Looking into. Ecotourism. Guidelines for local communities and implementing agencies in India

Transcription

1 Looking into Ecotourism Guidelines for local communities and implementing agencies in India

2 Looking into Ecotourism: Guidelines for Local Communities and Implementing Agencies in India Dhwani Lalai and Neema Pathak Broome With contributions from: Anirudh Chaoji Malika Virdi Prerna Agarwal Rajiv Bhartari Sanjay Sondhi Seema Bhatt Tilman Jaeger Layout and Design: Tanya Majmudar Comments & Inputs: Varsha Seshan, Tanya Majmudar, Mrigank Save, Sneha Gutgutia and Manasi Sathe Photographs: Arun Prasad, Ashish Kothari, Dhwani Lalai, Jigmet Dadul, Sanjay Sondhi, Subhash Dolas Cover Photo: Dhwani Lalai Year of publication: 2018 ISBN: Publisher: Kalpavriksh, Pune 5, Shree Datta Krupa 908, Deccan Gymkhana Pune , India Citation: Lalai, D. & Pathak Broome, N. (2018) Looking into Eco Tourism Guidelines for local communities and implementing agencies in India. Pune, Maharashtra: Kalpavriksh.

3 Preface Ecotourism has been defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education by The International Eco-tourism Society (TIES) 1, a non-profit organization founded in 1990 and based in Washington DC. The idea of ecotourism has been gaining popularity over the years and many ecotourism initiatives are being established and promoted in recent times. The process of establishing an ecotourism initiative is site-specific as each location has a different potential with different ecological needs and the socio-cultural and economic context of the local communities. With an understanding that a one size fits all type of framework would not be able to take into account site specific concerns, this manual aims to provide a set of broad guidelines towards starting and running an ecotourism initiative. Particularly in the Indian context, these guidelines can be used according to their applicability to a specific site in their existing form or with appropriate modifications. This manual has been compiled using information from various case examples, documents, articles, reports and policies related to ecotourism in India. People working actively in the field of ecotourism have shared their insights and experiences towards this manual. References have also been provided in this manual for further reading on the subject. Scope of the Manual This manual aims to provide a set of basic guidelines for establishment of an ecotourism initiative, such as the steps that need to be taken, the information that needs to be gathered, and the processes that need to be put in place. The manual does not claim to be a comprehensive document on ecotourism but has attempted to include a diversity of experiences on various aspects of ecotourism emerging out of existing initiatives, including through case studies from across the country. This manual is expected to be of use to any local community aiming to set up an ecotourism initiative and/or for agencies facilitating ecotourism, including government agencies, non-governmental organisations and tour operators. Structure of the Manual The manual is divided into two parts. Part-A deals with ecotourism its history, principles and objectives and describes the essential components of ecotourism. An attempt has been made to describe the step-wise process of establishing an ecotourism initiative, with an understanding that it is not comprehensive in itself and may require modification depending on local context. The steps are discussed further under sections which include details regarding homestays, local art and culture, activities for tourists, designing nature trails and training nature guides and marketing local produce. It also lists aspects of ecotourism which local people may not be familiar with and hence may require training and capacity enhancement programmes. Existing initiatives have been used as examples to illustrate a point wherever possible. Part-B includes some detailed case studies from across the country.

4 Contents PART A: ECOTOURISM: HISTORY, principles, objectives AND COMPONENTS Ecotourism: An Introduction...1 Section 1: Approaching Community Based Ecotourism...6 Section 2: Discussions with or among Community Members...8 Section 3: Understanding the Needs of the Tourists...11 Section 4: Engaging with Other Stakeholders...13 Section 5: Economies...15 Section 6: Accommodation Facilities...17 Section 7: Hospitality, Cuisine and Logistics...20 Section 8: Bio-Cultural Experiences and Other Activities...22 Section 9: Marketing...26 Section 10: Skill Enhancement and Training...28 Section 11: Monitoring and Evaluation...35 PART B: CASE STUDIES Shaam-e-Sarhad, Hodka: Community Owned and Managed...36 Ladakh Homestays: People and Conservation...38 Kanchendzonga Conservation Committee, Sikkim: Waste Management Efforts...40 Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Kerala: Employment Opportunities For Locals...42 Kas Plateau: Mitigating the Effects of Mass Tourism...43 Yelavali: Ecotourism by People inside a Wildlife Sanctuary...45 Devalsari-ecotourism in a picturesque Himalayan village...47 Promoting Butterfly Tourism in the Garo Hills...49 Annexure 1: Guidelines for Homestay...51 Annexure 2: Do s And Don ts For Visitors...53 Endnotes...54 References...55

5 PART A ecotourism: HISTORY, principles, objectives AND COMPONENTS Ecotourism: An Introduction What is ecotourism? Ecotourism has been defined by the International Union of Conservation of Nature s (IUCN) Ecotourism Programme 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 visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations 2. Problems of Mass Tourism and Emergence of Ecotourism Tourism is a wonderful way of generating awareness and support for conservation. However, examples from across the country show that mass tourism has done more harm than good to the environment. Mass tourism has also negatively impacted the local communities and their culture. The biggest beneficiaries of such tourism have largely been private enterprises, which often acquire large tracts of land in natural areas to construct luxurious resorts. Local people s economy then becomes mainly dependent on working in these resorts, selling some of their produce to the visiting tourists, and sometimes providing services like guiding. The resource intensive amenities provided in such resorts are often not ecologically sustainable in the long run, causing excessive water, air and noise pollution and improper disposal of solid waste. Many such resorts are built around national parks, tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries collectively called the protected areas. These protected areas themselves have often been created after unjust relocation or eviction of local tribal and non-tribal communities from their traditional lands. Many of these communities who continue to stay inside these protected areas or in the buffer zones around them are faced with severely restricted access to the natural resources that they critically depend on for their survival. In this situation, the luxurious resorts and their heavily consumptive tourist facilities add salt to the wounds of those who have lost their lands and livelihoods. Not surprisingly, resentment often builds up among them when they witness outsiders being allowed in their traditional lands and homes outsiders who often cause more damage to the area and its resources. Since the 1980s, ecotourism has slowly been gaining impetus in various countries. The year 2002 was celebrated as International Ecotourism Year by the United Nations. Increasingly there is a greater realisation that ecotourism does not only mean wildlife tourism or travel to a place of eco logical importance, as it is often understood. Ecotourism goes much beyond that by aiming to provide direct benefits to the local community, creating awareness about the importance and need for responsible travel, of leaving minimal footprint and generating support for conservation. An ecotourism initiative delicately interweaves all these aspects and leaves all those involved, with an enriching and knowledge enhancing experience. Note: This manual uses the word ecotourism in general although the focus is exclusively on community based ecotourism, or ecotourism initiatives where the local communities are key decision makers in establishing and running the initiative. With the understanding that communities need to be at the heart of any ecotourism project, further chapters revolve around the main objective of linking biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods through ecotourism. 1

6 The principles of ecotourism With an acknowledgement that the perception of ecotourism may differ among organisations and individuals, listed below are a few general principles of ecotourism largely based on the ones developed by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES): Minimal physical, social, behavioural, and psychological impacts on the wildlife and local community Building, ecological, environmental and cultural awareness and respect Providing positive experiences for both visitors and hosts Providing direct financial and other benefits for conservation Generating financial benefits for local people as well as others involved Delivering memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries or local communities political, environmental, ecological and social climates Designing, constructing and operating less resource intensive facilities Recognizing and respecting local rights and responsibilities, local or customary laws and systems, and spiritual and conservation-related belief systems of the indigenous people and local communities involved, among others Leading to the social, economic and political empowerment of the local communities Leading to biodiversity conservation 2

7 The major objectives of ecotourism Based on the revisions announced by TIES in 2015, the following could be listed among the major goals of any ecotourism initiative: 1. Conservation of bio-cultural diversity An ecotourism initiative must not impact the local ecology and biodiversity adversely and should contribute to better conservation of biodiversity. At the same time, ecotourism should foster respect for the local cultures, cultural values and traditions. 2. Financial empowerment of the local communities ` With an understanding that the local communities are the primary stakeholders and should be the direct beneficiaries of ecotourism, economic benefits and additional livelihood options must be decided by the local communities and may include homestays, running tourist lodges, fees for guides, and sale of local products, among others. 3. Effective interpretation for tourists An ecotourism initiative must include effective interpretation for tourists to help them appreciate and understand nature and socio-cultural values of the place. This in turn will create a non-local constituency in support of the local biological and cultural diversity and local world views. 3

8 INITIATING AND OPERATING AN ECOTOURISM INITIATIVE While considering ecotourism as an option for local livelihoods, it must be clear to all actors involved that ecotourism is highly dependent on many factors such as seasons, political situations and economic situations among others. Therefore it is important that a detailed assessment of various livelihood options is carried out to ensure that ecotourism is one of the many supplementary livelihood options available. It would also be necessary to have a clear understanding of the expectations of the local communities involved. All the actors must be fully aware of the risks involved in the initiative right from the outset. It would be essential to have all the expectations, risks and processes discussed and clarified at the very beginning of the initiative. Steps at a Glance The sections below are suggested steps which can be taken by the facilitating agency for the establishment of an ecotourism initiative. Each section is discussed in detail later. Section 1: Approaching community based ecotourism Section 2: Discussions with or among community members This section deals with questions such as who decides to set up an ecotourism initiative, where would they set it up and why. It explores different situations and models in which an ecotourism initiative may be set up and the importance of free prior informed consent (FPIC). This section highlights the importance of in-depth and inclusive discussions within and/or with the community (as the case may be) right from the beginning and through all stages of developing the initiative. It deals with some of the issues that must be discussed in such interactions. The success of an initiative often hinges on clear and transparent discussions among all involved, at all stages. Section 4: Engaging with other stakeholders Section 3: Understanding the needs of the tourists Since an ecotourism initiative would succeed only with the enthusiastic involvement of tourists, this section elaborates on the various aspects to be taken into account from the point of view of a tourist. It deals with connectivity, Unique Selling Point (USP), activities to be conducted, first aid requirements and cleanliness. This section explores the importance of understanding the role of other actors such as governmental agencies, local tour operators, local civil society organisations and media persons. 4

