ECO-TOURISM FOR NATURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION- A STUDY ON KUDREMUKHA NATIONAL PARK

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1 ECO-TOURISM FOR NATURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION- A STUDY ON KUDREMUKHA NATIONAL PARK *Vinaya Kumara K S & ** Dr.Binoy T A *Assistant Professor, Dept. of Tourism and Hospitality Management, PBMMEC, Mettagalli, K.R.S Road, Mysore. **Co-ordinator,Department of Tourism Research center, Kuvempu University,Shankaraghatta.Shivamogga ABSTRACT At times the concept of Ecotourism is widely misunderstood and it is often used as a marketing instrument in order to promote tourism business related to nature. Ecotourism means not only nature, it also includes indigenous cultures. It is about fostering respect for natural and cultural heritage too. This paper clarifies the ecotourism concept for natural heritage protection, which presents the concepts, principles; Ecotourism for natural heritage protection and benefits of ecotourism is seen as a win win solution. Kudremukha is a mountain range and name of the peak located in chickmagalore district in Karnataka. Kudremukha national park is the second largest wildlife protected areas belonging to a tropical wet evergreen type of forest in the westernghats. The present study critically analyses the ecotourism initiatives for the protection of natural heritage at Kudremukha from its strength, problems and associated. Key Words: Ecotourism, Natural Heritage, Westernghats. Introduction: Tourism is not an activity for pastime and entertainment but is an enriching and energizing activity. Tourism is the right vehicle for a developing country like India which is on the path of modern economic growth through structural transformation of the economy. The value-added effect of tourism is increasing. Sustainable tourism has vast scope in India by convergence of landscapes with finances capes, technoscapes, and mediascapes. India s tourism industry has witnessed upsurge in recent years, paying rich dividends to both consumers and producers. The role of Tourism is essential in the economic development of a country. Tourism is the second largest foreign exchange earner in India. The tourism industry employs a large number of people, both skilled and unskilled. Hotels, travel agencies, transport including airlines benefit a lot from this industry. Tourism promotes national integration and it generates foreign exchange. It promotes cultural activities. Tourism also promotes the traditional handicrafts sector. The tourist gets an insight into the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India. India is one of the popular tourist destinations in Asia. India offers a wide array of places to see and things to do. The delighting backwaters, hill stations and landscapes make India a beautiful country. Historical monuments, forts, beaches, places of religious interests, hill resorts, etc. Add to the grandeur of the country. They attract tourists from all over the world. India is probably the only country that offers various categories of tourism. These include history tourism, adventure tourism, medical tourism, spiritual tourism, Ecotourism, sustainable tourism etc,. 24

2 Objectives of the study: The main objective of the study is to Ecotourism for Natural Heritage Protection. The sub objectives of the study are as follows: To study the Eco tourism potentiality at Kudremukha. To understand the Eco tourism Practices for Natural heritage protection. To study the Community role in protection of natural heritage. Scope of the study: The study scope covers the ecotourism for natural heritage protection. The study area covers Kudremukha national park and in and around tourism destinations of kudreremukha belt. The present study is purely secondary data and conceptual paper. Problem statement: The Kudremukha national park in the Western Ghats is a part of the worlds 38 hottest hots pots of biological diversity, a UNESCO world heritage site. Its more than 630 Sq Km area of more than grassland and tropical rainforest from the largest protected block within the Western Ghats. The peak is home to unique,threatened and endangered biodiversity including liontailed macaques,tigers,malabar Civets and great pied hornbills. The rivers Tunga, Bhadra and nethravathi, which originate from the heart of the park, sustain millions of rural people in south India. The park provides invaluable ecosystem services, such as water security, nutrient recycling, climate regulation and carbon sequestration all of which are issue of global concern. The ecotourism practices a non-consumptive use of wildlife and natural resources and contributes to the visited areas through labour or financial means aimed at directly benefiting the conservation of the site and the economic well-being of the local residents. However, need for the study is to protect the natural heritage through Eco-Tourism at Kudremukha national park. Concept of Eco-Tourism: Ecotourism is the fastest growing sector, with an estimated growth rate of 10 to15%, of one of the largest industries in the world tourism (Pano, 1997). Ecotourism has been defined as environmentally responsible, enlightening travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socioeconomic involvement of local populations. According to this definition, ecotourism can involve both cultural and environmental tourism and, in addition, benefits to the local population should be an integral part of the activity. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) defines ecotourism as:...environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features - both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations. The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as: responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) tourism that involves travelling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the specified objective of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural aspects [both of the past and the present] found in these areas is defined as ecotourism. An optimum number of environment friendly visitor activities, which do not have any serious impact on the ecosystem and the local community and the positive involvement of the local community in maintaining the ecological balance are some of its key elements. Principles of Ecotourism Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement, participate in and market ecotourism activities should adopt the following ecotourism principles: Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts. Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect. Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts. Provide direct financial benefits for conservation. Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry. Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climates. Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities. Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in our community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment. 25

