Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options

SELF GOVERNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (SGMS©) a dynamic
process
The need for participation of local communities and people in conservation
is accepted universally. Moderate changes in previous approaches
towards communities is felt in relocation programmes, providing
employment opportunities and seeking their knowledge for perambulation
etc. it was linkages between rural poverty alleviation and conservation that
paved way for the eco-development programmes. This was also the
recognition by international forums like the UNEP that participation of local
people cannot be avoided in attaining conservation goals.
A possible functional framework for participatory tourism
management
On the ground level these need to be visualised on different levels.
Systems need to be created to translate the role of Panchayats along with
other departments such as tourism, forest when it is in PAs, forest regions
and coastal zone management authorities in the case of coastal regions. In
the current context the aspirations and needs of private tourism service
providers also need to be taken in to account. An effective tourism
development could be experimented through the creation of systems,
which would ensure creation of a space by which;
• all above stakeholders share the concerns of conservation
• transparent
• scrutinising
• Eco-friendly,
information sharing on the aspirations of tourism
service providers, and
the aspirations of all stakeholders in the interest of
conservation.
biodiversity friendly tourism practices are encouraged
and implemented.
SGMS as envisioned
SGMS C> shall be a functional model incorporating following principles:
Stakeholder participation, functional transparency, checks and balances in
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Nilagiris : Fading Glory 64