Ecotourism involves traveling responsibly to natural areas in order to conserve the environment and improve local livelihoods. It builds environmental awareness and provides direct financial benefits from tourism for conservation efforts. Popular ecotourism destinations in India include the Northeast, Kerala, the Himalayas, and sites like Corbett National Park, which attract visitors looking to experience nature and wildlife while supporting local communities. Challenges to ecotourism include ensuring operators prioritize environmental protection and community impact over profits. When done responsibly, ecotourism can aid conservation efforts and economic development.

1. ECOTOURISM
Presented by :-
Kanwar Ajit Singh BBA(4508/09)
Shubhi Singh BBA(4530/09)

2. INTRODUCTION
ECO-TOURISM can be defined as a nature based tourism that
involves education, interpretation of the natural environment & is
managed to be ecologically sustainable.
According to The International Ecotourism Society(TIES) in
1990,ecotourism is “Responsible travel to natural areas that
conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local
people.”
So ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora,
fauna & cultural heritage are the primary attractions.

3. CHARACTERISTICS
 Involves travel to natural destinations
 Builds environmental awareness
 Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
 Respects local culture
 Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people
 Affordability and lack of waste in the form of luxury
 Conservation of biological diversity & cultural diversity through ecosystem
protection
 providing jobs to local populations.
 Minimization of tourism’s own environmental impact

4. HISTORY
Hector Ceballos-Lascurian popularized the term “ecotourism” in july
1983,when he was the Director General of Standards &Technology of SEDUE &
founding president of PRONATURA(Mexican conservationist NGO).
Others claim the term :- Claus-Dieter Hetzer, an academic & adventurer from
Forum International in Berkeley, CA, coined the term in 1965 and ran the first
ecotours in the Yucatan during the early 1970s.
Ecotourism, responsible tourism, jungle tourism have become prevalent
concepts since the mid 1980s, has experienced arguably the fastest growth of
all sub-sectors in the tourism industry.

5. Some basic do’s and don’ts of eco-tourism
Do’s are as follows :-
 Carry back all no-degradable litter such as empty bottles, tins,
plastic bags, etc. these must not litter the environment or be
buried.
 Observe the sanctity of holy sites,temples, local cultures.
 Cut noise pollution.
In case temporary toilets are set-up near campsites. Make
sure that the spot is at least 30mtrs away from the water source.
 Respect people’s privacy while taking photographs. Ask for
prior permission before taking a picture.

6. Don’ts are as follows :-
 Don’t take away flora and fuana in the forms of cuttings, seeds
or roots. Its illegal, especially in the Himalayas.
Do not use pollutants such as detergent, in streams or springs
while washing and bathing.
Do not use wood as fuel to cook food at the campsites.
Do not consume aerated drinks, alcohols or drugs in the wild.
Do not tempt the locals, especially children by offering them
foodstuffs.
Polythene and plastics are non-biodegradable and unhealthy for
the environment and must not be used and littered.

7. Eco-tourism in India
 India, the land of varied geography offers several tourist destinations that not just
de-stress but also rejuvenate you.
 Few places like the Himalayan region, Kerala, the northeast India, Andaman &
Nicobar islands & the Lakshdweep islands where one can enjoy the Mother Nature.
 Thenmala in Kerala is the first planned ecotourism destination in India created to
cater eco-tourists.
 Currently, there are 80 national parks and 441 sanctuaries in India which works for
the protection & conservation of wildlife resources.
 Numerous botanical and zoological gardens in India, which are working towards the
enhancement of the ecosystem.

8. Ecotourism Potential Assessment
In order to explore the tourism potential of an area, thorough study needs to be conducted to
assess tourism supporting motivational activities, places & basic infrastructural facilities like
roads, hospitals, etc.
The use of Remote Sensing & GIS has greatly helped in exploring diverse types of natural &
cultural attractions to provide base for designing the travel industry for a responsible mass
ecotourism.
The North Eastern Region of India comprising 8 states, including Sikkim is a relatively
unexplored & unique area, in terms of both geography & cultural diversity as it provides one
with a glimpse of a ‘mini India’.
Kerala, offers the maximum potential for the promotion of ecotourism. Serene beaches,
tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, exotic species of rare flora & fauna, cultural
monuments, etc has given it the sobriquet of “Gods own country.” and has been labelled as
one of the 10 paradises in the world by the national goegraphic traveler.

9. Challenges
 Ecotourism has been used by some operators as green marketing for soft
adventure products, while giving little consideration to practices &impact on
the environmental & local community.
 It requires additional planning and may increase start up cost.
 Marketing an ecotourism products differ from that of conventional tourism
products. The ability to customise tour and access remote destinations are
important factor.
 Wildlife viewers & other natural history enthusiasts are more fragmented &
require a broader selection of advertising tools.
 Maintaining the highly trained & diversified workforce requires sound HRM.
 May need several operating seasons to generate a return on investors. This
require careful consideration in budgeting, startup costs, selection of finance.

