A SEMINAR REPORT ON

ECOTOURISM

SUBMITTED BY,

MR.SURAJ RAVASAHEB MANE

FROM

KIT’S COLLEGE OF ENGINEEERING,

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING, KOLHAPUR.

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

Mr. B. C. Ingavale

1
 CERTIFICATE

This is certify that, the seminar report on the topic “ECOTORISM IN INDIA,” submitted by
MR.SURAJ RAVASAHEB MANE in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the award of the
degree of BE ( ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING) to KOLHAPUR INSTITUTE OF
TECHNOLOGY’S, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, KOLHAPUR, has been completed under
my guidance and supervision satisfactorily.
To the best of my knowledge and belief, the matter presented in this project report is original
and has not been submitted elsewhere for any other degree.

Mr.Bharat Ingavale DR. Akshay Thoravat

Asst.Professor Head of Environmental
Dept of Env Engg Department

Place :
Date :

2
Contents

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 4
GLOBAL TOURISM SCENARIO .............................................................................................................. 4
TOURISM IN INDIA ................................................................................................................................... 5
ECOTOURISM............................................................................................................................................. 5
ECOTOURISM IN INDIA ........................................................................................................................... 6
PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM ............................................................................................................... 7
CHALLENGES TO ECOTOURISM: .......................................................................................................... 7
BENEFITS OF ECOTOURISM IN INDIA ................................................................................................. 8
ECOTOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................ 8
ECO TOURISM RESOURCES IN INDIA .................................................................................................. 8
KEY ISSUES IN DEVELOPING ECO TOURISM IN INDIA ................................................................. 11
ROLE OF INDIAN GOVERNMENT IN PROMOTING ECO-TOURISM IN INDIA (RULES,
REGULATION AND PRINCIPLES.................................................................................................................... 11
ACHIEVEMENTS ..................................................................................................................................... 12
FUTURE PROGRAMS .............................................................................................................................. 13
WAY FORWARD ...................................................................................................................................... 13
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................................... 14
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................... 14

3
INTRODUCTION

Tourism is an important driver of growth which raises the national income of many countries.
But, the critics consider that tourism development is self-destructive and in the long run, it
contributes to environmental destruction. Increasing numbers of tourists often threaten the
quality of life and environment. Because of rapid development of the tourism industry, there
are increasing environmental problems like –

 Rising green gas house emissions

 Increasing noise
 Declining air quality
 Increasing water pollution and biodiversity loss
 draining of wetlands
 destruction of coral reefs

Therefore, the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1992 lists tourism as the second
major threat to protected areas. The Rio+20 outcome document “the future we want”
highlights the role of sustainable tourism so as to come out of the adverse effects of tourism.
Thus developed idea of Ecotourism.

GLOBAL TOURISM SCENARIO

Tourism is a socio-cultural and economic phenomenon, which entails the movement of people to
countries or places outside of their usual environment for recreational, business, medical, or
religious purposes. Tourism also encourages governments to develop and improve local
infrastructure, which is equipped to handle tourist influx. Several countries have transformed
themselves through tourism and created a global presence in the tourism industry. Tourist
movements have spread geographically to reach practically all countries of the globe, becoming
for many of them an important economic sector in terms of income generation, foreign exchange
earnings and employment creation. As reported by the United Nations World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) Tourism Highlights 2015 Edition, international tourist arrivals grew to
1.1 billion in 2014 from 25 million in 1950. The UNWTO estimates that approximately 1 in 11
persons in the world is employed by the tourism industry. As of 2014, the global tourism
industry generated USD 7.6 trillion, constituting 10% of the global GDP.

