Forests Communities and Ecotourism | EQUATIONS (Equitable Tourism Options)

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Forests Communities and Ecotourism

Research Papers and Case Studies

This paper on the interactions between communities and forests in the context of ecotourism was submitted to the Indian Forestry Congress held in November 2011. Over the past 8-10 years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of ecotourism enterprises at well established existing destinations. Further, newer destinations have also emerged over the past 2-3 years and continue to do so. Today, it appears that ecotourism is at its peak and it is important that there be extensive debates in the country to understand the implications of ecotourism and to facilitate the positive impacts while mitigating its negative impacts. The paper draws examples from extensive field visits to Dalma, Betla, Tadoba, Panna, Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench, which form the backdrop of the paper. The policy and legislative framework used in the paper are The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, Panchayat Extension to the Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the guidelines for the creation of special areas in forests and the draft ecotourism guidelines announced by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Geographies

India

Local Regions/Cities

Dalma, Betla, Tadoba, Panna, Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench