Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options

Environment and Forests on Eco tourism, clearly enunciates the principle
that tourism activities is permissible with an understanding that these areas
are primarily meant for conservation.
Learnings
The Nagarhole legal interventions was the first of its kind in India and it set a
precedence for the use of protected areas and national parks for eco-tourism
development. A struggle of this kind was possible because of regular coordination
among the groups and also by the transparency maintained in
relation to the happenings.
The entire struggle at the Nagarhole National Park was two-pronged. On the
one hand, there was the optimal usage ofthe existing systems (legal, media)
and on the other the optimistic spirit with which the struggle were kept alive
on the ground.
The struggle on the ground by the tribal community and simultaneously the
usage of systems, hand in hand had positive impacts on both fronts. The
reports in the media about the struggle and presence of large number of
community members in the court while the hearing of the case was on had
contributed to raising the emotions in favour of the community and the
struggle. While, even a small positive verdict from the legal sphere became
an inspiration to the people to emphasise that their struggle was just and in
accordance with the larger systems.
The verdict of the court was able to bring out certain crucial aspects to the
notice of agencies and departments such as the Ministry of Environment and
Forests (MoE F) both at the central and state level and the Forest
Department, Karnataka. Among them were the validity of the laws, its
violations and the abuse of powers that are vested with officials that deal with
projects of this magnitude, which have much larger implications.
2.9 International covenants
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Convention on Biological Diversity was negotiated between 1987 and
1992 under the supervision of the United Nations Environment Program.
The preparatory work for formulating the Convention was done by IUCN
The World Conservation Union and the Food and Agricultural
45 Nilagiris : Fading Glory
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