Concept of Ecotourism and its role in sustainable development

Concept of Ecotourism and its role in sustainable development of the state

Ecotourism : Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial mass tourism. It means responsible travel to natural areas conserving the environment and improving the well-being of the local people.[1] Its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and for human rights.

The majestic Himalayan mountains in the state are famous for their beauty and serenity with exotic and rare varieties of flora and fauna, and innumerable trekking routes and trails in the midst of its dense forests. Therefore, without an iota of doubt, there is a lot of scope for development of ecotourism in the state. It is perhaps this realization that the state government revised its ecotourism policy in May 2016 with the objective to make this Himalayan state a leading ecotourism destination in India, The revised Ecotourism Policy 2016 has set a target of attracting 10 per cent of the overall tourist flow closer to “the wilderness and virgin ecosystem” by 2030. “I. But, before that the creation of Himachal Pradesh Ecotourism Society (HP ECOSOC) (Ecosocieties ) in 2006, was the first effective major step to promote ecotourism in the state. Apart from projecting the untouched natural beauty of the state, the mandate of HP ECOSOC was to encourage ecologically sustainable and financially viable ecotourism that is beneficial to the local community in terms of livelihood and income generation opportunities.

Himachal Pradesh A State with unlimited eco-tourism options

The majestic coniferous trees from an enchanting backdrop to the mountains with broad-leafed species like the Oaks, Maples, Birdcherry, Hazelnut, Walnut, Horsechestnut and Rhododendrons adding grandeur to the landscape. State also provides a very congenial habitat to a wide variety of Himalayan fauna. The HimalyanTahar and the Ibex can be spotted as silhouettes on the high ridges in the trans-Himalayas. Also known as the 'Abode of Gods', the State conjures up visions of ancient temples, with exquisitely carved wooden panels, occupying almost every hilltop and the festivities associated with these religious places. This natural and cultural richness of the State coupled with its simple peace loving people and traditional hospitality makes the State a most favoured tourist 95 destination. Anybody with a zest for life, a spirit of adventure and a love for nature will find all that his heart desires amongst the pristine environment of Himachal Pradesh.
Traditional Tourism: Missed Opportunities The State's wild frontiers have hitherto remained out of reach for tourists mainly due to lack of infrastructural availability. Most of the tourism, till now, has been limited to the towns, with occasional stories to the nearby forests and other attractions but state government has started schemes like Home Stay Scheme, Har Gaon Ki Kahani, Dev Bhoomi Darshan, Aaj Purani Rahon Se, Nayirahe, NayiManzil etc. So the State not loses the clientele and goodwill of the tourists also not loses an opportunity to spread its message of conservation of nature for and widelife.

Eco-Tourism A new era of nature enjoyment and learning :The State live to the need for providing better opportunities to the visitors to enjoy its natural beauty and cultural heritage, now aims to allow the use of its infrastructure for the benefit of the tourists. The State Forest Department alone manages more than 400 forest bungalows located at vantage-points across the length and breadth of the State. It also manages a 5000 kilometers long network of bridle paths and inspection trails criss-crossing through the most beautiful forests of the State. This gives visitors myriad opportunities to trek across mountain passes, to remote temples, crystal clear lakes and traditional villages. The State Forest Department is actively engaged in identification and development of ecotreks along these bridle paths. 'Nature Parks' are also being developed to provide tourists a nature education experience.
Boarding and lodging facilities are available at forest bungalows located along these eco-treks and the local communities are being geared up to provide services of trained guides, porters and Nature Parks is to be facilitated through eco-tourism societies specially set up for the purpose. To suit all ages and physiques, the eco-treks have been categorised into easy, moderately difficult and adventurous treks. Interpretation signs along these routes will educate visitors about the salient features of the place and client their participation in conservation of Himalayan ecology.

Eco-tourism Societies have so far been established to cover the following places:

Great Himalayan National Park: Located in Kullu district, this National Park is a prime protected area of the country and provides opportunities to the ecotourists to enjoy nature at its best. To be covered entirely on foot, the Park has well developed eco-treks taking off from an altitude of about 1500 meters to more than 6000 meters. The park has many forest bungalows and tenting sites for nights halts. Private guest rooms in traditional housed are also being developed. Prior permission of park Director is required to visit the park. Local guides and porters are available.

