Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options
Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options
Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options
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commodification of natural resources such as land, water and trees and<br />
minor forest produce are the areas of contradiction between the local<br />
people and industry. Disrupting the course of migratory routes in the<br />
elephant corridor in Masinagudi, Bokkapuram, Anaikkatty, and<br />
Thuvaipathy areas is also posing a danger to the existence of elephants<br />
and creating man-animal conflicts.<br />
There are ongoing discussions with the unsettled issue of displacement<br />
and negation of traditional and historic rights to the forest community when<br />
colonial laws were introduced in the country. The fast depletion of forests<br />
and thereby the flora and fauna has put people concerned with<br />
conservation, the government and the development ofthese forest areas at<br />
loggerheads. <strong>Tourism</strong> is yet another entry into these already heated<br />
turmoil.<br />
The indigenous people and their rights issue today are more assertive and<br />
political. The forest laws have not been able to match the demands of the<br />
community. Therefore it is quite logical when the community raise the<br />
legitimacy of tourism in the forest region, whereby another new actor<br />
comes to these regions, while issues that the community raised still remain<br />
unresolved. Also the fact that the tourism industry is able to bypass the laws<br />
if they wish to had angered the community. This was evident in the Taj -<br />
Nagarahole National Park in Karnataka. While the community was up in<br />
arms against the displacement, the forest department allowed a three star<br />
hotel inside the national park in vwlation to the Wild life (Protection) Act,<br />
1972 is a pointer to the ongoing debate and to see on whose side the<br />
balance tilts.<br />
The extent to which forests and ecologically sensitive regions need to be<br />
open for tourism with the adding pressures is yet another area of concern.<br />
The very fact that protected areas does not allow human intervention is<br />
challenged by tourism. Carving out tourism zones out of protected areas is<br />
the new trend. But even then would this be able to withstand the tourist<br />
pressure is under debate. The creation of tourism zones within protected<br />
areas gives legitimacy to tourism inside. Currently, the Forest laws regulate<br />
this activity to some extent. As tourism gains more momentum, and 100%<br />
FDI accorded to tourism by the Central Government, the chances of these<br />
areas getting privatised become more probable (like heritage sites now<br />
being privatised, e.g., Taj Mahal.)<br />
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£Quotkm<br />
Nilagiris: Fading Glory 14