ECO-TOURISM: A Refreshing Journey through a Highly diversified Nature
The travel industry is quickly catching up.the definition of adventure is changing with "experiencing a new culture".
What is ECO-TOURISM?
Eco-tourism is entirely a new approach in tourism. Eco-tourism is a travel to natural areas to appreciate the cultural and natural beauty of
the environment, while taking care not to disturb the integrity of the ecosystem,
with creating economic opportunities that make conservation and protection
of natural resources advantageous to the world.
Ecotourism
is defined as tourism of exotic, endangered environments usually to
support conservation efforts and research developments, the ecosystems of these places have little to no interaction with human society.
One of the questions I often get asked is “why is ecotourism so special –
you know, why is it different than just nature tourism?”
Defining ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that
conserves the environment and promotes the welfare of local people.” In
order to be true ecotourism, you must covere 3 things:
1)
be a responsible traveller to natural areas
2) you must have a thought of conserving the environment, and
3) promoting the welfare of local people.
ECO TOURISM IN INDIA
India with its highly diversified nature is one of the popular
eco-tourism destinations in the world. Whether it is the backwaters of
Kerala or shifting sand dunes of Thar Desert… the wetlands in the
Himalayan region or natural caves in the Khasi and Garo hills, India
throughout the decades has been a one stop eco-tourism hub housing a
good population of flora and fauna.
The few places like the Himalayan
Region, Kerala, the northeast India, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the
Lakshdweep islands are some of the places where you can enjoy the treasured
wealth of the Mother Nature. Thenmala in Kerala is the first planned
ecotourism destination in India created to cater to the Eco-tourists and
nature lovers.
Let’s go for a refreshing journey through some of the best ecotourism destinations in India.
1) KERELA BACKWATERS
Enjoy a frolic cruise on the backwaters along the breathtaking vivid
contrasts of lush greens and deep blues on the houseboats, known as
Kettuvallam which are the cargo boats that once plied in the backwaters
to carry heavy cargo such as Rice, Coconut & Spices and also to
provide living accommodation for the boatman.
2) THENMALA, KERELA
India’s first planned ecotourism destination, Thenmala in Kollam
district is majestically set in the midst of evergreen forests in the
lap of the Western Ghats and hosts a wide range of adventure and leisure
activities for all kind of travellers. Its growing popularity among
both domestic and international tourists is due to its unique vistas,
bio-diversity and functioning. Forest trails and night camping in the
middle of the jungle allows you to snuggle into nature.
3) KODAIKANAL, TAMI NADU
It bloomed as one of the major eco-places in India. This Mighty hill Station in South India is endowed with a nature’s basket comprising the montane rainforests
that houses some of the endemic flora and fauna, waterfalls, and
perennial streams cutting through the valleys. The Kodaikanal Lake,
Bryant Park, Coaker’s Walk, Bear Shola Falls, Silver Cascade, Guna
Caves, Dolphin’s Nose, Pillar Rocks, and Berijam Lake are some of the
major natural attractions in Kodaikanal.
4) COORG, KARNATAK
Coorg stretches from an elevation of 900 meters to 1,800 meters and is
popular for hosting several spice and coffee plantations. Over the
years. Coorg, having vast expanse of elements of nature, has flourished
as another eco destinations in India that is located on the western spur
of the Western Ghats. It comprises of three wildlife santuaries and one national park that includes the Brahmagiri, Talakaveri, and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuaries, and the Nagarhole national park
that is mostly dotted with bamboo, rosewood, teak, sandalwood, silver
oak, and spice plants and housing some of the endangered mammals,
reptiles, insects and amphibians. Coorg as an eco-region further
constitutes several waterfalls and gushing rivers.
5) GALGIBAGA BEACH,GOA
Despite being located in one of the busiest tourist hubs in India, the Galgibaga Beach in Goa still remains the cleanest beach in India and is well known for turtle nestling. Being one of the secluded beaches in India that is close to the popular Palolem Beach resort, the Galgibaga beach is least affected by tourists even during the peak season.
6) TYDA, ANDHRA PRADESH
The bountiful nature surrounding this small village of Tyda is virtual
and vestal modesty that is secretly set in the Eastern Ghats at an elevation of
700 meters (approximately). It is one of the unexplored places in India and
thus springs up as an eco-tourism getaway in India with a rich bed of exotic
flora including medicinal and aromatic plants. The region is also home to
several endemic animals and birds such as the chital, sambar, Panther, Wolf,
Wild Dog, Hyena, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Black Buck, Chinkara, Chowsingha, and Nilgai
amongst the mammals AND red-chested pod chards, pintails, herons, egrets,
migratory ducks, water birds, pelicans, teals, ibises and storks amongst the
bird species.
7) CHILIKA, ODISHA
India’s largest coastal lagoon and
the world’s second largest… the Chilika Lake and its surrounding environment
are home to a number of migratory birds and animal and plant species. The area,
covering over 3,500 square kilometers, houses the Irrawaddy Dolphins,
green sea turtle, dugong, blackbuck, Spoon billed sandpiper, limbless skink and
fishing cat amongst some of the endemic species; Milk fish, Indo-Pacific
tarpon, Ten pounder, Bream, Hilsa, and Mullet amongst some of the aqua fauna;
Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Goliath Heron, Grey and Purple herons, Egrets,
Spoonbills, Storks and Black-headed Ibis amongst some of the migratory birds;
and Asiatic Dowitchers, Dalmatian Pelican, Pallas’s Fish-eagles, migrant
Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Spot-billed pelican from some of the rarest bird
species.
