Dear Mr.Tiwari,
Yes.Ecotourism is not only misunderstood but also misused in many areas,by
many lodge and resort operators.Even the environmentally and socially
insensitive tourism projects are taking the undue advantage of the term
which is surely a dangerous trend.The reason can largely be contributed to
the absence of a transparent and implementable governance policy of the govt
of India or the concerned state govts and also to the extremely marginal
participation and support from the conventional tourism industry and tourism
bodies/association in this matter,though,given the size and diversity of our
country the policy framework does not necessesarily have to follow a copy
book method on the basis of definations or recommendations given by
WTO(World Tourism Organization) or NGOs like TIES(The International
Ecotourism Society) as there are adequate scope for practicing ecotourism as
per ground situation provided it is built up on the two important corner
stones:Conservation of the natural and cultural heritages of the site and
Ownership of the host communities.We have tried to follow this in many of
our small tourism projects in the East and North East India and have been
closely successful in Sunderbans(Bengal) and Manas National
Park(Assam).There are ofcourse many problems too as community-based tourism
keeps evolving various dynamics while it takes attempt to create a balance
among man,animal, nature and market economy and share tourism benefits with
the local stake holders. But,that cannot be the reason why we should give up
trying.

However,we feel that Ecotourism certification and periodical audit by a
reliable,competent and independent board is a must.

Details of the genesis of our project can be posted to you if you wish, or
you may write back with specific questions.

I just came back from Bangalore after attending "National Consultation on
the state of Tourism:Developing Models of Stewardship" Convention where this
particular issue was discussed and debated at length amongst more than
hundred participants,panelists,activists,social
workers,NGOs,researchers,protagonists,experts,industry professionals,Social
and Environmental Scientists and enthusiasts.I,as a panelist was asked to
speak on our Manas and Sunderbans projects and also to share our experience
of working in these two benefit sharing models.Few other models such as
Jungle Lodges and Resorts of Karnataka govt and Thenumala Ecotourism project
of Kerala govt were also discussed in the convention after presentations
given by the concerned officers of the two states.This was jointly organized
by Bangalore-based "EQUATIONS"-who has been involved in campaigning and
advocacy on tourism and development issues in India since 1985 and Centre
for Enviornmental Education-Media for Sustainable Developments.The
organizers will publish a compilation of the deliberations and discussions
held in the convention along with necessary recommendations on strategies to
be undertaken with specific reference to few case studies,observations and
analysis.

You may kindly collect a copy by writing to:
info@... ; liyakhat@...
;cenvirai@...

Regards
Asit Biswas
Help Tourism
----- Original Message -----
From: "S.K.Tiwari" <kaysat@...>
To: <andamanicobar@...>
Sent: Wednesday, 6 July 2005 8:01 AM
Subject: RE: [andamanicobar] Presidential recipe for island disaster


> Eco tourism is totaly mis understood term every where. Till now I have not
> seen any benefit of eco tourism here in Bandhavgarh or Kanha. I would like
> to know more about HELP TOURISM so if some one can help I will be very
> grateful.
> Satyendra K. Tiwari
> -----Original Message-----
> From: andamanicobar@...
> [mailto:andamanicobar@...]On Behalf Of Farida Tampal
> Sent: 04 July 2005 14:40
> To: andamanicobar@...
> Subject: RE: [andamanicobar] Presidential recipe for island disaster
>
>
>
> I agree completely with Mr. Satyendra kumar TIwari. Low intenisty tourism
> carried out by the locals is what should be ideally called eco-tourism. Of
> course benefits of tourism should also go back into the site in some ways
> like better management etc. THere are good examples in West BEngal int his
> regard- one in SUnderbans and one in Darjeeling. Maybe HELP TOURISM can
> throw more light on this. Eco-tourism is a very misunderstood term in
> Andhra Pradesh. Flashy artificial lightings, concretising of the lakes and
> ponds, all is part of eco-tourism promoted by the tourism corporation
here.
> I have also heard of birds like emu etc. being introduced as part of
> eco-tourism.
>
> FArida
>
> Farida Tampal
> State Director
> Andhra Pradesh State Office
> World Wide Fund for Nature-India
> 10-5-23/4/1, Ground Floor, 1st Lancer Road,
> Masab Tank (Near Police Officer's Mess)
> Hyderabad 500 028
> Telefax: 040-23393653
>
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