Himalayan Nature Park: Located at an altitude of 2700 meters and about 18 kilometers from Shimla on the Hindustan-Tibet Road, this Nature Park covers about 100 hectares of prime Western-Himalayan temperate forest with all its floral diversity. The nature park also houses high altitude fauna of the State in near natural habitat and provides the visitors a one stop opportunity to appreciate Brown Bear, Musk Deer, Yak, Bharal, Sambhar, Ghoral, Monal pheasant and many other animals and birds. The park also offers 3-6 hour guided trek to mahasu peak and catchment forests and has limited lodging facilities.

Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary: Renuka wildlife sanctuary clothes the slopes around the picturesque Renukalake in the outer Himalayas with deciduous forest cover. Attractions include ancient temples of rishi Jamdagni, goddess Renuka and lord Parshuram, a lion safari, a mini zoo and trekking. Boating facilities are available in the lake. Limited lodging facilities are also available.

Potters Hill Van Vihar: A new site to enjoy Nature and Adventure Located at an altitude of 2050 metres and about 7 KM West of Shimla, adjacent to HP University, Summer Hill, Shimla, popularly known as Potter’s Hill, covers 100 hectares of prime Western Himalayan temperature forest with all its floral diversity. The hill once used by potters to obtain clay has now been developed into a nature Park barely 5 KMs from the famous Mall Road While providing an opportunity to have a glimpse of genetic biodiversity of several species at a single space, Van Vihar Shimla, offers many other recreational choices like a tenting site, children’s park, horse riding and walking trails through magnificent Cedar and Oak forests.

Societies under formation: Eco-tourism societies are under formation for Khajjiar in Chamba district and Chanshil in Shimla district and shall provide the visitors excellent exposure to the temperate forest, alpine meadows and rural life.

Ecotourism role in the sustainable development of State :

Sustainable development of the state means overall growth of the state in all field Education, social, Health, Economic, State Government, should make programs by keeping in mind the present and future scenarios of the state. Ecotourism and its role in sustainable development Infrastructures for tourism have given many benefits for local residents . The ecotourism industry is taken as the driving force to accelerate the socio-economic development, change the traditional growth patterns and construct a harmonious and environment-friendly society. Ecotourism is supply led tourism strategy that enables sustainable development with the central theme of ecosystem integrity. It is dictated by the ability of the ecosystem to absorb the impacts but does not exclude the tourist and commercial exploitation of the ecosystem. Ecotourism does not set limits on tourist numbers from the notion of carrying capacity but only controls the nature and extent of their activity Atmospheric quality, sound quality, drinking water, sewage, lampblack and all kinds of establishments should meet the relative ordains of the national standards of environmental conservation .Ecotourism and Its Role in Sustainable Development of Himachal has significant potential to generate direct community benefits from conservation.
1) Economic Progress of the state :

Ecotourism is a strategy that has been used to create sustainable economic development, while pursuing conservation objectives. It is a tool that may balance the conflicting goals of economic development and biodiversity conservation It is developed for the benefit of communities and for conservation activities In ecotourism, natural resources are not threatened and local people are encouraged in park protection. Rich natural resources are protected together with the recreational and tourist potential which creates a center of attraction.Ecotourism project enriches the area with natural regeneration, new plantations, infrastructure development and new destination for visitors and nature-based tourism for example. peoples in lahaulspiti,kullu , shimla, chamba selling their traditional products and earning money, even women are participating largely in these activities. . To make certain the reasonableness and aggressiveness of tourism regions and endeavors, with the goal that they are fit to continue to thrive and get advantages the long term. Tourism rise the number and perfection of local trades delivered and bolstered by tourism, including the power of pay, circumstances of service and openness to all without biasness of sex, race, handicap or in different ways.
 2 ) Community Development :

