Socio-Economic development through Ecotourism: A Case Study of Kitam Village, South Sikkim (original) (raw)
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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.
Poverty is one of the most pressing global problems of the world today. One promising option to provide employment opportunities for the inhabitants of underdeveloped rural areas is the development of 'pro-poor tourism'. Poverty alleviation tourism can generate environmental benefits in addition to economic, social and cultural ones. This study aims to discuss the possibilities of poverty alleviation of rural communities through the development of community-based ecotourism. The introductory part of the study briefly defines the theoretical frameworks of the concept of poverty and ecotourism in the context of sustainable development. Using the specific example of the Mid-Himalayan Rural village of Pastanga (India), show the potential areas for developing community-based ecotourism with respect to the local development opportunities. In the same way that is draw on our own research as well as available statistical data from the East Sikkim and Questionnaire Survey-2021. The case study presents the current extent of adventure trekking tourism and highlights the trends, characteristics and significance of trekking in Pastanga-Khedi eco-trail. The paper also propose strategies for exploring the trekking potential through the emphasis on ecotourism in the study area. In conclusion, we propose solutions for the regulated development of the area in a participatory way by the concerned stakeholders by implementing activities related to the Community-Based Ecotourism.
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.
Studies in Indian Place Names, 2020
Tourism has undergone remarkable growth, making significant contribution to the local and national economy. Tourism accounts for 10 per cent of the global GDP, creating 1 in every 10 jobs in the world. Every year, millions of tourists flock to various tourist attractions such as historical sites, museums and coastlines, bringing income and jobs to local communities. The trend of ecotourism has been consistently gaining attention since the mid-20th century, which now represents an estimated 11.4% of all tourism consumers spending. Ecotourism is a budding area of tourism and Karnataka which is rich in cultural areas and natural habitat attracts tourists to these places. There are large number of wild life sanctuaries such as Bandipur, Nagarhole and Ranganathittu. The study attempts to understand the impact of ecotourism on the sustainable development-economic status, employment generation and environmental conservation among the local communities of the Kodagu District. This study is exploratory in nature that intends to find out how ecotourism has benefitted the local communities of Kodagu on the basis of economic status, employment generation and environmental sustainability. The data has been collected from both primary sources as well as secondary sources. A sample of 99 responses has been collected from Kodagu Dist, through a method of convenient random sampling and snowball sampling. The study reveals that the governments should invest more in the areas of infrastructural development for the local community members working in the forest areas, promote savings and investment platforms that can help contribute to the development of ecotourism in Kodagu.
ECOTOURISM EFFECTS ON LOCAL ECONOMY SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT
Sambodhi , 2021
Ecotourism has become an emerging form of alternative tourism as it provides authentic experiences to nature lovers. This paper discusses on the concept of ecotourism and the characteristics of ecotourism. The primary objective of promoting ecotourism is to conserve the environment and improve the socioeconomic well being of local people.The present research article found out that ecotourism directly provides benefits to the people living in the concerned areas in the form of income, employment, decent facilities and dignified social life. The impacts of ecotourism on society, local economy and environment are complex. The paper made an enquiry into the current scenario of ecotourism in Kerala and its effects on local economy,society and environment.
Journal of Research and Rural Planning, 2017
Purpose: Janat Rudbar is one of the important tourist destinations in rural areas of Ramsar in Mazandaran. The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitude of the local community towards the development of ecotourism, its effects and consequences, their level of support, and the factors affecting it. Method: The method is survey and cross-sectional. The sample of the study consists of households of Janat Rudbar in Ramsar, Mazandaran. Research data was collected by applying census method. Findings: The results of the research showed that, firstly, the attitude of the local community towards ecotourism is positive; secondly, the local community is aware of the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental impacts of the rural development projects; and, finally, the level of support of the local community of ecotourism development is relatively high. Moreover, the results of the research have shown that there is a relationship between local community supports from ecotourism deve...
