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Eco Tourism Definitions
Eco-tourism is the latest buzzword in the travel industry. Terms like Ecotourism, ecolodges, ecotravels and just being "eco" have become popular tourism sales pitches. What exactly is true eco-tourism? And why is eco-tourism such a great thing anyway? Let us look at some of the definitions of ecotourism.

The definition according to the Ecotourism Society is "responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people". What it means is that a mere visit to a ecologically rich geographical location does not constitute ecotourism. It involves much more on the part of the visitor. For instance a walk through the rainforest is not eco-tourism unless that particular walk somehow benefits that particular environment and the people who live there. To put it in simple words your trip should help conserve and also improve the ecological condition of the place you visit.

Needless to say eco-tourism expects the visitors to be responsible travelers who respect nature’s splendors and would be minimally destructive to mother nature’s bounty. A true eco-tourist does not mean any harm to the fragile life cycle of nature. Eco-tourism is fast becoming the most preferred form of tourism with increasing awareness on the preservation of nature and native cultures. Eco-tourism also actively encourages and supports the diversity of local economies by making them self-sustained with tourism related income.

In order to be successful in a particular destination, eco-tourism needs to be promoted with the following guidelines:

Arrange and promote meaningful contact between tourists and local people
Support indigenous people/businesses by buying local goods and services
Link commercial tourism to local conservation programs.
Develop sustainable tourist facilities that minimize environmental damage.
Provide economic support for development and management of natural resources.

Necessities Of Eco Tourism
The concept of eco-tourism is fast catching up in India, with an increasing number of travel related organizations addressing the needs of eco-tourists. The country is currently witnessing a silent boom in eco-tourism with responsible travelers on the rise.

Why eco-tourism?

To provide an opportunity for tourists to visit protected and unexplored areas without damaging or changing the original character and appearance.
To provide economic incentives for local populace to safeguard their unique natural resources
To increase the chance that money spent by tourists will remain within the local community

Although this is the current scenario there are certain basic do’s and don’ts that need to followed. Some of them are listed below.

Do's

Not throwing any non-degradable waster material including tins, plastic bottles and bags, etc.
To respect other travelers privacy and not to invade it while taking photographs.
Bringing back all waste material.
To consciously reduce noise pollution, by not playing loud music on tape recorders, radio or any other electronic equipment.
To respect the sanctity of the local culture.
To cover up with either mud or sand at places where temporary toilets are set up , after defecation.
Tourists should make sure that the destination of their visit is at the least 30 metres away from precious water resources.

Don'ts

Not to use wood as fuel for cooking at the campsite.
Not to leave waste material in the form of cigarette butts or in the form of open fire, which could lead to ecological damage.
Not to consume alcohol or any other form of intoxicants.
Not to throw bottles, plastic bags, etc,. in the wild.
Not to pollute water in springs or streams by using pollutants in the form of detergents or hard soap.
Not to take away any kind of flora /fauna in the form of cuttings, seeds or roots. It is illegal to do so , especially in the Himalayas. The ecological fragility of the area dictates that we protect this naturally rich area as responsible tourists.

Listed below are some golden rules for travelers

Prepare for your trip by learning as much as possible before you actually get there. Get to know about the local culture, custom and ecosystem through articles, guidebooks or through online resources. Picking up a smattering of the local language also helps.
Respect the local tradition and be ready to follow certain etiquette. Remember the concept of personal space and time may be different at different places. Try and be an example for other tourists.
Conserve resources by picking up waste or trash and try to minimize your impact in ecologically fragile areas.
It is always better to be flexible with your expectations while embarking on a journey through ecosystems.
Support locally owned business. This ensures that you are contributing towards the upkeep of the local business and helping indirectly in conservation.
Bridge cultural gaps by getting to know your fellow travelers and local population. Share information on conservation and healthy practices to increase eco-tourism’s potential.
Avoid overt display of wealth. For instance a camera hanging around your neck may be constituted bad manners by a rural community you are visiting.

Email us: mail@eco-tourism-india.com