Kashmir makes changes to encourage eco-tourism

in Kashmir, the state environment department has pushed a proposal to constitute J&K Eco Tourism Board to the government to recommend measures and identify the potential places for the promotion of eco- tourism in the state.
Sources said that the proposal was under consideration of the General Administration Department (GAD) and a final decision in this regard was likely to be taken in near future.

Janakikadu Eco Tourism Project entrance Gate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Highly placed sources informed Greater Kashmir that the proposal for the creation of the Eco-Tourism Development Board was sent to the GAD before the annual Darbar move from Jammu to Srinagar.
“J&K has great potential for eco-tourism and the need is to promote the same. The government has taken the issue seriously and is making every effort to ensure a major breakthrough in the promotion of the lucrative activity. The Creation of JK Eco-Tourism Development Board will prove a major step forward in this direction” they said, adding that a full fledged board would be created after the proposal would get GAD’s nod.
They revealed that the Board would have members from Tourism Department, Wildlife, Environment and Forest departments, besides experts from various fields.
“The officials of Planning and Finance department, members of some NGO’s will also be among the Board members, who will identify the areas and their feasibility for the promotion of the Eco-tourism” they said.
The Eco-tourism provides the visitors and nature lovers an opportunity to travel to ecologically rich areas and appreciate the local culture and bewitching environs in a well guided manner taking care that the integrity of the ecosystem was not disturbed, sources said.
“Such activities create economic opportunities that make conservation and protection of natural resources advantageous to the local people. After the constitution of Board, facilities such as construction of huts, nature trails, treks, view points, safari drive and nature interpretation centre will be created in the identified areas” they said.
Sources said some huts constructed at Dera –ki- Gali area along Mughal Road was the first step of its kind towards Ecotourism promotion.
The Eco-tourism project also provides for training the local people in the identified areas as guides for the visiting tourists.
“The locals will be trained and in that way they would also get employment opportunities, besides the people will also earn   by offering accommodation facilities to the visiting tourists” they said.
Chief Wildlife Warden, AK Singh, while confirming the government’s move said that a proposal has been sent to the GAD department. “We are awaiting the approval after which a full fledged Board will be constituted” he said, while he refused to divulge the details about the possible members of the Board.

Related articles

• Kansas to become Eco Tourism Friendly (ecoadventuretravel.wordpress.com)
• Next Post (ecoadventuretravel.wordpress.com)
• EcoTourism comes to Nebraska. (ecoadventuretravel.wordpress.com)
• The Phillipines gets four new zip lines and ecotourism efforts continue (ecoadventuretravel.wordpress.com)
• Eco-Tourism in Louisiana (ecoadventuretravel.wordpress.com)

The term Ecotourism is not new thing in human experience and it has been practiced in most developed and developing nation. There are numerous definitions of the term, but according to American-based Ecotourism society, Ecotourism is nothing but a purposeful travel to natural areas; to understand the nature and culture; to understand the effect of human interference in ecosystem; and ultimately produce economic opportunity to conserve natural resource which is beneficial to local

Image via Wikipedia

people. I do not know how far one is justified, calling it the pivot or corner stone of progressive tourism. Ecotourism demonstrates the need of conservation of both cultural and natural environment with sustainable economic development including the participation of local people.

Why Eco Tourism Matters?

The fundamentals of Ecotourism are not only to travel to natural areas but it implies several other factors. It emphasizes:

• Reduction of consumption of natural resources  or optimum use of natural resources
• Maintaining diversity of nature and culture
• Integrating   tourism into planning
• Uplifting  local economies by bringing foreign exchange
• Involving local communities through tourism
• Creating jobs and thus reducing crime
• Reducing poverty by engaging local people
• Marketing tourism responsibly towards the environment
• Researching on effect of human activity on ecosystem
• Maintain humanity and respect for local culture, communities and environment
• Participating public for natural conservation
• Training local and other people who are engaged in ecotourism

Wellness Tourism and Eco Tourism – How it can grow together

The core essence of seeking out wellness is the improvement in health, which automatically leads to an enhanced quality of life. Wellness centers and retreats encourage maintaining a healthy lifestyle through a wholesome, nutritious diet and fitness-related activities. They also emphasize spiritual and mental health, beauty treatments and healthy sleeping techniques all in the hope of improving and bettering one’s health. Above could be easily achived in enviornment which offers Eco Tourism through Natural Resources.