Eco-Tourism: An Engine of Economic Growth in Sikkim
Kurukshetra: A Journal of Rural Development, 2012
The Key factors driving indigenous involvement in Ecotourism include gaining legal rights to land, preventing other extractive land uses and cultural reviaval. Indigenous ecotourism will sustain and conserve natural areas, maintain Indigenous lifestyles and provide benefits for Indigenous communities. The fact that tribal population in Sikkim has an appreciable ownership of landed property in the state facilitates their easy participation.
Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2019
This research was aimed to (1) identify tourism objects in Ngargoyoso District, Karanganyar Regency and (2) analyse tourism readiness in Ngargoyoso District to be developed into community-based ecotourism. Data was collected through observingthe environmental conditions, determining tourism objects locations through GPS, and interviewing managers, communities and tourists. The development of Community Based Ecosystem readiness evaluation follows CBE which was developed by WTO and INDECON with regard to four aspects namely socioeconomic , socio-cultural, environmental and management aspects. The results showed that: (1) in Ngargoyoso Sub district there were 19 tourism objects, consists of 2 cultural tourism objects, 5 original natural objects and 12 artificial natural objects; (2) The results of the CBE readiness evaluation of Ngargoyoso Sub district were, 5 tourism objects were in very good categories, 12 objects were in good category, one tourismobjectwas in medium category and one tourist objectwas in very bad category.
Ecotourism Development in Sungai Janiah, Agam: The Paradigms from the Local Community
Journal of Business on Hospitality and Tourism, 2019
Ecotourism pays attention to conserved ecosystems with the aim of improving the welfare of local communities. Ecotourism development might have a positive impact on the natural, economic, social and cultural environment. Sungai Janiah is one of the tourist destinations in Agam Regency which has its own attraction that has the potential to become ecotourism. To support this, full support from the local community as a tourism agent is needed later. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze local community surveys about ecotourism in the Sungai Janiah. This type of research is a quantitative descriptive study with survey methods. The research sample of 77 respondents were taken by purposive sampling technique by distributing questionnaires to families who settled in the Sungai Janiah. The data analysis technique used is descriptive analysis using score classification. The results showed 86% of the public strongly agreed that the Sungai Janiah would become ecotourism. Further...
Ecotourism and Sustainable Community Development: A Case Study of Sillery Gaon, West Bengal
International Journal of Social Sciences, 2021
Ecotourism has a significant role in community development in the host areas through alternative but sustainable livelihood. This tourism practice meets the needs of the tourists and hosts together, protecting the natural environment. Nowadays, this tourism involves visiting new areas to learn about various landscapes, environment, habitats as well as the cultural activities of an individual community. It also expands the possibilities for future. So, ecotourism can be an effective method for sustainable rural development in the Himalayan tract of West Bengal. In Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, ecotourism is still a community-based activity which involves local people and their culture. Most of the ecotourism sites in this part of West Bengal are within forest and hilly tract. Here growth of ecotourism has been phenomenal during the last decades with the influx of tourists that boosted the local economy. Sillery Gaon, a small village, in 'Silk Route Circuit' of West Bengal, is a new addition to it and a perfect example of this scenario. It is situated in Kashyone, gram panchayat of Kalimpong District. This pictorial village is surrounded with the dense forest of Pankhasari range and blessed with the panoramic view of Tista River and Kanchenjunga. In the last ten years, the villagers have developed ecotourism facilities and activities which transformed their traditional agrarian economy to tourismbased livelihood. This paper is based on a case study that analyses the symbiotic relationship between the ecotourism practice and sustainable community development of Sillary Gaon village. It also deals with the prospects and challenges of ecotourism sector of this village. Highlights m Ecotourism is an effective tool for sustainable community development at Silary Gaon. m This tourism practice is very helpful in women empowerment and gender equality. m Majority of the villagers are directly engaged with ecotourism and transforming their traditional occupation. m The growth of ecotourism has been phenomenal at Silary Gaon since the last decades but facing severe infrastructural crisis.