ECOTOURISM CHARTER - Guidelines for Specific Tourism Activities



ACTIVITY WISE GUIDELINES:

Category

Activity

Dos and Donts

Adventure/ Sports

Rafting

·         Don’t enter the restricted areas

·         Don’t pollute the water by your activities.

·         Don’t use Soaps and detergents in natural water bodies.

·         Don’t bathe in the water bodies, if it is restricted.

·         Don’t throw waste / food materials in the water bodies.

·         Never try to touch the water animals.

·         Don’t feed water animals.
 

Canoeing and Kayaking

·         Don’t enter the restricted area.

·         Don’t use Soaps and detergents in natural water bodies.

·         Don’t bathe in the water bodies, if it is restricted.

·         Don’t throw waste / food materials in the water bodies.

·         Never try to touch the water animals.

·         Don’t feed water animals.

·         If you see an aquatic animal that appears to be in distress or injured, do not attempt to rescue it. The best course of action is to contact the nearest authority.

·         Follow the directions given by the signboards and instructions.

 

Boating

·         Please avoid harassing or disturbing natural environment. (Harassment is defined as: any activity that alters the animal's natural behavior.)

·          By altering the natural behavior, you may create the likelihood of danger that is bad for the animal and against the law.

·         Don’t enter the restricted areas.

·         Don’t feed anything to the water animals.

·         Follow the instructions given by the signboards strictly.

·         Don’t pollute the water by your activities.

·         Never get in between the marine animals and its path of the water.
 

Angling- Sport fishing

·         Do remove all mud and aquatic plants from your vehicle, boat, anchor, trailer and axles, waders, boots and fishing gear before departing the fishing access site or boat dock.

·         Do dry your boat and equipment between river trips.

·         Do not transport fish from one body of water to another.

·         Do not dispose of fish entrails, skeletal parts, or other by-products in any body of water.

·         Do not collect sculpins (also known as bullheads) or use sculpins as bait.
 

Trekking

·         Remember…you are a guest.

·         Allow enough time in each place to appreciate it.

·         Travel by your own muscle power where possible.

·         Stay on the track (trail).

·         Leave an area cleaner when you found it.

·         Don’t exploit an area when collecting food/ fuel wood.

·         Don’t enter to the restricted areas.

·         Don’t disturb wildlife or their habitats.

·         Don’t have a fire in the forest area.

·         Never harass or chase wildlife for the sake of a better look or an ‘ultimate’ photograph.

·         Never get between a parent animal and its young.

·         Keep noise level to a minimum to avoid unnecessary stress.

·         Don’t collect flowers or the material from the area, which is an endangered, just for souvenir.

·         Stay on trails. Don’t wander into the brush or onto the prairie; the trails are there for a reason. Leaving the pathway, you might unknowingly disturb wildlife habitat, or endangered or threatened plant communities. Besides, if you stay on the trail, you won’t get lost.

·         Learn about the flora and fauna of the area you are visiting.

·         Do not litter; if you see any litter when trekking or nature walk, pick it up. Many form of litter have devastating effects on the ecosystems and on the animals.

·         Reduce, reuse and recycle.

·         Leave plants, animals, rocks, logs etc., alone. You’re in there home.

·         Whenever you can walk, skate or bike, leave your vehicle turned off. Park your vehicle, save some gas and spare everyone of the emissions. Enjoy the beauty of the park up close.

·         Follow directions given by the signs and rangers. Both kinds of directions are your protection and for the protection of the natural area you visit.

·         Be an ambassador back home.
 

Nature walks

·         Remember…you are a guest.

·         Allow enough time in each place to appreciate it.

·         Stay on trails. Don’t wander into the brush or onto the prairie; the trails are there for a reason. Leaving the pathway, you might unknowingly disturb wildlife habitat, or endangered or threatened plant communities. Besides, if you stay on the trail, you won’t get lost.

·         Follow directions given by the signs and rangers. Both kinds of directions are your protection and for the protection of the natural area you visit.

·         Do not litter; if you see any litter when trekking or nature walk, pick it up. Many form of litter have devastating effects on the ecosystems and on the animals.

·         Do not use polythene and other non- biodegradable substances.

·         Leave plants, animals, rocks, logs etc., alone. You’re in there home.
 

