posts, farmlands). Inevitably, human-wildlife conflicts have become
more common. The following are some of human-wildlife conflict issues:
Human deaths And Injuries

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Large mammalian carnivores are responsible for numerous fatal attacks on humans,
and large herbivores such as hippopotamuses and elephants are involved in human deaths.
This is mostly prevalent in Africa. Road accidents caused by wildlife may result in human
death and injury.
Destruction Of Crops
Birds, rodents, primates, antelopes, buffalos, hippopotamuses, bush pigs and
elephants can raid crops. The occurrence and frequency of crop raiding is dependent upon
conditions such as the availability, variability and type of food sources in the area.
Livestock Depredation
Carnivores such as leopards, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, civet-cats, and crocodiles kill
livestock such as cattle, goats and sheep. The number and type of domestic animals killed by
wildlife varies according to the species, time of the year and the availability of natural prey.
Transmission Of Diseases To Livestock And/Or Human
Wildlife transmits diseases such as rabies to domestic livestock and possibly to
humans. Scavengers and predators, such as spotted hyenas, jackals, lions and vultures,
spread pathogens by opening up, dismembering and dispersing parts of infected carcases.
African buffalos are crucial for transmitting foot and mouth disease, especially in the
southern part of Africa.
Adverse Interaction With Other Species (Endangered Or Highly Valuable)
One example is elephants in Sub-Saharan Africa. The destruction of habitats by
elephants can jeopardize the survival of other wildlife in the area, such as giraffes, buffalos
and bushbucks. This can also be harmful to the development of populations of roan, sable and
tsetse. Elephants also destroy infrastructure such as ponds, tracks and other water installations
in both parks and elsewhere.
2.15 POSITIVE EFFECTS OF WILDLIFE TOURISM

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. The positive effects operate through four main mechanisms:
(1) financial contributions (e.g. entrance fees, visitor levies and operator licensing fees).
(2) nonfinancial contributions (e.g. monitoring or research by operators or tourists).
(3) socio-economic incentives for conservation (e.g. restoring natural habitats, the creation of
protected areas and changes in land management practices).
(4) education (e.g. increased awareness of conservation or animal welfare issues). As Higgin
bottom et al. conclude for Australia (Higgin bottom et al., 2001), governments can enhance
the positive effects of wildlife tourism on wildlife. Their recommendations include:
1. Government agencies, conservation NGOs and tourism industry bodies should work
together to strategically develop mechanisms for enhancing links between wildlife tourism
and conservation.
2. Governments should make greater use of economic instruments to promote conservation in
association with wildlife tourism - balanced appropriately with consideration of social equity
objectives. This should include:
(a) Greater adoption of the user-pays principle, with charges appropriate to the market value
of the natural resources concerned;
(b) Return of a greater proportion of tourism revenue for management of the natural areas
concerned; and
(c) Investigating raising entrance charges to high quality, high profile wildlife tourism
attractions.
3. Governments (and the public) need to recognize the substantial economic gains to society
resulting from tourism based on nature, including wildlife, and thus increase their levels of
funding for protected areas.
4. Governments should continue to recognize wildlife conservation as a public good and
invest in it accordingly, irrespective of financial benefits relating to tourism.

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5. As a way of generating revenue for conservation, opportunities for developing additional
high-quality, high yield attractions based on wildlife should be investigated by government
conservation agencies.
6. Opportunities for increased economic value-adding at protected areas and government-run
wildlife tourism attractions should be explored by government conservation agencies.
7. Wildlife tourism operators should be encouraged, through suitable government incentives,
to donate funds for conservation purposes and to promote this in their own marketing.
8. Wildlife tourism operators should be encouraged, through suitable government incentives,
to engage in appropriate forms of conservation management, monitoring and research, and to
promote this in their own marketing.
9. Mechanisms for encouraging tourists to make donations to conservation should be well
developed.
10. Governments should encourage and support organizations that use tourists as volunteers
in conservation programs, as this is a cost-effective way of providing labour for such
activities.
11. Governments should encourage and support wildlife tourism attractions becoming
actively involved in research on their target species.
12. Governments should encourage shifts from traditional agriculture to wildlife or nature-
based tourism on private land in cases where this is economically viable.
2.16 Impact Assessment And Wildlife Tourism
Measures should be taken to ensure adequate impact assessment of wildlife tourism
(CBD, 2004A). At a national level, governments should normally assess impacts associated
with the overall vision, goals and objectives for tourism and biodiversity. In addition, this
assessment process may also be undertaken at more local levels by local government, and by