Ecotourism has a positive impact on education, health of people , job training, hunting, and deforestation, tourist guide training, hotel management , community-based ecotourism ,hope that the environmental sensitivity and responsibility promoted by ecotourism can serve the political, economic, social and environmental interests of state. They may also serve to mediate conflict by explaining to local residents the purpose of conservation and the roles of park personnel, and can be a means of strengthening park staff’s community visibility and credibility . It is an excellent solution to increased tourists and increased degradation to natural areas . Concentration of ecotourism services within a region can marginalize neighboring human communities without causing environmental degradation. Environment-friendly characteristic of ecotourism not only brings more economic benefits but also has notable ecological benefits The roles of the various stakeholders involved in the sustainable tourism , as well as the hierarchy of the people involved, will need to be clearly articulated, since the success of the ecotourism network will depend on appropriate levels of leadership, cooperation and coordination amongst the involved parties , so it became necessary to impart education to local people to use the nature resources sustainably.

3 ) Environmental Conservation :

To weaken the pollution of air, water and arrive and the creation of waste by tourism endeavors and tourists. Parks helps in combining conservation and development through a program to bring tourism benefits to local committees. Commercial hiking and trekking encourage development where guest facilities and businesses are located . Local people realize the importance of conservation and protect the environment actively . Conservation of nature attracts tourist and provide high level of satisfaction by exploring the nature and provide partnerships between protected area managers and tourism operators . Forest coverage rate can be increased which provide solid foundation for developing ecotourism .Ecotourism emphasized the protection of natural resources and biological diversity during the tourism development. It also requires maintaining the sustainability of resource use and transforming the advantages of regional tourism resources into industrial and economic advantages . Ecotourism positively influence conservation near protected areas and decreases deforestation and hunting rate. Alternative ecotourism provide economic benefits and discourage the conversion of forest to agricultural and pastoral land. Resource management and financial components play a great role in conservation. Its attractiveness rests in its potential to provide local economic benefits while also maintaining ecological resource integrity through low impact and non-consumptive use of local resources. Ecotourism has pushed its way to the forefront as one of the preferred tools for conservation and community development in many rural areas .
Environment Impact Assessment : To make state green and maintaining its ecology, the impacts of development on environment are assessed. It is necessary to balance both development and ecology.

4 ) Global Recognition :

Himachal Pradesh is one of the most Popular tourist destination in the country also on the global level. It’s cool environment in summer, snow fall in winter, trekking destinations and nature camping, river rafting ,pera-glyding are some of famous activities that make the unique and popular. According to 2018 state economic survey 4.53 lakh foreigner tourists visit the state and nearly 179.98 lakh Indian visit the state and the number go on rise, which shows Himachal tourism popularity in our own country and in foreign countries. ChambaKhaziar also got name Mini Switzerland for its similarity with Switzerland by W.P Blazer.

 5 ) Ecotourism and Technology :
With growing understanding of ecotourism and economic profits of greenary in the state, govt. playing proactive role. It started plying of electric vehicle in the Rohtang area in Lahauldistt, so to keep a balance between development and environment.Three sites have been selected for charging of electric buses initially.
Solar Panels : Government is exploring the potential of solar panels to minimise the energy demand from hydro energy, fossil fuels which cause pollution to the environment. Govt. also providing subsidy for domestic use of solar panels to exploite the solar energy .on commercial basis solar panels are provided to hotels, private firms and also established in government offices. This is done to make state clean and green.
Use of Satellite technology : to keep resources of nature protective and not disturbing the ecological sensitive areas satellite location is helpful. Aryabhatta Geo Information Space Application Centre (AGISAC), Shimla is using these days to monitor the resources.

Conclusion :

Himachal Pradesh has immense tourism potential, a potential that it must impact and maintain. It has set out on the trail of green development and sustainable development, keeping in perspective its position in the sensitive western Himalayan region. State requires accepting development without alarming the fragile biological equalization .Sustainable tourism development needs an up to date contribution of all noteworthy stakeholders, and also strong political administration to ensure broad participation and harmony building. Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous procedure and it is entirely consistent in monitoring of effects, presenting the fundamental precautionary and corrective actions at whatever point is required. Sustainable tourism ought to likewise keep up an abnormal state of tourist satisfaction and guarantee an important ordeal to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability concerns and advancing sustainable tourism practices amongst them.
.

By: Pooja Sharda