The theme of Ecotourism is not only to have sustainable use of natural resources (air, soil, minerals, animals, plants and water) but it teaches us the importance of preserving those resources for our coming generation.

Eco Tourism provides an enviornment which is most healthiest, We are beginning to realize the effect of human activities on environment. Ecotourism promotes maintaining ecological process such as recycling of nutrients, soil conservation, reducing pollution, and wildlife management, purification of water and sustainable use of natural resources. Whic in terms provide better way of living and healthy environment for humans and animal which maintains the bio-diversity.

Related articles

• Why Ecotourism Works (talkingaboutgreen.com)
• Ecotourism in the Phillipines (ecoadventuretravel.wordpress.com)
• Royal Caribbean, Sabre & More Pledge to Promote Green Tourism (greenbiz.com)
• ECO tourism (leggotunglei808.wordpress.com)
• Dome-Shaped Eco-Tourism Center in France is a Living Room in the Woods (inhabitat.com)

The Phillipines declares six villages as “ecotourism” zones

Image via Wikipedia

An author in the Phillipines, and head of the town of Nueva Vizcaya in that country, has a measure to declare six villages as eco-tourism zones.

“While our municipality is endowed with Mother Nature’s blessings such as mountains, forests, waterfalls, rivers, creeks, springs, hills, peaks and caves which are ideal for trekking, campsite and other eco-tourism destinations, there is a need to institutionalize their protection and further development for its eco-tourism potentials,” said Councilor Roland Carub, author and sponsor of the proposed measure.

The proposed ordinance which seeks to declare barangay Commonal and the Singian mountains within barangays Aggub, Bangar, Bascaran, Concepcion and Tucal as an eco-tourism zones, is set for final reading, he added.

Once approved, Carub explained that these eco-tourism zones will be opened-up for further development based on a crafted tourism development plan which shall trigger the enforcement of standards and collection of statistical data for tourism purposes.

“With this ordinance, management, conservation, development, protection, utilization and disposition of these zones will be assured, including entry of government agencies and institutions which are deemed beneficial,” he said.

These eco-tourism sites, Carub said will be opened and used for educational and scientific researches, cultural, livelihood and tourism purposes.

Any violations based on existing environmental laws and other administrative issuances requires an individual and any organizations to pay the penalties of P1,000.00 for the first offense, P2,000.00 for the second offense and P2,500.00 for the third offense.

Eco-tourism is a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area where community participation, protection and management of natural resources, cultural and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and satisfaction of visitors

Related articles

• Eco tourism in KUPPAM (Andrapradesh) (katavakar.wordpress.com)
• Tourists (enviroho.wordpress.com)
• Borneo Megadiverse Reef Set To Entice Further Eco-Tourism (prweb.com)

Ghana’s Ellembelle District gets money from France.

Image via Wikipedia

Supporting conservation efforts, the French government has provided 44,000 Euros to support the Amansuri Estuary, Mangrove and Swamp Forest Conservation Project in the Ellembelle District.

The project which will span 18 months, will give the Ghana Wildlife Society the opportunity to develop the ecotourism potential of Amansuri wetlands in areas such as Old and New Bakanta, Nzuleluenu, Ampain, Sanzule and Alabokazo in the Ellembelle District.

Speaking at the launch of the project at New Bakanta, the head of the community-based Natural Resource Management of the Ghana Wildlife Society, Reuben Otoo, said the project will involve biodiversity surveys, conservation education programmes, socio-economic surveys and demarcation of Amansuri wetlands as community reserves.

Mr Otoo said the project will make Amansuri estuary a preferred tourism destination for both local and foreign tourists.

He added that the project is an extension of the Amansuri/Amanzule Conservation and Integrated Development, project in the Jomoro District which was started in April 2000 with funding from the Netherlands Embassy.

Mr Otoo called for cooperation and support from the beneficiary communities to ensure successful implementation of the project, adding structures will be put in place to enable the community to own it.

The DCE for Ellembelle, Daniel Eshun, expressed appreciation to the French government, Ghana Wildlife Society and other development partners.

He said the project has come at an opportune time as it will restore sanity and conserve the area.

The DCE said the assembly is also in the process of gazetting its bye-laws to give legal backing to enforce the laws designed to protect the environment.

Mr Eshun appealed to traditional authorities to desist from outright sale of land to investors but rather use them as equity in business.

The President of Nzema Maanle Council, Awulae Annor Adjaye, urged the people to desist from unnecessary felling of trees along the Amansuri wetlands.

