For those who love to spend time in the lap of nature, ecotourism is the answer. Holidaying the natural way is the latest trend. People are becoming more conscious about the nature and natural resources. Ecotourism is gaining more acceptances with time.

Ecotourism aims at traveling responsibly to the natural sites that conserve the environment and strive to enhance the well-being of the people staying there. The idea is to save and preserve different cultures and traditions in their natural form. It strives to keep everything in its natural way.

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Principles of Ecotourism

There is a set of principles that determine if an activity falls under this criteria or not. It should coordinate and conserve the local culture, communities and traditions along with tourism. The principles include :

  • Reduce the influence of the external world.
  • Generate tourism related income to support the local economy.
  • Induce awareness about the environment and culture.
  • Mutual benefits for the visitors and the locals.
  • Develop sensitivity towards the host country, their environment, social climate, etc.
  • Support human rights and labor laws.

All the activities fulfilling these principles will come under ecotourism.

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What are the Do’s and Don’ts?

There are certain dos and Don’ts which are to keep in mind as a traveler. One should follow the list given below to have a responsible tour. Make sure you do not influence the nature in any unnatural way and hamper it.

  • Do not cause any kind of pollution.
  • Do not litter. Make sure you dispose of all the non-biodegradable waste properly.
  • Do not leave cigarette butts.
  • Avoid using any kind of electronic equipment at high volumes like radios that can cause noise pollution.
  • Follow the rules and regulations of the local area.
  • Do not take pictures without consent. Many locals don’t like being clicked and you should keep that in mind.
  • Do not cook food in the forest.
  • Do not consume alcohol, drugs and other intoxicating elements.
  • Avoid carrying plastics. They are the worst non-biodegradable.
  • Do not use soaps and detergents in natural water bodies for washing or bathing.
  • Observe the sanctity of holy sites, temples and local cultures.

 

Ecotourism Society of India :

The motive of forming this society is to make sure that good traveling practices are followed. It consists of learned people from the tourism industry and environmentalists. It is an NGO aiming to inculcate a sense of duty towards the nature and the environment in tourism across the country.

So this summer if you are planning a holiday, plan it the natural way. It’s good to be a responsible traveler.