Today, Eco-tourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry that attracts between 40 to 60 % of all international tourists, translating into anything between 317 million to 600 million. The diversity of India is to be seen not only in its people, culture, religion, languages and life style, the diversity in fact starts from the land itself which is made up of snowbound peaks of the Himalayas, beautiful cool hills, fertile river valleys, tropical rain forests, blistering hot deserts and breath taking beautiful coasts. Each diverse geographical region generates a startlingly different picture and exploring them provides a unique experience. Now all these are packaged for tourist to provide Eco-friendly holiday sojourn in India.
We are promoting tourism but while promoting tourism to eco-sensitive areas, the emphasis is to control the volume so that the fragile of the area is not disturbed. The whole objective of Eco-tourism is to have purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture, history of the environment, taking special care not to alter the integrity of the Eco-system while utilizing the economic opportunities that make conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people. Thus travel to these areas enlightens, educates and revives the tired souls of the Eco-tourists and on the other hand provides a basis of economic enlistment to local people, tribes, or other stake holders directly dependent on the natural heritage.
India’s snow capped Himalayas are one of our rich Eco-tourism destinations. It not only provide the base for adventure tourism activities in the form of mountaineering, skiing, rock climbing, mountain river sports, nature walk, orchids, plants – (all these activities are free from any power machine or pollution, the Himalayas house rare creatures such as snow leopard, musk deer, ibex, pheasants of all descriptions, this on the other side the great India desert of that which runs in the North West of India supports a surprising variety of plants and animals.
Green heavens are not only in forests, the islands are also some of the best Eco-tourism destinations. Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep with thatched huts, with private showers and toilets, fishing, scuba diving to see that enchanting coral gardens, swimming in crystal sun warmed waters, sunbathing and exclusiveness at the resorts brings you so close to nature. The Andamans located in India’s South Eastern is the Island chain all covered with rain forests ringed by coral reefs, good for viewing marine life, swimming and sunbathing. The access is from Calcutta, Madras to Port Blair and accommodation is available at Hotel Bay Island, Andaman Beach Resort.
Goa is important Eco-tourism destination in India. The hotels like Leela, Taj Resorts are samples of Eco-friendly resorts available there. These are five-star hotels camouflaged with greenery around. Rishikesh in Uttar Pradesh, with the river rafting (white water tourism) yoga, mountain walks, trekking, Angling etc., is getting very popular with younger generation tourists. In Rajasthan, Camel Safari, Horse Safari, Elephant Safari, desert driving and typical village life of Rajasthan provide unique Eco-experience. In Rajasthan, there is one community known as Bishnois and they have to be seen to believe how human being, nature and wildlife can live together even in this 21st century. Thus endless options are available in every part of India for naturalists, Researchers and Eco-holidays.
Ministry of Tourism has also formulated Eco-tourism guidelines for regulated and sustainable Tourism which have focused respect for the frailty of the earth to leave behind the rich natural heritage for future generations to enjoy. Leave only foot prints, take only photographs but do not take away from natural areas and heritage monuments, encourage local culture, respect local traditions and help in their conservation efforts: do not buy products made from endangered plants or animals such as wildlife skins, ivory, tortoise shell: Always follow designated trails so that animals, plants are not disturbed and try to respect the natural habitats, and support them and those products which promote the cause of environment protection etc., all these have been focused in the Eco-tourism guidelines.
Most of our tour operators, who operate tours in the fragile nature zones, have adopted these ASTA eco-practices (American Society of Travel Agents) for the Eco-tourism business and organize a briefing session before the start of tours in the forests, mountains to educate their clients. Like airlines do inside the aircraft before the flight departs. Being late comer in tourism we have learnt enough from the mistakes of man; tourism developed countries and have imitated right steps.
No doubt, very few countries in the world can provide such varied options as India can mainly being a vast country. It is environmentally yours! India – Explore now.