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indigenous and local communities. Governments will normally evaluate the adequacy of
impact assessments submitted by proposers of tourism developments or activities. These
evaluations will need to be undertaken by an appropriately qualified team, drawing on a
range of expertise (including expertise in tourism and in biodiversity management).
Indigenous and local communities that would be affected by the proposals need to be
involved. There should be public access to the documentation. Indigenous and local
communities concerned should be involved in impact assessment. Their traditional
knowledge should be acknowledged and considered as a part of impact assessment,
especially when tourism projects will affect their sacred sites or lands and waters traditionally
occupied or used by them. Sufficient time should be allowed for considering the different
conditions and circumstances, to ensure that all stakeholders are able to participate effectively
in the decision-making process. Such information should be accessible and comprehensible to
all stakeholders.
2.17 MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS REGARDING WILDLIFE AND
TOURISM
There is need for collaborative effort of stakeholders to ensure that both social and
environmental benefits are realised. Given their central influence on the impacts of tourism
on diversity, the major stakeholders involved in wildlife and tourism are governments, the
private sector and communities.
Governments
Governments formulate the policy framework and regulations covering tourism
development and wildlife conservation. That framework and associated instruments for
tourism development and wildlife conservation include: laws and regulations defining
standards for tourism facilities, access to wildlife resource and land use regulations and
zoning; establishment of national parks, reserves and other protected areas; and allocation of
tax revenues for protecting biodiversity-based tourism attractions.
Private Sector
The private sector is a key player because it: is often responsible for establishing the
tourism infrastructure and attracting tourists to a region; contributes to the environmental

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protection and conservation; maintains the ecological integrity of the areas in which it
operates; contributes financially to the conservation of biodiversity; and educates members
and customers about the impact of tourism on biodiversity and on local people.
Local Residents In Tourism Destination
Local people (communities and indigenous people) make up a large part of the
workforce in the tourism and wildlife industries. If properly resourced and educated, local
communities also engage in conservation, especially in buffer zones of protected areas and
conservation corridors and wildlife management areas.
Other Key Stakeholders
This category of stakeholders includes consumers/tourists, non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), research institutions and inter-governmental organizations:
Consumers/tourists Tourists and tourism operators contribute to conservation efforts by
participating in impact alleviation activities, monitoring and scientific research etc. Satisfied
tourists lead to more tourists and increased benefits to host indigenous and local
communities.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
International organizations assist in biodiversity conservation and protection, while
local NGOs help local communities diversify their income through sustainable tourism and
protection of the natural resources base
Inter-Governmental Organizations
Inter-governmental organizations provide technical assistance and information
guidelines, facilitate negotiations, meditate agreements and also provide financial and
logistical resources.

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Research Institutions
Research institutions contribute significantly to research into the impacts of tourism
activities on species and habitats (cause–effect relationships) and provide scientific data on
environmental and socio- activities within protected areas, fragile ecosystems and important
heritage tourism sites.
2.18 INTEGRATED WILDLIFE AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT
Governments use a variety of tools to identify, assess, manage and mitigate
impacts on wildlife. Impact management is essential to avoid or minimize any potential
damage to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use that tourism development or
activities might cause. In particular, governments should be aware that the tourism industry
could provide a direct impetus for conserving vulnerable ecosystems. This impetus will come
from supporting sustainable tourism activities that have a direct commercial interest in
maintaining a vulnerable ecosystem in good condition. In the Guidelines on Biodiversity and
Tourism Development by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD,
2004A) the following impact management is suggested.
2.19 Impact Management
Measures for the siting of tourism development and activities, including establishing
appropriate activities in different designated zones; differentiation between the impacts of
different types of tourism; measures to control tourist flows in and around tourist destinations
and key sites; promoting appropriate behavior by tourists so their impacts are minimized; and
establishing limits to visitor numbers and their impacts within Limits of Acceptable Change
at any site.
Impact Management Can Include
Impact management in relation to trans-boundary ecosystems and migratory species
requires regional cooperation. There is a need to identify those who will be responsible for
implementing impact management and the resources needed for managing those impacts.
Impact management for tourism development and activities can include the adoption and
effective implementation of policies, good practices and lessons learned that cover, for
example:

