ECOTOURISM AND PROTECTED AREAS: CONTRIBUTING COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY, PILOTED IN SATKOSIA

R. Raghu Prasad

Joint Project Director, Orissa Forestry Sector Development Project, SFTRI Campus, Bhubaneswar 751003 mailraghuprasad@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Community based Ecotourism is a strategic component which is being piloted for in few Protected Areas in Orissa

that aims to enhance livelihoods of forest dependent communities. The participatory processes that were piloted in

Satkosia Tiger Reserve have demonstrated to park managers and policy makers, for the first time in Orissa, the

relevance of Community based Ecotourism as an effective tool in PA management. Experiential learning through

the process of piloting ecotourism provides the opportunity for lessons learnt to be taken into account during

replication elsewhere. The involvement of the community in ecotourism initiatives have bridged the gap that existed

between the forest dwellers and the PA management. The community has started envisaging the benefits that would

accrue to them through ecotourism by keeping the biodiversity intact and by supporting conservation of the natural

areas surrounding their villages. The success of the Ecotourism initiatives in the Satkosia reflects the concern for

achieving a balance between conservation of the sanctuary and livelihood of people living in and around it. Models

and methodologies generated in Satkosia Tiger Reserve are now being replicated elsewhere in the State, while

recognizing that the process and protocols will continually evolve with experience and in response to new

challenges.

INTRODUCTION

Orissa State in East India has a wealth of natural forests that range from coastal mangroves in the Bay of

Bengal to dry and moist types of tropical deciduous forests in the Eastern Ghats. Approximately 37% of the State is

classified as forest, including a well-planned network of protected areas (PAs) that comprises 2 national parks and

18 sanctuaries. Much of the remaining forest is under huge pressure from forest fires, livestock grazing, shifting

cultivation, wildlife poaching, and collection of fuel wood, timber and other forest products.

Major initiatives are underway in Orissa to conserve its forest biodiversity. The Forest Department has

been focusing on reducing the dependence of local communities on forests through participatory approaches to

forest management and promoting alternative livelihoods. Community based Ecotourism is a strategic component

which is being piloted for in few sanctuaries in Orissa that aims to enhance livelihoods of forest dependent

communities. The participatory processes that were piloted in Satkosia Tiger Reserve have demonstrated to park

managers and policy makers, for the first time in Orissa, the relevance of Community based Ecotourism as an

effective tool in PA management.

This paper describes the experiential learning processes and mechanisms evolved and upscaled in Orissa to

engage forest communities in planning and managing ecotourism enterprises, while protecting biodiversity in the

adjacent or surrounding PA. Principles and mechanisms for prioritizing the livelihood needs of those most

dependent on forest resources are defined, along with the processes necessary to forge robust and effective

partnerships between the PA authority and village communities. Lessons learned are highlighted to inform the

application of this emerging model to other PAs, both in Orissa and elsewhere.

THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY IN ORISSA

Orissa’s forests, supports around 86 Sp of mammals, 473 Sp of birds, 110 Sp of reptiles, more than 3000 Sp

of plants including 132 Sp of orchids, 60 Sp of mangrove plants and 350 Sp of medicinal plants. The rich

biodiversity of the state is conserved through a network of protected areas complemented by wilderness areas,

wetlands and other bio-diverse sites along the coasts including mangroves and turtle rookeries. Elephant, tiger,

leopard, blackbuck, crocodiles, Olive Ridley turtle, Irrawaddy dolphin and migratory birds provide special

attractions.

An assessment of key threats to biodiversity was undertaken in four sanctuaries of Orissa (Panwar et al. 2009)

under the Orissa Forestry Sector Development Project. The study shows that a major part of the PAs are impacted

by forest fires, unregulated collection of timber, fuel wood, and non-wood forest products (NWFPs), livestock

grazing, shifting cultivation and poaching (Table 1). Two overriding inferences from this assessment are:

o Biodiversity in Orissa’s PAs is under huge threat from a plethora of largely inter-related pressures that are

likely to continue to increase because current levels of resource use and disturbance are unsustainable.

o These threats are not appropriately addressed in current PA management plans.

Table 1. Key threats to biodiversity identified in a selection of Orissa’s PAs, May 2008.