4
TOURISM IN INDIA

In the Indian context, the first public milestone in the history of tourism was the creation of the
Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in 1966. This organization was established to
develop tourist infrastructure and services. Subsequently India developed its first Tourism Policy
in 1982, which provided an action plan based on the development of so-called tourism circuits.
This interest also resulted in the recognition of tourism as an export industry(including the
implied tax exemptions) and the creation of a special public tourism finance corporation (1987).
Apart from identifying a few areas for 'integrated tourism development', the purpose of the plan
was to achieve an overall growth and improvement of the tourism sector in India through
marketing, infrastructure building and human resource development. The importance of domestic
tourism was recognized by public policy makers in the 1990s and also in the Tourism Action
Plan of 1997. It was decided that domestic tourism would be a state government (policy) issue
and the central government would take care of international tourists. In 2002, India came up with
a new Tourism Policy, which sought to highlight tourism's contribution to national development
and its role as a development tool. A World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report for
2014 states that for India the total contribution of tourism to the GDP is Rs. 7,642.5 billion
rupees, approximately 6.7% of the GDP. Between 2002 and 2014, foreign tourist arrivals grew
from 2.38 million to 7.70 million, the latter of which accounts for 0.68% of global tourist
arrivals. Domestic tourist visits have increased from 270 million in 2002 to 1.14 billion in 2013.
This has largely been attributed to the emergence of an urban middle class which looks to
tourism for recreational purposes. In 2014, tourism in India earned Rs. 1,200,083 million or
1.58% of global tourism receipts. The Indian tourism industry is responsible for creating 23
million direct jobs (or 5.5% of total jobs in India) and 36.6 million total jobs (or 8.7% of total
jobs in India). In 2013, India demonstrated a 4% growth in tourism, or approximately 7 million
international arrivals. The WTTC also states that for a period of 2014-2024 international tourist
arrivals in India are expected to grow at the rate of 6.4%, whereas global tourism is expected to
grow at a rate of 4.5% through 2014 and beyond.

ECOTOURISM
Ecotourism originated as a type of sustainable tourism, and the first formal definition of
Ecotourism is credited to Hector Ceballos-Lascuráin in the early 1980s. His definition asserts
that as “ Ecotourism is environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively
undisturbed natural areas in order to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes
conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-
economic involvement of the local populations”

Today, ecotourism is one of the fastest growing markets, considered as one of the world’s biggest
industries. Starmer-Smith’s study (2004) stated that the number of eco-tourists is growing
three times faster than the conventional tourists. Their study also forecasts that by 2024,

5
ecotourism is expected to represent 5 % of the global holiday market. Tourists are becoming
environmentally conscious and thus are becoming “greener”

For developing countries like India, Ecotourism serves as an ideal industry for fostering
economic growth and conservation. The developing countries, often endowed with natural
resources, are now experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of visitors. As mass tourism
often ends up with destruction of natural resources, ecotourism can reduce the negativities
associated with mass tourism and thus brilliantly help in conservation. On the other hand, it will
also stimulate growth through its positive impact on employment opportunities, income
generation and education of the host communities.

The UN Defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account if its current and future
economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the
environment and host communities.”

The most important aspects of sustainable tourism are that it ensures long term economic
operations, provisions of fairly distributed socio-economic benefits to all, through income
earning opportunities and social service to host communities. Thus, it saves a dual purpose of
conservation of natural resources and poverty alleviation.

ECOTOURISM IN INDIA
India has been recognized as the land of natural beauty. Max Muller had once pointed out that
“If we were to look over the whole world to find out the country most richly endowed with all
the wealth, power and beauty which nature can bestow- in some parts a veritable paradise on
earth- I should point to India.” Based on Ecotourism Policy and Guidelines developed by the
Indian Ministry of Tourism in 1998, the Ministry of Environment and Forest in June 2011 called on
State governments to frame ecotourism policies to facilitate tourism programmes in protected areas
of the country. In addition, 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) targets to increase the net benefit of
tourism activities for the poor, emphasizing that the revenue generated from tourism operations
should be utilized for protected area management.

6
 PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM
• Minimize impact
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
• Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
• Raise sensitivity to host countries political, environmental, and social climate
• Support international human rights and labor agreements

CHALLENGES TO ECOTOURISM:
• Threats to ecosystems and biodiversity : e.g loss of wildlife and rare species ,habitat loss and
degradation,

• Disruption of coasts : e.g shoreline erosion and pollution, impact to coral reefs and fish
spawning grounds,

• Deforestation: loss of forests for fuel wood and timber by the tourist industry also impact on soil
and water quality, biodiversity integrity, reducing the collection of forest products by local
communities,

• Water overuse: as a result of tourist recreational activities e.g golf courses, swimming pools ,
and tourist consumption in hotels,
• Urban problems: Congestion and overcrowding, in-creased vehicle traffic and resultant
environmental impacts, including air and noise pollution, and health impacts,

• Exacerbate climate change: from fossil fuel energy consumption for travel , hotel and
recreational requirements,

• Unsustainable and inequitable resource use: Energy and water over consumption, excessive
production of wastes, are all common impacts.