44. 43
(a) Controlling impacts of major tourist flows including excursions, cruise ships, etc., which
can cause serious effects on destinations even though they are visited for only short periods.
(b) Reducing impacts of activities outside tourism areas on adjacent and other ecosystems
important for tourism (e.g. pollution from nearby farming activities or extractive industries
may affect areas of tourism development).
(c) Responsible use of natural resources (e.g. land, soil, energy, water).
(d) Reducing, minimizing and preventing pollution and waste (e.g. solid and liquid waste,
emissions to air, transport).
(e) Promoting the design of facilities that are more eco-efficient, which adopt the cleaner
reduction approach, and use environmentally sound technologies – especially those that
reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting
substances, as set out in international agreements.
(f) Conserving flora, fauna and ecosystems.
(g) Preventing the introduction of alien species as a result of the construction, landscaping
and operating of tourism activities (e.g. from shipping associated with tourism).
(h) Conserving landscapes, and cultural and natural heritage.
(i) Respecting the integrity of local cultures and avoiding negative effects on social
structures, involving and cooperating with indigenous and local communities - including
measures to ensure respect for sacred sites and customary uses of these sites, and to prevent
negative impacts on them and on lands and waters traditionally occupied or used by them, as
well as on their subsistence resources.
(j) Using local products and skills, and providing local employment.
(k) Promoting appropriate behavior by tourists so their adverse impacts are minimized, and
promote positive effects through education, interpretation, extension, and other means of
awareness-raising.
(l) Alignment of marketing strategies and messages with the principles of sustainable
tourism.
(m) Contingency plans for handling accidents, emergencies or bankruptcies that may occur
during construction and use of facilities, and which may threaten the environment and the
conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
(n) Environmental and cultural sustainability audits and review of existing tourism activities
and developments, and of the effectiveness with which impact management is being applied
to existing tourism activities and developments.

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Legislation, Regulations And Permits
Respect for existing national legislation and appropriate regulatory mechanisms and
tools (e.g. land-use planning, protected area management plans, environmental assessment,
building regulations and standards for sustainable tourism) are essential for the effective
implementation of any overall vision, goals, and objectives. Legislation and control measures
considered could include measures for:
(a) Effective enforcement of existing laws, including the participation of all stakeholders.
(b) Approval and licensing processes for tourism development and activities.
(c) Controlling the planning, siting , design and construction of tourism facilities and
infrastructures.
(d) Management of tourism in relation to biodiversity and ecosystems, including vulnerable
areas.
(e) Undertaking environmental assessments on all proposed tourism developments, including
assessment of cumulative impacts and effects on biodiversity, and as a tool to develop
policies and measure their impacts.
(f) Setting national standards and/or criteria for tourism that are consistent with overall
national or regional plans for sustainable development and national biodiversity strategies
and action plans, through:
(i) Environmental quality and land-use criteria in and around tourism sites.
(ii) Development of a decision-making process with environmental and cultural
sustainability guidelines for new and existing tourism development within the designated
goals and objectives of the site’s different zones and within the limits of acceptable change.
Trade
Trade is done on an approved quota system only, one that is strictly regulated using
CITES permits (CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora).
Wildlife Off-Take
The legal wildlife off-take is enshrined in countries’ laws applies where the
individuals/communities/tour operators are given a right to defend human lives and property.
In some countries, governments use the cities approved annual hunting off-take (e.g. for
elephants).
Compensation

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Direct compensation Communities, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, are
paid compensation in the event of loss of human life or livestock by predators or destruction
of crops by elephants. Indirect compensation The Community Based Natural Resource
Management Programmes involve local communities in managing and utilizing the wildlife
in their locality. This is designed to motivate communities to protect wildlife outside the
protected areas.
Prevention Practices
Governments construct fences to help prevent the transmission of certain endemic
contagious diseases such as foot and mouth disease, African swine fever and theileriosis. The
establishment of control areas, game-proof fences, sanitary cordons and movement control
are intended to separate wildlife from domestic livestock. Fencing is used throughout Africa
for a range of purposes.
Community Awareness
Awareness raising is carried out in the community at different levels, for
instance in schools or in adult education arenas. Education and training promote commitment
towards conservation and raise awareness of the essential role wildlife plays in ecosystems
and its ethical and economic value, as well as its recreational and aesthetic importance.
Regional environmental agreements. They include among others:
1) Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western
Hemisphere
2) The objective of the convention is to preserve all species and genera of Native
American fauna and flora from extinction and preserve areas of extraordinary beauty,
or historic or scientific value. The convention provides for the following:
3) Parties to establish national parks, national reserves, nature monuments and strict
wilderness reserves. The national parks are to provide recreational and educational
facilities to the public and strict wilderness areas are to be maintained inviolation
Maintain cooperation between governments in the field of research. Species listed in
annex to enjoy special protection. • Impose controls on trade in protected fauna and
flora.
2.20 Convention On Conservation Of Nature In The South Pacific
The objective of the convention is to take action for the conservation,
utilization and development of the natural resources of the South Pacific region through

