EcoTourism India

              Eco-tourism has become popular all over the world with people demanding that countries do more to preserve nature and environment. There is a large segment of the population that knows little or nothing about the concept of ecotourism. It might be wise to begin with a fundamental understanding of ecotourism. Only then can the thought process move on to whether it is a good influence or a negative influence on the resources and cultures of the planet.

Ecotourism is:

"Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990)

Ecotourism is about connecting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in responsible tourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:

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

Those who take part in ecotourism travel to a selected destination so that they can experience the culture, wildlife and scenery the site has to offer. Most ecotourism participants are committed, socially conscious individuals who want an adventure that involves preserving resources and even restoring some of the areas to their natural state. Ecotourism gives travelers the opportunity to grow personally, through an experience that cannot be duplicated.

India is a country of vibrant hues and colors. If you are planning a travel to India, you are in for variegated experiences in a country which has been long regarded to be the paradise on earth. India tours offer stunning journey for nature lovers. With its sun-kissed beaches, snow-capped mountains, lush green landscapes, sparkling backwaters, serene coastal lines and tranquil sand dunes the experience is quite enthralling. With large wildlife base India offers many sanctuaries and wildlife parks. The adventure buffs can find peace in mountaineering, hiking, whitewater rafting, motor biking, para gliding and many more perilous and adventurous sports.

Ecotourism in India has slowly taken hold over the traveler’s imagination as it offers an array of diverse natural areas and pristine locations to choose from. From trekking in the Himalayas to jungle safaris in India’s wildlife sanctuaries, there is a gamut of options to choose from. One of the fundamentals of ecotourism is making the local inhabitants stakeholders in the conservation efforts. This goes a long way in ensuring an equitable sharing of resources, serving the long term interests of man as well as helping out in the survival of local plant and animal species. The tourist in turn benefits from the new found knowledge and respect for nature acquired in partnership with the locals.

India with its bewildering geographical diversity has had a difficult time developing the different tourist destinations. Ecotourism in India has given a fillip to this process as well as spreading awareness among the local population about environment protection. Over the years India has emerged as the foremost destination of ecotourism. A tourist to India is fast becoming aware of the advantages of this unique concept. They know that a camping trip in the Himalayas or a fishing expedition in the Kerala backwaters will go a long way in helping the local population as well as protecting the natural environment.

Ecotourism has its roots in the idea of individual travelers being socially, culturally and environmentally informed so that they can avoid having a negative impact on their surroundings. In addition, these travelers try to enhance the integrity of destinations and encourage the traditional cultures of local populations.