Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options

investors into the state. According to Tamilnadu Government 25% of Tourists
are coming to the state for visiting ecotourism destinations and thus
developing ecotourism has gained much more prominence and invariably
figured in their agenda.
Karnataka:
The broad specifications of wildlife circuit and hill resort circuit within the
broad spectrum of tourism development circu its is a case in point to dwell the
real intent of Karnataka Government in tourism promotion. Karnataka has
been attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. About 177.5 lakhs
tourists to visit various places of tourist interest in the State, out of which
about 175 lakhs are domestic tourists and 2.5 lakh are foreign tourists.
Bandipur and Nagarahole are notified as tourism promotion destinations
with an emphasis on ecotourism. Bandipura especially is witnessing
unplanned development of hotels and resorts on its boundaries and
surrounding areas like Bush Betta.
When each state is vying for its share in the tourism cake, it is the
environmentally important place's interests are put to great danger and
subjected to more exploitation. Thus the major trend in tourism development
is that development of ecotourism is unveiled.
Kera/a:
In the wake of lack of investments in the traditional sectors the government
has been emphasizing tourism development as a solution for development
and growth. The factor that contributes significantly to the growth of tourism
in the state is the rich natural resource the state is endowed with.
2.6 Ecotourism Definitions
The term 'ecotourism' is used in the context of tourism in protected areas
and/or areas of significant ecological values, like wildlife. It has evolved from
nature-based tourism and is also sometimes referred to as nature-tourism
(Bandy, 1996f. Ecotourism has been formulated and studied as an
instrument for sustainable and equitable tourism. Apart from the tourism
aspect, it has also been deliberated as a source of revenue for the
conservation of the area it occurs in and as means to bring in the local
communities in the conservation debate. Hence, the connotation to
ecotourism is both economic and conceptual, respectively.
9 Nilagiris : Fading Glory