KEY THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY Kotagarh Kuldiha Lakhari Valley Satkosia Gorge

Forest fire *** * *** ***

Podu (Slash-and-burn agriculture) *** ***

Livestock grazing ** ** * ***

Unregulated collection natural

resources

*** * *** ***

Unregulated collection fuel wood *** *** *** ***

Illegal timber collection * *** * **

Wildlife poaching * ** ** *

Water-stress for wildlife in dry

season

* * * *

Human-wildlife conflicts * ** **

KEY TO SCALE OF IMPACT

***

Extensive

major impact

**

Some areas, moderate

impact

*

Few areas,

major impact

Absent,

no impact

This study convinced the Forest Department of the urgent need to engage local communities in eco-

development and ecotourism through participatory, consensus-building approaches that would enable them to

improve their livelihoods in ways that reduce their dependencies on forests. Importantly, in the longer term, the

integration of biodiversity conservation requirements with the livelihood needs of village communities within these

PAs will help to pave the way for sustainable coexistence of people and wildlife in and around protected areas.

ECOTOURISM PRINCIPLES - GLOBAL SCENARIO

Ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves

the welfare of local people." (International Ecotourism Society, 1990 cited in TIES 2006). While "nature-based

tourism" simply describes travel to natural places; ecotourism is a type of nature-based tourism that benefits local

communities and destinations environmentally, culturally and economically. Ecotourism represents a set of

principles that have been successfully implemented in various global communities, and are supported by extensive

industry and academic research.

Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who

implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:

Minimize impact.

Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.

Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.

Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.

Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.

Ecotourism, when properly executed based on these principles, exemplifies the benefits of socially and

environmentally sound tourism development. (Bruntland Commission, 1987).

Ecotourism first grew out of the global environmental movement in the late 1970s. While the development

and growth of ecotourism took various paths in different parts of the world, by the early 1990s, ecotourism, along

with nature-based, cultural, heritage and adventure tourism, had become among the fastest growing sectors of the

tourism industry worldwide. More recently, ecotourism has helped to spawn a variety of new terms, such as

sustainable tourism, pro-poor tourism, and responsible tourism, all of which encompass the concept that tourism can

and should benefit conservation and host communities.

ECOTOURISM OPPORTUNITIES AND PRESENT SENARIO IN ORISSA

The state of Orissa with its rich natural and cultural heritage is one of the most attractive tourist

destinations in the country. Well-endowed with vast forest areas, rivers, coast line, beaches, lakes and lagoon, it

provides unique opportunities for promotion of ecotourism in the state. The state is well known amongst tourists for

its temples and beaches, but deserves greater exposure of its hinterland of hills, forests, wildlife and tribal culture

through promotion of ecotourism.

To date, tourism in Orissa has been developed primarily in coastal regions and a handful of inland locations.

As for ecotourism, it is not properly understood and yet to be developed in a meaningful way that benefits nature

conservation and local communities. Orissa has considerable potential for ecotourism development, given the State’s

natural beauty and wildlife, as well as cultural heritage that includes a wealth of tribal communities. However, many

of the increasing numbers of destinations marketed as ecotourism are predominantly nature-based ventures, often in

PAs, that:

do not promote conscientious low impact visitor behavior;

do not provide support for local conservation efforts; or

do not provide benefits to local communities. (Green, et al. 2010)

Thus, a community-based approach to ecotourism, with substantial involvement and control by the

community and the majority of benefits accruing directly to it (Wood 2002), is to be promoted, in line with the

Orissa Forestry Sector Vision for 2020 (Government of Orissa 2005).

ECOTOURISM AND THE ROLE OF FORESTRY SECTOR

Given the potential benefits to nature conservation and forest dependent communities living in and around

protected areas through ecotourism, there is a need to promote ecotourism within the State by

i. developing and adopting an ecotourism policy based on international definitions, principles and standards

ii. demonstrating good practices, with focus on protected area destinations;

iii. fostering community based ecotourism within and adjacent to protected areas, as part of eco-development

iv. hosting a website to promote understanding of ecotourism, market destinations and encourage best practice by

applying set of ecotourism criteria to such destinations for the benefit of the visitor, seeking an ecotourism

experience

This is guided by the fact that the Stakes of communities in conservation efforts need to be strengthened and ensures

through their active involvement in Eco-development Committees (EDC) and by partnering them in ecotourism

activities. (OFSDP, 2006).

