TOURS IN INDIA
Responsible Tourism in India

The
United Nations has designated 2002 as the "International Year of Ecotourism"
and rightly so. Today only highly responsible tourism will help the world preserve
and sustain its environmental and cultural heritage.
What is Ecotourism
Fundamentally, ecotourisim means making as little environmental impact as
possible and helping to sustain the indigenous populace, thereby encouraging
the preservation of wildlife and habitats when visiting a place. This is responsible
form of tourism and tourism development, which encourages going back to natural
products in every aspect of life. It is also the key to sustainable ecological
development.
Aware of the Environment
Today the "Green Laws" of conservation are making people aware of
how man and the environment can live symbiotically for more time to come and
ecotourisim is the only way maximize the economic, environmental and social
benefits of tourism. Everyone is a stakeholder in the process and we clearly
need to avoid our past shortcomings and negative impact that they have had.
In India too the movement is gathering momentum with more and more travel and
travel related organisation's are addressing the needs of the eco-tourists and
promoting eco-tourism in the country. Some basic do's and don'ts of eco-tourism
that we promote in the country are listed below:
Do's
Carry back all non-degradable litter such as empty bottles, tins, plastic
bags etc. These must not litter the environment or be buried. They must be disposed
in municipal dustbins only.
Observe the sanctity of holy sites, temples and local cultures.
Cut noise pollution. Do not blare aloud radios, tape recorders or other
electronic entertainment
equipment in nature resorts, sanctuaries and wildlife parks.
In case temporary toilets are set-up near campsites, after defecation,
cover with mud or sand. Make
sure that the spot is at least 30 meters away from the water source.
Respect people's privacy while taking photographs. Ask for prior permission
before taking a photograph.
Don'ts
Do not take away flora and fauna in the forms of cuttings, seeds or roots.
It is illegal, especially in the Himalayas. The environment is really delicate
in this region and the bio-diversity of the region has to be protected at all
costs.

Do not use pollutants such as detergent, in streams or springs while
washing and bathing.
Do not use wood as fuel to cook food at the campsite.
Do not leave cigarettes butts or make open fires in the forests.
Do not consume aerated drinks, alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicant
and throw bottles in the wild.
Do not tempt the locals, especially children by offering them foodstuff
or sweets. Respect local
traditions.
Polythene and plastics are non bio-degradable and unhealthy for the environment
and must not be
used and littered.
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