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careful planning and management for the benefit of the present and the future. The
convention provides for the following:
• Parties to create protected areas to safeguard representative samples of natural ecosystems.
• National parks not to be altered so as to reduce their area except after full investigation,
resources not to be subject to commercial exploitation, hunting and collection of species to be
prohibited, and provision to be made for visitors.
• Parties to maintain lists of indigenous fauna and flora in danger of extinction and to give
such species the maximum protection possible.
• Make provision as appropriate for customary use of areas and species in accordance with
traditional cultural practices.
Convention On The Conservation Of European Wildlife And Natural
Habitats
The objective is to conserve wild fauna and flora and their natural habitats,
especially those species and habitats whose conservation requires the cooperation of several
states, and to promote such cooperation. The convention provides for the following:
• The contracting parties to take requisite measures to maintain the population of wild and
flora at, or adapt them to, a level which corresponds in particular to ecological, scientific, and
cultural requirements, and take further steps to promote national policies for conservation
with special attention to endangered and vulnerable species and endangered habitats.
• Appropriate and necessary measures to be taken to ensure the conservation of the habitats of
the wild species of fauna and flora, with special attention to be given to protecting areas that
are important for migratory species
• Appropriate and necessary measures to be taken to ensure the special protection of wild
species of fauna and flora.
• Establish a standing committee responsible for monitoring the application of the
convention. The convention was adopted in September 1979 in Berne, and came into force in
June 1982.
Convention On The Conservation Of The African
This convention aims at adopting procedures for conserving migrating water
birds, especially birds which are threatened with extinction or species which live in bad

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conditions. It also aims to evaluate the information collected on their environment, get
acquainted with the convenient homelands for such birds and explore how to keep them,
discuss the problems caused by human activities, set remedies and compensations in case
people lose their homeland, prevent water birds from having to live in other environments,
avoid the release of alien species that can harm wild animals and plants, deliver monitoring
programs and carry out research, pay attention to the damp lands, deliver training programs
for enhancing environmental awareness, and exchange information and the results of research
and monitoring programs.
2.21 GOOD PRACTICE ON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND
TOURISM
Sustainable tourism does not happen by itself. In fact, several factors can work
against sustainability. The needs of tourists, for instance, are different from those of local
residents, and planners may tend to prioritize the expectations of customers. Competition for
resources between locals and tourists may cause inflation and overexploitation of resources.
Sustainable tourism is about site or destination plans, and tourism policies and strategies that
reflect the ways and means of achieving the goals and milestones for sustainability. Policies
often defer to institutional set-ups that allow governance of tourism development. Policies
may not be site specific and may apply across all of a country’s area, whereas strategies are
more action oriented and are often linked to a destination or region. Policies and strategies
describe a future desired state (vision) and detail the necessary steps to achieve that vision.
Although governments are essential in moderating negotiations between different interest
groups, it is important to have a consistent interrelationship between different policies and
strategies (tourism, poverty reduction and biodiversity). To achieve sustainable tourism, tools
that can be used include tourism policies, inter-ministerial and inter-agency corporation
mechanisms, partnerships that allow park agencies to work with industry and retain parts of
revenue for conservation and local development, and training for professionals and
communities.
2.22 INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS REGARDING WILDLIFE AND
ACTIVITIES

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The Convention of Biological Diversity , its thematic programs and its cross-
cutting issues are the major global reference for the topic of wildlife tourism. The Secretariat
of CBD provides links between various thematic programs to assist in the Convention’s
implementation. These programs, such as island biodiversity, marine and coastal biodiversity,
forests, and invasive species, are crucial to a complementary approach to tourism issues. The
CBD works closely with the United Nations World Tourism Organization including applying
the Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development adopted by the Conference of the
Parties of CBD at its seventh meeting . UNWTO is responsible for the promotion of
responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. As the leading international
organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic
growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability. The United Nations
Environment Programme in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on the
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals has identified the benefits and risks of
wildlife tourism .