3 Factors of Eco-Tourism: Some of the main ecotourism factors are as follows: Existence of National Park, Sanctuary, natural environment as a prime, star attraction, Should be ecologically, socially, culturally and economically sustainable, Should have participation of the local stake-holders (host community), Should be a low profile venture and should be capable of dovetailing in the existing tourism of the State. Concept of Natural Heritage: Heritage is that which is inherited from past generations, maintained in the present, and bestowed to future generations. The National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States defines heritage tourism as "travelling to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past," and "heritage tourism can include cultural, historic and natural resources. Natural heritage refers to the sum total of the elements of biodiversity, including flora and fauna and ecosystem types, together with associated geological structures and formations (geodiversity). The term "Natural Heritage" was picked up by the Science Division of The Nature Conservancy when, under Robert E. Jenkins, Jr., it launched in 1974 what ultimately became the network of state natural heritage programs -- one in each state, all using the same methodology and all supported permanently by state governments because they scientifically document conservation priorities and facilitate science-based environmental reviews. When this network was extended outside the United States, the term "Conservation Data Center (or Centre)" was suggested by Guillermo Mann and came to be preferred for programs outside the US. Despite the name difference, these programs, too, use the same core methodology as the 50 state natural heritage programs. Eco tourism for natural heritage protection: A sound ecotourism is characterized by the four key hallmarks that distinguish it from simple nature, wildlife or adventure tourism. The four hallmarks are that ecotourism projects have need to: 1. Be designed, built and operated so that they leave a soft imprint. 2. Contribute money to the local economy and local community services. 3. Contribute financially to environmental protection. 4. Educate visitors and members of the local community. The definitions of ecotourism focus on three significant aspects viz. nature, tourism and local communities. It differs in a meaningful way from mass tourism that aims at consuming nature leaving it depleted on more than one front. Conservation, sustainability and biological diversity are the three interrelated aspects of ecotourism. As a developmental tool, ecotourism can advance the three basic goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity: 1. Conserve biological (and cultural) diversity, by strengthening protected area management systems (Public or Private) and increasing the value of sound ecosystem. 2. Promote the sustainable use of biodiversity, by generating income, jobs and business opportunities in ecotourism and related business networks. 3. Share the benefits of ecotourism developments equitably with local communities and indigenous people, by obtaining their informed consent and full participation in planning and management of ecotourism businesses. The British ecotourism market highlighted that : 1. The strong orientation of the ecotourism field towards principles, guidelines and certification based on sustainability standard gives it an unusual position in the tourism field. All nature-based forms of tourism in which the main motivation of the tourists is the observation and appreciation of nature as well as the traditional cultures prevailing in natural areas. 2. It contains educational and interpretation features. 3. It is generally, but not exclusively organised by specialised tour operators for small groups. Service provider partners at the destinations tend to be small, locally owned businesses. 4. It minimises negative impacts upon the natural and socio-cultural environment. 26

