Eco-tourism management in Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand (India)
-
Upload
forest-range-officer -
Category
Environment
-
view
93 -
download
2
Transcript of Eco-tourism management in Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand (India)
Eco-tourism management in Rajaji
National Park(RNP)
Presented By
Range Forest Officers (Trainee)
Date: 10-02-2015
Group No. 5(Monal Group)
1. Vinay Bhat
2. Shalini P.N
3. Gundu Singh
4. Kirana B.M
5. Jagat B Debbarma
Flow of talk
Introduction and definitions
Objective & Need of Eco-tourism
Key role players?
Potentials in eco-tourism in Rajajji National Park(RNP)
Management aspects concerning Eco-tourism in RNP
Benefits and Impacts
Opportunities in RNP for further enhancement of Ecotourism
Conclusion
Eco-tourism????
Definition by TIES (The International Ecotourism Society):
“…responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the
environment and sustains the well being of local people.”
Purposeful travel to natural areas.
To understand the cultural and natural history of the environment.
Taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem while producing
economic opportunities that make conservation of natural resources
beneficial to local people.
(American based Ecotourism Society, 2003)
*To have positive impact on the social, cultural and natural
environment.
*To adopt sustainable tourism practices for conservation of nature
and wildlife.
*To support research in eco-tourism areas.
*Encourage use of appropriate local practices, artifacts & food in
tourism promotion.
*To provide employment opportunities to local people.
*To generate revenue for eco-tourism development.
*To organize awareness & training programmes on eco-tourism to
tourists.
The Himalayan state of Uttarakhand is endowed with 64.76%
of its area under forests.
Rich biodiversity with a variety of flora and fauna, which
attracts thousands of tourists.
Its imperative for the state to conserve its rich biodiversity
while at the same time promote ecologically sustained tourism
which aims at providing livelihood for its people.
Need of eco-tourism
The Authority
Tour Operator
Local
CommunityTourists
NGO/WTI
Benefits of eco-tourism
Eco-
tourism
Wildlife conservation
Increase in revenue
Community participation
Environment related
awareness
Rajaji National Park (RNP)
Spread over 820 sq. km.
Composed of 8 types of forest
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
No. of species
Trees
Shrubs & herbs
Climbers
Grass
Mammals
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fishes
Birds
Map of Rajaji National Park
Implementation of Ecotourism
Management Plan
• Development of tourist zone
• Visitor site planning and design
• Sustainable infrastructure design
• Revenue generating mechanism
• Visitor monitoring and management
• Naturalist Guides
Habitat Management at Rajaji
• Relocation of local tribes: Relocated to Gaindikhatta and
Pathri
• Control of Soil erosion
• Landscape improvement by afforestation and reforestation
• Grassland management
• Regular monitoring of fire line
• Eradication of invasive weeds
Eg. Lantana by CR Babu technique
Management of MAN-ANIMAL Conflicts
• Rehabilitation of Gujjars.
• Creation of Wildlife Corridior (Chilla – Motichur).
• Regular monitoring of Railway line by the forest department
officials as well as railway personnel to prevent wild animals.
Management of Visitors
DO’s:
Normally park remains open for tourists from 15 Nov-15
June(Morning from 6:30-9:30 am and in evening 2-4 pm)
Visitors fee: Rs. 150/person and Rs.250/light vehicles and special
50% discount for students)
Visit in small groups, 4-5 persons in a jeep
Dress in favour of forest (green/blue) and always wear shoes
Pay respect to local culture and religion
Avoid noise while traveling through the forest
Contd… Keep non-biodegradable wastes with vehicle and deposit it outside
the park at proper place
Friendly behaviour with assisting staff
Buy local products, promote local market
Follow rules and regulations of the protected areas
Respect our natural heritage – the forest
Pay proper fees while visiting to the park area
Contd..
Don’t:
Smoke and drink alcohol
Bring fire-arms inside the forest
Leave vehicle nor walk here and there
Give any eatable item to wild animals
Throw candy wrappers, chips wrappers and cold-drink or water
bottles
Speak loudly
Tease wild animals
Go in wrong trails
Contd…
Stay longer in front of wild elephants
Burn match (match-box) inside the forest
Leave the rest house during night and pollute the surroundings while
stay inside the forest
Compel the jeep driver to move fast or to stop for a long while traveling
through the forest
Be disappointed even if you do not see any animal.
It is a matter of chance and always remember that you are inside
animal‘s habitat.
Risk Management
Guides get trained entirely and properly equipped.
Communication channels are established to communicate the situation to
nearby forest field stations.
Avoiding tourists movement close to wild animals.
Displayed information about their movements with known sign boards for
jeep drivers to alert and drive cautiously .
Some paths are closed during emergency period of wildlife to avoid sudden
attacks on tourists.
Inculcated scientific advice from subject experts/ researchers and higher
officials working with the park area for other risk management activities.
Promotion of eco-tourism
• Presence of Forest Department rest houses for tourists
in different locations of the park (In Chilla, Motichor,
Kunao, etc).
• Preparation and distribution of information bulletins and
wildlife related articles to create awareness about wildlife
conservation.
Contd…
Steps taken to promote eco-tourism
Provided information and resource network for visitors about different issues
of eco-tourism.
Implemented with properly monitored codes of conduct.
Used all stakeholders and local communities in managing conflicts, sharing of
benefits & tourism development.
Well trained staff and local people in all eco-tourism activities.
Promoted local markets and contractual employment to locals.
Used appropriate conservation policies to explore tourism activities
Celebration of World Tourism Day (21st September), Wildlife Week (01-07th
October), etc.
Opportunities available
Signage
Nature Trail
Students Involvement
Audio-visual programmes
Mobile interpretation Centre
Use of media for tiger reserve
Nature related education and awareness programme
What we can conclude
• Ecotourism zones may be planned in such a way so that
tourists can grasp a maximum knowledge on the area at the
same time.
• Besides, the aim of eco -tourism can be achieved by
creating a healthy environment among all its
stakeholders.
• As tourists are only aware of Chilla zone in RNP, therefore,
setting up of tourist information center at Haridwar city
and tourist guidance, in particular areas like Motichur
and Kansrao has a clear potential of diverting some of
the tourists who currently only have the option of safari