Ecotourism in Himalayas: A case study of Jaunsar region (Uttarakhand, India) (original) (raw)

Lambert Publication, Germany

Abstract Tourism is the third largest industry of the world after garments and gems-jewellery industry. Over the years tourism became one of the largest and fastest-growing economic sectors in the world. In the year 2012, the world tourist arrival crossed 1000 million (1 billion), which gives US$ 1075 billion in return. Tourism also contributed 9% of GDP (direct, indirect and induced) in world in year 2012 (UNWTO, 2013). According to United Nations World Tourism Organization Statistics Report-2013, the share of silk route regions i.e. Europe, Middle East and Asia and the Pacific is more than 75% (more than 800 million) in world international tourism arrivals. Revival of ancient silk route for not only trade purposes but also for tourism will lead to new dimension of tourism in world. Ecotourism is one of the very sensitive types of tourism and is amongst the very demanding segment of tourism industry. To throw light on ecotourism, various definitions have been given by authors and specialist to explain the ecotourism. A Mexican architect, environmentalist, Hector Ceballos-Lascuráin, who was given credit for using the term first time “Ecotourism” in 1983, defines as the activity which respects the environment, encourage and promote the well being of local people. The different synonyms of ecotourism are nature-tourism, agro-tourism, responsible tourism, sustainable tourism etc. India is very rich its natural resources having variety of flora and fauna, which are slowly disappearing due to urbanization and unsustainable development in an area. Many of the places are loosing their characteristics of natural beauty due to mass tourism. Tourism, if unplanned may cause adverse impact on nature but ecotourism is activity which helps in utilising the resources in optimal way by supporting preservation of natural resources. To save environment and promote ecotourism, proper policy, plannings are required to stop uncontrolled development. There should be separate rules and regulations for local people, tourist visiting there and travel & tour operating companies who are promoting a place as eco-destination. It is our responsibility to study ecotourism issues properly and apply at the different places. Ecotourism could be best way to sustain natural sites and development of an area. This study is review of ecotourism planning at different parts of world and applying the concepts and results in local areas. The Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttrakhand state in India has been taken as study area for community development through ecotourism. Key words: Ecotourism, Jaunsar, Koti Kanasar, Mahasu Devta, Devban, rural-ecotourism, Chakrata