9 Section 6: Accommodation Facilities Section 5: Economies Running an ecotourism initiative would need an understanding of the inflow and outflow of money as well as a clear and transparent system of benefit sharing amongst those involved. This section contains some suggestions on this issue. Accommodation may be provided in the form of homestays, community-run guest homes or eco-lodges. Each of these is discussed in detail in this section along with some examples on how to make these facilities relatively ecologically sustainable. Section 8: Bio-cultural Experiences and other Activities Section 7: Hospitality, Cuisine and Logistics These form an important part of a tourist s experience. A few details and suggestions regarding hospitality and local cuisine are provided in this section. One of the important objectives of ecotourism is to introduce and create awareness & sensitivity about different local cultures; to create an appreciation of diversity in nature and culture. Exploring activities such as visiting local artisans, sale of local products, local songs and dances and interactions with people, could be a step in this direction. Such activities will also enrich the tourist experience. A few suggestions on the types of activities which can be conducted are given in this section. Section 9: Marketing Section 10: Skill Enhancement and Training Outreach and marketing are among the necessary components of running ecotourism initiatives. This section deals with various ways in which the initiative can be marketed. This section deals with some areas where local people may require training and skill enhancement, as dealing with tourists may be a new experience for many. These could include, hospitality requirements, how to be a nature guide, what to communicate with visitors who may not be familiar with local culture, context and sometimes language, among others. Section 11: Monitoring and Evaluation Sustainability of the initiative depends on constant monitoring, assessment and feedback. This section deals with the importance of assessing the goals and progress of the initiative over the years. This would also help take into account any feedback that may have been received about the initiative. 5

10 Section 1: Approaching Community Based Ecotourism Whose decision is it to set up a community based ecotourism initiative; where would they set it up and why? There could be two major situations under which community based ecotourism is set up: 1. Independent ventures by the community When local people mutually decide to establish an ecotourism initiative, they may run this initiative independently (without any external help). 2. Interventions by an outside facilitating agency Facilitating agencies such as an individual, government, non-governmental organisation or tour operator could help interested local communities in establishing community based ecotourism. This could take place through three different pathways: i. The community may approach the facilitating agency for help in establishing a community based ecotourism initiative. ii. The facilitating agency may feel the need to intervene at sites where tourism already exists and is creating negative impacts on the nature and/or socio-cultural values. iii. The facilitating agency may explore the potential of ecotourism at a site where tourism did not exist previously but has the potential to enhance local livelihoods and/or could become an incentive for biodiversity conservation. Model 1: Places where tourism already exists In places where tourism already exists and is creating a negative impact on the site, there first needs to be an impact assessment survey which would identify threats of mass tourism (Refer to Part B for a case study on Kas Plateau). This could be followed by the assessment of the carrying capacity of the place and a plan could be developed to reduce the negative impact of mass tourism and create a low impact tourism facility. Ecotourism may help in reduction of pressure on local culture, nature and natural resources. Model 2: Exploration of ecotourism in new places In places where tourism is being explored as a new concept, it is important to assess the capacity of the site as well as the willingness of the people to accept the idea of tourism where the idea came from outside actors. The local community must be familiarised with the concept of ecotourism and be ready to participate in the initiative. Ecotourism may help to generate additional and/or alternative means of income for the local community and create local awareness and support for conservation efforts (Refer to Part B for a case study on Hodka). 6

11 An initiative is called ecotourism only when the local community is involved and is the primary decision-maker. Therefore, in cases where ecotourism is being facilitated by an outside agency, they must first seek free prior informed consent 3 of the local communities. As highlighted in Community Based Homestays: Innovation in Tourism, the concept of ecotourism and homestays needs to be first understood and then accepted by the community members (including women) in question, and not something imposed on them 4. Effective marketing strategies can create a lot of supporters for ecotourism and homestays. But while attracting visitors to the destination, it is equally important to keep in mind the carrying capacity of the destination and check the influx of tourists. Unplanned tourism in fragile landscapes destroys the very environment and culture that is meant to attract the tourists. Keeping a check on the nature and extent of tourist activity is essential. As Seema Bhatt expresses in her piece, Community Based Homestays: Innovation in Tourism, it is equally important that the community based homestay movement remains small in terms of the scale of operation. Homestays are not meant to cater to the mass tourism sector and their increasing popularity should not encourage any institution to promote them on such a large scale that they lose their individual character and unique selling point. There is a fear of the creation of homestays and their commercialisation. Governments may promote this concept but adapt it to sell better. Non-local entrepreneurs may create similar infrastructure and call it a homestay. Strict guidelines are therefore absolutely essential 5. 7

12 Section 2: Discussions with or among Community Members Discussions with local community at Devalsari, Uttarakhand (Photo: Sanjay Sondhi) If the community is establishing the initiative independently, regular meetings and discussions would be essential to work out the objectives of establishing ecotourism, mechanisms and systems that must be evolved to run the initiative, opportunities and limitations of eco-tourism, among others. It is a must that the decision to initiate ecotourism, development of ecotourism plan, system of management of tourists and equitable sharing of benefits evolve as part of inclusive and regular community meetings. Such interactions bring out ideas and foster collaborative efforts among the community members. Decisions taken through regular and inclusive meetings will avoid misunderstanding and conflicts (particularly when economic stakes increase) and ensure wide acceptance of the decisions within the community. Such discussions should preferably be done in the Village Council, Village Gram Sabha (assembly of all adult members of the concerned hamlet or revenue village, as the case may be), etc.. Such meetings should ideally include at least 50% of the village women and men and must be represented by all sections of the society. When an outside agency is involved, mobilizing the community and facilitating dialogues (inclusive of all women, youth and disprivileged sections in the community) must be the first step towards establishing an ecotourism initiative. One of the many ways in which this can be done is by using the participatory method of APPA (Appreciative Participatory Planning and Action) 6, developed by The Mountain Institute, Sikkim, that works on appreciative enquiry of building on strengths. This method has been used by facilitators in Ladakh and Choti Haldwani, Uttarakhand 7. It is very important that the ideas, suggestions and working plan of the initiative emerge from the local 8

13 community itself. The facilitating agency, true to its title, plays the role of a facilitator ; and provides awareness, guidance and support as and when required by the community. In order to play this role it is crucial that the facilitating agency has and maintains a close rapport with the community. During these discussions, the following points could be discussed: Understanding/explaining the concept of ecotourism, its components, benefits, limitations and implications. Through detailed discussions a clear decision should be taken on, whether ecotourism should be initiated in the area. If yes, then discussing the expectations, needs and objectives of the community for initiating ecotourism. Assessing the tourism potential of their village and identifying its Unique Selling Point (USP). A conservation plan would need to be evolved along with the process of identification of the USP to ensure that the initiative leads to biodiversity conservation. It is important to discuss all possible implications of the initiative, for culture (and to be aware of the vulnerability of particular groups like children and women of the host community) as well as biodiversity conservation. It is of utmost importance to assess, address and mitigate any concerns arising from discussing these implications. It should be ensured that regulated use and tourism activities do not impact the basic access to resources by the local people and needs to be discussed with all concerned well in advance. Possible ups and down should also be discussed in the beginning so that those involved are prepared for various possible setbacks. These could include fluctuations in the numbers of visitors because of natural catastrophes, political upheavals, economic depressions and seasonal changes. It is extremely important to establish or have clarity at the very beginning on an institutional structure for decision-making and implementing the decisions, monitoring and feedback mechanism, the accounting and benefit sharing mechanism, among others. Based on the above discussions a formal or informal tourism plan including details could be developed, which could include (among others) the following components: Main decision making body/person/group and process of decision making. Institutional structure for running the initiative and clarity on roles and responsibilities and internal rules and regulations. Section on whether any help is needed from outside? If yes, who will help and what could be their role? Kind of accommodation facilities to be provided, types of activities to be carried out with the tourists, marketing mechanism, booking and maintenance logistics. Training programmes needed, who will conduct and how? 9

14 Mechanism for conflict resolution (intra community and with outsiders). Source of initial funding and mechanism for benefit sharing within the community Naming the initiative and/or homestay or eco-lodge (Refer: Section 9: Marketing Naming the ecotourism initiative) can be important form marketing point of view and hence must be discussed and included in the plan. What kind/kinds of food would be provided? (Refer Section 7: Cuisine) Provision of clean drinking water. (Refer Section 10 [A (III)]: Training) Strategies for waste minimization and management it is important to discuss and formulate a plan for this at the very beginning of the initiative. (Refer Section 10 [A (IV)]: Training) A code of conduct for visitors which they expect the tourists to follow. This code of conduct (dos and don ts) would need to be reflective of the deeper cultural and conservation concerns and ensure sensitivity to local cultural, social and ecological values. Code of conduct developed in Ladakh Given below are a set of dos and don ts developed by Ladakhi women who operate Himalayan Homestays as mentioned on their website. We ask that you make every effort to follow their requests while staying with Ladakhi families. Please: Do not make public displays of affection. Do not wear revealing clothes like short skirts and sleeveless tops. Do not urinate or defecate near water or in the fields. Do not taste from the serving spoon. Do not stick your finger or spoon in cooking or serving pots. Do not interfere with cooking. Do not sit on the Choktse (Ladakhi table). Do not bargain over the homestay rates 8. 10

