Ecotourism primarily means marketing the serene natural habitats as tourism 'product' with an inherent element of nature education. It is aimed to provide awareness to the visitor of the protective, productive and regulatory functions of the forests.

It is a purposeful travel to natural areas for understanding the natural and cultural history of environment, but taking due care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing and providing economic opportunities that make conservation of natural resources beneficial to local inhabitants.

It is a fast growing segment within international tourism.

It is truly a form of environmentally conscious tourism and not just a pursuit of remote pristine locations. It has to be sustainable with the continuous capacity to:

Any number of definitions are available for ecotourism, each focusing on a different aspect. An analysis of the developments in this sphere shows for over a period of past one and a half decade helps to discern certain important parameters emerged in common to all eco tourism developmental initiatives.

This understanding leads to conceptualise ecotourism as:

Any tourism programme that is:

•  Nature Based
•  Where education and interpretation are major components
•  Ecologically sustainable,and
•  Where local people are benefited.

If it does not satisfy any one of these components then it cannot be called a real ecotourism venture.

The Desirability of Having It ?

Tourism, in the absence of well thought-out plans and managed programmes, may spell doom to natural habitats. Apart from this, the cultural shock imparted the tourism on the local communities may put their very survival in danger. Though stipulation of certain standards and awareness campaigns among stakeholders such as tour operators and travel agents may help in reducing this impact, yet it cannot be completely averted. This is because the primary motives of all commercial endeavours are for more business and more profit. In this context that ecotourism is considered as a solution for tourism related environmental problems.

The Western Ghats of Kerala with its tropical forest ecosystem provides a natural advantage for the development of this segment of tourism. In order to facilitate the fast growth of tourism sector in Kerala, diversification our tourism products is essential. In true sense, the Western Ghats region of Kerala can be projected as an Ecotourism Zone. Eco tourism projects the concept of sustainability in tourism. The needs of now-a days visitor should not be met at the expense of future generations. Ecotourism project based on internationally accepted principles, will help infuse the sustainability concept to other tourism ventures outside the realm of ecotourism.

Present Scenario

Broadly, the major tourism destinations are classified into beaches, backwaters, hill stations, wild life sanctuaries and culture including festivals. To provide basic infrastructural facilities, the major thrust is to upgrade the quality of these products. At present there is no institutionalised system/channel through which public can see the forest and have a quality and lasting experience. The quick visit to sanctuary, as being practiced now cannot be called ecotourism. It is only mass tourism into a sanctuary. What is needed is a more focused strategy which is supply driven and small group oriented.

Tourism, which needs close and careful monitoring in an ecologically sensitive area. Tourism in these nature based areas should be ecologically sustainable. Provision for learning process for a visitor should also be there. The economic benefit of such an activity should accrue to local population to ensure sustainability.

Eco tourism Centers in Kerala

» Alapuzha
» Athirapally and Vazhachal
» Bhoothathan Kettu
» Cochin
» Devikulam
» Edakkal Caves
» Kumarakom
» Munnar
» Nelliyampathy
» Ponmudi
» Thekkady
» Thenmala
» Vagamon
» Wynad etc...

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