| Going on a tour to a place of natural beauty is | | | | any way by removing stones or plucking flowers and |
| something which most of us look forward to, and eco | | | | plants are also part of this movement. Learning a few |
| tourism is one way of doing this by causing as little | | | | important words in the local language would help easier |
| damage to the environment as possible. Eco tourism is | | | | communication with the local population. It is very useful |
| of fairly recent origin, but its popularity is growing at a | | | | to read and get more information about the culture and |
| fast rate. Unlike regular forms of tourism, eco tourism | | | | tradition of the people so that it is easier to understand |
| involves responsible travel to places of natural beauty | | | | and communicate with them. |
| and charm, causing less impact on the environment | | | | In the state of Karnataka, where I stay, some of |
| and with consideration for the local culture and people. | | | | centers being developed for eco tourism include the |
| One motto for eco tourists would be to 'Take only | | | | national parks of Bandipur and Nagarhole and the hill |
| pictures, leave only footprints'. | | | | station of Coorg. In my home state of Kerala, national |
| Though a huge revenue earner for a lot of countries, | | | | parks including the Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary and the |
| regular forms of tourism also causes much harm to | | | | Silent Valley Forest, back waters in Alleppey and the |
| tourist centers. This includes exploitation of poor | | | | Munnar high ranges are ideal spots. As most of these |
| people, pollution, rise in prices, adverse impact on | | | | places attract a large number of regular tourists, too, it |
| culture and minimal benefits to the local population (as | | | | would only take a little effort to convince likely tourists |
| most of the profits are appropriated by tour operators | | | | to try this alternative. |
| and hotels). An example is the popular tourist resort of | | | | If you are planning to go on an eco tourism holiday, |
| Kovalam, in Southern India. This is a beautiful stretch of | | | | however, it is advisable to check the credentials of the |
| beach attracting a lot of foreign and domestic tourists, | | | | tour operator and the place to be visited. Due to the |
| and a big revenue earner for the state tourism | | | | popularity of the concept, a lot of tour operators and |
| department. However a lot of poor people including | | | | businessmen try to cash in on the concept by |
| women and children are exploited in the name of | | | | organizing fake eco tourism ventures with scant |
| attracting tourists. A lot of unscrupulous people have | | | | regard for the preservation or protection of the site or |
| also set up fake Ayurvedic massage centers near the | | | | benefit for the local people. By simply building a |
| beach, exploiting the fame of this traditional form of | | | | multi-storied hotel nearby natural surroundings, some |
| treatment. | | | | operators advertise their business as eco tourism. A |
| This is where eco tourism can lend a helping hand. Not | | | | little bit of back ground check can eliminate these risks. |
| only would it be a source of income for the local | | | | Considering the negative effects of the present form |
| population, tourists can positively contribute towards | | | | of tourism on the environment as well as the local |
| the maintenance and development of the places they | | | | population and the numerous ways in which eco |
| visit. For local transport, you may choose from walking, | | | | tourism can be beneficial to all concerned, you may |
| cycling or public transport instead of using cars. Taking | | | | consider going on an eco tourism holiday the next time. |
| care not to litter, and not to damage the environment in | | | | |