As the G20 converges to discuss eco-tourism today, the need to think about this over-used term has never been greater. In a nutshell, ecotourism is specifically for appreciating the local biodiversity, culture and nature.
But isn’t eco-tourism also a means to fight climate crisis?
The older generation of Indians who protected forests and wildlife as part of their every culture, are declining. Today, most Indians do what can be monetized. Ecotourism, if done well, will pay for conservation and the enormous efforts that it needs.
Doing this well is predicated on emphasising three essentials in our current economic paradigm. First, more locals must have a significant stake in eco-tourism, beyond menial work. They must own assets. This is the case in Dhanaulti, where most farmers earn the year’s income during the summer.
Doing this requires focussed capacity building and mentoring for locals, not just entrepreneurs.
Second, tourists must understand that minor inconveniences are part of the experience, because conserving nature is at the center. Why would ecotourism in a desert include showers instead of buckets? Would that not be depriving someone else of precious water? Today, we have in our arsenal the powerful tool of LIFE (Lifestyles for the Environment), which should guide us to find solutions. Embracing frugality as a happy adventure can happen only with widespread campaigns. Finally, because of carrying capacity issues, more locations should be encouraged to explore eco-tourism instead of burdening one hotspot and making it unsustainable. The G20 can surely deliver these and more guidelines as a gift to the planet.
(First published in the Hindustan Times on May 22, 2023)
Bharati Chaturvedi
I help fin-tech digital product teams to create amazing experiences by crafting top-level UI/UX.
Similar

admin
October 15, 2003Composting of Wet Waste
Training waste workers and households in composting to divert wet waste from landfills and abate methane emissions.

admin
April 16, 2004Waste Rules in India
Read More

admin
September 16, 2004The Poison Within – How Environmental Contamination is Impacting Our Children ’s Future
How environmental contamination is impacting our children’s future