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Wildlife Tourism Session6th November 2012
Educating Tourists to Watch Wildlife Responsibly
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Abhishek Behl(Founder / CCO)
Wild Navigator(Division of Conservation Footprints Ltd)
@A_Behl
Outline for Today
•Wilderness - our experience
•The effects of the Interim ban on tourism
•How can we use education as a tool for visitors?
The Wilderness – our experience
• The importance of a guide as a story teller
• Education is knowledge
• Wildlife Tourism - puts a value on nature
INDIA: The Interim Tourism Ban• 2010, Activist filed (PIL) in MP
State HC • July 2012 - Interim ban in 41 Tiger
Reserves• Oct 2012 – Ban Lifted with New
Ecotourism Guidelines/policies:
– 25% area for Tourism in Core Habitats
– Conservation Fee (Lodges / Entry Fees)
– Formation of LAC (Local Advisory Committee)
– No Tourism infrastructure in Core Areas
– To phase out Tourism in next 5 years
So what went Wrong ?
© Sachin Rai
Good Education• Good education drives good practices• Tiger reserves have more than just ‘’Tigers’’• Africa has the ‘Big 5’: India has the ‘Magnificent 7’
Ask yourself…..• Do we see tourists briefed before entering the park?• Learning about local cultures, environment &
communities?Or • Do we see tourists in a race to see the tiger & if they
don’t they go back disappointed & the guides get no tips?• Is the current culture all about taking and not giving
back?
How to Use Education as a Tool for Visitors
International Travel Agents /
DMC’s
•Engaging with suppliers
•Correct marketing
•Feedback forms
International Travel Agents /
DMC’s
•Engaging with suppliers
•Correct marketing
•Feedback forms
Ground Agents / Travel
Operators
•Go beyond ‘’One Species focus”
(Magnificent 7)
•Correct marketing
•Giving back to the destination
Ground Agents / Travel
Operators
•Go beyond ‘’One Species focus”
(Magnificent 7)
•Correct marketing
•Giving back to the destination
Lodge / Accommodation
Providers
•Visitor presentations
•Interpretation/Guiding
•Visitor experience forms
•Research/local projects
•Involve local communities
Lodge / Accommodation
Providers
•Visitor presentations
•Interpretation/Guiding
•Visitor experience forms
•Research/local projects
•Involve local communities