15 Section 3: Understanding the Needs of the Tourists In addition to the needs of the local community and ecosystem, it is also important to understand the need of the tourists while planning the establishment of an ecotourism initiative. Assessing connectivity Tourist Response at Yelavli, Maharashtra (Photo: Subhash Dolas) Many tourists would be more inclined to visit a site that is easily accessible to them. It would be of great help to tourists if road routes leading to the site as well as the nearest railway stations and/ or airports are identified, located on the map and provided to them. However, sites which are not accessible by roads could be as attractive and provide a unique experience. In such situations it is important to identify and address the section of tourists who would be interested in and able to come to such sites. Further, it may also be useful to project and market the site in a manner which highlights its uniqueness rather than focusing on its inaccessibility. Identifying the unique features of the site This assessment would be required at sites where ecotourism is a new concept. Tourists usually look for places with rich natural and/or cultural heritage as an ideal getaway. Therefore, while selecting a site for the establishment of ecotourism, it is important to identify a Unique Selling Point (USP), i.e. an attraction that makes tourists want to visit the site. The idea is not always to try and provide what a general tourist may want but to highlight what exists and create an interest in it. For example, some unique birds, butterfly congregations, seasonal cultural activities and festivals, 11

16 among others. It may also be useful to explore other sites of tourist interest in the vicinity to provide more options or to attract tourists who may be coming to the general area for other reasons such as a temple, a protected area, a water body, etc. For the above, faunal, geological and cultural surveys could be conducted to understand the USP. It is important to focus on lesser known elements of biodiversity or culture rather than focusing on glamorous species alone. For example, during the establishment of ecotourism in the forests of Garo Hills in Meghalaya, butterfly diversity here was found to be exceptional. Hence, the area was protected as one of the butterfly hotspots of northeast India and a must visit destination for butterfly watchers. (For details contact: Sanjay Sondhi from Titli Trust) First Aid Health and safety of the tourists is important. Contact details of local doctors and health facilities must be available with the community, in addition to maintaining a well stocked First Aid Box. Providing first aid to tourists and having an efficient method of handling medical emergencies is an essential part of ecotourism. This may also be an area where training may be required. For more details, please refer to Section 10 [A (VII)]: Training. Activities Activities which are unique to a particular area showcase the culture of the region and are interesting for the tourists should be highlighted and included as part of the package being offered to the tourists. For suggestions on the types of activities which could be developed, please refer to Section 8: Bio-cultural Experiences and Other Activities. Hygiene and cleanliness The general understanding of cleanliness may vary among communities. However, experiences in various tourism initiatives have shown that clean toilets and clean rooms often act as one of the deciding factors for tourists to select a destination. If not already present, certain cleanliness standards may be decided by the local communities from the point of view of the tourists. Please refer to Section 10 [A (V)]: Training, for more details. 12

17 Section 4: Engaging with Other Stakeholders Apart from the community and facilitating agency there may be several other actors and stakeholders in the ecotourism initiative. Interactions among these could be beneficial to the initiative. Some of these stakeholders may include: 1. The local tourism industry In an ecotourism enterprise it would be essential to coordinate with the existing tourism industry in the area. For the success of the initiative, the tourism industry, as a whole, must behave in a responsible manner since all initiatives are connected to each other in various ways. For example, in Munsiari, Uttarakhand, the Munsiari Union of Sustainable Tourism comprises hotel owners, tour operators and an ecotourism enterprise, and together they deal with state agencies and issues of waste management, cultural activities, among others (For details contact: Malika Virdi) 2. Government Agencies Depending on their mandate, capacities and whether or not the selected area falls under their jurisdiction, various government agencies could facilitate and/or provide support for the development of ecotourism in the area. Some of these agencies may be: a) Forest Department Homestay at Munsiari, Uttarakhand (Photo: Ashish Kothari) Where the Forest Department is not the facilitating agency, interaction with its officers would be useful since many ecotourism initiatives are established in forested areas which are often under their jurisdiction. Therefore, it may be useful to keep the Forest Department informed 13

18 about the ecotourism initiative from the very beginning. They could be invited to attend the training sessions and the meetings, and share their insights and suggestions. Such interactions, however, should be with a clear understanding that the Forest Department is one of the important supporting agencies and not the decision maker in the initiative. b) Tourism Department The tourism department may play a role in providing assistance through various schemes related to ecotourism. For example, the Maharashtra Tourism Department Corporation (MTDC) has a Bed and Breakfast Scheme to provide support to homestays in various regions. (Please refer to Annexure 1 for some rules given by the MTDC for homestays) c) Other Government Departments Other government departments also can play a role in the establishment of ecotourism. For example in Hodka (refer to Part-B for a case study), the then District Administration shortlisted the Hodka village to be considered as part of the United Nations Development Programme s Endogenous Tourism Project and was extremely supportive of the project and understanding towards the local needs and problems Media Persons It would be useful to request local journalists or media person to cover the ecotourism initiative beginning with its early stages and mapping its progress through the years. 4. Local Civil Society Groups Involving local civil society groups working in the area could also help to generate on-ground support for the initiative particularly if the facilitating agency is not familiar with the area and the local people. Local communities may have interacted with these civil society groups in the past and may have a rapport with them. 14

19 Section 5: Economies In many cases identifying a source of the funds required to establish the ecotourism initiative in its early stages is extremely important. Developing a mechanism for fair, mutually agreed upon, clear and transparent systems of equitable sharing of benefits is also a must in order to avoid conflicts within the community. 1. Source of funds Given below are some possible sources of funding that can be explored: Various Government schemes might be available for this purpose. For example, in Yelavali, a village located in Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra, the funds for the eco-lodge came through the eco development scheme for the village. (Refer to Part B for a case study on Yelavali) Similarly, many national and international organisations may provide financial and logistic support towards ecotourism initiatives. Collaboration between the Government of India and United Nations Development Program has supported an endogenous tourism project at Hodka in Kachchh (Gujarat) among various other places. (Refer to Part B for a case study on Hodka) Some women in Korzok, Ladakh approached World Wildlife Fund for Nature - India (WWF India) and requested their support to set up homestays. In 2006, WWF India provided the initial support to 10 homestays through supply of basics such as mattresses and furniture for one room in each home 10. Various state governments under their ecotourism policy have made provisions for initial funding, for example, the Maharashtra Tourism Department Corporation s Bed and Breakfast Scheme. (Please refer to Annexure 1) Some community-led micro projects which are low on investment may be taken up by the community without external funding. Funds can also be raised through crowd sourcing. 2. Sharing of benefits The system of sharing of benefits among the community members must be decided at the outset either by the local members themselves or with their free prior informed consent. The success of the ecotourism initiative depends on the non-exploitative relationship between the facilitating agency and the local people, and the local people and the visitors. It also depends on equitable distribution of benefits amongst the participating families, or, in case of a community facility being offered to the visitors, to the entire community 11. In situations where only a few households within a community are engaged directly in the initiative, many others in the community could still benefit indirectly. Examples from across the country shows that a few home stays in the village could support the local economy in a diversity of ways. While some families run the Mud mirror work in Hodka, Gujarat (Photo: Dhwani Lalai) 15

20 homestay facility, others benefit by selling their produce to the concerned family or directly to the visitors. Such produce could include papad and achar; handicrafts. Local Self Help Groups are also involved in various ways. In some cases vegetables from the local farmers and chicken from the local poultry are bought. Bullock cart rides are also offered by local bullock cart owners; nature walks are offered with local youth being the nature guides, boat rides are organised by local fishermen, and so on. In order to ensure equitable benefit sharing, in Ladakh, rotation systems are set up in each village to enable participation of all interested households. As described by Wangchuk, for homestay providers, tourists are sent on a rotational basis, a track of which is maintained by the tour operator and/or by a person appointed by the community. For those who cannot or would not like to cater to visitors in their homes, additional services like guiding, solar showers and parachute cafes have been developed, which are also run on a rotational basis. All payments for homestay services are made directly by visitors to the service provider thereby Local handicrafts in Hodka, Gujarat (Photo: Dhwani Lalai) Local pottery in Hodka, Gujarat (Photo: Dhwani Lalai) avoiding situations where agents, guides and others could hold back cash payments due to the villagers 12. In Yelavali, a small village of 15 households, the entire community participates in the initiative. In order to ensure equitable distribution of responsibilities and benefits, the villagers have decided to hold a village meeting before any visitors arrive. The village has divided itself into smaller hospitality groups to take responsibility of hosting in rotation. A rate-card has been worked out ensuring that the rates are reasonable and non-exclusionary, yet covering the costs and earning a profit. Profits from the initiative are used differently by different communities. Some may choose to use the income from ecotourism for activities that would benefit the entire village, while others may use part of it to support conservation activities. For example, in Nonrighat, Meghalaya, the Khasi tribe has built a community run guest house to accommodate overnight visitors, the gains from which are utilized in maintaining the village school and in keeping the village clean 13. In Ladakh, 10% of earnings from tourism are put into the village conservation fund. Over the years, villagers have used this money for waste management, tree plantations, restoration of cultural features like stupas and for creating grazing reserves for wildlife 14. After deducting the costs and daily wage charges to all involved, the profits are deposited in a village account. These are later used for maintenance and other similar investments and other common village uses

21 Section 6: Accommodation Facilities Shaam-e-sarhad Bhungas in Hodka, Gujarat (Photo: Dhwani Lalai) Accommodation can be offered to tourists in many forms in an ecotourism initiative, including homestays and community run guest houses. Homestays A homestay is exactly what it seems to be, it is meant to be a home away from home. In a homestay, a visitor stays with a host family and gets an opportunity to experience and understand local cultures, histories, aspirations and dreams 16 through them. Homestays work as a platform for cultural exchange, developing relationships and sharing of experiences between the visitors and the hosts. Usually for homestays, the host family uses either one of the existing rooms in the family house or builds a new room attached to the house with basic amenities required by the tourists such as toilets, beds, etc. Eco-lodge or Guest Homes While homestays are very popular among the local communities as well as tourists across India, some communities may also choose to construct a separate accommodation facility for the tourists. They do so either to avoid cultural ingressions, protect their own privacy or to address certain interests and requirements of the tourists which homestays may not be able to cater to. Some communities choose to make these accommodation facilities along the lines of the traditional accommodation within the community. For instance, in the Hodka village, situated in the Banni grasslands of Kachchh, Gujarat, the community has built traditional mud huts which are used to accommodate tourists. (Refer to Part-B for a case study) Another example where guest houses have been made traditionally, using locally available material, can be seen in Wakro, a wilderness destination in Arunachal Pradesh. This area is home to the indigenous Mishmi tribe. The guest houses in this area have been built in the style of traditional Mishmi huts using thatch and bamboo. Local people and craftsmen built the tourism infrastructure with minimal external intervention. The textiles used in the interiors depict Mishmi weaves, and local art and craft made by the tribal people adorn the rooms