7
BENEFITS OF ECOTOURISM IN INDIA
 The ecotourism policy in India has tried to bring an interlinkage between livelihood
activities and conservation. It has been trying to provide an alternative to the exploitative
use of natural resources to the local communities. Employment opportunities are
created for them. They are involved as stakeholders. In the process, they take pride about
their natural resources and extend their hands in conservation.
 With the introduction of ecotourism in the reserve, several eco- development
committees are formed. Host communities are given viable and innovative livelihood
alternatives through opportunities like rafting, trekking, horse riding, nature camp etc.
 Ecotourism, through increase in standard of living of the local residents, also empowers
them socio-politically and fosters respect for different cultures and human rights. Indirect
incentives like improved infrastructure, health facilities, awareness and education
from tourism development develops a positive attitude towards conservation. In
Sunderban Project, it has been noted that a part of the increased income from ecotourism
is used to finance the education of their children.

ECOTOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The idea of sustainability first came to into being in the World Commission report on
Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) in 1987. The report supports the
concept of sustainable development by mentioning that environmental conservation and
economic growth are mutually interdependent to each other (Harris et al., 2002) [9]. Bhuiyan et
al., (2012) [1] empahsised that sustainable development is highly prospective for any
community in terms of economic, social, cultural, and ecological dimensions. Hall (2008) [8]
maintained that “sustainable development and tourism is about a change from one state or
condition to another and such a change may be positive or negative depending upon the type of
change taking place and to what extent”. This concept is a major concern for all states and
nations across the globe.

ECO TOURISM RESOURCES IN INDIA

There are number of botanical, zoological and National Parks along with wildlife sanctuaries and
biosphere reserves and many more such spots having minimal impact of carbon footprints which
are full of flora, fauna and other form of pristine nature and are great resources of eco-based
tourism. However, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India identified 8 major categories of
eco-tourism resources in India as follow:
1. Biosphere Reserves: there are as many as 16 biosphere reserves which have been designated in
India. They are Nilgiri (Tamilnadu, Kerala, and Karnataka); Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand); Nokrek
(Meghalaya); Manas and Dibru-Saikhowa (Assam); Sundarbans (West Bengal); Gulf of Mannar
(Tamilnadu); Great Nicobar (A & N Islands); Similipal (Odisha); Dehang-Debang (Arunachal

8
Pradesh); Khangchendzonga (Sikkim); Pachmarhi (M.P.); Achanakar-Amarkantak (Chhattisgarh
and M.P.); Agasthyamalai (Tamilnadu and Kerala); Katchch (Gujarat); and Cold desert (H.P.)
2. Mangroves: mangrove is a type of tree and found only on coastal areas and works as a spinal
column of an ecosystem that maintain an immense biodiversity. Mangroves in India account for
about 3% of the world’s mangrove vegetation and are spread over an area of 4661.56 sq.
Kmalong the coastal areas of the country. Sundarbans in West Bengal account for almost half of
the total area under mangroves in India.