DEMONSTRATING GOOD PRACTICE

A number of ecotourism enterprises have been initiated within the forestry sector during the last few years.

While these demonstrate a certain amount of ‘good practice’ particularly with respect to engaging local communities

in managing tented camps and lodges, there is a scope to develop other ‘good practices’ that are fundamental to

principles of ecotourism. This is clear from an assessment of three ecolodges visited by Biodiversity Specialists,

under OFSDP, in 2009. (Table.2). (Panwar et al, 2009)

Table 2. Assessment of eco-lodges in sanctuaries undertaken by OFSDP

CRITERIA Satkosia Gorge Kuldiha Debrigarh

Tikarapada

Nature Camp

Kuldiha

Ecotourism

Complex

Ecotourism Cottages

Barakhandia

Surrounding natural and cultural environment conserved. ©

Minimal impact on natural surroundings during

construction. © * *

Local architecture and building material used Canvas tents * *

Sustainable means of water acquisition; use is minimized. ©

Sustainable means of energy acquisition; use is minimized. © © *

Waster minimized and recycled * * *

Environmentally acceptable disposal of solid waste and

sewage ? ? ?

Local products used.

Use of toxic chemicals in daily operations avoided.

Ecolodge run by members of local community. © * ©

Interpretation of local natural and cultural heritage * * *

Key: © Criterion met through conscious effort ? Not known

Criterion may be met but not as a result of any deliberate effort * Criterion not met

COMMUNITY-BASED ECOTOURISM IN SATKOSIA - THE PILOT

Established in 1976 as a wildlife sanctuary, Satkosia spreads along the magnificent gorge over the mighty

river Mahanadi in Orissa and is a paradise of immense scenic charm. The area was declared as a Tiger Reserve in

2007 and is spread over 4 districts; Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh. The Tiger reserve has an area of 964 sq

km with 524 sq km as core area. The forests of Satkosia over the past have been vulnerable to heavy biotic

pressures. There are 116 villages located within the protected area, which have been depending on these forests for

their livelihoods (Popli, et al 2008). After declaration of the PA many restrictions have been imposed on local

communities on use of forest resources. The households which were earlier depending on wage employment through

timber and bamboo working, NTFP collection and marketing, fishing etc are now left at large to undertake

alternative livelihoods. This has created unrest and dissatisfaction among local communities, and many even resort

to poaching and timber smuggling. Wildlife conservation, in present day cannot be guaranteed and sustained unless

local communities are involved meaningfully. Meaningful involvement would require communities to benefit

financially, from conservation initiatives. Inclusive growth of forest dependent households by way of providing

alternative livelihoods was the key.

NATURE CAMP, TIKARPADA

Ecotourism was initiated in Satkosia during 2006 by setting up a temporary Nature Camp at Tikarpada,

managed by local communities. The camp aimed to provide intense nature camping experience during winter

months on the sand banks of river Mahanadi. Local households in Tikarpada village of Satkosia Gorge Sactuary

were mobilized and organized to form an ecotourism group for managing and operating the nature camp. 24 poor

households which were dependent on forest resources and fishing were grouped together to run the nature camp.

They were provided training on hospitality management, catering, reception services, pitching of tents etc. Since,

2006, the nature camp is being set up every year on the sand banks of river Mahanadi for 4 months during the winter

season. 12 bath attached tents are pitched in the camp. The ecotourism group that manages the nature camp was

registered into a society called Tikarpada Paribesh Paryatan Samiti, Tikarpada (TIPPS).

The initial infrastructure support for setting up the camp was provided by the forest department. The nature

camp provides a tour package to the visitors consisting of accommodation, boating, trekking and catering facilities.

The visitors pay the Ecotourism group (TIPPS) for using the nature camp. The group manages and maintains the

entire infrastructure like tents, cots, toilet systems etc. They also replace and adds necessary infrastructure like tents,

furniture, linen, crockery etc. Currently 24 households of Tikarpada are earning their livelihoods from this nature

camp.

