Eco
tourism is today the catch word for many environmental specialists. It is
also a new approach to tourism. Eco tourism is something that has to do with
the preserving and sustaining the diversity of the world's natural and
cultural environments. In short it can be regarded as a tourism programme
that is nature based, Ecologically sustainable, Where education and
interpretation is a major constituent and Where local people are benefited."
India is a land of varied topography and offers tourists with umpteen
pristine and mesmerising destinations. There are several places where you as
a tourist can enjoy to the fullest the glory and generosity of the mother
nature. The few places like the Himalayan region, Kerala, the northeast
India, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep islands are few
nature loving places of India. Thenmala in Kerala is the first planned
ecotourism destination in India created to cater to the Eco-tourists and
nature lovers.
The India topography boasts of abundant flora & flora. Numerous rare
and endangered species live by the surroundings of these areas. The
declaration of several wildlife areas and national parks has encouraged the
growth of the wildlife resource, which reduced due to the wildlife hunt by
several kings in the past. Currently, there are about 80 national parks and
441 sanctuaries in India, which works for the protection and conservation of
wildlife resource in India.
Benefits of Ecotourism
Ecotourism to a great extent benefit the tourists and also the eco system
as a whole. The tourists during their eco tour can enjoy great excursions
and relish eco activities like wild animals spotting, birding, angling,
trekking, rock-climbing, mountain-biking, river rafting, para-gliding, hills
and lakes viewing, boating, nature walk and etc. These tour also offer great
scope to the tourists to learn more about the local culture and the
historical significance of the places you are travelling.Ecotourism helps
motivating the conservation policy of government and local bodies.
Eco Regions in India
India is loaded with eco regions that have enveloped great natural
sightseeing locations. The gigantic and majestic Himalayas is home to world
famous eco sites. One can relish eco excursions here like ekking, wildlife
viewing, orchid viewing, glacier viewing, birding, mountain-biking, nature
walk and etc. The hill stations of India like Munnar, Ooty, Manali and
Darjeeling also prove to be great eco sites.
Famous wildlife park like Ranthambore National Park, Kaziranga National
Park and Periyar National Park are also famous eco regions of India. Famous
rivers like Ganga and Brahmaputra are some of the richest eco places known
all over.
DO'S and Don't s of Eco Travel
Carry with you all non-degradable litter such as emprty bottles, tins,
plastic bags etc. They must be disposed in municipal dustbins only.
Wear clothes having forest friendly colours like green, khaki, brown.
Follow the guidelines and the rules of the places you are visiting.
Use flash less camera in the wildlife parks.
Try always be with your tour guide
In case of temporary toilets after defecation cover with mud or sand and
see that it is at least 30 metres away from the water source.
Don't s
Do not use pollutants like detergent, in streams or springs while washing
or bathing.
Avoid using wood as fuel to cook food at the campsite.
Avoid smoking in the forests.
Do not consume alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants.
