Ecotourism: A Sustainable Development Perspective in India

Abhinaba Sinha
Department of Zoology, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Government College, New Town, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
OrchideID Icon https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2856-255X

Published online: 17th December, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52756/boesd.2023.e02.006

Keywords: Ecotourism, Sustainable development, Biodiversity, Wildlife conservation.

Abstract:

Ecotourism has recently emerged as the favoured practice for addressing a range of environmental issues. It tackles various conservation problems, promotes environmental awareness, and generates revenue for the well-being of local communities. Thus, it provides a long-awaited solution for promoting sustainable development while ensuring the maintenance of environmental integrity. India, a nation blessed with a diverse array of landscapes, exceptionally rich flora and fauna, as well as cultural and tribal diversity, offers great prospects for the development and practice of ecotourism. Despite these positive attributes, India faces tremendous environmental crisis owing to its ever increasing population pressure and unemployment. Consequently, ecotourism emerges as the need of the hour, capable of generating revenues while simultaneously promoting sustainable development. It also serves as a solution to long-awaited conflicts between various environmental issues such as habitat destruction, fragmentation, and the utilization of human resources. Under this backdrop, the present chapter focuses on the various hallmarks of ecotourism, different types of ecotourism activities, the code of conduct for eco-tourists, and the merits and demerits of ecotourism. Furthermore, the chapter delves into the current scenario of the ecotourism industry in India. Thus, this chapter aims to briefly discuss the aforementioned aspects and raise awareness to fuel the popularity of this noble practice in this great nation.

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A Basic Overview of Environment and Sustainable Development [Volume: 2]

How to Cite
Abhinaba Sinha (2023). Ecotourism: A Sustainable Development Perspective in India. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), Shubhadeep Roychoudhury, Tanmay Sanyal, Koushik Sen & Sudipa Mukherjee Sanyal (eds.), A Basic Overview of Environment and Sustainable Development [Volume: 2], pp. 94-104. ISBN: 978-81-962683-8-1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52756/boesd.2023.e02.006

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