India needs more Ecotourism

Ecotourism is a new perspective of tourism in India. Ecotourism is directed towards exotic natural environments, observing wildlife and supporting conversation efforts. It appreciates the cultural and natural history of the Environment. Ecotourism is preserving travel to natural areas without disturbing the integrity of the Ecosystem.

Government Initiatives for tourism

Ecotourism can be understood as a subcategory of sustainable tourism restricted to the natural environment. India has a large market for travel and tourism. As per the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019, India ranked 34. In the year 2020, the travel & tourism industry’s had contributed to the GDP by 121.9 billion. This is expected to reach 512 billion US$ by 2028. 

This direct industry contributes to the GDP of India. It is expected to record an annual growth rate of 10.35% between 2019 and 2028. Tourism has always been an essential earner for the Indian economy. It contributed around 9.20 per cent to the GDP in 2018, and it came down to 6.8 per cent in 2019. Still, the Indian tourism sector remains at the tenth spot in travel and tourism expenses. It had created around eight per cent of the total employment in 2019. 

Due to COVID-19 in 2020, this sector had left in tatters. According to the [CII] Confederation of Indian Industry reports and Hotelivate study, the Indian tourism industry faced losing around Rs 5 lakh crore in 2020. Due to the COVID pandemic, 38 million job losses were faced by the tourism industry. 

India’s number one employment generating sector is Ecotourism. Every year directly or indirectly, India has approximately 3.8% employment out of the total employment generation. India’s tourism industry is a highly labour-intensive industry. It employs skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled persons.  

Need for Ecotourism in India 

The increasing threat of natural degradation and global warning has given a fillip to Ecotourism. In the present scenario, many sprawling farms, resorts, homestays, and eco-friendly hotels in India offer a natural retreat in popular destinations. Promoting and preserving brittle and undisturbed nature, reducing carbon footprint and connecting secluded environments with the mainstream are a few concerns that Ecotourism will tackle head-on. 

Government Initiatives for Tourism 

The government believed in the country’s tourism potential and had taken a significant step to make India “a global tourism hub” and encourage Ecotourism. 

Here are some of the significant government initiatives to boost tourism as well as Ecotourism in India: 

• Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, in October 2020, inaugurated new tourist attractions in Gujarat: Arogya Van, Ekta Mall, Children’s Nutrition Park and Sardar Patel Zoological Park/Jungle Safari (near the Statue of Unity at Kevadiya in Narmada district). 
• The initiative is a part of the 17 new planned projects. The government will also launch a seaplane service from Ahmedabad to the Statue of Unity, lending a significant push to India’s tourism. 
• The Ministry of Tourism started an initiative SAATHI (System for Assessment, Awareness & Training for Hospitality Industry) in October 2020. This initiative will effectively implement Covid-19 guidelines/SOPs for safe operations of hotels, restaurants, and other units. 
• The Ministry of Tourism launched the Dekho Apna Desh webinar series to educate viewers on various destinations and showcase the sheer depth and expanse of the Indian culture and heritage.  
• The Prime Minister has even asked people to visit 15 domestic tourist destinations by 2022.

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Published By – Ranjit Gohite

Edited By – Subbuthai Padma