22 When the village Toufema in Nagaland was declared a tourist village, the state government helped the villagers financially to build the tourist cottages, a museum and other facilities for visitors. The village donated part of the land that was being used for shifting cultivation for the development of a tourist complex in the village. The tourist complex has been designed based on the local architecture and construction style. Each hut for the tourists has been constructed by one khel (hamlet) in the village, based on their traditional style of construction. The tourism facilities are run by the Village Council 18. In Yelavali village in Maharashtra, the villagers chose to build a separate lodge within the village for the tourists. They however did not use local design as they feared it would involve frequent maintenance and repairs which they may not be able to handle. (please see Part B for a case study) BENEFITS OF HOMESTAYS AND/ OR COMMUNITY GUEST HOMES If executed properly, homestays and community guest homes have a great potential as a livelihood option for local communities, benefitting all those involved directly or indirectly. Yelavali Ecolodge and camping site, Maharashtra (Photo: Subhash Dolas) Camp Hornbill, Kyari, Uttarakhand (Photo: Ashish Kothari) Simple staying facilities and living as the locals do give great impetus to responsible tourism as they are less resource intensive and hence leave minimum foot print and impact on the environment. This kind of living may help tourists understand the value of limited local natural resources which need to be used responsibly. The tourists get to be hosted by a local family, understand their way of life and get to interact with them. The host family gets to learn about the visitors and their life. This also helps build lasting relationships between the two instead of viewing each other as mere tourist and service provider. Homestays/community guest houses are generally easy on the pocket of the tourists (although there are exceptions to this) and can be very popular among low budget travelers looking for different destinations and affordable accommodation. 18

23 HOW TO MAKE TOURISM ECO-FRIENDLY An ecotourism project is majorly concerned with having low impact on the surrounding natural areas and resources. Given below are some examples of how different communities have adopted eco friendly ways: 1. Our Native Village The eco-resort in the village Hessargatta, 40km from Bangalore obtains 50% of its electricity through solar panels. Water is heated with solar-powered water heaters. Rain water harvesting structures have been installed and the resort runs a natural swimming pool with aquatic plants instead of chlorine to maintain cleanliness. The buildings are constructed using sun dried bricks. No detergents are used in the resort, instead handmade and natural soaps and shampoos are used. These in turn are packed in terracotta containers which are made by a local potter Red Panda Conservation Project, WWF Sikkim This example provides a good insight into eco-sensitive architecture which can be implemented in homestays and/or eco-lodges as well. In Sikkim, the natural habitat of the Red Panda, an endangered species, was being impacted due to the excessive usage of firewood by the people for heating and insulation. The Arch-i Platform, a not-for-profit organisation, tried to find alternatives for heating and insulation, to reduce the consumption of firewood. They initiated Space Heating programme improvement in village Gnathang. Here, the villagers volunteered to insulate their houses without the use of wood. They used layering in their walls and roofs. They used glass bottles (empty discarded bottles easily available in the house) to layer their roofs, filling up the gaps with mud. They plugged gaps in their windows to prevent the cold air from coming in and also used rubber from Stepney tyres as washers on the windows. Arch-i also prepared posters and educated people on the importance of conserving the Red Panda

24 Section 7: Hospitality, Cuisine and Logistics 1. Hospitality Hospitality is one of the most important aspects to keep in mind while running an ecotourism initiative. It is important to understand that along with local bio-cultural diversity, the initiative also heavily depends on the visiting tourists. It is therefore essential to make the visitors as comfortable as possible. Although hospitality is deeply ingrained in most Indian cultural practices, there may sometimes be a mismatch of the understanding of the concept of hospitality between the hosts and the visitors. While it is important for visitors to keep local cultural sensitivities in mind, it is also important for the hosts to understand some basic needs and aspirations of the visitors, which sometimes could differ from those of the hosts. According to Seema Bhatt, It cannot be presumed that because communities are keen to operate homestays/guesthouses, they are equipped to do so. Homestay owners and those involved in running community guest homes need basic orientation in aspects of hospitality and cleanliness etc 21. Hospitality training would need to focus on a number of points. Some of these are given below: Welcoming the visitors Communication Hygiene and Cleanliness Activities for tourists Dinner at Saspotse, Ladakh (Photo: Ashish Kothari) 20

25 First aid facilities»feedback» mechanism Each of these is discussed in detail in Section 10 (A): Hospitality Management Training. 2. Local Cuisine Food is an important part of a tourist s experience in an area. The diversity, exclusiveness, and taste of the food have great impact on the tourists. Different people will have different preferences with respect to food. While some would like to experience new and diverse cuisines, others may stick to more familiar tastes. Some may be vegetarian while others may not. It would be advisable therefore to either decide the menu with the tourist on a case-to-case basis, or to have a fixed menu which is communicated in advance to the tourists. However, at the same time, cultural and religious sentiments must also be kept in mind. Availability of the locally grown crops and food should be considered based on the season in which they are available. Often tourists prefer food not too oily or too spicy food. Tourists could be asked to inform the community beforehand if they wish to be served local cuisine. This will give the hosts enough time to prepare for it, as raw materials in such dishes may need elaborate pre-preparation. It could also be ascertained whether serving local cuisine to tourists is practical or not. There may be issues such as over-extraction of local food plants from the surrounding forests to meet the demand of tourists. Such situations must be avoided and alternative cuisines could be explored in such cases. 3. Logistics Given below are some logistics requirements important to keep in mind: Mode of payment: The mode of payment may be decided upon by the local community and conveyed to the visitors before they arrive. In recent times, most people do not carry too much cash; therefore if the mode of payment is only by cash, the visitors should be informed beforehand. Means of contacting the host: One working phone number in case of phone bookings and/or a person who has regular access to internet in case of online bookings could be determined. Bill books: Homestay owners must have a bill book to provide tourists with bills on request.»» Advance payment: The community may also work out a system for advance payment in order to avoid losses, as well as a cancellation policy. 21

26 Section 8: Bio-Cultural Experiences and Other Activities Dance drama on birds, Asan bird festival, Uttarakhand (Photo: Ashish Kothari) Bio-Cultural Experiences In every corner of the world can be found landscapes which are rich in natural and cultural values not in spite of but because of the presence of people 22. Nature and culture are intricately linked and have helped shape one another by evolving together over many years. Local culture in the form of art, craft, folklore and music has been passed down from one generation to another over several years. Ecotourism is one of the ways to create awareness and appreciation of this diversity of cultures. This would lead to wider recognition of and encouragement for the local people and their culture. The tourists could be exposed to the local culture by consciously including cultural activities in their programme, such as: 1. Visiting Local Artisans and Including Hands-On Activities In some ecotourism initiatives the visitors are encouraged to visit the local families who have a special skill set for particular art and craft and interact with them. Hands-on activities are can also included wherein the visitors are involved in making a particular art/craft item under the supervision of the local artisan. The product is then taken home by the visitors as a memento from that village. The tourists take great interest in such unique hands-on activities! 22

27 Hodka village is a community owned and managed endogenous tourism venture. Here, the visitors can explore the textile and handicrafts of the region and interact with the local communities. Craft workshops in embroidery and leather work, where one can learn a range of techniques directly from the artisans, can be organized. There could also be a visit to several artisan communities where one can marvel at the beauty of embroideries, leather work, lacquer work, rogan work, copper bell making, traditional pottery, wood carving, and more Sale of Local Products Tourists usually like to take home locally grown food products particularly if they are organically grown or are crops unique to the area, and local art and craft which they like to keep. Some of the suggestions for the kind of products that can be sold are as follows: a. Locally grown crops (particularly if organically grown and unique to the area) b. Locally grown plants/saplings c. Locally harvested honey d. Local herbal medicines e. Local handicrafts f. Locally made food products such as jams, pickles, and dried fruit, among others Moti Souvenir Shop at Choti Haldwani The engagement of the community as guides and in homestays was limited. In an attempt to involve many more members of the community a souvenir shop was conceptualised. However in the beginning the community members did not even know what to keep in the shop to sell. The other dilemma was that the Samiti had no working capital says Rajkumar Pandey, President, Corbett Gram Vikas Samiti, in the surrounding fields Haldi (turmeric) is grown. People used to come and purchase for Rs 35/- a kilo. We then negotiated with a lady to sell it to the Samiti for Rs 40/-, got it powdered, packed it and started selling that in our shop. We realized that this was a product people bought also because of its significance to the village name. We then approached the lady from whom we had bought Haldi and asked if she would be interested in supplying this product. If she disagreed, we could then give this to someone else to manage. She hesitated in the beginning but now supplies all the Haldi that is being sold in the shop and all profit goes to her. Similarly other spices, pulses were started and now there is good competition. To ensure equitable benefit sharing it was then decided that each person takes up two products and supplies those. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) helped us organise ourselves better by starting 3 Self-help groups (SHGs) Gajraj Samooh, Vanraksha Samooh and Kusum Samooh. Each of these groups has approx. 14 women from whom 5-6 supply products on a regular basis to the shop. WWF also helped train the women in production of Jam, Jellies and Pickles as well as in tie and dye. At first they were asked to make hankies but when they did not sell as expected, they were asked to diversify their products as per the demand of the tourists to make scarves, bed sheets, and dupattas. This encouraged the women to produce different products. Also once we had purchased a few sweaters from Ranikhet, which the tourists bought. This encouraged the women and now all woollen items (muffler, socks, gloves) in the shop are made in the village itself; however there is still a need to be guided with designs and colours