He appealed to the people to be watchful and report any oil spillage in the area.

Eco-tourism in a tree house

Image via Wikipedia

COIMBATORE: All roads now lead to Kovai Courtallam as tourists get a different experience altogether enjoying nature from treetops amidst forest environment. Thanks to forest department’s eco-tourism initiative.

Interestingly, Kovai Courtallam got a facelift at a time when developmental work was going on in full swing for the World Classical Tamil conference. And the forest department as part of a drive to attract tourists launched the ‘Treetop guest houses’.“This has received immense response from the tourists even from far off places as they are exposed to nature’s bounty in the forest surroundings,” District Forest Officer I Anwaruddin said. The project is aimed at making the people experience the forest environment thereby helping the department in its conservation exercise.Shedding more light on it, Anwaruddin said this innovative project is being implemented with the active participation of tribal population living in the vicinity. To be precise, the idea behind the eco-tourism project is to reduce tribals dependency on forest wealth.LCS Srikanth, Range Forest Officer, Social Forestry, who takes care of eco-tourism said that two houses on tree-tops besides two guest houses constructed at ground level is now turning as a tourist attraction as houses are booked well in advance.  He said the 10×10 sq.ft single room atop the tree-top with 6×5 sq.ft cot having an attached toilet is being offered at a charge of `2000 for 24 hours. And the guest houses have been provided with air-condition facility.Canteens are run by tribals near the tree-top houses for the convenience of the tourists.The guest houses are let on rent only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Anwaruddin said the entire proceeds from ‘Tree-top houses’ goes to the kitty of tribal welfare fund.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tourism in the Nilgiris: need to translate words into action (thehindu.com)
• Cintas and AMERICAN FORESTS Open Submissions for Documen-Tree Contest (eon.businesswire.com)
• Turn Oz into a natural theme park (news.theage.com.au)

Japanese Academic lobbies for more sustainable practices for Japan

Image via Wikipedia

Lessons learned at Australia’s national parks are expected to help a leading Japanese academic lobby for more sustainable practices in his home country.

Chuo University Professor Masahiro Yabuta is learning about sustainable management and education while working alongside colleagues at The University of Queensland’s School of Tourism.

Professor Yabuta will be at the school until March next year, with plans to visit important natural sites such as the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and Kakadu National Park.

He has been researching the management and education systems of natural and cultural heritage sites with Head of School Roy Ballantyne, senior lecturer Dr Noel Scott and senior research fellow Dr Sally Driml.

“I have come to learn about management systems in Australia because they are first-class here. I have many things to learn,” Professor Yabuta said.

“It is important to keep tourism sustainable. A balance and commitment from government, industry and the community is important.”

Communities and businesses wanted to make money from tourist sites, but it should not come at the destruction of the natural sites the visitors came to see, Professor Yabuta said.

“Rapid development of a tourism industry could cause problems. There needs to be protection of the environmental tourism site. There must be support from government to ensure this.”

Professor Yabuta said he was also keen to find out just who the average eco-tourist was, so promotion and education programs could be specifically tailored.

“Everybody wants to be an eco-tourist now. Eco-tourism is a very fancy and popular word. It has a feel-good factor for everybody. People think going green is good for them. But when an economy driven
by eco-tourism and going green come together, it can be difficult to get a balance.”

Professor Yabuta said recent research showed only about 10 per cent of people tended to consistently behave in an eco-friendly way – even when going on holidays.

“In most other instances, people sometimes behave as eco-tourists and sometimes they don’t. They might have a low-flow tap but not drive an economical car. They might not save on power consumption but they do like nature.”

Eco-tourism was one way to help people see the importance of being green and ensuring they did not cause destruction at sites such as national parks.

“It is all about education. It is life-long education. They need to understand protection of nature by each person is important for sustainable tourism and keeping national parks for future generations.”

Professor Yabuta hopes to use what he has learned at the School of Tourism to help design government policies in Japan aimed at ensuring a balance between tourism development and environmental protection.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tiger safaris: Tourism must be better managed (telegraph.co.uk)
• Surf’s Up for Sea-Faring Crocodiles (cbsnews.com)
• Australia asks tourists to only use eco-certified tour companies (ecoadventuretravel.wordpress.com)

Families looking for Eco-Friendly Travel

Image via Wikipedia

More families want to get away on eco-friendly breaks, according to an expert, who believes that travel companies still need to be doing more to market low-carbon trips. Laura Greenman, director of Ecoescape, said that at the moment more people are trying to get away on family breaks which do not impact negatively on the surrounding environment.