Tourists can make reservations and bookings for the nature camp through the ‘Ecotourism Cell’ at Satkosia

Wildlife Division, Angul. The reservations can also be made through the website; www.satkosia.org. The camp has

become hugely popular among eco tourists; while the community was able to derive substantial profits from

ecotourism. This initiative has also supported the park management to win the support of the local communities

towards wildlife conservation.

Nature Camp, Tikarpada

Camping in Satkosia Ecotourism Group (TIPPS)

INCOMES FROM NATURE CAMP, TIKARPADA

During the initial years the profits from the nature camp were low. Gradually the marketing linkages

strengthened, and the tourist inflows increased thereby bringing more returns every year.

Table: 3 Income and Expenditure of Nature camp, Tikarpada managed by TIPPS (in Rs)

Year No. of

visitors

Gross

income

Expenditure Net income 35% of net income

for corpus fund to

be used next year

65% of net income

shared among of the

group for 5 months

Share per

household per

month

2006-07 256 66,950 Nil 66,950 23,433 43,517 791/- ( 11

households)

2007-08 1047 3,54,50 63,914 2,90,586 103,607 1,86,979 1890/- (20

households)

2008-09 1386 8,40,850 4,43,903 4,25,317 1,48,577 2,75,928 2299/- (24

Households)

2009-10 2013 11,56,761 5,02,426 6,54,335 2,29,017 4,25,317 3544/- (24

Households)

2010-11 1694 13,81,971 5,55,910 8,26,061 3,30,425 4,95,636 4130/- (24

Households)

From the gross income of the camp, the ecotourism group meets the recurring expenses towards catering,

fuel, linen, transportation etc. 35% of the net profit is set aside as a corpus fund to be used for the next year, to be

used towards pitching the camp, plumbing charges, repair of tents, purchase of new tents, replacement of linen,

furniture etc. The remaining 65% of the net income is shared among the households of the Ecotourism group.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Visitors per year

0200,000400,000600,000800,000

1,000,000

Net income (Rs)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Share per household per month (Rs)

Table: 4. Benefits to various stakeholders

Stakeholder Benefits

Local Community (Tikarpada Village) Benefits from increased income

Protected Area Management Gains goodwill and support from local communities for

Biodiversity conservation

Tourists Better visitor experience, enhanced environment awareness

and conservation education

BENEFIT SHARING IN COMMUNITY BASED ECOTOURISM:

Fundamental to the community based ecotourism model is the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding

between the protected area management and the local community (EDC) that defines the relationship between

parties, in terms of their respective responsibilities and the distribution of financial benefits accruing from the

venture (Box 1). It is particularly important to ensure that the revenue benefits those running the venture (ecotourism

group), the wider local community (EDC) and the conservation of the resource (biodiversity) upon which it is

dependent. Thus, financial mechanisms need to be instituted whereby varying proportions of the revenue are

distributed between those running the ecolodge, the local EDC and the protected area management. (Green et al,

2010).

A variety of benefit sharing models has been developed in other PAs in India, Periyar Tiger Reserve, for

example which is acknowledged for its successful development of community based ecotourism. The benefit sharing

model will be specific for each ecotourism venture and will depend on various factors namely, type of venture

(accommodation, trekking, boating, catering, nature camps, guides etc), period of operation and institutional

arrangements. In order to provide an equitable benefit sharing between the Ecotourism group, the village EDC and

conservation initiatives, a benefit sharing model was evolved for Nature Camp, Tikarpada through discussions with

various stakeholders and was proposed to be implemented from 2011 onwards, (Table 5). Accordingly 50 % of

Box 1 – MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN

FORESTS AND ENVIORNMENT DEPARTMENT AND ECOTOURISM/ECODEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES FOR

COMMUNITY-MANAGED ECO-LODGES

A MoU should be define the relationship between the Forest Department and EDC, whereby ownership and/or management of an

eco-lodge is entrusted to an EDC in return for providing certain facilities and services to agreed standards and principles of ecotourism.

It may be complemented by a Service Level Agreement in which services are quantified in more detail and reviewed annually.

Both parties are partners sharing a common interest: to protect the natural resource base upon which ecosystem services and,

therefore, local livelihoods depend.

