Wildlife tourism refers to the type of tourism where
the motive of the tourist is to experience wildlife in its natural surroundings
and admire the beauty of exotic, wild species. Wild life tourism is a debatable
concept in India. It has two perceptions where one perception is about setting
wildlife apart from tourism to protect the endangered species whereas the
second perception is to promote wildlife tourism for the conservation of the
species. With 99 national parks and more than 400 wildlife sanctuaries, India
has rich population of flora and fauna. Though there are many species of flora
and fauna, Tiger has emerged as the most important wildlife tourism product. The
30% percent increase in the last four years has also opened the gates for more
people to come see the majestic species in the wilderness.
Many people are under the impression that India does
not have strong wildlife conservation laws. On the contrary, India has some of
the most stringent legislations to protect wildlife and habitats. It is also
vital to understand which institutions control land in India before any
conservation interventions can be attempted in any landscape. The legal status
of the land must first be ascertained so that one can engage with the correct
authorities or agencies. The Wildlife
(Protection) Act (WLPA), 1972 is an important statute that provides a
powerful legal framework for prohibition of hunting, protection and management
of wildlife habitats, establishment of protected areas, regulation and control
of trade in parts and products derived from wildlife, and management of
zoos. The WLPA provides for several categories of Protected Areas/Reserves such
as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, Conservation Reserves,
and Community Reserves. National parks and Tiger Reserves are by law more
strictly protected, allowing virtually no human activity except that which is
in the interest of wildlife conservation. Grazing and private tenurial rights
are disallowed in National Parks but can be allowed in sanctuaries at the
discretion of the Chief Wildlife Warden. The amended WLPA does not allow for
any commercial exploitation of forest produce in both national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries, and local communities can collect forest produce only for
their bona fide needs. Community reserves and conservation reserves are two new
categories of protected areas that have been included under the WLPA. These two
categories provide a greater role for local communities, stakeholders and civil
society as well as the opportunity to protect many areas of conservation value
that cannot be designated under strict categories such as wildlife sanctuaries
or national parks.
Similarly, the National
Wildlife Action Plan of 2002 which replaces the earlier plan adopted in
1983 most closely represents an actual policy on protection of wildlife. It
focuses on strengthening and enhancing the protected area network, on the
conservation of endangered wildlife and their habitats, on controlling trade in
wildlife products and on research, education, and training. Mainly, these two
laws have deal with wildlife tourism in India. These laws define areas which
are open for touristic activities and any kind of touristic activities outside
the designated area is punishable by law. This provides protection of the
species and on the other hand enables sustainable wildlife tourism. Under the
Wildlife (Protection) Act, the state governments have to notify the list of
core and buffer areas of tiger reserves in their territory. Core zone (critical
tiger habitats) i.e. where tigers usually rest, reside, feed and breed.
Therefore, Government aims at preventing any disturbance in such areas,
including tourism. Buffer zones constitute the fringe areas (The outside
boundary or surface of something) of tiger reserves up to 10 KMs where tourism
is allowed. An important judgement taken by the Supreme Court in July 2012 was
to ban tiger tourism from the core areas of tiger reserves. This was perceived
negatively but it had to be done for the protection of the species. But after a
few months it was lifted as the absence of tourism might lead to poaching
activities.
Tiger tourism has mainly emerged because of the
Project Tiger which is central scheme started in 1973 and is currently being
implemented in 41 Tiger Reserves in 17 states. Project Tiger aims at ‘in-situ’
conservation or on site conservation. Project Tiger provides for staff,
equipment, and infrastructure in tiger reserves. It also provides compensation,
in case a man or livestock is killed by wild animals etc. National Tiger
Conservation Authority is a statutory body which coordinate, implement and
monitor Project Tiger along with preparing annual reports.
There are many pros and cons associated with tiger
tourism in India. The advantage from tiger tourism is that tiger tourism sector
accounts as a major source of income to the domestic economy. There are towns
which depend on tiger tourism such as Ranthambore in Rajasthan where tiger
tourism offers direct as well as indirect livelihood opportunities to the local
people. Similarly, the state of Madhya Pradesh has recorded high level of
employment opportunities for the locals through tiger tourism. Tourism actually
has helped in the boom of tiger population as through tourism there are more
ears and eyes present on the ground level and presence of tourists does not
deter tiger’s willingness to hunt or breed. Through tourism, poaching rate has
actually come down and most poaching activities are reported during the off
season. Touristic activities also reduce the dependence of the local
communities on the forest for their livelihood.
The loopholes in tiger tourism can be noted on the
recklessness of the tour operators who offer day and night tours. The amount of
chaos due to the vehicles, honking, shouting and flash lights might disturb the
tigers. Unsustainable constructions of resorts, guest houses, camps lead to
degradation of forests. With more tourists, there will be more wastes which
degrade the environment.
Wildlife tourism sector has made India prominent in
the world map and in recent years the boom of this sector has also seen the
decrease in poaching activities which is one of the reasons for the increase in
tiger population. But the problem lies in the fact that other important species
are not as lucky as the tiger. The status of the Asian Rhino, Gibbon etc. is
reaching the endangered mark and they are still being poached recklessly. No
particular scheme is there for such species. The plight of smaller species is
also not in good shape. For having a successful wildlife tourism sector, India
needs to broaden its horizon and implement schemes like Project Tiger for other
species as well.
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