“There are many great options for sustainable holidays” she stated.

Ms Greenman added that the tourism industry should always be looking for ways to offer green breaks and make this appealing to the mass market.

Over in Australia, the Samurai Beach Resort is leading the way in environmental sustainability.

The holiday resort is the first accommodation provider in the Hunter to be awarded an advanced Eco Tourism accreditation by Ecotourism Australia.

The accreditation is designed to act as a guide to assist travellers in selecting accommodation that is environmentally sustainable.

Manager Simon Beckett said the accreditation was proof the resort was heading in the right direction.

“We’re really proud of our environmental initiatives,” he said

“We like to think we are leading the charge in eco-friendly accommodation in this region and now we’ve got the certificate to prove it.”

The resort recently planted 275 swamp mahogany trees throughout the resort and adjoining wetlands to boost koala food stocks and also turned its lights off for two hours as part of Earth Hour. It’s reported that this resort is losing $13,000 per week, so we’ll see if these changes are long lasting or not.

-Robert Louis Miller

Related articles by Zemanta

• Top 6 Environmentally-Friendly Hotel Deals (abcnews.go.com)
• The rise and growth of ecotourism (ecoadventuretravel.wordpress.com)
• Green Living Project Explores Central America’s Cutting-Edge Eco-Tourism (treehugger.com)
• Ecotourism in Israel (ecoadventuretravel.wordpress.com)
• Resort in Dubai named region’s leading eco-tourism site (ecoadventuretravel.wordpress.com)

The Costs of EcoTourism to the consumer

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Nowadays as eco-tourism has become a new trend, travelers have started debating the seemingly high costs of such tourism.

Does traveling green necessarily mean we have to pay more? Nowadays as eco-tourism has become a new trend, travelers have started debating the seemingly high costs of such tourism.

“I vote for green travel, but if it’s more expensive that way, then I would probably reconsider it.”

Such was the concern voiced by many individual travelers and international leaders at this year’s Copenhagen Climate Summit.

Where does the extra money go during an eco-trip? And how do we avoid overspending? Here are some tips that we can share with you.

Air Passenger Duty

Will eco-tourism save money or add extra costs to our trip? For insight, let’s look at the changes made by the UK Government on Air Passenger Duties (APD).

APD is an excise tax levied by the UK government that came into effect on November 1, 1994. It is charged on the carriage of chargeable passengers flying from a United Kingdom airport on chargeable aircraft.

The UK government has justified the hikes in APD primarily on environmental grounds. The APD doubled in February 2007 and rose again in November 2009. The next increase will take effect this November when passengers flying to the United States must pay 60 pounds in tax (a 50-percent increase), while those flying to the Caribbean will pay 75 pounds(an increase of 87.5 percent).

Carbon Offsets Purchase

With an aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the term “carbon neutral” has come into focus recently. But it also entails higher costs for travelers. Companies offer customers the option of buying so-called “carbon offsets” to counter the planet-warming emissions generated by their airline flights. But as of yet there is still no common standard on carbon offsets purchases. That is to say, each company may have its own method of charging carbon offsets and will offer various prices and different projects.

The Prime Price of the Eco-Hotels

The hospitality industry is also facing price increases in the name of environmental protection. Let’s take Marmadukes, a famous boutique hotel in Yorkshire, England, as an example.

Marmadukes is famous for its gorgeous Victorian architecture and delightful original features. Even though it is a three-star hotel, Marmadukes is more expensive than some nearby five-star hotels.

According to Eric, a traveler, this is because Marmadukes passes on the increased costs of environmental protection to its guests. But some hotels disagree with this assertion.

URBN Hotels in the heart of Shanghai is Asia’s first carbon neutral hotel. As soon as it opened in 2007, the hotel started calculating the carbon footprint of its emissions and purchased carbon credits to offset them.

“We will not shift the expenses onto our consumers because such a practice will not bring us fine reputation,” the hotel’s former manager said.

