Wildlife Tourism And Local Communities

Wildlife tourism though earlier considered to be the prerogative of the elite has come far down the line. It has assimilated in its wake many fruitful aspects with the passage of time. Though still promoted with hiccups, and often seen from a narrow perspective, the industry has empowered local communities like none has.

It also augurs crucial foreign exchange through thousands of wildlife enthusiasts from overseas. Tiger tourism is on the wishlist of an uncountable number of travelers all over the Globe. 

I have been visiting tiger reserves for more than three decades and have seen the positives. The ecosystems have grown to their completeness and roundabout holistic benefits have accrued. There has been a tremendous rise in converts as far as awareness of our environment is concerned. The reserves have also experienced a turnaround in animal populations (read bio-diversity). A new vocation has been generated in conservation research and skills of exploration i.e. guiding, birding, photography, etc among the youth.

Though tourism is not contributing factor, at least not directly, then safaris have become a learning experience for populations with no idea of how the ecosystems work, and how nature contributes to the preservation of our immediate environment. The people who have worked hard to preserve our inheritance have brought about this turnaround.  

Tribal Family - Courtesy Neeraj Vegad 

On one sight of the big cats and other predators, the first impression that is done away with is the vermin concept. I too used to think of tigers and leopards as bloodthirsty animals that would devour human beings on the first go. I now fear the ever-burgeoning unruly traffic and hoodlums in our society a far greater threat than being accidentally mauled by wild animals. The activity has also brought forth the National Pride that we hold in our incredible inheritance,        

I remember witnessing my first tiger at a very young age. It was a dead tiger, it lay listless at peace in its final slumber. It was legally hunted at Nauradehi WLS in MP before the legislation, but still, to me, it appeared an unpardonable crime against nature. I was too small to understand the implication of this heinous misdeed. The hunter moved amongst us...with his story of valor.. and had us running around him. This team of hunters visited us every year along with a wealthy relative far removed.  (sic).  The legislation put stop to this. 

Why I am writing about all this?

Well, our impressions about other life forms eventually shape our policies and our attitude towards them. Today modern education has inculcated teachings about things precious to our environment, earlier it was not so. Contemporary conservation is based upon equity...what we value, and the literature at our behest. India has been blessed with ancient conservation ethos but that has not proven to be enough...look where we stand today?    

In absence of (regulated) wildlife tourism, awareness about ecosystems would have moved back into a deep recess. Our attitude towards wilderness would have been uncaring and drastic...well it still is the case for many people. Secondly in a populist democracy, hard facts have to be drained down the gullets of those who administer this country...with syrup. 

It is the hotel/tourism industry that has been at the forefront of local employment apart from the administration...namely the forest department. The work experience and training imparted have been contributing factors towards empowerment. This has subsequently resulted in greater job opportunities and a hence better standard of living. Such initiative has been taken by the Kanha administration in conjunction with an NGO as well, and trainees are finding job opportunities in the industry all over. There may be many more such examples.   These are aspects that are rarely talked about and little appreciated.

Most of the employees are locals who have the developed skill to work in many faculties. This has come about with time and tourism. With experience and skill development they have become part of vocations and small businesses as well. And some in the tourism industry do distribute fruits of labor towards local infrastructure in form of donations or contributions.  

Benefits have accrued to the displaced lot as well as those living in the periphery.  From being in far-flung remote areas they have been connected by the hospitality industry with the mainstream and contribute to Nation development greatly.     

Declining Tourism in tiger reserves - MP

Tourism is an important aspect of conservation in Indian tiger reserves. In spite of a negative outlook from many critics there is a rationale in accepting tourism as necessary in our protected area. The visitors and subsequent publicity is certainly helping in highlighting the protected areas as well as the keystone species.

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Tourism has been at the fore front of creating employment for the locals as well as in revenue generation for the Governments. Tourists on tiger safari do highlight the status of wildlife and the ecosystem as whole and hence act as a pressure group. 

The parks have succeeded in creating and equity of their own. Hence success in highlighting the importance of these valuable ecosystems and resource banks has done good. These remaining but badly fragmented areas are our only defense against global warming. 

Those who advocate ban on tourism in protected areas either have a privileged access or see this as elitist. There are some who suffer from myopia if nothing else. Contrary to the stance the tiger reserves have become robust ecosystems along with increase in populations of life forms in recent times. Since my visits to Central Indian reserves starting early seventies all these positive things have happened. Tourism has gradually peaked without any visible damage to the preserves. 

Control over safaris is being gradually tightened by the park authorities. This has been instrumental in stress reduction and mitigating damage to the local environment. One odd incidence, aside a major damage causing incidence has not occurred due to tourism since the inception of protect area status.  On the contrary many PAs with little or no presence are in a neglected state and perhaps perpetual decline. Their future is in dark. Tourist pressure - often critical - also acts as a support base for the management. The management is singly tackling the menace of uncontrolled resource utilization, poaching and wood logging - not forgetting political interference and apathy. The tourist actually create a comprehensive pressure group over the whole protection mechanism and the policy making.                      

The recent increase in entry fee (gate fee)  has curbed tourism to an appreciable extant in the major protected areas of Central India. There is a danger that these destination will only affordable by the rich and other will be set aside. This also spells death knell for the many locals and hotels & resorts who are solely dependent upon income from tourism. With the paradigm change taking place in protected areas the hotel industry will have to change according and look towards upscale tourist or close down. The internal competition is a hindrance hence for many shutters are going to roll down.    

Though creating a mad rush in our conservation unit is inadvisable there has to be a balance. Nature tourism should be affordable for average men keeping in mind the inherent benefits. A more balanced approach will be  appreciated. Increasing the infrastructure in less popular PAs would certainly reduce pressure on popular National Parks in the country.