3. Coral Reefs: Coral reefs consist of huge communities of organism with huge diversity in color
and life which live on or associated with huge limestone structure formed by animals called coral
polyps. India has four major coral reef spots covering an area of 2375 sq. Km. these are Gulf of
Mannar, Gulf of Katchch, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
4. Deserts: the desert regions are located in the western and north-western parts of the country. It
can be divided into two parts i.e. the great desert and the little desert. The great desert extends
from the edge of the Rann of Kutchch beyond the LuniRiver northward. The whole of Rajasthan-
Sind Frontier runs through this. The little desert extends from the Luni between Jaisalmer and
Jodhpur up to Northern wastes (dry and rocky land).
5. Mountains & Forests: the mountain extends for more than 2400 Km. These can be divided into
seven categories as the Himalayas, the Patkai and other ranges bordering India in the north and
north-east, the Vindhyas, Satpura, the Aravali, the Sahyadri, and the eastern Ghats. On the other
hand, total forest cover of India is 692027 sq. Kms which is 21.05% of the total geographical
area of the nation. Madhya Pradesh is the largest state in term of forest cover (77700 sq. Km)
followed by Arunachal Pradesh (67410 sq. Km), but, in term of percentage of forest cover,
Mizoram is on top rank (90.68% of total area) followed by Lakshadweep (84.56%).
6. Flora and fauna: currently India is on tenth position in world and fourth in Asia in plant
diversity. From about 70 percent geographical area surveyed so far, 47000 species of plants have
been described by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI). There are three biodiversity hotspots in
India as (1) the Western Ghats, (2) the Eastern Himalaya, and (3) the Indo-Burma region. On the
other hand, India has 661 protected areas with 100 national parks, 514 wildlife sanctuaries, 43
conservation reserves and four community reserves in different geographic zones, extending to
nearly five per cent of the geographical area of the country.
7. Seas, lakes and rivers: India is a peninsula country located in Asia continent of the world,
surrounded by water bodies with three sides i.e. Arabian sea in the west, Indian ocean in the
south, and Bay of Bengal in the east with 7516 Km long coastline. India is home of some
beautiful lakes too which are Chilka (Odisha); Dal lake, Wular lake, Verinag, Nagin, Sheshnag,
and Manasbal lake (J. & K.); Lonar lake (Maharashtra); Vemabnad and Ashtmudi lake (Kerala);
Rajsamand, Pichhola and Sambhar lake (Rajasthan); Kolleru, Hussain Sagar (Andhra Pradesh);
Pulicat (Tamilnadu); and Loktak (Manipur). The main rivers of the Himalaya group are the
Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, have continuous flow throughout the year and discharge
about 70 per cent of their inflow into the sea.

9
8. Caves: India is known for some world famous caves (manmade and natural) which are perfect
resources for eco tourism. Among these caves, Bhimbetka caves of Madhya Pradesh, Ajanta
&Ellora caves, elephanta caves, Kanheri caves, Karle, Bhaja&Bedsa caves of Maharastra, and
caves of Meghalya are famous for eco tourism.

10
KEY ISSUES IN DEVELOPING ECO TOURISM IN INDIA

 Lack of public-private-people (PPPPs) partnership;

 Lack of scientific knowledge to assess the impact of a tourist’s carbon footprints on an
undisturbed natural areas;
 Adverse effect on indigenous culture through knowledge and cultural exchange programs;
 Adverse effect on the reproductive behavior of wild animals, especially during mating
season;
 Displacement of locals for expansion of eco tourism project;
 Gross violation of fundamental rights of locals;
 Eco tourism leads to waste generation and pollution by tourist vehicles which can harm the
ecology of the local areas.

ROLE OF INDIAN GOVERNMENT IN PROMOTING ECO-

TOURISM IN INDIA (RULES, REGULATION AND PRINCIPLES

The National Environment Policy 2006 recommends eco tourism in all wilderness and eco
logically sensitive areas based on the international guidelines which are as follow:
 Guideline for the development of N.P. and protected areas for tourism of the UNWTO.
 PATA code for environmentally responsible tourism.
 Environment guidelines for the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
 The Himalayan code of conduct prepared by the Himalayan Tourism Advisory Board.
Besides, Eco Tourism Policy 2009 and National Tourism Policy 2002 rest upon some principles
and recommendations to promote eco tourism in India which are shown in table 1 below:

Eco Tourism Policy National Tourism Policy

 To undertake suitable specific measure in

 State forest departments should take up
ecotourism activities in Forest areas
consistent with Forest conservation act.
 Ecotourism to be promoted through public 
private partnerships involving tour operators,
local communities and the Forest department.
respect of eco-tourism with Carrying
Capacity, Environment Impact
Assessment, etc.
To advise the ministry of Environment
and state governments on initiating
compulsory and voluntary regulation
regarding eco tourism activities.

11
  Maximum involvement of Local  To undertake specific program for Bio
communities to be ensured by way of giving sphere reserves, National Parks and
employment and involving them in wildlife sanctuaries.
management of these activities.

