Ecotourism & Sustainable Development

Problem statement

To study the impact of VSS (Vana Samrakshana Samithi) on improvement of eco

tourism and employment opportunities local community

To examine the community participation in the Eco tourism / forest development

activities

CONTENTS

What is ecotourism?

How is it different from normal

tourism?

How is Ecotourism carried out in

Kerala?

Our learning's from

Thommankutthu & Paniyeli poru

Question of sustainability?

What is the future of Ecotourism in

Kerala?

Even when tourism brings large revenue into the state, the following issues are disturbing factors:
Degeneration of cultural heritage and social
inequalities

Leakage of economic benefits to outside

region

Increasing environmental impact

Inadequate local benefits
Unregulated

The realizations had

opened more schools of

thought in the sector

which are more prone

to:

development

community friendly,
people oriented,

participatory and

sustainable with more

responsible approaches.

 The term eco-tourism was

coined by Hector CeballosLascurain, to describe nature
based travel to relatively
undisturbed areas with an
emphasis on education.
Def: The ability of human beings
to utilise the natural resources
for the promotion of tourism
without being destructive to the
ecosystem

Characteristics of Ecotourism

It is travel with environmental

sensitivity, and it is sustainable
tourism.
Focuses on local cultures,
wilderness, adventures, personal
growth and learning new ways
of life.
Destinations where the flora,
fauna and cultural heritage are
the primary attractions
Minimize the adverse effects of
traditional tourism on the
environment.

Characteristics of Ecotourism
Enhance the cultural
integrity of the local
people.
Initiatives to take the
environmental and
cultural factors into
account.
Efficient use of energy
and water
Creation of economic
opportunities for local
communities

Responsible Ecotourism
Awareness about the negative
impacts of mass tourism
Common desire to reduce the
negative impacts
Bring benefits and accorded respect
for the local communities
Responsibility was to be at the
center of tourism planning
Encourage a participatory approach
and introduce techniques to
formulate community-based goals
and strategies for tourism

Difference in Mass tourism & Eco tourism

Characteristics of mass tourism

Characteristics of ecotourism

Large groups of visitors

Small groups of visitors

Urban

Rural

Touristic general marketing activities

Eco-marketing activities

Impact on natural environment

Little impact on the natural environment

Management based on macroeconomic

Principles

Management based on local economic

principles

Anonymous relationship between visitors and

local community

Personalized relationships between visitors

and local community

General development goals

Local development objectives

Intensive development of tourism facilities

Reduced development of tourism facilities

Community Based Ecotourism

Local communities

maintain and control their cultural heritage

manage the positive and negative impacts that

tourism brings.

Community based Ecotourism

Respect the rights and wishes of local people

Participation of communities in decision making
and consultations on tourism planning and
management issues.
Use the knowledge and experience of local
communities in sustainable resource management
Value local knowledge and experience, maximizes
benefits to communities, and recruit, train and
employ local people at all levels.

MERITS

It is the best form of income generating activity that is completely ecological.

Reduction of pressures on the natural resources,

Improves the living standards of local people

Co-operation among regions and countries,

Low impact upon protected areas;

Involvement of stakeholders (individuals, communities, ecotourists, tour operators

and government institutes) in the planning, development, implementation and
monitoring phases;

Respect towards local culture and tradition;

Generation of sustainable and equitable income for local communities and other
stakeholders, including private tour operators

Ecotourism and sustainable development relationship

Place

Destination
Community

Economic

Industry

A suitable balance between environmental, economic, and social aspects of tourism

development must be established to maintain its long-term sustainability

Sustainable development & Eco Tourism

Sustainable

development

Regional

Ecotourism

Development

development

Social

Economic

Environment
Equitable development
Maintain eco system

Public facilities
Local Culture
Infrastructure
Life style
People attitide

Employment

Transportation

Revenue & Tax

Preserve green areas

Social welfare

Preserve biological
diversity

Preserve conservation

ECOTOURISM IN KERALA

GODS OWN COUNTRY

The first state which announce tourism as an

industry

The national geographic traveler has labeled

Kerala as one of the 10 paradises in the world

LIST OF ECOTOURISM SPOTS IDENTIFIED IN THE FORESTS OF KERALA

Agastyarvanam

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary

Neyyar

Athirapally

Peppara

Peechi

Ponmudi

Nelliyampathy

Thenmala

Silent Valley

Palaruvi

Parambikulam

Purakkad

Malampuzha

Kumarakom

Muthanga

Peerumedu

Kuruva Islands

Kuttikkanam

Thirunelli

Thekkady

Pythalmala

Munnar

Aralam

Rajamala / Eravikulam

Ranipuram .

Thommankuthu Waterfalls

Thommankuthu waterfalls is
located in Idukki District of Kerala
State.
It comes under Kerala Forest
Department, Kothamangalam
Division, Kaliyar Range.
Kannadiyaru is the name of the
river flowing through
Thommankuthu.
It starts 20kms inside the
Plakkulam forest area and flowing
through the Kaliyar forest.

