Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options
Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options
Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options
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The Recommendatory Group will provide suggesti ons and/or<br />
recommendations on the required development and required mechanisms<br />
for conservation, and optimum use ofthe natural resources.<br />
There will be ad hoc terms for members who will bring in fresh ideas for fresh<br />
inputs, which will allow the SGMS© to rejuvenate itself. The membership of<br />
the SGMS will have a gender balance.<br />
2.11 Challenges Ahead<br />
Biodiversity and current practices of tourism do not go hand in hand. It is too<br />
taxing for the biodiversity on which tourism banks in our country. <strong>Tourism</strong> had<br />
grown and continues to grow without taking heed of the warnings from all<br />
quarters that are anxious about the depleting biodiversity.<br />
Authorities and planners who see the economic potential of tourism<br />
tragically had failed to bring in necessary mechanisms to arrest the<br />
detrimental factors through policy and guidelines. The tendency is to<br />
succumb to the pressures, tourism earnings overtaking conservation and<br />
precautionary measures.<br />
PAs in the country being centres of preserved flora and fauna are targeted for<br />
wilderness tourism, which is now dubbed as ecotourism. Among PAs,<br />
tourism is permissible, along with study and research, in both wildlife<br />
sanctuaries and National parks, as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.<br />
The Chief Wildlife Warden is the authority under whose permission tourism<br />
could be allowed. Apart from this mention of the word 'tourism' this does not<br />
specify or elaborate anything further. This does not specify what kind of<br />
tourism and what related activities could follow and could be allowed. The<br />
uniqueness of <strong>Biosphere</strong>s is not taken in to account by this existing legal and<br />
policy domain that is applicable to PAs. <strong>Biosphere</strong>s are extremely complex<br />
and sensitive than the PAs.<br />
The greatest challenge in biodiversity conservation and tourism<br />
development would be to ecologically sensitive regions that does not have<br />
any special protective mechanisms or measures. Like in the case of<br />
backwaters, marshy and wetland areas, extensive mangrove forest regions<br />
etc.<br />
67 Nilagiris : Fading Glory <br />
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