10. Advantages of Ecotourism
 Conservation
Protection
Economic Advantage
Cultural Advantage
Awareness

11. Disadvantages
 Physical displacement of persons, gross violation of fundamental
rights and environmental hazards.
Illegally keeping endangered species in captivity to attract visitors.
Damage to environment.
Disruption of ecological life system.
Exploitation of local communities and tribes.
Various forms of pollution.

12. Different ecotourism places to look for in India
Ecotourism parks are as follows
Place : Sahdol District, Madhya Pradesh, in the central part of India.
Major Attractions : Tigers, Leopards, Bears.
Area Covered : 448 sq-km.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park : Between the Mid-November to June.
The park remains closed during the monsoon months from July to early
November.
Nearest Attractions : Kalchuri Archeological Remains, Bandhavgarh
Fort (14th century fort).
Some Major Accesses : Khajuraho (via Satna) 230 km, Varanasi (via
Rewa) 340 km, Katni 75 km, Rewa 115 km, Umaria 30 km, Kanha 250 km.
Bandhavgarh National Park

13. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Place : Bharatpur, Rajasthan, in the northwestern part of India.
Major Attractions : Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Boar, Migratory Birds
Area Covered : 29 sq-km.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park : Between the months of August-
November for resident breeding birds and October- February for migrant
birds.
Nearest Attractions : Bharatpur Govenment Museum, Bharatpur
Palace, Lohagarh Fort, Deeg Palace (32 km).
Some Major Accesses : Bharatpur is well connected by road from
Agra (56 km), Delhi (176 km) and Jaipur (176 km), all of which have
airport facilities too.

14. Corbett National Park
Place : Uttaranchal, in the northern part of India
Major Attractions : Tigers, Leopards, Crocodiles
Area Covered : 1,200 sq-km.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park : From November 15 to June
15. Corbett remains closed between June 16 and November
14, during the monsoons.
Nearest Attractions : Ramnagar (fishing base camp),
Lohachaur (15 km) - good place for anglers,
Some Major Accesses : Dhikala is about 300 km from Delhi,
145 km from Lucknow and 51 km from Ramnagar.

15. Ranthambore Wildlife
Sanctuary
Place : Near Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan in the northwestern part of
India.
Major Attractions : Tigers, Leopards, Boars.
Area Covered : 392 sq-km.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park : During the months of October - March
and April to June.
Nearest Attractions : Ranthambore Fort (the 10th century fort) &
Jogi Mahal in the park complex. Bakaula, Kachida
Valley, Lakarda and Anantpura are also some place you can visit.
Some Major Accesses : Sawai Madhopur (11 km), Alwar, Jaipur (145
km).

16. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Place : Kumily, Kerala, in the southern part of India.
Major Attractions : Elephants, Tiger, Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur.
Area Covered : 777 sq-km.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park : From the months of October and June.
Nearest Attractions : Alleppey, Cradomom Hills, Kumily, Boat Cruises.
Some Major Accesses : Kumily (4 km), Madurai (140 km), Cochin or Kochi
(200 km), Kottayam (114 km), Ernakulam

17. Kaziranga National Park
Place : Bokakhat (23 km), Assam in the northeast of India.
Major Attractions : Rhinos, Tigers, Leopards.
Area Covered : 430 sq-km.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park : From mid-November to early April months.
Nearest Attractions : The lush coffee and rubber plantations of the nearby
Karbi Anglong, the Karbi villages, meet the Karbi people and observe their way
of living. Majuli, Sibsagar, Digboi.
Some Major Accesses : Bokakhat, Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tezpur.

18. Ecotourism Destinations
Coorg Himalayas Goa Kerala
Ladakh Kodaikanal Sikkim Rishikes
h

19. Eco Activities
Fishing Ayurveda Camping Canoeing
Kerala
backwaters
White water
rafting
Trekking Yoga

20. Anurayee Ecotourism
Near Bhatsa river, at Kajal Vihir village, Asangaon., Shahapur started in 2007
with the main objective of rebuilding man’s relationship with nature
Started on 5 acres of barren land surrounded by tribal people.
Agrotourism & .ecotourism is a natural offshoot of this ecofarm.
They also provide employment opportunity to tribal people.(kitchen, bullock
cart, selling papad etc.
Won the Hirkani Award given by Doordarshan Sahyadri Vahini in Feb-2009.

21. ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED
Village games
Bullock cart ride
Play in water
Working in farm
Teaching medical use of plants and benefits
Teach tourist how to care for trees, plants, animals.

22. Conclusion

23. THANK YOU