SHABIHA NUR KHATOON
Ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism that seeks to minimise the negative impact of tourist activities on the environment and promote awareness about the need to conserve natural resources and habitats
Tourists the world over are fascinated by wildlife, aquatic animals, and spectacular avian species that throng natural destinations. Nowadays nature tourism offers numerous opportunities to tourists when it comes to visiting sanctuaries and reserve forests in scenic locations.
Many people believe the term nature-based tourism is synonymous with ecotourism, which is wrong. Both ecotourism and nature-based tourism includes visits to natural spots, but there is a thin line separating the two. Ecotourism is a tour that is undertaken to conserve the environment and one that respects the culture of the local people. Nature tourism, on the other hand, just refers to travelling to scenic locations, mainly to enjoy the beauty of nature.
So what exactly is nature-based tourism? It is an important element of ecologically sustainable development that aims to create awareness among visitors of natural and cultural landscapes which lie in close proximity to nature, and develop out of regional requirements and local participation. Nature-based tourism promotes a socially and environmentally sustainable form of travel.
As nature tourism continues to grow and expand, it is quite expected that the pressure on the environment and wildlife will increase. Without proper and effective management and protection, this pressure will destroy the very things that people value, and which are the key assets of nature tourism. These dangers arise because animal populations cannot cope, indefinitely, with increasing numbers of visitors and associated human pressure.
Shakti Nanda, founder of Open Wildlife Lounge, an organisation dedicated to channeling wildlife awareness and conservation activities in Orissa, says nature-based tourism poses a number of different risks to the larger socio-economic system, both within and across national boundaries. At the same time, a flourishing tourism industry also carries the risk of altering the social fabric of local communities as rural people exchange subsistence farming for cash economies. Nature-based tourism also entails risks to the personal health and safety of individual tourists.
Panda adds that nature-based tourism is “the segment in the tourism market in which people travel with the primary purpose of visiting a natural destination”.
“In the recent past the hype around ‘ecotourism’ and ‘sustainable tourism’ has jumbled things up more than ever. Many people think getting close to nature is what ecotourism means and doing so is a way of contributing to nature and the environment,” says Nanda.
‘RESPONSIBLE’ TOURISTS
In simple terms, ecotourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education”. The purpose of ecotourism is to witness wildlife from up close. The sighting of animals, birds and reptiles happen to be the prime objective. It may involve travel in vehicles, boats, pitching tents, trekking or hiking. In Orissa places like Mangalajodi, Rajhans Island, Dangamal, Gupti, Tikarpada, Devkund, Barbera and Mohulia are some of the well developed ecotourism destinations.
WILD ADVENTURE
Wildlife tourism involves only a handful of tourists, but ensures a better experience for those willing to learn about nature. In order to create better understanding, Sam Higginbottom said, “Wildlife tourism is tourism based on encounters with non-domesticated (non-human) animals such as springbooks, elephants and lions.”
Satapada for dolphins, Chillka for birds, the Rushikulya river mouth for turtles, Bhitarkanika for birds and crocodiles and Mangalajodi for birds are the wildlife tourist destinations in Orissa.
ADRENALIN RUSH
Adventure tourism is for those seeking thrill and adventure. Rowing, boating, surfing, trekking and hiking fall in this category. Different measures are being taken to minimise the impact on nature as a result of adventure tourism. Such facilities are available at places like the Puri-Konark Marine drive, Anshupa lake, Tampara lake, Kanjia lake, Goribadi, Chandaka and Sanaghagara waterfall.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Sustainable tourism “seeks to minimise the negative footprint of tourism developments and at the same time contribute to conservation and community development in the areas being developed”. In sustainable tourism, tourists are supposed to live nothing behind except their footprints. Such tourism is ideal for highly eco-sensitive areas where only a limited number of tourists are allowed. Nalabana and Gahirmatha in Orissa are perfect sustainable tourism spots.