The responsibilities of each partner are defined, the role of the Forest Department being advisory and facilitative, while that of the EDC is to oversee management of the eco-lodge.

Gross income generated from the eco-lodge and ancillary facilities and services, or net income after deduction of running costs (e.g. food, fuel, cleaning materials etc)2, may be shared as suggested below:

o 20% lodge maintenance, development and staff training fund; o 10% PA welfare/development fund;

o 10% EDC fund for distribution among EDC members for promotion of other IGAs; and

o 60% wages of eco-lodge employees. Where wages exceed Rs.2,5003 per employee in a month, the balance may be shared equally (33.33%) between the PA welfare/development fund, EDC fund and employees.

The accounts should be professionally audited annually.

Provisions should include certain reciprocal conservation management commitments on the part of the EDC, such as

recording/monitoring wildlife encountered while guiding nature walks, reporting incidences of poaching and fire, and protecting

an area adjacent to the facility from encroachment and fire.

Services provided by the EDC additional to running the eco-lodge should include guided trips (by boat, non-mechanised vehicle,

on foot or elephant) with interpretation of the local history, culture and biodiversity.

gross revenue will be used for recurring and non-recurring expenditure of the nature camp, to be done by the

ecotourism group which manages the camp. The remaining 50% of the profit will be shared between 3 stakeholders.

Table:5. Proposed benefit sharing for Nature Camp, Tikarpada

Expenditure (50%) Recurring 35 %

Non recurring (Corpus fund) 15 %

Profit (50%) Ecotourism group members (TIPPS) 30 %

Eco-development Committee 10 %

Satkosia Ecotourism Society 10 %

Table: 6. Projected income and expenditure based on proposed benefit sharing mechanism

Unit cost as Rs. 750 per tourist / day

Benefit sharing Share

in %

50% bookings

on full capacity

[1800 tourist

days]

60% bookings on

full capacity [2160

tourist days]

70% bookings

on full capacity

[2540 tourist

days]

80% bookings

on full capacity

[2880 tourist

days]

Recurring expenditure

[35%]

35% 4,72,500 5,67,000 6,66,750 7,56,000

Corpus fund [15%] 15% 2,02,500 2,43,000 2,85,750 3,24,000

Ecotourism Group

Share[30%]

30% 4,05,000 4,86,000 5,71,500 6,48,000

Govt. Revenue [10%] 10% 1,35,000 1,62,000 1,90,500 2,16,000

Ecotourism society [10

%]

10% 1,35,000 1,62,000 1,90,500 2,16,000

NB: Full capacity: 12 tents x 2 persons x 5 months = 3600 tourist days

COMPREHENSIVE ECOTOURISM PLAN FOR SATKOSIA

Based on the experiences gained in implementing the pilot community based ecotourism initiative, a

need was felt for evolving a comprehensive ecotourism plan for Satkosia Tiger Reserve. Many villagers within the

PA started demanding an ecotourism venture as the profits from these activities are much higher than other

livelihood activities promoted under various eco-development or poverty alleviation schemes. Accordingly under

the OFSDP, a comprehensive vision for community-based ecotourism strategy was developed (Box.2), for Satkosia

Tiger Reserve, keeping in view the needs of various stakeholders viz, the protected area and its biodiversity, local

community, park management and the visitors. (Green, et al. 2010).

Box 2 –ECOTOURISM VISION PLAN FOR SATKOSIA TIGER RESERVE

A variety of destinations, accommodation and activities are available to visitors, sufficient for at least a week’s duration that can be filled with different experiences.

Visitors enter the Sanctuary by vehicle and alight at Pumakote, Tikarapada or Baliput where accommodation is available in eco-

lodges. Those wishing to visit other parts of the Tiger Reserve may travel between destinations by non-polluting, quiet forms of

transport. Potential options available for travel, developed as part of the ecotourism experience, are by foot, bicycle, rickshaw,

traditional fishing boat and bullock cart. Personal luggage is carried in back packs, using locally hired porters if required, in the case of travel on foot or cycling (mountain bikes).

A variety of accommodation is available, notably eco-lodges, nature camps and home-stays, all of which are run by members of local communities. A centralized on-line booking system is available at http://www.satkosia.org/.