Consists of 135 families.

Started in 2001, started with dpt staff alone. Later on, changed to community based joint ventures
with the forest officials.

Eco tourism project in 2005. 42 guides belonging to these 135 families.

Forest guides work on rotation basis and are paid Rs 225 per day

They are paid Rs 70000 per month generated from the project itself.

Thommankuthu VSS
Revenue Sources:

Entry Tickets (Rs 20 for adults, Rs 10 for children. Rs 50 for still cameras, and Rs
100 for Video camera).

One day trekking program (10 hours program) (Rs 1000 for a 5 member group)

Eco shop that sells forest honey and other forest based agri products.

Less revenue during monsoon season, June, July, August

All money collected goes to the FDA Fund managed by Kothamangalam Divisional
Forest Officer

PANIYELI PORU

PANIYELI PORU

The name Poru was derived from the old

custom of rafts men fighting with the unruly
waves, deep vortex, to sail out from the area.
The raft forms after bamboo
Edamalayar forest, tied as logs.
practice of bamboo cutters, to
destination like Kalady &
through river Periyar.

cut from the

It was the old
carry logs to
Malayattoor,

An experienced raftsman could sail the log

through the unruly water here. The area, where
the rafts man fights fiercely against these
adversities, was later called by Poru.

Joint Forest Management

A Kerala Model

Joint Forest Management

JFM in Kerala referred to as PFM
VSS (Vana Samrakshana Samithi) the
organization of the forest dependent
community
Various forms of JFM institutions apart from
VSS like AVSS (Adivasi Vana Samrakshana
Samithi) , EDC (Eco Development
Committees) and HS (Haritha Samithies) are
in operation by the state forest department
at present

Sony Thomas, Forest Range Officer Thommankuthu

Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS)

Basic organisation instrumental for the

implementation of JFM in territorial forest division
of Kerala

These samithies are registered under charitable

societies act and recognized by the forest
department

The maximum area to be transferred to a VSS is

300 Ha. of reserved forests

At present there are 277 VSS constituted

throughout Kerala

Maximum number of households in a VSS is 365

Membership fee Rs 5/-

T K George, Guide, VSS member, Paniyeli pooru

Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS)

Each VSS is in charge of the core fund,
credibility fund for office work, and operational
fund for activities
Each VSS can sell NTFP from the allocated
reserve forest or fine forest offenders, and can
add the revenue to the core fund
As per the guidelines of the JFM program, at
least 33% of the total executive members of
the VSS must be women

Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS)

The members of VSS are responsible for:
1. To work with forest dept. to prevent
the forest encroachment, forest fire,
poaching etc.
2. Implementation of micro
development plan
3. Sensitize and educate people
4. Ensure protection of forest land
outside the activity area

Inference from the VSS

VSS is successful in places where community leadership is effective and Officers are keenly
involved.
At many places, it is the lack of awareness among the local people on the concept of VSS makes
it ineffective. It is rather the lack of interest or adaptability to the changing scenarios by the
forest department officials worsens this situation.
It has helped to bring institutional issues to the table. (For e.g., permission to cut trees planted
in their own settlement).
Awareness programmes for the community is inadequate.
Vigilance against forest fires has decreased forest fire
Collection and marketing issues related to Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) need urgent
attention.
Instances of constructive political interference are reported for certain VSS especially in the
initial stages of formation where as in some other cases politicians manipulate the VSS to
decide their party strength

Negative externalities of Ecotourism

Source of conflict over control of land, resources, and tourism profits.
Environmental degradation.
Disturbance to the Natures Fauna & Flora.
Threats to indigenous cultures.
Displacement of people.

Before:
People mostly visited these places to
drink liquor and camp with friends.
High no of deaths
Reported cases of illegal tree cutting ,
stealing of timber, killing of wild
animals, forest fires, destruction of the
natural environment, littering, plastic
waste accumulation, water
contamination etc.

After:

Reduction in stealing of forest timber, killing of animals, preservation of the natural

environment, and more jobs for the local community.

Demarcated zones for tourists, avoiding access to dangerous

Relationship of trust and mutual help between forest officials and local community

Not profit motivated.

More jobs for the local people.

More tourists, more income generation.

Less pollution, plastic is banned inside.

No Littering.

Future of Eco Tourism Projects

Introduce more tourist attraction programs like Tree houses,
Homestays, trekking, adventure sports, ropeways etc.
Cafeteria, tea coffee machines for the local staff and also the
tourists.
Improved road access to these locations and parking facilities
More advertisements about these locations through programs
like Incredible India and social media.
Increase awareness.

Eco tourism promotes sustainable

use natural resources and reduces
threat to biodiversity and is
economically profitable.
So let us dedicate towards this
wonderful practice and hope it can
change our world. THANK YOU!