28 3. Songs and Dances Traditional songs and dances which have been a part of the local culture for generations are usually enjoyed and appreciated by tourists. Some communities organize folk songs and dance events in which tourist can participate. Apart from this, activities unique to the particular area might be promoted. Celebration of festivals in the local style could also be explored. A chart of special celebrations of a community could be prepared and shared with the tourists beforehand. All these activities not only promote a healthy interaction between the visitors and host but also provide a unique experience to the visitors. Activities A variety of activities could be offered to tourists according to the site. A scoping survey could be done to assess the types of activities that can be taken up. It may be useful to explore diverse and unique activities that can give the initiative a Unique Selling Point. A few suggestions are as follows: 1. Walking Trails These could include nature trails, heritage walks and treks. Specific paths around the site may be designed and mapped for this purpose. 2. Machan Stays Staying on machans in a wilderness destination is often an attraction for nature lovers and would add to their tour experience. 3. Adventure activities Depending on the site, adventure activities like rappelling, rock climbing, kayaking, swimming and river rafting could be taken up. These however should be done taking into account adequate safety measures or precautions. 4. Nature games Various interactive nature-related games could be developed and organised to maintain the fun factor and at the same time impart knowledge to the tourists. 5. Socio-cultural interactions Community interaction, visits to local artisans, hands-on activities like making local products to take home as souvenirs, local songs and dances etc. can be an interesting way of cultural exchange. 6. SUPW Socially Useful Productive Work Some communities have tried to tie up with schools particularly for their interaction programme such as Socially Useful Productive Work. Training, as well as information about the safety equipment and procedures especially in the case of adventure activities, may have to be provided to the local people to conduct these activities. Since nature trails would be common to most of the sites, a discussion on nature guide training has been included in Section

29 Dispersing Tourism Concentration of tourism at very few locations throughout the country, state, or within a site leads to over-crowding. This eventually might defeat the purpose of ecotourism which is meant to have a low impact on the environment. While selecting the site, therefore, it is important to keep in mind ways of avoiding overcrowding. To avoid overcrowding, tourism could be dispersed by exploring and ensuring a diversity of activities and locations to be made available within a particular site. E.g. identifying many view-points, a number of trails with their own uniqueness clearly specified to the tourists, a number of cultural and social activities, etc. 25

30 Section 9: Marketing Marketing plays a very important role in promoting ecotourism ventures. No matter how great the product is, it will not reach the right people without proper marketing. Marketing strategy should not only help the tourist know about the place but also encourage them to visit it. Following are some useful tips while developing a marketing strategy: Identifying a Unique Selling Point As mentioned above, wherever possible, it is important to identify the Unique Selling Point or USP of the selected site. It may be any factor that is unique to that site and would make the tourists want to visit that site. It could become a brand image of the site. For example: a unique cultural experience, or a unique area for butterflies and bird-watching. Brand Building This is one of the steps to enhance marketing strategies. In this approach, a brand is built around the site which would promote tourism. A logo could be developed and everything that is sold at the site would then have the logo. Examples of Brand Building In Ladakh, the snow leopard is the unique selling point. Nature lovers from all over the globe come in search of this elusive animal. At Choti Haldwani in Uttarakhand, the legend of Jim Corbett is the USP, and almost all tourism activities are framed around it. They also have a Corbett Heritage Trail which takes the tourists through the village to various sites. Naming the ecotourism initiative and/or homestay or eco-lodge What you call the initiative and how you name it is also important in marketing. For example, Prerna Agarwal narrated her experience in Kas Plateau in Maharashtra, where the owner of the homestay kept insisting on calling it a resort, his argument being that visitors check online for resorts and not homestays. Finally the name, Kas Village Resort was settled upon. The name of the venture may have an impact on attracting or driving visitors away. (For more details contact: Prerna Agarwal ) Shaam-e-Sarhad, literally translated as an evening at the border, Hodka, Gujarat (Photo: Dhwani Lalai) 26

31 Marketing the Brand / Outreach a. An effective way to market the brand is to rope in travel operators, corporate HR teams and team building professionals who look for natural areas to conduct their activities. Certain tour packages could be prepared and updated on a regular basis, ensuring that the benefits are distributed equitably and in a transparent manner between the local community and the tour operator. b. Creating a website is very helpful. A website would provide all the necessary information to the visitor, such as a brief background of the place, facilities available, ecotourism initiative, how to reach there, things Tour Operators Helping with Marketing in Ladakh In Ladakh, 4 tour operators operating from Leh were identified and roped in to help market the Himalayan Homestays. The current system followed is that the tour operators coordinate the queries and are responsible for assigning the name of the homestay provider on a rotational basis. The tour operators charge a nominal commission of Rs 50/- per person and the remaining amount of Rs 300/- per person per night is paid directly to the homestay provider, thereby ensuring direct benefits. In addition an important role that is played by the tour operators is to brief the tourists regarding the rules and norms of the village so as to minimize the negative impact on the local culture and ecology 25. that one can do, costs involved, etc. Maps of the area and nature trails could also be prepared and shared on the website. However, before exploring this option, it would be advisable to ascertain that the local community or someone on their behalf has the capacity to effectively manage the website and update it regularly. c. Social media has the power to reach multiple people and a regularly updated Facebook page can be developed for promotional activities. d. Well-designed sign boards around the destination and brochures are also helpful for promotion and marketing. e. Visuals tend to work better on the human mind and leave a better impact. Hence, in any form of social outreach, the text may be minimised to just as much as is required and pictorial representation be given prime importance. f. Regular interactions with previous tourists through s could also be helpful. These s could be sent once in six months or once in a year giving the tourists updates about the ecotourism initiative along with some photographs. While marketing the initiative, however, care must be taken that unrealist expectations are not created in the minds of the tourists. The purpose of ecotourism must be highlighted clearly and care must be taken to present factual information. Associating with a Government Scheme The homestays could be linked with government schemes (for example, Maharashtra Tourism Department Corporation MTDC s Bed and Breakfast Scheme). This would give an official face to the initiative and would be promoted and advertised by the government on its website. Those in the community who are literate could be trained to fill up the forms for registration and complete the required formalities. 27

32 Section 10: Skill Enhancement and Training Skill Enhancement Skill enhancement or community capacity building is defined by Wikipedia as the process of developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt, and thrive in the fast-changing world 26. The key role that a facilitating agency, whether from within the local community or someone from outside, plays is in bringing the community together, providing all necessary information and building a platform for transparent community decision-making. For this, constant interaction within the local community and in the case of an outsider, between them and the community is essential (ensuring that all sections and genders within the community are well represented in these interactions). The important aspects of capacity building include awareness creation and training programmes for specific purposes. Creating awareness Awareness creation would include bringing to the notice of the community other similar initiatives across the country, possible ecological and cultural impacts, information and experiences related to other livelihood options in association with ecotourism, information about formal and informal procedural requirements, laws and policies related to ecotourism, among others. Enhanced information would lead to informed decision making within the community. Such awareness could also be created through a number of activities which can be taken up in a regular basis in the community, such as: a. Involving local youth and others interested in interactive activities or events, which could also lead to creation of advertising material such as posters and brochures, among others. b. Training and sharing information to effectively manage a website and social media platform such as Facebook for regular updates and online bookings. c. General meetings within the community to share experiences with each other and exchange visits to other sites where similar initiatives are being taken up. Training The existing knowledge base and potential in most communities is immense. However, the idea of ecotourism might be completely new and alien to them; therefore it is crucial that some training sessions are arranged on various aspects of ecotourism to enable them to use their existing knowledge and acquire more, if needed. Some important training programmes that are usually conducted are: A. Hospitality Management Training As mentioned earlier (in Section 7), the idea of hospitality in a rural setting and in an urban setting may differ greatly. When tourists from an urban setting visit a rural place they may often be disappointed if the local managers lack what they consider basic hospitality skills. Further, the local people too might be put off if tourists do not respect their customs and values. This gap could be bridged by organising training programmes in hospitality. Such trainings could be conducted by an NGO working in the field, an expert on hospitality or by members of other local communities 28

33 who have an experience of running ecotourism. Although what would be covered hospitality training may differ from site to site, given below are some basic aspects that such a training could include: i. Communication Training pertaining to basic communication and interaction skills is essential especially for the owners and coordinators of the ecotourism facilities. Often communicating with tourists is difficult for the local people, they could feel shy or intimidated, therefore training in this aspect is useful. Local experiences after hospitality training Communication is the hardest part of providing homestays but interacting with guests and trying to communicate is what we like the most, after the money From a host in Ladakh Homestays. The women of the Rumbak village in Ladakh are extremely supportive of the need for orientation. They said that it helped them realise some basic expectations of visitors like knocking at the door before entering the guest room, ensuring cleanliness in the room, maintaining a regular timetable for meals, etc 28. ii. Welcoming and Briefing How the tourists are welcomed when they first arrive at the site, could leave a lasting impression in their minds. This component of the training could include, making the local communities aware about the following: Giving a warm welcome to the tourists when they arrive, this could be a traditional local manner of welcome or just a warm casual reception. Responsibility for this may need to be assigned to a specific person, team or family. This is to ensure that the visitors are not confused and wondering what to do and where to go when they first arrive. Maintaining a Visitors Register which would specify details such as name, place from where the visitor has come, phone number, check-in/check-out details and signature. Explaining dos and don ts. Introducing the community, explaining the concept of ecotourism and the facilities provided at the site, as well as the activities that can be conducted for the tourists. If needed carrying out an orientation session through posters, photographs (it is usefully impactful to display the photographs clicked by the local people or by previous visitors). iii. Provision of clean drinking water The training must include a component of emphasising that the visitors should be provided with clean and safe drinking water. Efforts could be made to discourage visitors from using plastic mineral water bottles. The hosts must inform the visitors about the quality of water, where it has been procured from and what methods have been used to purify it. For example, 29