Tea/curio shops, providing drinks, snacks, picture postcards and prints of the local natural/cultural heritage, maps, guide books and

local handicrafts, are to be found in villages, especially those located strategically between destinations.

A range of activities in and around destinations are available to visitors, including: guided nature walks/treks on foot, guided visits

to sites of cultural interest, cycling, traditional angling by boat with local fisherman, paddling/travelling with fisherman in their traditional boats, learning local handicrafts, teaching skills to villagers, sitting up at night with villagers in machans to see wildlife or

scare off elephant and wild boar from raiding their crops, and being received as guests in village homes.

Ecotourism facilities are run by EDCs in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Forest Department that incorporates standards and criteria to be met, in conformity with ecotourism principles and the policies and regulations pertaining to

the tiger Reserve. Ecotourism, as a component of eco-development, is coordinated by a federation of EDCs that works in partnership with the management authority.

Local guides are knowledgeable in natural history and local culture, trained in interpreting such knowledge, accredited and licensed;

and they are able to converse with visitors in Hindi or English.

Visitors are made aware on entering the Tiger Reserve that it is a special place where littering, use of vehicle horns (emergencies

apart) and excessively noisy behavior out-of-doors are prohibited and enforced by effective measures.

Day visitors similarly access the Tiger Reserve via the two metal roads that terminate at Baliput and Tikarapada, respectively. They

may picnic in designated areas along/adjacent to these routes and on the banks of the Mahanadi River.

MICROPLANNING PROCESS

After the pilot experience of implementing the community run Nature Camp at Tikarpada, it was felt necessary that

village level micro planning is essential to capture the felt needs of the community and to arrive at a consensus

among all sections of the village in running an ecotourism enterprise. In Satkosia, it was observed that while many

villages welcomed ecotourism initiatives, few others had apprehensions in operating ecotourism activities in their

villages. Some communities were cautious of allowing visitors entering their village limits while others found it as

an opportunity to tap the ecotourism incomes. Hence it is highly essential that the ecotourism master plan of the PA

needs to be discussed and agreed upon with the community at large. In Satkosia Tiger Reserve, the ecotourism

activates, after the initial pilot in Tikarpada, were practiced within the larger gamut of Eco-development under

OPSDP. The eco-development and ecotourism micro planning processes were piloted and standardized in Satkosia,

which is now documented in guidelines (Panwar et al. 2009), and is replicating elsewhere in Satkosia and more

widely across Orissa’s large network of PAs.

The micro planning is essential to identify target households who will become beneficiaries of the

ecotourism microenterprise with consensus of all other households in the village. The households who are dependent

on the forest resources and are poor should be targeted. Simple PRA tools could help in identifying the target

households in an equitable and transparent manner. The principle tools used in micro-planning in Satkosia are social

mapping, visioning, forest dependency and wellness ranking and household interviews. While some of these are

well known PRA tools that have been applied elsewhere in Orissa, forest dependency and wellness rankings were

designed specifically to identify and target the most forest dependent and poorest households, respectively. Criteria

for ranking these two attributes were developed by Chhotkei villagers during initial trials in Satkosia Tiger Reserve

and thereafter, adopted as part of the micro-planning process (Table 7). The method is objective and easy to apply in

a transparent and accountable manner, requiring only a few hours of animated and interactive discussion to reach

consensus in an open forum. (Panwar et al. 2009).

Table 7. Criteria for defining categories of forest dependency and wellness

RECIPROCAL COMMITMENTS

During the micro planning process the reciprocal commitments from the community towards wildlife

conservation and protection of the forest resource are also agreed upon. In return for support received from

ecotourism, the village EDC must reciprocate by way of various commitments to ensure that biodiversity is

protected and conserved. These commitments extend to buffer zones of PAs adjacent to their villages that may be

Forest dependency

High Graze livestock, collect NTFP/bamboo (commercially), collect firewood and thatching materials

for own use

Medium Graze livestock, collect firewood and thatching materials for own use

Low Collect firewood and thatching materials for own use

Wellness

Very poor Landless; no regular source of income (head male of household deceased); widow; separated

woman; orphaned children

Poor Marginal land holder; day-to-day (hand-to-mouth) living

Manageable Less land; barely enough for the year;with no savings

Well off Enough land; well established; government service or pensioner; running a good business; surplus

food and money during the year

assigned to the EDC for protection duties to complement the enforcement work of Forest Department staff. They

should include the following, for which the Executive Committee has responsibility: (Green et al, 2010)

No fire, poaching, illegal felling of timber or encroachment in village forests or any other forests

assigned to the EDC for use (e.g. grazing) or protection.