4 5. It supports the maintenance of natural areas which are used as ecotourism attractions by: Generating economic benefits for host communities, organisations and authorities managing natural areas with conservation purposes; Providing alternative employment and income opportunities for local communities; Increasing awareness towards the conservation of natural and cultural assets, both among locals and tourists. (Source: The British Ecotourism Market, UNWTO 2002) Ecotourism is viewed, as a means of protecting natural areas through the generation of revenues, environmental education and involvement of the local people in such ways; both conservation and development will be prompted in a sustainable manner. While difficult to measure, ecotourism is believed to be the fastest growing tourism segment. Ecotourism has recently come to be regarded as the panacea that enables us to aggressively seek tourism dollars with no obvious damage to ecosystems, since wild resources are not being harvested and there is no apparent associated development. As a concept, ecotourism has gained momentum recently in India, but as a way of life Indians have practiced ecotourism since times immemorial to nature and rich cultural heritage. Western Ghats: Western Ghats is a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula, located entirely in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight "hottest hot-spots" of biological diversity in the world. It is sometimes called the Great Escarpment of India. The range runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain, called Konkan, along the Arabian Sea. A total of thirty nine properties including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forests were designated as world heritage sites - twenty in Kerala, ten in Karnataka, five in Tamil Nadu and four in Maharashtra. The range starts near the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra, south of the Tapti River, and runs approximately 1,600 km (990 mi) through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu ending at Kanyakumari, at the southern tip of India. These hills cover 160,000 km2 (62,000 sq mi) and form the catchment area for complex riverine drainage systems that drain almost 40% of India. The Western Ghats block southwest monsoon winds from reaching the Deccan Plateau. The average elevation is around 1,200 m (3,900 ft). The area is one of the world's ten "Hottest biodiversity hotspots" and has over 7,402 species of flowering plants, 1,814 species of non-flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, 179 amphibian species, 6,000 insects species and 290 freshwater fish species; it is likely that many undiscovered species live in the Western Ghats. At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats. About Kudremukha: Known for its bio-diversity and mineral wealth, Kudremukh is located in the Chickmagalore district of Karnataka. In Kannada, Kudremukh means horse s face and the place gets its name from a peak that resembles the face of a horse. The beautiful landscapes of Kurdremukh are a big crowd puller. There are dense forests around the town and wildlife spotting is popular, even though the forest cover makes it difficult to spot animals easily. You need to go deep in the jungle to catch a glimpse of the wildlife. Three vital rivers Bhadra, Nethravati and Tunga originate from the region. Trekking along the well-established trails lead to the point of origin of these rivers. The trekking trails through dense forests and tropical riverbeds with varying degrees of difficulty attract those seeking an adrenaline rush. Tourist can see rare orchids and enjoy the fresh mountain air as tourist explore the grassland. The Kudremukh range of mountains was declared a national park in Tourist need to have prior permission and a licensed guide to trek the summit. The Kudremukh National Park is the second largest protected region in the Western Ghats that is spread over an area spanning 600 sq km. The region is home to langurs, macaques, barking deer, malabar giant squirrels and chitals. Leopards, tigers, jackals and wild dogs have also been spotted here. The best time to visit Kudremukh is between October and February. The region in and around Kudremukh receives about 7,000 mm of rainfall per year. With five sacred ponds l0ocated near the town Amba Teertha, Naga Teertha, Vasishtha Teertha, Rudra Teertha and Varaha Teertha Kudremukh is also a popular pilgrimage. Hanuman Gundi is one of the famous waterfall here. Ecotourism at Kudremukha: Kudremukh National Park is divided into four ranges including Kudremukh, Kerekatte, Kalasa, and Shimoga. It is surrounded by thick hilly forests, mainly evergreen and semi-evergreen near the coastal plain in the west. Coffee and tea plantations extend 27

