For more than three decades I have been witness to tourism at the tiger reserves in India...well at some of them. I have seen rules and regulations step into the game rides as time went past. This was for good since regulated tourism meant less disturbance to the wild denizens. This also meant the end of free for all joy rides for the miscreants...those who come just to drink and eat in the luxurious resorts. But thankfully this lot is on the go and more nature-friendly tourists are visiting our National Parks and sanctuaries.
Most of my experience has been at Kanha which has been one of the best-managed parks in India and is so to this date. I have also worked at Bandhavgarh, Pench, and Corbett tiger reserves as well.
Kanha National Park is the best model to study the impact of tourism on sensitive wildlife, the management inputs, human interventions, and research that has been carried out since its declaration as a sanctuary.
Kanha National Park is the best model to study the impact of tourism on sensitive wildlife, the management inputs, human interventions, and research that has been carried out since its declaration as a sanctuary.
Contrary to popular belief especially among the extreme right, amidst the management and policymakers, regulated tourism has not been destructive at all. It has helped create public awareness among the general masses, brought focus on endangered tigers, other animals...and of course the issues concerning wildlife conservation and the environment in India. It generates crucial revenue for all participants.
From unhindered to limited vehicular entries as per the capacity by area - this has been a thankful change. The safaris have become more productive and undisturbed and a joyful holistic environment prevails. This has also prevented a conundrum of jeeps gathering around the tiger or other big games.
Banning of elephant safaris has also come around good since more efforts are made to track the tiger now using skills than disturbing both the elephant and the big cat in a crowded jamboree. The grudge of the mahouts is understandable but they have a greater role to play in patrolling and protection.
Since tourism has a supporting economical angle and is justified hence its significance should never be a matter of doubt...there are many views regarding how it should be conducted. The Government has set up NTCA a conservation authority whose writ runs large as far as excursions in tiger reserves go. The Supreme Court has also stepped in to monitor activities related to tourism in these parks. Hence to bring around any changes regarding the limits and policy is nigh impossible for the Local Governments and the park authorities albeit some aspects are within the purview of the latter. Any leeway given or a way created by the Governments interested in greater revenue generation are thwarted by the higher echelons in the administration as well as by the bodies mentioned in this article.
Tourism involves economic aspects of a plethora of investors and the local communities are stakeholders too. The curtailing of activities in the park has a direct impact on their incomes. This also has an indirect effect on the revenue generation of the State as well since tourism revenue plays a major role in the economy.
Many activists and some in the management advocate a total ban on tiger safaris. Some advocate stringent measures to curtail tourism as much as possible and even do away with the protected area concept. This is disastrous, for all aspects of the Nation are dependent on revenue generation be it tourism, manufacturing, or trading.
In absence of PAs, it is not at all difficult to surmise what will happen, the ecosystems will be completely ravaged and become a battleground of interests encouraged by greedy businesses and political entities. We have already denuded large chunks of forests and other ecosystems, and the biotic pressures, greed, and interference are ever-threatening. Hence more and more remaining ecosystems should be brought around the banner of PAs. Else we will lose everything. There is no need for human-aligned activists and those with an extreme approach to cause impediments since our wildlife managers are apt and understand all aspects well.
Tigers and many animals sensitive to human presence and activities need inviolate areas this should never be forgotten. Human ways even in remote are affected by greed and their activities like intrusions, farming, livestock rearing, and hunting are not conducive to ecosystems. Anyway, fast-spreading urbanization is now ubiquitous. This idea of human-wildlife coexistence is barely plausible that too in forced circumstances where the poor wild denizens have no choice. Take the case of the buffer in a tiger reserve and you will see how humans are expanding their presence and how the wild animals are living in beleaguered circumstances not forgetting the ever-increasing biotic pressures and commerce. This is not called survival and in the present circumstance, this belief is at best chimerical. Other life forms are certainly surviving under a hostile environment everywhere. We have conditioned ourselves to live in a man-made toxic environment other life forms have not that is why a large-scale species extinction is taking place on our beloved Earth.