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CHAPTER -3
WILDLIFE TOURISM IN INDIA
WILDLIFE TOURISM is gearing up in India and is obtaining global
recognition. From Asian Elephants to Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Sloth Bear, Indian
Rhinoceros and Leopard to hundreds of bird species, tourists from all across the world are
attracted to visit the country. Also, the increasing publicity by tourism boards coupled with
improvements in facilities for tourists has attracted more travellers within a short span of
time.With 104 national parks and 500 plus wildlife sanctuary, one of the recent ongoing buzz
around the town is the upward graph of India wildlife tours. Earlier wildlife tourism brought
new challenges for the governmental bodies, but in the present time this rise is indeed
supporting the conservation initiatives taken for the welfare of flora and fauna.
Wildlife protection and conservation activities should be encouraged to boost up wildlife
tourism. We can take it from countries like – South Africa (The Kruger National Park). The
Amazon National Park (Brazil), Gunung Leuser National Park (Indonesia), Thai National
Park (Thailand) is among the most admired wild life parks in the world. In India, Rajaji
National Park, The Great Himalayan National Park ( Kullu) , The Valley of Flowers, Jim
Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park (Assam) and Kanha National Park are
popular among the tourists for their rich biodiversity. Besides this, Kerala, Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu have some most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries known for their amazing beauty
and rich fauna and flora. There is a great need to encourage conservation work through
creating natural habitats, expanding the park area, stopping deforestation and encroachment
by farmers, pastoral people and timber smugglers. After creating a peaceful and pleasant
environment, the tourism should be encouraged at a larger scale. There is some impact of
tourism but it can be overcome by some skillful ways of park authorizes and staff.
3.1 Importance Of Wildlife Tourism In India:
There is great need to encourage wildlife tourism in India as it has a rich and varied
wildlife in the forests. By encouraging wildlife tourism, it will pave the way for wildlife
conservation thus creating a mass awareness among the people of the country. In several
countries wildlife tourism has become the backbone of their economy. In South Africa, there

51. 50
are only Seven National Parks and all of them are doing well in wildlife tourism. The
Kruger National Park is a largest wilderness in South Africa and is the king of all national
parks. The park is getting four to six million tourists every year and is a haven for all the wild
animals in South Africa. The park has been fully commercialized by the South African
Government. It functions as largest Game and Safari Park for the big businessmen and a large
fee is taken from them to maintain the affairs of the Park.
3.2 Tourism In National Parks And Reserve Forests:
We have already mentioned that there are 450 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in
India. Some 3000 most beautiful natural areas are in the country to provide best recreation to
foreign tourists. All the National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries should be kept in good state.
They should be protected into the most modern ways and should be prepared to welcome the
visitors into an impressive way. The Safari Parks, wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries and
National Tiger and Rhino Breeding centres should be made more recreative. For example
Rajaji National Park, Jim Corbett Tiger Sanctuary, Kaziranga National Park and
Ranthambhour Tiger Park have unique bio-diversity. The Great Himalayan National Park,
Kullu are some of the most beautiful parks which have great attraction to welcome the
visitors.
3.3 Nature’s Paradise:
The wonders of nature are spread into the forms of mountains, forests, valleys,
waterfalls, rivers and flowering pastures. The natural spectrum of wild lands always
encourage people from far and near to travel the scenic lands. Modern adventure sports
should be organised there just to impress the travellers from far and near. Small restaurants
and stay points should be established near the natural areas and national parks. For this
reason, the tourists explore the way to enjoy life from a different angle. It has been seen that
where there were some restaurants and rest houses near the natural areas or wildlife park, the
tourists came there in larger numbers. They enjoyed them during trekking the wild lands.
They enjoyed food in the restaurants and took rest in the rest houses. This provides them a
good spirit to enjoy life in wilderness. Whenever they felt for food and rest they came back to
the stay points and restaurants to relax. After eating food or refreshment they took complete
rest and again re-energised themselves to explore the natural beauty of the wild lands. All

