Livelihood in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, India: An Impact Assessment of Ecotourism Practices

The present study examines the livelihood impact of ecotourism policy in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary (BKWS), Odisha, India. Results confirm that ecotourism has created several employment opportunities for the locals and the participants earn better compared to the non-participants. However, the locals suffer due to man-animal conflict and the non-participants suffer the most as farming is their major occupation. Crop damage and livestock depredation by wild animals cause a great economic loss to the villagers. The losses often result in aggravating poverty, food insecurity, additional expenses for investing on mitigating measures and consequently diminished state of socio-economic wellbeing. Thus proper measures can go a long way in founding a better relationship between the forest department and the villagers.

Ecotourism: A panacea or a predicament?

The paper aims to provide a description of the vision and present practices of ecotourism. Promotion of local livelihoods through ecotourism has been widely considered as an important policy instrument for biodiversity conservation. But ecotourism has become a hotly debated topic since its implementation across countries because of the mismatch in vision and practice. The paper uses content analysis method for reviewing published literature. Published peer-reviewed journal articles on ecotourism during 2000–2013 were collected and reviewed. The overall evidence on the outcomes of ecotourism in the world shows mixed results. Though there are many success stories, the list of failures is very high. Owing to the structural, operational and cultural problems, ecotourism in many places has become a predicament. Thus, ecotourism should be introduced with proper monitoring, evaluation and management of ecotourism sites for reinforcing long term conservation.

Ecotourism and Empowerment: A case analysis of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India

Ecotourism is a type of sustainable tourism that aims at conservation of the environment through development of the indigenous communities. Development of the communities not only refers to economic development, but also to social as well as cultural development. The present study is an attempt to address the socio-cultural impact of ecotourism to the locals in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary (BKWS), Odisha, which is an important ecotourism site in India for its rich and varied biodiversity. Through a case analysis, the study endeavours to find out whether ecotourism has been able to empower the locals socially as well culturally. The study finds that ecotourism has come as an economic rescuer for many people who do not have a wide avenue of earning. With the creation of employment opportunities, locals have been made aware of participation in community development programme. Several institutions such as eco-development committees (EDCs) have come up in adjacent villages, and locals are made members of EDCs. However, these EDCs have not been very effective to empower the locals because of their lack of education and skill. From community participation to education and skill development, from infrastructure to awareness campaigns, there is a lot of effort needed by the government. Thus, proper policies are to be formulated for an inclusive ecotourism approach in BKWS, one which is socio-economically effective, culturally advanced and environmentally sustainable.

Ecotourism in India: An Example of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary

For developing countries like India, Ecotourism serves as an ideal industry for fostering economic growth and conservation. The developing countries, often endowed with natural resources, are now experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of visitors. As mass tourism often ends up with destruction of natural resources, ecotourism can reduce the negativities associated with mass tourism and thus brilliantly help in conservation. On the other hand, it will also stimulate growth through its positive impact on employment opportunities, income generation and education of the host communities

Coping Mechanism for Natural Disaster: Insights from Cyclone Fani in Odisha

The paper discusses coping mechanisms for natural disasters among different actors of the society and their interaction to develop a sustainable approach. By referring to Fani as the case, the study discusses coping strategies adopted by individuals, government and institutions. To understand the coping mechanism of different actors, the paper obtained information from both secondary and primary sources. To understand the coping mechanism of the government, the study uses secondary data, and to understand the coping mechanism of individuals and institutions, we have done a case study in Balukhanda area of Puri district. We had done two visits to the study area- one is on the 2nd of May, 2019 and another one is after one week of the landfall of the cyclone. The study found that individuals and youth of the affected area were helping each other in disseminating information about the cyclone. They were also helping people, who stay in kachha house, to move to a safer place. Similarly, different organizations particularly non-government organizations were also working in disseminating information regarding the cyclone, its landfall, and probable consequences thereafter.

Ecotourism and Conservation: A tale of Two Famous Ecotourism Sites of Odisha

The United Nations Summit on Environment and Development or the Earth Summit held in Rio in 1992 marked the rise of sustainable tourism development. The growing catastrophe of depletion of natural assets emphasized the need for resource conservation. Subsequently there has been a shift away from instrumental ethics as a basis of conduct for the use of nature to more conservation-based ethics in these countries. Ecotourism recognizes the principles of sustainable tourism. The Costa Rica Certification of Sustainable Tourism (CST) developed by the Costa Rica Institute of Tourism has also been successful in improving performance of the ecotourism destinations. Species richness generally increases with decreasing latitude. Due to this biogeographical phenomenon, the majority of the species are located in developing countries (DCs).

Community Empowerment and Conservation through Ecotourism: A Case of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India

Institutional Intervention to Tackle Socio-economic Problems: A case of Central India Initiative and Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives

A Study on Jagadamba Retail

Empowering Youth through Employment and Entrepreneurship: A Case of Gram Tarang Employability Training Services

Empowerment of Self-Help Groups through capacity development

Conservation and Development through Ecotourism: A Case of Bhitarkanika and Sunderban, India

Blended Learning In India

This article on Blended Learning has come in Indian Express, BBSR Edition on 7th June, 2021

This article on Blended Learning has come in Indian Express, BBSR Edition on 7th June, 2021