34 in Swapnagandha resort in Chorla ghat, Maharashtra the host assures the tourists that the drinking water has been filtered, and provided in copper jugs and glasses to ensure it remains safe to drink while adding an ethnic flavour. ( exchange with Prerna Agarwal on 23rd March, 2016) iv. Waste management A waste management system is essential in any ecotourism initiative. The hosts may be trained to segregate waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Further, the biodegradable waste may be composted, and different ways of handling non-biodegradable waste may be explored. (Refer Part B for a case study in Sikkim on waste management efforts). The visitors could be encouraged to carry the non-biodegradable waste back with them. v. Hygiene and cleanliness More often than not, urban tourist would be particular about basic cleanliness and hygiene standards in the bathrooms, bedrooms, dining area and kitchen. For example, bedrooms must have clean bed sheets, pillow cases and blankets. Cooking area should be clean and hygienic, bathrooms and toilets should be cleaned regularly etc. vi. Activities conducted Various activities such as nature walks, nature games, visits to farms, adventure activities, treks etc. could be conducted for the visitors. Some of these activities may require training before being conducted, particularly nature walks and adventure sports, which could be part of the hospitality training or could be organised separately. vii. First Aid During the training the importance of First Aid treatment must be emphasised along with the fact that first aid should be available at all times. The detailed address and phone number of the nearest hospital and ambulance service as well as a doctor must be available. The first aid kit must be present and up to date at all times. Used medicines must be replaced immediately. For remote areas it would also be useful to provided basic paramedical training to some members of the community to handle emergency situations. List of Common Ailments for which Medicines can be Provided in a First Aid Box Fever Cold and cough Stomach pain Diarrhoea Vomiting Constipation Cuts and bruises Band aid, anti septic powder or cream, bandage Muscle pains, camps and strains Generic pain killer Anti allergen Mosquito repellent Insect repellent Inhaler for Asthma Dehydration (ORS packets) Hot water bottle (in cold climates) viii. Feedback Forms The training could include importance of providing feedback registers or forms to the visitors. Such feedback could help get valuable inputs on further improving the facilities of the initiative. Visitors could be requested to fill these forms at the end of their stay. 30

35 B. Training For Nature Guides Nature Guide participants, Devalsari, Uttarakhand (Photo: Sanjay Sondhi) A guide acts as an ambassador of the forest. It is the guide who can truly enrich the experience of the tourists and help them understand and appreciate nature and culture. Some of the community members, especially the elders would be very good with local knowledge and well versed with the wilderness around them. They may not need more information but they may require some help with the method of conveying this information to the tourists. The Nature Guide training therefore has been found useful by many communities running ecotourism initiatives. A typical nature guide training could include the following aspects: i. Communication Interaction and communication with tourists is vital during a trek, walk, trail or safari. The following points must be kept in mind: 1. Introduction The guide could begin by introducing himself/herself, welcoming the tourists and asking for their names and the purpose of their visit to break the ice. This would be followed by a brief introduction about the site which could include a short history about the place and the diversity of flora and fauna found there. How nature guides introduce themselves at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve At Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, nature guides have been trained to say the following introductory sentences in English, Good morning! Welcome to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. I am (name). I will be your guide today. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is 1725sq.km. Core is 625sq.km. and buffer is 1100sq.km. Tadoba has about 250 species of birds and 40 species of mammals and many reptiles and amphibians. 2. Medium of Communication The general medium of communication must be understood by all/majority of visitors. If language is a barrier then a translator would be useful. 31

36 3. Interaction Skills It is extremely important to have appropriate body language while speaking to the tourists. Some of the basics which could be followed are as follows: Maintain eye contact with the tourists. Demonstrate a relaxed body language with ample hand movements. (Keeping the hands folded or in the pocket show nervousness and lack of confidence) Speak loudly (not shouting), clearly and at a moderate pace. Important to understand when to stop talking stop giving information when the tourists are observing or photographing. Too much or little talk can tire people and put them off. Use short anecdotes and stories, local stories are highly appreciated by the tourists. (Giving information in a monotonous manner would be boring for the tourists) Avoid arguments with tourists on the trail if they disagree with some information given. Under all circumstances avoid giving wrong information, it is ok to say that one doesn t know rather than saying what may not be true. Summarise the sightings of the trail at the end. (For more details contact Anirudh Chaoji at anirudh.chaoji@gmail.com) ii. Basic Etiquette A good guide would need to have basic etiquette while interacting with tourists, these could include the following among others: Being dressed in clean clothes. A badge, cap or uniform, a special local dress that would help identify the guide easily may be useful. Strictly not consuming alcohol or tobacco before or during the trail or safari. Keeping a friendly but non intrusive attitude. Being polite but firm. iii. Handling the tourists during a trail Handling a large group of tourists may sometimes be difficult, and strategies and skills for the same could be developed through training. A guide must be polite but firm to make sure that tourists follow the local rules and do not harm the nature around. The rules should be explained clearly to the tourists at the beginning of the trail. Some basic rules could include: Not using phones or music players on the trail. Maintaining silence at all times since loud noise disturbs the wildlife. Not using perfumes or deodorants on the trails as they attract bees and wasps and 32

37 drive away a few animals. No littering or throwing garbage in the forest. No smoking or consuming alcohol in the forest. (Refer to Annexure 2 for more details on Do s and Don ts) iv. First Aid A guide must know basic first aid skills as any emergency could occur during the trail. The tourist may suffer from a heart stroke or a snake bite. The guide must also be aware of first aid for site specific sicknesses like dehydration in areas with hot climate; hypothermia or high altitude sickness in mountainous areas; rescue diving in coastal areas, etc. v. Knowledge Guides, being part of the local community have immense local and traditional knowledge about the forest and its flora and fauna. The purpose of the training is to channelize this knowledge and help them to present it in an interesting manner to tourists. For this, classroom sessions as well as field training is important. Classroom sessions Various general as well as site specific information about flora and fauna could be given to the trainees. Please refer to the box below for some suggestions on this: A few suggestions of topics that could be part of the guide training: (Based on experiences in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, as shared by Mrigank Save on 7th August, 2015) Introduction to fauna classification of mammals, birds, reptiles, etc. Introduction to plants GPS an introduction Basic ecology Basic taxonomy Animal behaviour social structure, mating patterns Basic bird calls Habitat landscapes, terrains Sexual dimorphism Symbiotic relationships Ecological importance of the species Anthropological relationship/importance of the species uses by locals POP casting Nature games/quizzes Alarm calls Field Visits During field visits, the guides are trained on how to conduct a nature trail by observing various trails, pugmarks, direct and indirect signs, plants and trees. Their communication 33

38 and interaction skills are tested. Field visits are extremely important and must be conducted frequently to provide a practical experience on how to conduct a nature trail. vi. What must a guide carry while she/he is conducting a nature trail? 29 A nature guide must have the following things in his/her backpack while conducting a nature trail: 1. Binoculars: These would help in spotting fauna that are far away, especially birds. 2. Notebook and pen: A guide must keep a daily record of the flora and fauna seen during the trail. This helps in generating a local data base and also helps to add to the local biodiversity inventory. 3. First aid kit: This is a crucial component of a nature guide s kit since there can be any emergency during the trail. Guides must be trained to keep a well-equipped first aid kit. The first aid kit should be checked before leaving for a trail every time. They must also be given training on how to give first aid. 4. Water bottles. 5. Torch: Especially important during a night trail. Batteries must be checked before starting the trail, and an extra pair of batteries must be present in the bag. 6. Field Guides: Available field guides on plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians must be carried by the guide so that he/she can show the pictures to the visitors. 7. Some emergency energy-giving eatables. C. Training related to paper work Training could also be provided to some people in the community for handling required paper work, including filling up the required forms for registration under any Government Schemes on ecotourism and the like. Visitors may also be asked to fill compliances like the Foreigner s Registration Form C, Inner Line permits, etc. The educated youth may also be familiarised with the relevant conservation and tourism laws and policies of the state and nation. Training may also be required for handling accounts, entering data, or phone correspondence with tourists, maintaining websites, among others. Concept of Mock Tourists At the Sundarbans Jungle Camp in West Bengal, a strategy was devised to introduce tourists and tourism to the community. It involved getting mock tourists to the campsite. These tourists were friends, relatives and colleagues who visited the camp and gave valuable feedback to the youth. This helped them gain confidence and, through time and tested measures, gradually introduced them to the tourism

39 Section 11: Monitoring and Evaluation Monitoring and evaluation are essential for an adaptive and successful initiative. Monitoring needs to be a continuous process beginning at the time of establishment ecotourism initiative and continuing throughout its functioning. Before Before starting the initiative, it is advisable that an assessment of the client demand is made. The idea of establishing ecotourism with homestays and various activities may appeal to the facilitating agency and local community, but it is also crucial to understand if it would be equally appealing to tourists. A questionnaire can be prepared to know the tourists point of view. This would give an idea and direction to the preparation and decision-making process. This is well illustrated in experiences from Ladakh, as described in the box below. Visitor s survey in Hemis National Park While the idea to start homestays appealed to all stakeholders, it seemed imperative to gauge visitor needs and interests. After It is important that tourism activities are regularly monitored for their impact on the local people, culture and the surrounding environment. Various environmental and social indicators could be used to monitor the effect of tourism. It is also important to assess whether the actions being taken are able to achieve the desired effect and if not, ways of course correction could be discussed and implemented. For example, if efforts are being made to reduce waste at the tourism site by encouraging tourists to take back the waste, it must be evaluated after a particular period of time if these efforts are actually making a difference. If not, newer methods could be explored and tried. This process would provide a reflection on the actions being taken by the community and help to keep the initiative low impact. A market survey was conducted, involving about 500 visitors trekking through Hemis National Park, in partnership with the private sector to determine visitor preference for stay, food and activities. Six out of ten visitors voted their preference for homestays against other types of organized trekking, tented accommodation and guest houses. Likewise the interest for local food and dry compost toilets were rated high

40 PART b case studies Shaam-e-Sarhad, Hodka: Community Owned and Managed 32 (Compiled from Bhatt, 2012, Community Based Homestays: Innovation in Tourism ) Shaam-e-sarhad waiting area in Hodka, Gujarat (Photo: Dhwani Lalai) Hodka village is located in the Banni grassland of Kachchh in Gujarat. In 2004, it was selected by the then District Collector to be considered under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (MoT, GoI) collaborative Endogenous Tourism Project (ETP). Tourism was a new concept for the local people of Hodka village at that time. Effective NGOs and discussions Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan (KMVS) 33 was chosen as the nodal agency to implement the community based tourism initiative in this village with help from another local NGO, Sahjeevan. These NGOs had been working in the area for several years and the local communities had a good rapport with them. This turned out to be a crucial factor in introducing the idea of tourism which was completely alien to the local community. The discussions with the NGOs and the District Collector gave the community a feeling of inclusion since community views were considered at all stages of planning and implementation. 36