52. 51
these events create a positive impression among the tourists coming from far and near and
they enjoy the beauty of nature.
3.4 River Valleys:
The river valleys and waterfalls have become popular among the foreigners in the Andes
Mountain Ranges where the river valleys, slopes and waterfalls create a beautiful spectrum of
natural beauty amidst the forests and grass lands. The waterfalls of Andes and Amazon in
Brazil are quite popular among the tourists as they flock there in large numbers. In South
Africa, there are great scenic spots to enjoy them from very near. We can observe the beauty
and beast, in the midst of wild lands. Andes Ranges have most beautiful lakes, waterfalls and
natural water springs to entertain human mind. The most important thing is the amazing wild
life in certain natural areas which remain untouched from the outer world. There are some
most beautiful and inspiring moments when a group of friends observe the activities of a
woolly monkey, opossum, bear or a humming bird. It is worth to mention here that the Andes
mountain forests are a paradise for different species of humming birds. The Andes Mountains
are a haven to the wild life watchers from all over the world. In this way wild life tourism can
be most successful in the Andes Mountains. These are the most scenic mountains in the
world. The natural beauty always encourages the younger generation to visit the wild life
parks the world over. Wildlife tourism in India has a very special meaning to the wildlife
lovers.There are some different species of wild animals in Indian parks. For example, Rajaji
National Park, Dehradun and Kaziranga National Park in Assam have different wildlife
species. And most of them are endemic to this particular ecological zone.
3.5 Pastures And Forests:
The pastures and forests with beautiful natural spectrum are a great source of inspirations
to the travellers and nature lovers world ever. There are most beautiful places of natural
importance in developing countries but poverty, pollution and disease have tarnished the
charms to visit there. Secondly, political upheavals, civil unrest, communal riots and water
borne or airborne diseases are common there. And the governments in these countries are not
concerned to remove poverty or to take steps to control the diseases. The tourists do not visit
those countries inflicted in wars and diseases. Basically the tourists are a peace loving people
and like to enjoy their time in peace and harmony. They require pure, germless water to drink
and neat and clean food with great hygienic quality. The beds and stay points with purity and
cleanliness are necessary for the relaxation of tourists and explorers. The famous grasslands,
highland pastures, prairies, pampas, the plains of reeds (Mekong delta), low velds and downs

53. 52
are such beautiful grasslands to visit and enjoy the different ecosystem of the world. In this
way it is necessary to enjoy life in the open grasslands amidst the trees and bushes.
3.6 Safari Parks:
The Safari Parks provide great recreations. The vast grasslands and forests are a haven
for wildlife tourism. There are safari Parks to enjoy the amazing beauty of wildlife. For
example Amazon National Park (Brazil), the Kruger National Park (South Africa) and
Serengeti National Park (Congo) provide best recreation to wildlife watchers.All the wild
animals (herbivores and carnivores) in the above parks are there in large numbers. In Kruger
National Park, more than two lakhs of Impala deers, 10,000 elephants, 3500 white rhinos,
400 black rhinos 20,000 bisons, 2,000 lions, 900 leopards, 250 cheetal, 5000 giraffe, 14,000
wildebeests, 1000 stag deers and 40,000 Zebras are enjoying natural environment in this
world famous Safari Park.Besides this, 507 species of wild birds, 114 species of reptiles, 34
species of amphibians, 49 species of fishes, and 336 different species of trees are found in the
Kruger National Park and that’s why this park is liked by all the wildlife lovers of the world.
The park is spread in 25,000 square kilometers and more than 3000000 lakh tourists visit the
park every year.
3.7 Bamboo Forests:
The bamboo forests in the country are a great source of bio-diversity. In the forests
where there is a great density of bamboos small mammals, wild birds and reptiles are found
in larger numbers. The bamboo forests of Kotdwara hills, Rajaji National Park, Kaziranga
National Park, and forests of North Eastern States, Central India and other parts where there
are vast densities of bamboos forests and where marsh deers, weasel, mangoose, rabbits,
porcupine, foxes and other animals are found in large numbers. The bamboo forests are a
great source of food for the herbivores living in the Shivalik hills.The bamboo forests are
great source of innovative technologies for the farmers and tribal communities. For housing,
bridge making, river side housing and open hampsteads bamboos are always a wonder timber
for the poor people. The bamboo forests provide shelter to eagles, hawks, vultures, owls, bats
and several other birds. For bird watching and camplife bamboo forests are a boon to man.