Promoting ecotourism in the buffer zone areas of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve: An option to resolve people—policy conflict

Abstract

The fascination for mountains, breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural diversity, socioeconomic traditions, history and lifestyles attract mountaineers, trekkers, naturalists ascetics, explorers and cultural tourists from all over the world to the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) and adjoining areas. Expedition/mountaineering and tourism, as a livelihood option for the people living in the buffer zone areas of NDBR, was important, next to animal husbandry and agriculture. Until 1960, Bhotiya people in the buffer zone of NDBR and adjoining areas had a good trade relationship with Tibet. Closure of Indo-Tibetan trade due to the Indo-Chinawar of 1962, followed by imposition of conservation policies due to creation of Nanda Devi National Park in 1982 and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in 1988, caused all consumptive uses and expedition/ mountaineering to be banned in the core zone, which has not only affected the local economy to a large extent but also created conflict between local people and reserve authorities. The ban on tourism is the most severe concern of the local people as it provided significant income. Of the three complementary functions of a biosphere reserve, viz. conservation, development and logistic support (research and education), the management is biased towards achieving conservation by legal protection which may not be sustainable in the long term. People have started raising a voice against the ban on expedition/tourism in the core zone but have not yet damaged the core zone area. This paper deals with the history of expeditions and the impact on the local economy, identification of model ecotrekking/expedition routes and potential sites, and designing appropriate strategies/action plans for sustainable ecotourism. This will not only help to resolve the local people-policy conflicts and improve the local economy but will also help to achieve the biodiversity conservation goal.

Environmental Literacy on Ecotourism: A Study on Student Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavioral Intentions in China and Taiwan

“…(3) Participating tourism: This type of tourism focuses on participation, which allows tourists to give something back to the local economy, improves the well-being of local residents, and encourages all stakeholders to join in brainstorming [7,25,29]. (4) Governing tourism: This deals with management units that provide environmental governance strategies, programs, and plans, and invest funds and manpower in order to improve the local tourism environment [34,35].…”

Ecotourism in Nepal

“…Ecotourism off ers diverse products and services categorized as both a service and an experience (Chan & Baum, 2007). Ecotourism can cause social confl icts between the locals and government authorities and also challenge cultural values due to western infl uence (Gurung & Scholz, 2008;Maikhuri, Rana, Rao, Nautiyal, & Saxena, 2000). Th ere may be increase in alcoholism, drug addiction and prostitution due to tourism (Zambrano, Broadbent, & Durham, 2010).…”

National Park Development in China: Conservation or Commercialization?

“…Examples have been found by Yuan et al (2008) in the Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve in Jilin Province; by Chen et al (2005) in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve in Hubei Province; and by Fu et al (2004), and Xu et al (2006) in the Wolong Biosphere Reserve in Sichuan Province. This problem is not restricted to China, and has been documented in other parts of the world, such as Brazil (Stefania 2001), Nepal (Maikhuri et al 2000), and South Africa (Wessels et al 2003). Often the resentment revolves around small-scale issues associated with resource exploitation for economic necessity (Fu et al 2004).…”