5 in the north and east boundaries. Kudremukh, also spelt as Kuduremukha is a mountain range in Chikkamagaluru district and also the name of a small hill station town situated near the mountain. Kudremukh town is an iron ore mining town where the Public Sector Company Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd operated till the last decade. Surrounded by green hills covered with forests, the town is known for its scenic beauty. The dense forests limit the scope of sighting wildlife despite the area being rich in wildlife. Yet, driving through the forests is an enchanting experience. The rivers, Tunga, Bhadra and Netravathi are said to have their origin here. Between October and May, the forests appear lush green. December to February is the ideal time to watch wildlife here. The ecotourism activities are : Bird Watching,Trekking,Jeep safari, Elephant safari, Biking, Water rafting, Horse safari, Angling, Ayurveda and Yoga and meditation etc Trekking is the main Eco tourism activity in Kudremukha. Trekking to the Kudremukh peak is permitted from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm (as per forest rules). The Lakya Dam there is drained most of the time and is not a very interesting place to visit. Hanuman Gundi Waterfalls, on the other hand, is a good place to visit; however, entry is allowed only from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please note that if you are found wandering in the forest near the peak in the late hours without a guide or a local accompanying you, forest officers have the authority to detain you. The locals of Kudremukh can be approached for any help and they are also very hospitable. Littering is prohibited everywhere in the Kudremukh area and in the mountains. If you are found littering while trekking you could be penalized. There are about 13 trekking routes in Kudremukh ranging from easy to tough. The well-known ones are: 1. Samse - Kudremukh - Samse. The duration of this trek is around 4 days and 3 nights and it covers a total distance of about 40 km. 2. Navoor - Hevala - Kudremukh - Navoor. The duration of this trek is around 5 days and 4 nights and it covers a total distance of about 60 km. 3. Navoor - Kudremukh - Samse. The duration of this trek is around 5 days and 4 nights and it covers a total distance of about 50 km. 4. Horanaadu - Sringeri. The duration of this trek is around 3 days and 2 nights and it covers a total distance of about 30 km. 5. The Nature Camp in Kudremukh is one of the many beautiful places to stay. Conclusion and Recommendations: Eco tourism is protected as means of achieving community development and preservation of natural heritage. An ideal model of ecotourism is an integration of conservation and development, in which entrepreneurs, government and tourist create sustainable development while improving the welfare of local people. Moreover the government and the local community involvement are very much essential for the protection of environment. In this point, all stakeholders at Kudremukha have positively take interest on participating ecotourism development. Environment education is the basic aspect in Ecotourism. Therefore the government and the NGOs take initiative for giving an environmental education to local population as well as tourist. Ecotourism Policy & Guidelines, are Drawn from international guidelines prepared by tourism industry associations and organisations, the Ecotourism Policy & Guidelines, are issued by the Ministry of Tourism Government of India represent interests of global industry players. The policy approach is environmental protection for the sake of profits. The policy outlines all ecosystems of India as ecotourism resources and states that these have been well protected and preserved. Where the policy enlists its principles and elaborates operational aspects for key players in the ecotourism business, the role of communities is considerably reduced to protecting Environmental resources and providing services to tourism in the role of hosts. An environment protected by communities is a resource for ecotourism when tourists experience the natural beauty. Indigenous and local communities become important stakeholders thereby becoming subservient to a process where environmental protection is vested from their control and is being pursued for the sake of supporting economic enterprise. What the policy fails to realise is the cross linkages between ecotourism and the social, cultural, economic and institutional processes of indigenous and local communities. The local government institutions need to be involved in all level of ecotourism development from approval of the project, to planning, implementing, development, marketing, evaluating, monitoring, and research. Referencess: 1. https//ibef.org/industry/tourism-hospitality #q=a%20brief%20report%20on%20tourism%20in%20india 3. Reviews Dr.Devdatta Gopal Lad, Eco-Tourism Development in the konkan Region of Maharashtra: A Review, Scholars academics journal of biosciences (SAJB) 2013:1(6) , ISSN Dr.Vandana M.Joshi (2014) Eco-tourism A key to protect the bio diversity in Maharashtra, International Journal of Innovative Research in Science engineering and technology.vol.3, issue no 8, ISSN, Ceballos-Lascurain, Hector Tourism, Ecotourism and Protected Areas. IUCN. TheWorld Conservation Union. Gland, Switzerland. 28

Tourism and Wetlands

CONVENTION ON WETLANDS (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) 43 rd Meeting of the Standing Committee Gland, Switzerland, 31 October 4 November 2011 DOC. SC43-27 Tourism and Wetlands Action requested. The Standing Committee