No grazing by goats in plantations within village forests or any other assigned forests.

Provision of intelligence, information and other assistance in the prevention and investigation of

offences and offenders.

100% immunization of village livestock (implemented in year one with Project funds and

subsequently sustained by the EDC).

Registration of all fire arms in the village.

NATURE CAMP, CHHOTKEI

After detailed micro planning, a second Nature Camp was initiated in 2009 at Chhotkei village, in Satkosia

under the Orissa Forestry Sector Development Project, (OFSDP) supported by Japanese International Cooperation

Agency (JICA). The camp is designed to be eco friendly and aims at a low carbon footprint. The camp has a master

plan for 10 eco friendly cottages. Initially, 5 cottages are being constructed with compressed earth bricks and

bamboo. Compressed earth bricks are preferred over burned bricks due to low ecological footprint. The roof is made

of bamboo corrugated sheets and supported by treated bamboo pillars.

Designing Nature Camp, Chhotkei

Table 8. Benefit sharing in Chhotkei Nature Camp (in Rs)

Year No. of

visitors

Gross income Satkosia Tiger Conservation

Fund (10%)

EDC Share

(10%)

Ecotourism Group share (80%)

2011-12 719 7,68,685 76,868 76,868 6,14,948

2012-13 1291 13,50,381 1,35,037 1,35,037 10,80,306

PICNIC SITE AT GAINDI

Thousands of day visitors come to Satkosia during winter months, each year. Tikarpada is the preferred destination

for most day tourists and picnickers. Earlier visitors used to do picnicking in the forest areas within the reserve. This

led to large scale dumping of garbage and pollution in the forest areas. Local communities were not getting any

benefits from the large number of day-tourists visiting the tiger reserve. During 2009, a designated picnic area was

developed on the River Banks of Mahanadi in Gaindi village. This picnic place was managed by the local Eco

development committee of Gaindi village. Picnickers were provided clean seating spaces, washing areas, cooking

places and toilets. Boating facilities are also provided to the visitors. Presently, the EDC at Gaindi earns substantial

incomes during the winter months. The visitors are also satisfied as they get better facilities for picnicking, while the

tiger reserve is kept pollution free.

Eco guides briefing visitors in nature trails and trek

Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, Orissa, Sri. P.N. Padhi, IFS, interacting with Ecotourism

group members, during their training at Institute of Hotel Management and Catering, Bhubaneswar.

IMPACT ON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

The involvement of the community in ecotourism initiatives have bridged the gap that existed between the

forest dwellers and the PA management. The community has started envisaging the benefits that would accrue to

them through ecotourism by keeping the biodiversity intact and by supporting conservation of the natural areas

surrounding their villages. The increased incomes which flowed from the Nature Camp at Tikarpada from 2006

onwards have convinced many villages the benefits from community run ecotourism.

There has been a perceptible change in the attitude of the community towards wildlife conservation. Over

the years the villagers have supported the PA management in fire prevention, providing intelligence input into

wildlife poaching and timber smuggling. The illegal movement of forest produce through the Mahanadi River has

completely stopped due to the active involvement of TIPPS, at Tikarpada. The impacts of community support

towards wildlife conservation in Satkosia can be clearly visualized from the reduced forest offences being

committed in the Tiger Reserve over the recent years. (Table7, Table 8).

