Eco-Tourism: An Engine of Economic Growth in Sikkim (original) (raw)
PROSPECTUS OF ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN SIKKIM
Sikkim is the smallest state of India with rich culture, heritage, and natural biodiversity. Beautiful landscape, rivers, lakes, forests, mountains and cold desert, there is everything here one can dream of a place. Eleven areas in Sikkim as ecotourism zones have been identified and distinguished by The Directorate of Ecotourism under the Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department which is developed under JICA assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project (SBFP). The objective of this paper has explored the status and prospectus of Ecotourism Development in Sikkim. For the study secondary data has been used in the form of published research articles and Sikkim government " tourism and ecotourism Policies etc. It can be concluded that Sikkim has a great potential for ecotourism development while following sustainable practices. It was found that that the locals participate in ecotourism activities only for enjoying economic benefits either in the form of increased job opportunities, income or improved infrastructure and tourists had favorable attitude towards ecotourism experience but there is a need to retain a balance between conservation of natural and cultural resources and provide economic development with regular growth.
Socio-Economic development through Ecotourism: A Case Study of Kitam Village, South Sikkim
Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 2019
Ecotourism is the most feasible industry of Sikkim that manages both conservation and economic development. Community based ecotourism has been largely practices in the state of Sikkim. Participation of local community in ecotourism raises awareness in protection of natural and cultural resources at any destinations. Local community has been identified the key agent for successful ecotourism development. Kitam village has been identified as an Ecotourism Zone by Directorate of Ecotourism, Sikkim Forest Department. Tourists visiting 'Kitam Bird Sanctuary' has been viewed the core feature in ecotourism development of this village. Therefore, the present study made an attempt to understand the impact of ecotourism in view of environmental and socioeconomic development in the village of Kitam, South Sikkim. The finding of this study shows that participation of local community in ecotourism has made significant contributions in providing alternate livelihood. This study also tries to indicate some negative impact of ecotourism development in Kitam.
A Critical Analysis of Motivational Factors of Host Communities for Developing Ecotourism in Sikkim
Global Journal of Enterprise Information System, 2021
Purpose: The primary aim of this study is to identify the motivational factors that influence the local communities to get involved in ecotourism related activities in the ecotourismzones of Sikkim. Two villages namely Okharey and Lachung in the extremely popular ecotourism zones of western and northern part of Sikkim were studied to identify the motivational factors. Design/Methodology/Approach: Mix method approach was applied to study the motivational factors. Primary data was collected through semi-structured questionnaire as well as interviews with the local people who were engaged in ecotourism, along with field observation as well as interview with the government officials. The sample of the local community was collected usings now ball sampling technique. Secondary data was obtained from books, journals, government reports and internet sources.Descriptive statistical analysis was used for the analysis of the quantitative data collected by the questionnaire survey method while Qualitative data focused more on drawing meaning from the content of the data. Findings: The result shows that increasing tourists' inflow in the state has motivated the local communities to engage themselves in ecotourism related activities in both the studied villages. Host community i.e. locals have grasped that ecotourism related activities provide an employment opportunity which further helps to enhance their socioeconomic condition. Educating the local community about the positive and negative impacts of ecotourism play a major role in motivating them while employment and monetary benefits also play a significant role in motivating the locals Originality/Value: This study will be beneficial to a sit will help identify the factors that motivates host community and can be applied in developing new ecotourism destinations across the country.
Escaping the Concrete Jungle: An Exploration of Ecotourism Development in Dzongu, North Sikkim
This undergraduate research study aims to understand the case of ecotourism development in Dzongu through exploring motivations, outcomes, and agency. Towards this end, I conducted personal interviews and participant observation among different stakeholders in Gangtok and Dzongu. My exploration seeks to find the meaning of ecotourism in the context of Sikkim, the motivation and goals for ecotourism development in Dzongu, the values informing these motivations, how ecotourism is currently operating to meet these goals, and the effects of ecotourism for the collective agency of its proponents in Dzongu. Ecotourism means different things to differentstakeholders, and it is exactly these definitions in action that reveal the motivations, goals, and values behind them. The motivations I found were income generation, environmental and cultural conservation, and the sustainability of the anti-dam movement. Those models which promote the self-determination of the community create the most autonomy.Through this research, I intend to reveala lay of the land which can spark questions for ecotourism practitioners and benefit future research.