 Selection of private tour operator preferably

 To form national and state level
a local shall be done in a transparent manner
committees for the co-ordination of
to be prescribed by the State government.
activities in the framework of the
guidelines as advised by UNWTO.

 Each proposal for Forest ecotourism shall  To provide thrust on development of

have management plan which shall necessary
include plans for energy and water 
conservation, waste disposal, awareness
generation/education for the tourist, boarding
and lodging, maximum involvement of local
people and skills, regulation of tourist flow,
monitoring the impact of eco tourism in
forest and wildlife areas.
niche market including eco tourism.
To persuade the travel service providers
to evolve and adopt voluntarily a code of
ethics for enriching tourist experience
and nature conservation.

ACHIEVEMENTS
Today tourism has started generating money to the common people, which usually goes to
outside people in other Protected Areas. No Government money is going to be wasted in future
tourism infrastructure, as the society is going to maintain the building, accomodation facility,
food facility without any establishment cost. These funds can be diverted for the development of
the sanctuary and peoples residing in it. Villagers get market for sale of handicrafts, honey,
bamboo articles, grass articles etc at their doorstep. Local youngster gets employment as guide,
driver, cook, caretaker, etc. More funds can be pooled for employment of firewatchers, anti
poaching squads, better communication, habitat management etc, which will help in protection
and development of the sanctuary.

It has bee seen that incident of fire, timber theft and cases of poaching has come down since the
tourism has started. Upgradation of forest roads has aided in frequent movement. Information
network and monitoring of waterhole and wildlife has become more effective after introduction
of feedback information, which is collected from the visitors. The guides are acting as effective
tool in conservation education, littering inside the sanctuary is checked by them. Thus the eco-
tourism has started giving fruitful results.

12
FUTURE PROGRAMS
For making the tourism and conservation sustainable there is a need for assessment of present
situation and planning for future depending on the need? Some of the future requirements are as
follows:

1. Carrying capacity of day tourists and tourists staying at night in the sanctuary should be
assessed and controlled. This can be regulated by providing limited entry passes.

2. Guides and caretakers should be educated to tackle international tourists.

3. Accommodation, & other facilities need to be upgraded for promoting international tourists.

4. Wildlife sightings can be increased by habitat development.

5. An Interpretation Center and a Natures Trail are planned in near future.

6. Marketing of more local handicraft is being insured.

7. Increase in facilities like post office having telephone facility, primary health center with
medicines, increase in bus service, more teachers and students educational institution can help
in development.

8. Studies on habitat, waterhole utilization are planned.

9. Limiting of unproductive cattle and immunization of all the cattle is also planned. This will
reduce grazing pressure in the sanctuary.

10. Villages are still largely dependent on the forest for meeting their basic requirements of
fuel wood hence providing alternatives is an urgent requirement.

WAY FORWARD
 Proper management of 3 major stackholders resources, community, tourists is highly
required.

 More awareness campaign for the locals as well as tourists will help in conservation
 Educating tourists about conservation
 Instead of Gun & Guard approach steps should be taken to inculcate a positive attitude in
minds of the locals about conservations.
 Government should take steps to come out of institutional failure & corrective practices.
It should take positive steps through proper monitoring, evaluation & management of the
site at economic, Social and environmental level, which is required for reinforcing
conservation.

13
 CONCLUSION
There is much hope for ecotourism in spite of the various loopholes in the realm of its
implementation. Once there is a strong integration of conservation of natural resources and
improvement in human well-being, ecotourism will undoubtedly be a successful policy. The
policy drawbacks are thus to be addressed adequately by effective involvement of the local people,
inculcating awareness about conservation, educating locals as well as tourists etc. to create a win-
win scenario for both the local communities and natural resources.

REFERENCES

1. Pradeep Kumar, “ Eco tourism in India, Abhinav International Journal of research Volume 4
Issue 6 (June 2015)
2. Dr. Sasmita Mohanty, “Eco tourism: A key driver of sustainable Development”, Volume 2;
Issue 6; November 2017; Page No. 900-903
3. http://isca.in
4. http://www.ecotourism.org
5. http://tourism.gov.in/
6. http://yojana.gov.in/

14