Eco-Tourism In India: How To Go About It

Eco-Tourism is a new and emerging trend in India, which is great news if you're an environmentally conscious traveller. It is the most responsible way of moving about that needs to be embraced by everyone if we wish to ensure a green Earth for future generations. Being the seventh-largest country in the world in terms of area, India is replete with land that needs conservation and a select few are making the effort to promote this kind of responsible tourism in India. Here's your chance to know everything about Eco-Tourism in India.

What exactly is Eco-Tourism?

Tourism that is both safe for the environment and proves sustainable for the biodiversity of the location is what Eco-Tourism basically is. It needs the active participation of both, those who are promoting it as well as those who are indulging in it. Eco-Tourism needs to be small in scope in order to have a reasonable impact and hence can never replace commercial tourism. If done right, it can let travellers experience the best of the nature around them while having little to no impact on the environment.

How does ecotourism work?

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Eco-tourism's success depends upon the proper education of travellers. It aims to minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and augment the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, it involves everything from recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities. Eco-tourism also promotes socially responsible travel, which involves using public transport as much as possible so as to not have a personal carbon footprint while moving about.

What could be the impact of promoting EcoTourism in India?

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There are several big benefits that can be derived from the promotion of EcoTourism among travellers. These include:

• Direct financial contributions to the conservation of the environment.
• Growth of awareness about the problems facing the environment among travellers.
• Providing job opportunities for locals who might otherwise be unemployed.
• Preservation of local culture, flora, and fauna by raising awareness about them.
• Reduction in the overall environmental impact of tourism.

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Destinations promoting EcoTourism in India

1. Periyar National Park, Kerala: One of the most visited national parks in South India, this destination is a haven for eco-travellers. Not only is it notable for its elephant and tiger reserves but it's also home to several species of reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
2. Jotsoma village, Nagaland: Located on the indigenous territory of Nagaland, this is one of the most serene ecotourism destinations in India.
3. Kaziranga National Park, Assam: This one's a World Heritage Site that hosts two-thirds of the world's population of great one-horned rhinoceroses. It's peaceful and implores you to explore each corner for the location.
4. Chilika Lake, Odisha: This is the largest lake in India and is naturally home to a number of migratory birds and animal and plant species, which makes it a treat to live in and around.
5. Thenmala, Kerala: Thenmala is India´s first planned eco-tourism project. They offer activities like a guided trekking program that takes you around the periphery of the sanctuary without disturbing the core, a butterfly safari, deer rehab centre and boat safaris. All accommodations there are made of temporary eco-friendly materials in keeping with the project.

These are just five of the several destinations that are promoting Eco-Tourism in India. Now that you know more about the concept, go ahead and do your own research before you embark on your next sustainable adventure.