In absence of PAs, it is not at all difficult to surmise what will happen, the ecosystems will be completely ravaged and become a battleground of interests encouraged by greedy businesses and political entities. We have already denuded large chunks of forests and other ecosystems, and the biotic pressures, greed, and interference are ever-threatening. Hence more and more remaining ecosystems should be brought around the banner of PAs. Else we will lose everything. There is no need for human-aligned activists and those with an extreme approach to cause impediments since our wildlife managers are apt and understand all aspects well.
Tigers and many animals sensitive to human presence and activities need inviolate areas this should never be forgotten. Human ways even in remote are affected by greed and their activities like intrusions, farming, livestock rearing, and hunting are not conducive to ecosystems. Anyway, fast-spreading urbanization is now ubiquitous. This idea of human-wildlife coexistence is barely plausible that too in forced circumstances where the poor wild denizens have no choice. Take the case of the buffer in a tiger reserve and you will see how humans are expanding their presence and how the wild animals are living in beleaguered circumstances not forgetting the ever-increasing biotic pressures and commerce. This is not called survival and in the present circumstance, this belief is at best chimerical. Other life forms are certainly surviving under a hostile environment everywhere. We have conditioned ourselves to live in a man-made toxic environment other life forms have not that is why a large-scale species extinction is taking place on our beloved Earth.
In case of tourism ban, the survival of the entity would be at stake. This idea of banning tiger excursions is at best romantic and disastrous...at the same time in absence of alternate income for the locals who would turn into poachers...at least many would. Another nightmare would be absence of public pressure and roving eyes that aid in saving our wild species for the subject would move out of the public sphere.
However naturalists, wildlife enthusiasts, some environmentalist and thinkers feel public participation is essential in all sphere of National Activities. Therefore in an area out of bound for the public at least reporters and wildlife enthusiasts should be allowed. This is imperative because advocates of safaris should understand that a large area cannot be allowed for tourist excursions due to security issues and infrastructure management therefore only few should be allowed to visit non tourist areas.
Hence regulated tourism is the best option, both for revenue generation and the preservation of the heritage. Without this activity, the equity would be zeroed, and conservation efforts and the participation of people would come to an end. This would be disastrous for saving the endangered species and the ecosystems as well...which are equally threatened. Those who negate the value of public participation in a suitable manner are not being honest with their task and wish to work in isolation.
A sea change has been brought about by tourism in the reserves and State economy...and its overall impact on National income. Hence a balance should prevail without hampering conservation and thus tourism should be optimized for better revenue generation.
The hotel industry has been the most impacted by the induction of new rules but this is an open economy and no protection can be accorded to the industry. They have to reduce their capacity. It is conservation first in these units and takes what you get. Hence many resorts are on the verge of closure or running on ever-decreasing revenue. This would also mean the loss of local jobs and the empowerment of communities. The carrying capacity of this sector may be limited but there are many alternate venues for income generation. Training locals in hospitality is possible with the help of resorts nearby.
The hotel industry has been the most impacted by the induction of new rules but this is an open economy and no protection can be accorded to the industry. They have to reduce their capacity. It is conservation first in these units and takes what you get. Hence many resorts are on the verge of closure or running on ever-decreasing revenue. This would also mean the loss of local jobs and the empowerment of communities. The carrying capacity of this sector may be limited but there are many alternate venues for income generation. Training locals in hospitality is possible with the help of resorts nearby.
Although on the right track a paradigm shift has to take place as per our approach to regulations and rules that impact revenue generation. Finding a middle ground with an open mind would be fruitful.
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Uday is a naturalist and freelancer at Kanha National Park. He writes on wildlife and conservation.
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
Mo: 9755089323
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Uday is a naturalist and freelancer at Kanha National Park. He writes on wildlife and conservation.
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
Mo: 9755089323
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