Table 7. Wildlife Offence cases

Year No of wildlife offence cases

2005-06 16

2006-07 13

2007-08 12

2008-09 5

2009-10 4

2010-11 3

Table 8. Timber smuggling cases

Year No. of Timber smuggling

offence cases

No. of vehicles seized

2005-06 639 53

2006-07 559 62

2007-08 268 4

2008-09 141 -

2009-10 28 6

2010-11 10 0

CONCLUSIONS AND LESSONS LEARNT

The community based ecotourism model followed in Satkosia, over the last 6 years has shown substantial

insights. Initially the local communities were totally dependent on the forest resources but were deprived due to the

restrictions imposed by Sanctuary laws. This was leading to frequent conflicts between the local communities and

the PA managers. Ecotourism provided an alternative microenterprise to the deprived community, thereby bringing

increased incomes. This has changed the attitude of the community to the PA and they are now supporting the PA

management in wildlife conservation efforts. The ecotourism groups and the community supports the forest

department in forest protection, fire prevention, providing intelligence inputs on movement of poachers, prevents

illegal fishing etc. Hence the community has gained through increased incomes; the PA managers have gained

enhanced support from the community towards conservation; the tourists have benefited from better visitor

experiences and conservation education values; and finally the PA is benefitted through enhanced biodiversity

conservation.

The success of the Ecotourism initiatives in the Satkosia reflects the concern for achieving a balance

between conservation of the sanctuary and livelihood of people living in and around it. The involvement of local

communities in Ecotourism activities is a step in the right direction. It provides for alternative sources of income to

local communities, which live in and around protected areas, thus decreasing their dependence on forest resources

and increasing their commitment to keeping the forests intact. Involving the community is a critically important and

complex subject for successful community-based ecotourism. Opportunities and solutions will vary considerably in

different areas and between communities. An important principle is to seek to work with existing social and

community structures, though these can create challenges as well as opportunities. It can also help to identify

potential leaders and people with drive. The main objective should be to achieve broad and equitable benefits

throughout the community. Issues of gender may also be important and ecotourism can provide good opportunities

for women.

Ecotourism development for nurturing a more sustainable future for people and their environment requires

engagement of all key stakeholders at the outset of the process. Experience from piloting ecotourism in Satkosia

Tiger Reserve has shown the following to be critical to success:

Ownership of the process by the community and other key stakeholders, culminating in a shared vision and

agreed micro plan.

Strengthening the capacity of community members to participate actively in planning and implementation

of ecotourism.

Training, supervision and long-term mentoring of those facilitating participatory processes.

Well-facilitated, participatory micro-planning generates understanding and trust that cements good relations

between PA authorities and local communities.

Experiential learning through the process of piloting ecotourism provides the opportunity for lessons learnt

to be taken into account during replication elsewhere. Models and methodologies generated in Satkosia Tiger

Reserve are now being replicated elsewhere in the State, while recognizing that the process and protocols will

continually evolve with experience and in response to new challenges. An important and outstanding next step is to

design and implement a monitoring programme to benchmark and subsequently monitor the visitor impacts on the

environment and local communities and the conservation message conveyed to visitors. This in turn will focus on

generating new knowledge, insights and modalities for sustainable ecotourism.

REFERENCES

Bruntland Commission, 1987, World Commission on Environment and Development, United Nations.

Government of Orissa, 2005. Orissa Forestry Sector Vision 2020. Forest and Environment Department,

Bhubaneshwar.

Green, Michael J.B, Manoj Misra, Arun K. Bansal and R. Raghu Prasad, 2010 Eco-development in Orissa’s

protected areas: a participatory approach to conserving forest biodiversity and alleviating poverty piloted in Satkosia

OFSDP, 2006. Orissa Forestry Sector Development Project. Project Memorandum. Forest and Environment

Department, Government of Orissa, Bhubaneshwar.

Panwar, H.S., M.J.B. Green, and M.K. Misra, 2009. Conceptual framework for eco-development including

community-based ecotourism and its application in Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary. Orissa Forestry Sector Development

Project, Bhubaneshwar, India.

Popli, S.K., R.R. Prasad and H.B. Udgata, 2008. Tiger Conservation Plan for Satkosia Tiger Reserve (2008-2009 to

2012-2013). Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme. Forest and Environment Department, Government of Orissa.

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Washington DC. http://www.ecotourism.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/eco_template.aspx?articleid.

United Nations, 1997. Glossary of Environment Statistics, Studies in Methods. Series F, No. 67. United Nations,

New York.

Wood, Megan Eplar, 2002. Ecotourism: principles, practices and policies for sustainable development. United

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