University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...

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Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature Thus, ecotourism has been thought to increase the involvement of both local communities and visitors in conservation. Specifically, it has encouraged local people to conserve resources, including natural resources, local culture and language. It has also encouraged participation in community groups, created opportunities for training and technical assistance, develop the abilities needed for communities to manage financial resources, and lead to the establishment of well-managed reserves, educational facilities (such as museums or botanical gardens), and other attractions (WWF, 2001). 2.7. Monitoring ecotourism activities and mitigating negative impacts 2.7.1. Negative impacts from ecotourism Ecotourism activities also generate vast negative impacts on the environment due to poor tourism management, unmonitored and unregulated (Amanda, 2001). Generally, economic benefits from tourism in protected areas often result in degradation of environments (Joseph, 1997). It includes garbage dumping (Mark, 1995; Sapna & Rawat, 2000), increasing soil erosion and a decreasing plant cover (Whinam and Comfort, 1996; Cole and Spildie, 1998; Joseph, 1997; Traycy & Merion, 2001), plant species composition changing (Joseph, 1997), wood and animal species threatening (Sven, 2000). Social problems can be created from rapid and large local income growth. It includes alcohol problems, loss of cultural identity (Sven, 2000; Gail). Gender problems have also been generated from ecotourism (Sven, 2000; Marnie, et. al., 1998). In the Amazon, most of the workers employed in ecotourism activities while women have to work in domestic domains. In Nepal, approximately 70% of the employees in the hotel industry were local people but less than 2% were women. 36
Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature Above negative impacts from tourism generally may cause by lack of environmental considerations. Particularly if tourism or ecotourism is unmonitored and unregulated, it may disturb both wildlife and people (Amanda, 2001). 2.7.2. Indicators for monitoring and mitigating negative impacts of ecotourism Monitoring ecotourism activities is one of the key successes in ecotourism industry. Monitoring can be based on site visits, visitors feedback, third-party monitoring and self-monitoring (UNEP, 1998). It will help to recognise negative impacts as early as possible before serious problems occur. Amanda (2001) has emphasised that if ecotourism activities are unmonitored and unregulated, it may spoil natural areas and disturb both wildlife and people. It should be conducted with the participation of all stakeholders involved (Bouchdjira, 2002; Oliver, 2001). Carrying capacity was strongly recommended in ecotourism development (Stefan, 1999). It was a means to indicate essential parts in ecotourism development, not only in the parks and protected areas but also in rural areas (Bouchdjira, 2002). It includes physical, perceptual, social, and economical aspects (Stefan, 1999). • Physical carrying capacity is characterised by the limits beyond which environmental problems arise. • Perceptual carrying capacity is the subjective view that travellers have on the conditions of an area (environmental quality or socio-cultural conditions), which limits their willingness to travel to that area. • Social limits arise from the host population's willingness to tolerate visitors, and the acceptance of social change. 37
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