SHS Web of Conferences, 2014
Eco-cultural tourism is a concept where both ecological and cultural aspects of a landscape are combined together creating a tourist paradise. It is travel to destinations where both cultural and natural endowments are the prime attractions and thereby considered to be a potential strategy to support conservation of natural habitats along with economic sustainability particularly to indigenous communities. North Eastern Region of India is one of the most mesmerizing regions of the Indian subcontinent that mirrors a perfect blending of life, culture and ecology. It is a relatively unexplored and unique area in terms of both ecology and cultural diversity and is characterized by the abundance of natural endowments; pristine forests with a huge diversity of flora and fauna, enchanting hills, fast flowing streams and meandering rivers, cascading waterfalls, snowcapped mountain ranges etc. Approximately there are 65 indigenous tribes in the region along with a host of sub-tribes having their own distinctive cultures, customs and traditions preserved till today. This article tries to argue through a case study of village tourism at Darap in West Sikkim that eco-cultural tourism is a potent force for the overall economic, social and cultural development as well biodiversity conservation in the region.
Public Participation and Ecotourism: The role and the right of people in Sikkim
South Asia Democratic Forum
This paper focuses on studying the role and rights of Sikkim citizens in engaging in ecotourism management through qualitative research. The research uses public participation theory as a method for the analysis of policy and organizational structure related to ecotourism. The role and right of the people to participate in ecotourism management has been growing and expanding ever since the adoption of the Sikkim Ecotourism Policy in 2013 and through the Sikkim Ecotourism council, Ecotourism Directorate, and ecotourism management at the community level.
Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development in Nagaland A Pathway to Community Empowerment
S.G. Govt. Degree & PG College Piler, 2025
Ecotourism is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for promoting sustainable rural development and biodiversity conservation, particularly in ecologically sensitive and culturally rich regions like Nagaland, India. Ecotourism can catalyse sustainable rural development in Nagaland by creating income opportunities, safeguarding cultural heritage, and enhancing conservation efforts. This study examines how ecotourism can drive such development by focusing on community-based tourism initiatives that benefit local communities‘socio-economically while supporting biodiversity. Community-based approaches, according to Hussain et al. (2019), empower local populations by providing economic opportunities and encouraging the preservation of traditional knowledge and indigenous customs, both crucial to ecological balance. Nonetheless, challenges remain, including insufficient policy support, limited infrastructure, and environmental degradation due to unsustainable practices. To maximize ecotourism‘s potential, this research proposes strategies to integrate ecotourism effectively with rural development by addressing these challenges. Through an analysis of case studies, the study provides a practical framework that policymakers, conservationists, and local stakeholders can use to strengthen ecotourism initiatives. By doing so, this framework supports not only community empowerment but also the long-term sustainability of Nagaland‘s ecological resources, offering a balanced pathway for development and conservation (Bala, 2021; Smith & Karki, 2022).
The impact of tourism on livelihood and environment in West Sikkim: A case study of Pelling
The heavy influx of tourist in Pelling West Sikkim replaces natural forests by concrete jungle through increasing the number of hotels. Approximately 1.7 lakhs tourists, both domestic and international, visit Pelling each year creating a congestion of life in a peak season resulting into some prolonged implications on the infrastructure, environment, natural resources, and culture of the state as a whole. So tourism development and environmental management should be integrated to develop the tourism policies of Sikkim, which will lead towards the sustainable environment for better future.
Ecotourism in Kerala - a case study on empowering the indigenous community
International Journal of Qualitative Research in Services, 2017
The tribal communities are one of the highly marginalised groups and not many studies addresses the existing tribal welfare opportunities and practices available in the ecotourism destinations. This study illustrates the conservation governance model that dovetails cogently the imperatives of conservation, livelihoods and economic production has been documented. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is one of the most popular ecotourism sites in India. This paper highlights innovative practices adopted at the reserve with an intention of replicating these procedures elsewhere. The study identified possible direct and indirect benefits bestowed on the local community and ecology by tourism such as transformation of the reserve into cattle free, plastic free, poacher free, fire free zone and also strategies that led to the generation of sizable revenue directed towards conservation and community welfare. Several implications of ecotourism are introduced and recommendations for future research are presented.