In
my quest for a more sustainable study abroad trip to India, I was a little skeptical
of the resources I would find once I began looking for information about
ecotourism. While my personal goal is to
reduce my impact and, if possible, leave behind a positive footprint, some of
the online advertisements I initially came across focused entirely on yoga
retreats and learning about native bugs.
I don’t doubt that those offerings have their followers, but I am
definitely not their target customer. As I looked more into the burgeoning ecotourism industry as a whole, however, I found that there was much more to it and something, in fact, for everyone.
The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible
travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being
of local people.” The practice of
ecotourism also encompasses several 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; and raise sensitivity to host countries’ political,
environmental, and social climate. So
not only does ecotourism not require you to get down and dirty with local
insects, but it sounds to me like ecotourism should just be plain old tourism, and the
fact that this industry has developed separately is a huge flashing sign that travelers
quite often don’t understand the impacts of their actions abroad.
A
further look does indicate that destinations and resorts that tout themselves
as ecotourist-friendly are, in fact, catering to the nature lovers out
there. In India specifically, there is
mention of treks dedicated to saving the fragile Himalayan Eco System and local sanctuaries that work for the protection and conservation of
wildlife. In particular, tourindia offers several
ways to get closer to nature in an eco-friendly way. They have brought back the Kettuvallam
Riceboat and redesigned it into a houseboat, which then tours through the
backwaters of Kerala. They also offer
both tree-house and cave-house accommodations and run the Periyar Tiger Trail
Programme in which ex-poachers turned protectors run a wildlife sanctuary.
While
all of these options are fascinating, they don’t necessarily cater to your
typical traveler. And although I don’t
like to consider myself typical, I was curious about how the ecotourism
movement could get more people on board. IncredibleIndia
does offer some facts and suggestions for tourists, including observing the
sanctity of holy sites, respecting local traditions i.e. by not tempting local
children by offering them food and sweets, and not touching or taking local flora and
fauna, especially in the delicate Himalayan regions. While a lot of this may sound like common
knowledge, that is not the case for everyone, and it is somewhat reassuring to know that
the information is out there and not at all difficult to find. Perhaps someday, understanding of your destination's cultures, traditions, and environmental considerations will be a prerequisite to getting that stamped passport.
More
general resources on ecotourism and sustainable travel:
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