Ecotourism; the Multiplier Waves: A Learning Experience of Thenmala Eco-Tourism Project in Kerala, India.

Abstract

Realizing the uncompensated catastrophe that modern tourism generates, the protagonists of sustainable development emphasize the need for making resilience to nature; today the option is 'Nature Eco-tourism, i.e. tourism basically depending natural attractions in a pollution free environment. The present paper focuses on the Thenmala Eco-tourism Project in India which is India's first planned Eco-tourism destination due to its unique vistas, bio diversity and functioning. The Thenmala Eco-tourism shares its resources with the famous Shendurey Widlife Sanctuary at the foothills of Western Ghats. The prime objective of Thenmala Eco-tourism projects is to minimize the negative impacts and create an economic and social environmental which generates greater economic benefit for local people and enhances the well-being of the host communities. It provides more enjoyable experience for tourism through more meaningful connections with local people and a greater understanding of local, cultural, social and environmental issues. The paper discusses the economic, ecological and social impact of Thenmala Eco-tourism, i.e., in a densely populated State like Kerala, where the arrival of tourists is increasing year after year, how tourism is well maintained without degrading the ecosystem is the hypothesis of the paper.