https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Has Ecotourism Truly Benefited Wildlife Conservation in Protected Areas? 

Indian Masterminds Stories

Ecotourism in the true sense is ecologically friendly, locally beneficial, and socially responsible tourism in the wildlife protected areas. It typically involves travelling to the wild destinations where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotourism is intended to offer tourists an insight into the impact of human beings on the ecologically sensitive areas, and also to understand and appreciate our natural habitats of wildlife. People will be able to know about the kind of efforts put in place for protection and conservation of such wildlife and their natural habitats. 

NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM

There is no doubt that ecotourism has the potential to benefit wildlife conservation in a developing country like India, when managed responsibly. Over the years, India has seen a growth in ecotourism initiatives aimed at promoting wildlife conservation. However, the uncontrolled rush to a few National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Tiger Reserves beyond their carrying capacity for high chances of direct sighting of major wild animals like the tiger, lion and elephant, is becoming detrimental for the protection and conservation of wildlife.

The ecotourism in wildlife areas can cause significant disturbances to wild animals in their natural habitats. The uncontrolled and erratic movements of vehicles may frighten animals, especially at sensitive times of their life cycle and have an adverse effect during the breeding season of the animals.

Further, during recent days, many big multinational hotel chains and entrepreneurs have started investing more on creating commercial tourism infrastructures, including hotels and resorts, in private areas adjacent to the Protected Areas of major Wildlife Sanctuaries, National park and Tiger Reserves. Not only in hotel accommodation infrastructure, these entities are also creating many nature based adventure activities and using commercial safari vehicles, including gypsy services. 

In a way, ecotourism is slowly moving towards commercial tourism and taking the benefits away from the local community who truly deserves the maximum share of these benefits. Places such as Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, Tadoba Tiger Reserve, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Kaziranga National Park, etc., are some of the highly congested ecotourism destinations in the country which are becoming more commercial in nature.

WAY FORWARD

Here are some ways in which ecotourism can positively impact wildlife conservation in the country:

1. Economic Value: Ecotourism should provide economic incentives for local communities and stakeholders to protect and conserve wildlife and their habitats. A fixed portion of the revenue generated from ecotourism activities should be used for funding conservation efforts, including anti-poaching measures and habitat restoration works.

2. Awareness and Education: Ecotourism should involve guided safaris, which can educate visitors about the importance of wildlife conservation and the need to protect fragile ecosystems. This increased awareness is required for greater public support for conservation initiatives.

3. Local Community Involvement: Ecotourism should involve local communities in all the conservation efforts, making them active stakeholders in protecting wildlife and natural resources. When the local people start realizing the direct benefit from ecotourism activities, they will be more likely to be motivated to protect wildlife and their natural habitats.

4. Creation of Sustainable Livelihood Opportunities: As far as possible, the ecotourism initiatives should engage local community people for all the works, such as tourist guide, accommodation helpers, vehicle divers, etc., so that the maximum people from the local community will get sustainable livelihood opportunities and subsequently all these people will have a sense of ownership responsibility for continuing the initiatives on a regular basis.

5. Regulation and Monitoring: Responsible ecotourism requires adherence to strict guidelines to minimize negative impacts on wildlife and their habitats. This often leads to better regulation and monitoring of tourist activities in sensitive areas, which can help in safeguarding wildlife and their natural habitats.

6.Preservation of Habitats: Ecotourism operators are often incentivized to protect and preserve the natural habitats of wildlife, as these environments are the main attraction for tourists. This protection indirectly benefits the wildlife that relies on these habitats.

7. Support for Protected Areas: Many ecotourism activities are conducted in and around protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The revenue generated from ecotourism can be directed towards improving infrastructure and management of these protected areas, thereby enhancing their ability to conserve wildlife.

SUSTAINABLE APPROACH NEEDED

In order to ensure ecotourism’s positive contribution to wildlife conservation, it is crucial to have a well-planned and sustainable approach that involves collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and private tour operators. By striking a balance between conservation efforts and tourism related activities, ecotourism can play a significant role in protecting India’s rich wildlife heritage and biodiversity along with its natural habitats. Ecotourism, if not properly regulated, it can become a threat to the very wildlife and ecosystems it aims to protect


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Buransh-Rhododendron Flower festival Uttarakhand Cherry Blossoms
Uttarakhand Announces Buransh and Padam Flower Festivals Inspired by Japan’s Cherry Blossoms to Promote Ecotourism and Culture
Telangana High Court
Telangana HC Bars Adverse Action Against Ex-IAS Officer S.K. Joshi Over Ghose Commission Report Till Oct 7
Telangana-govt-IM-resized
Telangana Reshuffles 5 IAS Officers: Sarfaraz Ahmad Appointed Hyderabad Metro MD, NVS Reddy Named Urban Transport Advisor
Odisha Government
Odisha Chief Secretary Orders Removal of Officials with Doubtful Integrity from Sensitive Posts, Urges Preventive Vigilance
PCS Officers Punjab
PCS Officers Donate ₹12 Lakh to CM Relief Fund; Punjab, Haryana Associations Extend Support
IAS Vikas Sheel
Meet IAS Vikas Sheel: Newly Appointed Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, Relieved Early from ADB Post
CISF
Leadership Reshuffle Expected in CAPFs as ITBP, CISF Chiefs Retire; New DG Appointments Likely Soon
Two crossed national flags on wooden table
India-US Trade Deal Talks Make Progress; Both Sides Aim to Fast-Track Agreement and Ease Tariff Tensions
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
From Extinction to Exhilaration: The Untold Story and Future Vision of Project Cheetah | Led by IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma | Eco Warrior Awards 2025
K M Abharna IFS Eco Warrior Awards 2025
Meet K. M. Abharna, the IFS Officer Behind Avni’s Case and Vidya Balan’s Sherni Role
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Ishwarlal Gurjar UPSC
10th Grade Failure to Indian Police Service: Ishwarlal Gurjar’s UPSC Success Path
Read the inspiring journey of Ishwarlal Gurjar from a small village in Rajasthan to becoming an IPS officer....
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
Social Media
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
Tamil Nadu Gaur Rescue
Tiruchirappalli Forest Officials Risk Lives to Rescue Juvenile Gaur; Video Shared by IAS Officer Goes Viral
Trichy forest and fire teams risk lives to rescue a juvenile Indian gaur; IAS officer Supriya Sahu shares...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Buransh-Rhododendron Flower festival Uttarakhand Cherry Blossoms
Uttarakhand Announces Buransh and Padam Flower Festivals Inspired by Japan’s Cherry Blossoms to Promote Ecotourism and Culture
Telangana High Court
Telangana HC Bars Adverse Action Against Ex-IAS Officer S.K. Joshi Over Ghose Commission Report Till Oct 7
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr. S.K
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
K M Abharna IFS Eco Warrior Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT