Community-Owned Ecotourism:Process and Politics

Keith BosakAssistant Professor of Nature-Based Tourism and RecreationCollege of Forestry and conservationThe university of MontanaKeith.bosak@umontana.edu

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Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR)

1939- Nanda Devi declared a game sanctuary

1982-Nanda Devi declared a National Park and closed

1988-Nanda Devi becomes part of the Man and the Biosphere Program under UNESCO

1992- Nanda Devi declared a World Heritage Site for its unique biodiversity

Location

Landscape

Flora

Fauna

People

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History and livelihoods

Pre-1962:Traditional livelihoods and trade1962-1974:China and India go to war and the border areas are closed1974-Chipko (to hug):The Chipko movement begins in the village of Reni1974-1982:The Golden Era of Mountaineering1982:The closure of Nanda Devi1982-2001:Economic downturn, protest and a reformation of livelihood practices

2001:Creation of the “Nanda Devi Biodiversity Conservation and Ecotourism Declaration”2006:The caterpillar rush

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Community-based conservation and ecotourism in the NDBR

(bio-cultural diversity)

Key elements:

Protected area status and biophysical resources

Previous experience with tourism

Previous experience with resistance

Cultural cohesion

Ability and willingness to network

Strong leadership

Development of a set of guiding principles

Challenges:

External Challenges:Competition and restrictive policies

Internal challenges:Mostly issues of equity

Other Challenges:The digital divideEducationFunding

A framework for success?

Strong motivation (in this case geopolitical resistance)

Previous experience/exposure to tourism

Strong leadership and organization

A mutually agreed upon set of guiding principles

Networking to fill gaps and empower

Focus on equity

Ability to obtain external funding

Recommendations:

Build human, social and natural capital so that they reinforce one another

Focus on equity

Develop an appropriate set of mutually agreed upon guiding principles

Develop a leadership and organizational strategy

Develop a business plan that will promote economic sustainability

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