41 Management Once the decision of initiating ecotourism was acceptable by the community, the Gram Panchayat set up a Tourism Committee that is directly responsible for the management of the resort. The initiative has been owned and run by the community from its inception, in the initial years some help was being provided by Sahjeevan and KMVS in the management. Until 2012, there was a coordinator from KMVS available for support to the community. Since 2012, this initiative, called Shaam-e-Sarhad, is entirely owned and managed by the community. Accommodation and Food The community rejected the idea of homestays at the outset. Keeping the social context and sentiments in mind, it was decided that accommodation to tourists would be provided in a separate place. Traditional mud huts called bungas were made in the vicinity of the village so as to blend in with the existing natural surroundings. This was also important as these structures are built locally and because they are ideal to combat extremes of temperatures in desert areas without using airconditioners. Each mud wall is adorned with traditional paintings and artwork. Local traditional vegetarian food is served along with the speciality of the region milk and milk products which are relished by visitors. Capacity Building A significant effort was made in the initial years towards local capacity building. This was in the hospitality sector, training in management, finance, sanitation and hygiene, etc. Local youth were trained to become guides and interpreters and are now called the Bhumiyas 34. The knowledge of these guides is refreshed each year. Conservation Management of ecotourism activities gave the community confidence to explore other livelihood and natural resource management issues. One of these was the formation of the Banni Pashu Uchherak Maldhari Sangathan (BPUMS) or the Banni Breeders Association, to protect the local breed of buffaloes reared by this pastoralist community. Their efforts resulted in the recognition of the Banni Buffalo as India s 11th breed. Local efforts also led to the conservation of the Banni grassland and the improvement of the ecological sustainability of the area. Today, Shaam-e-Sarhad has become a model for implementation of community based ecotourism initiatives. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that even though it was initiated by external actors, today it is owned and managed completely by the local communities. It has instilled a sense of ownership and pride in the community for something that they consider their own. For more information: Salam Hasam Halepotra (Sarpanch) Hodka (Banni) Tal. Bhuj, Dist. Kutch, Gujarat. PIN:

42 Ladakh Homestays: People and Conservation 35 (Compiled from Wangchuk, R., 2008, Ladakh Himalayan Homestays-For People and Conservation, Redefining Tourism Experiences and Insights from Rural Tourism Projects in India ) A homestay in Ladakh (Photo: Ashish Kothari) Snow leopards and other predators were creating havoc in the life of villagers in Hemis National Park (HNP) by killing their livestock. A series of sessions on how to resolve these conflicts took place between the Snow Leopard Conservancy-India Trust (SLC-IT) and local communities. Predator proofing the livestock pens was implemented but this helped only to minimise the loss, not to negate it. In Rumbak (HNP), tourism was suggested, alongside predator proofing, as a tool for economic prosperity and to offset livestock losses by wildlife depredation. It was hoped that by reducing human-wildlife conflict it would promote conservation. Before the establishment of homestays, a market survey was conducted involving about 500 trekkers through the Hemis National Park for determining visitor preference for stay, food and activities. Eventually Ladakhi Homestays were developed with assistance from The Mountain Institute. Later, financial support was received from UNESCO. Since the inception of homestays, it has gained popularity around the world. There has been a remarkable change in the attitude of local people towards wildlife, their livelihoods and conservation efforts. Some of the impacts include: There has been an increase in income for the local communities. As one elder in Korzok, Ladakh, says: We once invited the occasional lone traveller, who had no other place to seek refuge, to come and stay with us and share our life out of common courtesy, and to express our hospitality. Who knew that one day this would become a viable source of 38

43 income for us? The women, who form the majority of homestay operators, have seen a significant change in their lives with greater decision-making powers within their homes too. The income has helped the villagers to offset their livestock loss using the community run livestock insurance scheme and by building predator proof pens. It has strengthened the pride of the people in their culture and lifestyle. It has checked the out-migration of the youth as they now see opportunities in their own village. The elusive and endangered snow leopard which was once seen as a pest by the villagers is now seen as an important tourism asset and is protected. Plastic waste has been reduced and waste management strategies adopted by the villages. Grazing reserves were created in two villages by the villagers for the Tibetan Argali. These areas are voluntarily kept off limits for grazing livestock. Several hundred willow trees were planted in Kharlung Valley to help the greening process. As Skarma, a local youth from Yangthang, says, I was born in this valley and lived here all my life as a farmer. I hated it. Now that visitors come from distant places and appreciate our mountains and culture, it makes me proud to be a villager of Yangthang. For more information: Tsewang Namgail (tsewang.namgail@gmail.com) A homestay owner at Sasposte, Ladakh with a Himalayan Homestay Manual (Photo: Ashish Kothari) 39

44 Kanchendzonga Conservation Committee, Sikkim: Waste Management Efforts 36 (Compiled from Simlai et al, 2014, Conserving Sacred Spaces: Kanchendzonga Conservation Committee ) A homestay in Yuksam, Sikkim (Photo: Ashish Kothari) Tourism in Sikkim Himalayas focuses mainly on trekking in the Kanchendzonga National Park (KNP). The main attraction is the Yuksom-Dzongri-Goechala trek, which traverses through the KNP going through pastoral trails, lush forests, alpine pastures and ultimately arriving at snow peaked mountain passes. Since Yuksom village lies at the base of this trekking route, the steady growth of tourism offered a potential livelihood opportunity for local residents. However, with the increase in tourism, several concerns were raised by the local communities regarding the negative impact of unregulated tourism on the surrounding natural resources and unregulated commercialization of tourism leading to economic leakage outside the village, as well as the importance of monitoring the use of firewood by tour operators. To address these issues, an active community organization was set up by the local youth called the Kanchendzonga Conservation Committee (KCC) that would focus on conservation of natural resources, income generation for local people, conservation education and rural development. Village homestays were developed to provide direct economic benefits to the local residents. Various hospitality based training programmes were conducted and villagers were given a chance to participate in cooking, housekeeping and financial management training. However, with more tourism came more waste. This led to the formation of a participatory monitoring programme of the trekking trail inside KNP and in the surrounding areas. After several meetings 40

45 and discussions with local people from the village and the National Park staff, they developed a waste management technique in which they came up with a monitoring form which has to be filled every time a visitor enters the park. Each and every disposable article is noted down in the form and on their return tourists have to show the empty packets of the used items or, if the item was unused, then they should still be carrying it with them. Everything is to be accounted for and failure to do so will result in a hefty fine. Further, a Waste Segregation Centre was set up where segregation of waste is carried out by separating waste into 23 categories, depending on colour, brand, material and other factors 37. Local artisans are encouraged and trained to make useful things out of waste material. Waste material like noodle packets, tetra packs, plastic, etc. are recycled to make fashionable handbags, pillows, notebooks and so on that tourists can buy when they visit the KCC office. Yuksom was the first village in Sikkim to ban the use of plastic (both bags and bottles) in 1996 and the Government of Sikkim has since implemented this throughout the state. However, challenges still remain with regard to the Waste Segregation Centre. While all trekkingrelated waste is being collected at a designated Centre, it has been challenging to find ways to recycle all of this waste material. KCC has managed to create some recycled products from this waste but a large amount of waste material remains at the Centre with no clear channels for what happens next. KCC is still looking for ways out of this situation. For more information: Kangchendzonga Conservation Committee PO Yuksam, West Sikkim kcc_sikkim@hotmail.com Kinzong Bhutia: Pema G. Bhutia:

46 Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Kerala: Employment Opportunities For Locals 38 (Compiled from Vindoan et al, 2011, Local Economic Benefits of Eco-tourism: A case study on Parambikulam Tiger Reserve ) Parambikulam Tiger Reserve (PTR) is a well known Protected Area in Kerala. The Eco-development Committees (EDC) of the villages inside are active participants in the ecotourism programmed under the Forest Development Agency (FDA). Ecotourism activities started in PTR in Through ecotourism, the local community is provided with a range of employment opportunities. These are divided into two types: 1. Ecosystem Services, which include the locals working in the fields of: Guiding and interpretation Sightseeing programme Destination cleaning Forest watchers 2. Ecosystem Enterprises, which deal with resources which are marketed and include:»honey» processing Paper carry-bag production Bamboo handicraft production»organic» farming»balm» production Parambikulam Dhara Project»Sales» Outlet»Tailoring» unit A study of the initiative conducted in 2011 states that, While discussing with officials and later on community members it was noticed that they were unanimous in agreeing to the fact that ecotourism has helped them in different ways. To the officials the PTR project has helped to better manage the destination with local support by reducing the excessive dependence on forest materials for livelihood by linking economic incentive to the conservation and tourism operations. The community members felt that since the inception of ecotourism programme they were getting different options for jobs, even though its magnitude and availability may be varying due to the seasonality and other local factors

47 Kas Plateau: Mitigating the Effects of Mass Tourism 40 (Compiled with the help of independent researcher Prerna Agarwal) Tourist inflow at Kas plateau, Maharashtra (Photo: Ashish Kothari) Kas Plateau is located in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats in Satara district of Maharashtra. It has the status of being called the Plateau of Flowers as it is in full bloom during the monsoon season. It has been declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in For the past few years Kas has been attracting hundreds of tourists during the flowering season. This mass, unregulated tourism is said to be having an adverse impact on the fragile, specialized plant communities due to recreational trampling. The researcher and facilitator, Prerna Agarwal along with a group of volunteers has been working here with the local communities and the Forest Department to implement ecotourism and try to bring the mass tourism under control. The researcher was funded by The Rufford Foundation ( ), the Inlaks Ravi Sankaran Small grants (2014) and the Maharashtra Forest Department (2014). A brief idea of the work process that has been followed on Kas is provided below. The process started with an exploratory phase in 2012 which involved a rapid assessment of the area. This assessment included study of the site through vegetation plots, visitor-impact assessment, guide training (soft skills and information about plants), and interaction with the Forest Department, building a rapport with the community, tourist interviews and noting the traditional knowledge (TK). In 2013, a systematic vegetation survey to assess impact of human trampling on plants was conducted. A documentary for guide training (including TK) was prepared. A villager approached the facilitator for help to set up a homestay facility. There was interaction with the media and building a rapport with the Forest Department continued through regular meetings and presentations. Interested students provided support to the project by volunteering in various tasks. 43

