Eco-tourism management in Rajaji

National Park(RNP)

Presented By

Range Forest Officers (Trainee)

Date: 10-02-2015

Group No. 5(Monal Group)

1. Vinay Bhat

2. Shalini P.N

3. Gundu Singh

4. Kirana B.M

5. Jagat B Debbarma

Flow of talk

Introduction and definitions

Objective & Need of Eco-tourism

Key role players?

Potentials in eco-tourism in Rajajji National Park(RNP)

Management aspects concerning Eco-tourism in RNP

Benefits and Impacts

Opportunities in RNP for further enhancement of Ecotourism

Conclusion

Eco-tourism????

Definition by TIES (The International Ecotourism Society):

“…responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the

environment and sustains the well being of local people.”

Purposeful travel to natural areas.

To understand the cultural and natural history of the environment.

Taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem while producing

economic opportunities that make conservation of natural resources

beneficial to local people.

(American based Ecotourism Society, 2003)

*To have positive impact on the social, cultural and natural

environment.

*To adopt sustainable tourism practices for conservation of nature

and wildlife.

*To support research in eco-tourism areas.

*Encourage use of appropriate local practices, artifacts & food in

tourism promotion.

*To provide employment opportunities to local people.

*To generate revenue for eco-tourism development.

*To organize awareness & training programmes on eco-tourism to

tourists.

The Himalayan state of Uttarakhand is endowed with 64.76%

of its area under forests.

Rich biodiversity with a variety of flora and fauna, which

attracts thousands of tourists.

Its imperative for the state to conserve its rich biodiversity

while at the same time promote ecologically sustained tourism

which aims at providing livelihood for its people.

Need of eco-tourism

The Authority

Tour Operator

Local

CommunityTourists

NGO/WTI

Benefits of eco-tourism

Eco-

tourism

Wildlife conservation

Increase in revenue

Community participation

Environment related

awareness

Rajaji National Park (RNP)

Spread over 820 sq. km.

Composed of 8 types of forest

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

No. of species

Trees

Shrubs & herbs

Climbers

Grass

Mammals

Reptiles

Amphibians

Fishes

Birds

Map of Rajaji National Park

Implementation of Ecotourism

Management Plan

• Development of tourist zone

• Visitor site planning and design

• Sustainable infrastructure design

• Revenue generating mechanism

• Visitor monitoring and management

• Naturalist Guides

Habitat Management at Rajaji

• Relocation of local tribes: Relocated to Gaindikhatta and

Pathri

• Control of Soil erosion

• Landscape improvement by afforestation and reforestation

• Grassland management

• Regular monitoring of fire line

• Eradication of invasive weeds

Eg. Lantana by CR Babu technique

Management of MAN-ANIMAL Conflicts

• Rehabilitation of Gujjars.

• Creation of Wildlife Corridior (Chilla – Motichur).

• Regular monitoring of Railway line by the forest department

officials as well as railway personnel to prevent wild animals.

Management of Visitors

DO’s:

Normally park remains open for tourists from 15 Nov-15

June(Morning from 6:30-9:30 am and in evening 2-4 pm)

Visitors fee: Rs. 150/person and Rs.250/light vehicles and special

50% discount for students)

Visit in small groups, 4-5 persons in a jeep

Dress in favour of forest (green/blue) and always wear shoes

Pay respect to local culture and religion

Avoid noise while traveling through the forest

Contd… Keep non-biodegradable wastes with vehicle and deposit it outside

the park at proper place

Friendly behaviour with assisting staff

Buy local products, promote local market

Follow rules and regulations of the protected areas

Respect our natural heritage – the forest

Pay proper fees while visiting to the park area

Contd..

Don’t:

Smoke and drink alcohol

Bring fire-arms inside the forest

Leave vehicle nor walk here and there

Give any eatable item to wild animals

Throw candy wrappers, chips wrappers and cold-drink or water

bottles

Speak loudly

Tease wild animals

Go in wrong trails

Contd…

Stay longer in front of wild elephants

Burn match (match-box) inside the forest

Leave the rest house during night and pollute the surroundings while

stay inside the forest

Compel the jeep driver to move fast or to stop for a long while traveling

through the forest

Be disappointed even if you do not see any animal.

It is a matter of chance and always remember that you are inside

animal‘s habitat.

Risk Management

Guides get trained entirely and properly equipped.

Communication channels are established to communicate the situation to

nearby forest field stations.

Avoiding tourists movement close to wild animals.

Displayed information about their movements with known sign boards for

jeep drivers to alert and drive cautiously .

Some paths are closed during emergency period of wildlife to avoid sudden

attacks on tourists.

Inculcated scientific advice from subject experts/ researchers and higher

officials working with the park area for other risk management activities.

Promotion of eco-tourism

• Presence of Forest Department rest houses for tourists

in different locations of the park (In Chilla, Motichor,

Kunao, etc).

• Preparation and distribution of information bulletins and

wildlife related articles to create awareness about wildlife

conservation.

Contd…

Steps taken to promote eco-tourism

Provided information and resource network for visitors about different issues

of eco-tourism.

Implemented with properly monitored codes of conduct.

Used all stakeholders and local communities in managing conflicts, sharing of

benefits & tourism development.

Well trained staff and local people in all eco-tourism activities.

Promoted local markets and contractual employment to locals.

Used appropriate conservation policies to explore tourism activities

Celebration of World Tourism Day (21st September), Wildlife Week (01-07th

October), etc.

Opportunities available

Signage

Nature Trail

Students Involvement

Audio-visual programmes

Mobile interpretation Centre

Use of media for tiger reserve

Nature related education and awareness programme

What we can conclude

• Ecotourism zones may be planned in such a way so that

tourists can grasp a maximum knowledge on the area at the

same time.

• Besides, the aim of eco -tourism can be achieved by

creating a healthy environment among all its

stakeholders.

• As tourists are only aware of Chilla zone in RNP, therefore,

setting up of tourist information center at Haridwar city

and tourist guidance, in particular areas like Motichur

and Kansrao has a clear potential of diverting some of

the tourists who currently only have the option of safari