Village based Ecotourism:

The project also is proposing on an experimental basis establishing an ecotourism village. The purpose is both conservation and economic. Food and lodging would be available for tourists in a village provided by participating households, somewhat along the lines of the “bed and breakfast” model that is popular elsewhere.

Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and enhances and sustains the well-being of local people. In Uttaranchal there is considerable interest in ecotourism at the state level, but so far it has not been attempted in interior parts of the state. The state has many opportunities to capitalize on in developing a sound ecotourist-based industry. These include: the beauty of the Himalayan peaks, forests, rivers, lakes, and valleys; the relatively well developed reputation derived from the pilgrimage traditions which are amongst the oldest and most important in India for Hindus and Sikhs; the tranquillity and peaceful nature of the state, which is one of the last places remaining in the Himalayas where security is not an issue.

The project will promote enterprise-based experimentation in three components: ecolodges, interpretation centers, and leasing and operating forest lodges in selected areas.

The project intends to explore the potential for introducing village-based ecotourism as a livelihood activity in the region. The idea is to develop tourist facilities in the form of ecolodges within villages as an income opportunity for village families. Several ecolodges will be linked to an interpretation center for the area. The project will select areas of interest to ecotourists to demonstrate both the interpretation center and ecolodge concepts. A feasibility assessment will be made based on the demonstration experience to determine the opportunities and constraints presented by these activities and to suggest other services that can be provided to maximize opportunities while minimizing or eliminating constraints.

If the feasibility assessment is positive, then several villages that express interest in these activities and that have good potential for attracting visitors will be selected for further testing of the concepts. Two approaches will be tested. One base on working with an individual household that has interest in undertaking this activity and the second working with a village based Self Help Group (SHG) that would jointly take up eoctourism as an income generating activity. In these demonstrations the project will provide funds for participating households to upgrade their facilities to tourist quality. This would involve construction of toilet and bathing facilities and renovation of sleeping quarters, eating quarters and outdoor spaces along with investment in furnishing. As with all livelihood components, the project will undertake marketing and promotion and advertising of the ecotourist opportunities. Participants and relevant staff will be encouraged to visit other areas in which village-based ecotourism has been undertaken.

A thorough training program will be designed and implemented to assure that these experiments have every opportunity to succeed. One the one hand hosts will be trained in the business aspects of running a successful ecolodge. They will also be trained to assist their guests in understanding the ecology and economy and society of the area. Day treks to local places of interest – peaks, lakes, rivers, temples, forests, etc. – will be part of the experience and can provide employment for local youths as guides. The village as a whole will need an orientation to the activity and their cooperation will be essential to its success. The project aims to create a true synergy between local ecotourism entrepreneurs, the conservation minded traveler, and the community as a whole.

The ecotourism component will be also be tied into the Interpretation Centres component. An integral component of ecotourism activities is interpretation centers. Interpretation is a coordinated, creative and inspiring form of communication and learning that provides a means of discovering the many complexities of the world around us and our role within that world. If properly delivered, interpretation not only enriches the ecotourism experience but also provides the foundation for remembering and reliving it. As such interpretation can become the nexus of an ecotourism experience. (Simon McArthur, “Introducing the undercapitalized world of interpretation” in Ecotourism: A guide for planners and managers, v. 2 The Ecotourism Society, 1998).

The temperate oak tasar silk project | The honey and beekeeping project | Self Help Groups and microfinance

Conservation and plantation | Dairy development – business development services | Ringal and Lichens

Village based Ecotourism | Interpretation Centers