48 In 2014, an open interpretation was set-up by use of informative and awareness signboards on the designated paths in the tourism zone, and deploying stationary guides every 500 meters, to tackle the issue of shortage of guides. The guides were instrumental in working as both guides and guards. The guides underwent a two month long rigorous training and the impact of the training was assessed using a pre and post-test. The researcher regularly monitored impacts of actions taken. For example, to assess the success of the open interpretation, tourist movement on and off the paths was mapped using GIS tools, and this was compared with the map of An international tourist was introduced to the homestays as a mock visitor. The homestay was registered with the MTDC Bed and Breakfast Scheme. Initiative to do this was taken by the homestay owner, Mr. Vitthal Kirdat. As of 2015, the guide training involves information about butterflies and birds in addition to plants and local documentation and interaction with guides via WhatsApp to help with identification of flora and fauna. The forest department is working on a plan to regulate visitor movement and reduce visitor numbers by starting online booking. 44

49 Yelavali: Ecotourism by People inside a Wildlife Sanctuary 41 (Compiled from The Yelavali Experience, an unpublished report by Neema Pathak Broome) A Brief History Yelavali, a village situated deep in the forests of the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra, had seen a number of conflicts with the Forest Department in the past over the rights of forest land on which its livelihood depended. Kalpavriksh, Pune-based civil society group started interactions with the villagers of Yelavali hoping to help them achieve the goal of village governance and conservation in context with the Forest Rights Act of India (2006), or FRA, which legally recognised the rights of indigenous communities over forest resources and forest land. Soon the villagers of Yelavali started having regular meetings and discussions and started filing claims under FRA for self-governance and sustainable use of forest resources. In 2011, after the appointment of Mr. Pravinsingh Pardeshi as the new Forest Secretary of Maharashtra, it was suggested that an eco-development scheme be implemented in the village. After much discussion and thought, the villagers decided to go ahead with the scheme in order to avail of the much needed financial resources and to try and establish a more harmonious relationship with the forest department. It was decided, however, that the villagers would decide on how the resources are spent based on a management plan that they drafted. Consequently, a committee was formed including one male and one female member of each household and, with help from Kalpavriksh, a micro-plan was chalked out by the village for as per the budget given by the Forest Department. The plan included activities which would focus on issues of energy requirement, livelihoods, and wildlife protection through joint patrolling, controlling hunting and illegal resource collection by outsiders. Bhimashankar temple, located inside the Sanctuary, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (sacred Shiva temples) across the country. Every year lakhs of tourists come to the sacred temple. Bhimashankar s hills and pristine forests also attract large number of trekkers and wildlife enthusiasts. But the villagers did not gain any substantial benefit from tourism. They benefitted to just some extent by the sale of medicinal plants near the temple. Tourism as a source of livelihood for the villagers had much more potential than was being harnessed. Therefore, a decision was taken by the villagers to use the funds of the eco-development scheme towards starting a low impact ecotourism venture which would provide basic facilities to the visitors and also provide an additional livelihood opportunity to the villagers. The Ecotourism Scenario Accommodation and Food From the funds received under the eco-development scheme, camping facilities were built on land donated by one of the families. Currently, the village offers two simple camping rooms and tents for accommodation along with carry mats and blankets. A visitor can also choose the option of homestay where they would get to live with a family. Food provided is simple but delicious, made in local traditional style. Management The management of the initiative is looked after collectively by the entire village. As it is a small 45

50 village of 15 households, all 15 households are represented at meetings to take decisions. The overall coordination is looked after by a group of youth. Regular meetings are held by the villagers before any group or visitor comes to the campsite. The people have divided themselves into smaller hospitality groups who take the responsibility of hosting on a rotational basis ensuring that each family gets the chance to do so. The villagers have also laid down certain rules which prohibit visitors from consuming alcohol or smoking or disturbing the wildlife and forests. Activities The activities offered at the campsite include forest trails and treks, night walks, sessions on medicinal plants, interaction with villagers and school children, walks to scenic and picturesque locations, traditional games and songs, and the biodiversity festival. Special activities as designed for groups from educational institutions based on their requirements. Equitable sharing of benefits and transparency in dealings In order to avoid conflicts, misunderstanding and malpractices, a mechanism has been evolved through discussions within the village. Under this system the profits from tourism, after paying for all expenses and salaries of those involved are deposited in the village account, operated by two account holders from the village. This amount is used for maintenance or any other common village needs. Accounts are maintained by the groups which coordinates the effort on a computer also bought with the eco-development fund. The money received and spent is explained to the entire community once a month in a village meeting. No expenditure is made without a village resolution. Accounts are independently audited by an external Chartered Accountant. Conservation and Livelihoods After the implementation of these activities, rules and regulations, the local forest staff claim that poaching of wild animals has substantially reduced, commercial fuel wood collection has stopped in this part of the sanctuary, harassment for collection of forest produce has reduced and the relationship between the local staff and villagers has substantially improved. Use of energy saving tools for water heating and provision of LPG gas by the Forest Department under the ecodevelopment scheme has reduced the need for fuelwood by nearly 70% in the village. The local people say that they have been able to generate employment within the village almost right through the year. Villagers have filed claims for Community Forest Resource under FRA and are waiting for their rights to be legally recognised. Camping facilities at Yelavali (Photo: Subhash Dolas) 46

51 Devalsari-ecotourism in a picturesque Himalayan village (Case study written and contributed by Sanjay Sondhi on 29th December, 2015) Local women dancing during the Shiva festival, Devalsari, Uttarakhand (Photo: Arun Prasad) Devalsari is located in Aglar Valley in Tehri Garhwal District of Uttarakhand, 80 km from Mussoorie. Located at a height of 1,500 m, the scenic landscape offers terrific views of the snow peaks of the Mahabharat range. The Devalsari and Magra Reserved Forests and numerous Himalayan villages dot the landscape, with the Aglar River winding through the area. Arun Prasad, a young lad belonging to the village Bangsil, bordering Devalsari, was piqued by the migration of village folks in Uttarakhand to the cities (called palaayen). At the same time, Arun s love for nature and its conservation began on account of his interest in bees! What resulted was the formation of the Devalsari Environment and Technology Development Society ( whose primary focus is livelihoods through ecotourism and bee-keeping. Numerous members of the local community are involved in this society. Ecotourism at Devalsari has only just started. Deodar Ecotourism and Research Centre (DERC), an eco-lodge, constructed by the Society, using its own funds, has been set up for ecotourism and beekeeping training. The DERC can house up to 8 people, with tented accommodation for another 8 people being available. 47

52 Devalsari is home to some terrific biodiversity. Birds, butterflies, moths, flowers all this and more. Devalsari is also the start point of the trek to Nag Tibba, a popular trekking route. Nature guide training has been conducted, and faunal surveys for birds, butterflies and moths are ongoing. The first tourists visited in October 2015, and loved the place. In addition to nature and trekking tourism, local heritage and culture and local cuisine is being focused on to attract tourists. Arun s early interest in bee-keeping is also paying dividends. With support from the society, many families are now keeping bees. The honey produced by the villagers is purchased by the Society on a no-profit, no-loss basis and marketed under the brand name Deodar Honey. The Society is also conducting bee-keeping training in other regions of Uttarakhand such as in Bageshwar District (in partnership with People Science Institute). The Devalsari Environment and Technology Development Society has been running a school conservation education in four villages (Bangsil, Katal, Jogiyada and Bhuwan) for the last 4 years. The society also conducts an eco-mela at Thatyud annually for schools in the area. The Maun mela is an annual festival where riverine fish are killed in thousands in the landscape. The Society is working to create awareness to change the Maun mela and stop the massacre of fish. For more information: Arun Prasad, Devalsari Environment and Technology Development Society. Tel: , , arunapis1@gmail.com, develsari@gmail.com 48

53 Promoting Butterfly Tourism in the Garo Hills (Case study written and contributed by Sanjay Sondhi on 29th December, 2015) Tourists observing butterflies in Meghalaya (Photo: Sanjay Sondhi) Samrakshan Charitable Trust had been working on conservation issues in the South Garo Hills in Meghalaya since The South Garo Hills landscape consists of approximately 600 sq. km of terrific, mostly contiguous forest. The protected areas of Balpakram National Park, Siju WLS, Baghmara Reserved Forest and Rewak Reserved Forest form the bulk of this forest while community forests occupy 220 sq. km. The need to incentivize conservation for the local community lead to the ecotourism venture being conceptualized with coal mining, illegal felling, poaching, hunting and pet-keeping forming the main threats. Given the terrific biodiversity of the Garo Hills, it was decided that nature tourism would be the first product to be focused on. Faunal surveys for birds, butterflies, moths, amphibians and reptiles were conducted between 2010 and Based on this assessment, it was decided that the butterfly diversity of Garo Hills was terrific, and would form the first product. At the same time, local communities at various locations (Siju, Gongrott, Karwani) were engaged in a dialogue. Overtime, this lead to the formation of two societies, the Siju Ecotourism and Conservation Society and the Karwani Ecotourism and Conservation Society. Youth and local community members were provided all the necessary training to conduct tourism-nature guiding, tourism services like cooking, schedule development, ethical guiding practices, tour management, etc. Revenues from ecotourism go to the respective societies. Local employment is generated for cuisine and local produce, nature guiding, etc. A community fees is charged per tourist, which is used by local communities for whatever social/conservation causes they deem necessary. 49