As we mentioned above, eco-trips indeed hike the costs of traveling. But for some travelers, the extra expenses spent on flights and hotels can be compensated during other parts of their trip. For example, you can choose to travel on foot or by bicycle rather than by taking a taxi or driving yourself. These options are the best low-carbon ways to travel, and you don’t have to pay more for your environmental guilt.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Let’s be more responsible and make travel greener (travel-rants.com)
• Travel companies appeal for tourism overhaul (telegraph.co.uk)
• Thermal Energy was headline sponsor of NHS Sustainable Development 2010 (newswire.ca)
• TUI Student Travel (Canada) Group of Companies Neutralizes Carbon Footprint with Zerofootprint (newswire.ca)
• Responsible Travel changes their mind (gadling.com)

Cave Diving in the Yucatan

Image via Wikipedia

Millions of years ago, the Yucatan peninsula was below sea level and formed the bed of a shallow ocean. Fish shellfish and coral thrived in this environment, and when they died their bones and shells fell to the sea floor. The calcium from these formed a calcium carbonate (CaCO3) sludge. As the depth of this layer of sludge thickened, the increasing pressure solidified the calcium carbonate into a porous limestone rock.

During subsequent ice ages the sea level fell and the peninsula was exposed, forming dry land covered in heavy vegetation. Rain falling on the land would percolate through the decaying vegetation and the porous limestone, and then flow horizontally to the sea.

The rainwater dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and produced by decaying vegetation, forming carbonic acid (H2CO3). This carbonic acid solution dissolved the limestone, sometimes creating vertical shafts from the surface, and sometimes creating horizontal passages towards the ocean. Most of the horizontal cave development is believed to have happened close to the water level.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Copenhagen climate summit: Hilary Benn to warn about ocean acidification (telegraph.co.uk)
• Green Cement Absorbs Carbon (news.slashdot.org)
• Or All The Seas Without Oysters (due-diligence.typepad.com)

Dubai makes steps towards being eco-friendly

Leading environmentalists, academics, government officials and eco-tourism experts visited Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa yesterday, after a three-day conference identified the award-winning property as the region’s leading sustainable eco-tourism development.

Image via Wikipedia

Organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water, the Sustainable Eco-Tourism in Desert Ecosystems conference in Dubai was arranged to discuss sustainable development, conservation of natural resources and tourism growth.

A benchmark in the conference discussions was the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR); the first and largest protected wildlife conservation area in the UAE, formally recognised as a Protected Area by UNEP, and also home to Emirates’ exclusive Al Maha property.

In 2003, the Government of Dubai decided to create a nationally significant conservation area and charged Emirates with its management and protection. Since then Emirates has invested over Dhs10m in support of wildlife conservation programmes, scientific research, and protection of this 225 square kilometre area.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, and also the Chairman of the Dubai Conservation Board, commented, “We are honoured that Al Maha and the DDCR have been held up internationally as a foremost example of sustainable tourism development at this prestigious conference. We are determined to preserve a balance between conservation and Dubai’s rapid urban expansion. Emirates and Al Maha have contributed enormously to ensure the management of conservation, research and tourism within the DDCR is at the highest international standards.”

Sheikh Ahmed added, “Much of the region’s natural resources, habitats and wildlife are under pressure; however, sustainable developments such as Al Maha offer the biggest opportunities to develop the tourism economy, while also protecting natural and historic heritage into the future.”

Since the opening of Al Maha in 1999, the successful re-introduction of the Arabian Oryx, Arabian Gazelle, Sand Gazelle and large-scale indigenous flora re-seeding programmes are just some of the major projects that have been delicately carried out in the DDCR. It is the only location within the UAE where visitors are able to experience completely free-roaming wildlife within their natural desert and dune surroundings.

The reserve is the most actively researched and carefully managed conservation area in the region. It is registered with the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), audited by UNEP’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre, and is a member of the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN). The DDCR has joined some of the world’s most treasured conservation areas, including such reserves as Yellowstone National Park in the USA and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Confirmed by scientific research, the environment and habitat within the DDCR has greatly improved from what it was ten years ago. Quite apart from the wildlife which has been reintroduced, many species that had disappeared from the area are now returning on their own accord.

The DDCR is segregated into four utilisation zones. In some areas, only researchers are allowed to enter on foot. In another zone a select number of safari operators – who worked closely with the reserve management to create a foremost example of sustainable desert tourism in the region – can conduct safaris for visitors, providing an experience of the desert and dunes, and its unique fauna and flora, and gaining a better understanding of Dubai’s conservation efforts.

Related articles by Zemanta

• World will miss 2010 target to stem biodiversity loss, experts say (scienceblog.com)
• Supervisors sought for conservation district (theolympian.com)
• Yellowstone bison conservation program in limbo (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Interior head ends 1st year with vows of reforms (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• First global scientific conference supporting UN efforts to curb desertification opens in Argentina (scienceblog.com)