Mountain Biking

·         Create and promote “zero” tolerance messages regarding excessive speeds for motorized activities, drinking, then recreating and making noise late at night.

·         Please check your speed limits and other motorist and bicycling violations.

·         Whenever you can walk, skate or bike and leave your vehicle turned off. Park your car, save some gas and spare everyone the emissions. Enjoy the beauty of the park up close.

·         Do not litter; if you see any litter when trekking or nature walk, pick it up. Many form of litter have devastating effects on the ecosystems and on the animals.

·         Don’t enter to the restricted areas.
 

Safari

·         Wherever you go, do not litter.

·         Please keep your rubbish with you until it may be disposed of properly. If you bring it into the area, take it out when you leave.

·         Water is a precious resource. Please use water sparingly wherever possible, using simple actions such as turning off the tap while brushing your teeth.

·         Electricity is expensive and in short supply. Please switch off the lights if you are not using them or if you leave the area.

·         Never touch, chase or harass the wildlife or marine life.

·         Do not collect any form of flora or fauna when on your safari, whether inside a National Park or not.

·         In particular, do not purchase any form of handicraft or souvenir that requires the death of an animal, such as shells, starfish, ivory, animal hides, bird eggs etc.

·         Within the National Parks and Reserves, there is a published "Wildlife Code". Obeying these rules and regulations helps to ensure everyone's enjoyment and safety, while protecting the area for the future.
 

Night Jungle Treks

·         Please do not disturb any animal. Making noises, flashing lights or making sudden movement to frighten animals is regarded as disturbing it.

·         Animals, if continually harassed, will avoid human contact or could become aggressive. Never chase animals and keep noise to a minimum.

·         Too much noise disturbs the wildlife and can antagonize other visitors.

·         Where there is an existing road system, do not under any circumstances drive your car off the road. Vehicles leaving the road can damage the habitat; oil and fume pollution and plant disruption can seriously affect the eco-system by altering drainage patterns, soil erosion and pollution.

·         Do not discard any foodstuffs or litter; it is dangerous for the animals, disrupting traditional feeding patterns, creating fire hazards and potentially maiming or killing wildlife. Do not light a fire and never discard a burning object. Bush and forest fires cause enormous damage to vegetation and the wildlife itself.

·         Please do not stop your car in a position or behave in any way likely to inconvenience or annoy a fellow visitor. Consideration must be given at all times to the wildlife and other enthusiasts keen to enjoy the same experience.

·         Drive carefully at all times. Speeding results in accidents to wildlife, as well as degradation of the road surface.

·         For your own safety please stay in your vehicle at all times, except where a signboard indicates that leaving the car is permissible. Many of the parks and reserves have designated picnic sites and nature trails.

·         The animals are wild and can be dangerous. Do not stand up in your vehicle unless you have adequate protection and supervision from a professional driver or guide.

 

Mountaineering

·         Allow enough time in each place to appreciate it.

·         Travel by your own muscle power where possible.

·         Learn about the flora and fauna of the area you are visiting.

·         Do not litter; if you see any litter when trekking or nature walk, pick it up. Many form of litter have devastating effects on the ecosystems and on the animals.

·         Leave an area cleaner when you found it.

·         Don’t exploit an area when collecting food/ fuel wood.
 

Jungle camping

·         You can help protect the natural resources when you travel.

·         You can help support the Marine Park Rangers, build school classrooms, and fund local community medical clinics and sponsor children through school. (More information can be provided upon request).

·         However, simply obeying the rules and regulations within each protected area and respecting local traditions and cultures makes the greatest contribution to local community and conservation projects.

·         Within the National Parks and Reserves, there is a published "Wildlife Code". Obeying these rules and regulations helps to ensure everyone's enjoyment and safety, while protecting the area for the future.

·         Wherever you go, do not litter.

·         Please keep your rubbish with you until it may be disposed of properly. If you bring it into the area, take it out when you leave.
     

Wildlife

 

Wildlife Trails

·         Allow enough time in each place to appreciate it.

·         Be careful not to introduce exotic plants and animals.

·         Don’t enter the areas, which are restricted for you.

·         Leave an area cleaner when you found it.

·         Don’t litter.

·         Don’t use plastics and other substances, which are harmful for nature and animals as well.

·         Don’t disturb animals and wildlife habitats.

·         Don’t offer animals any kind of food. If you see someone else trying to do so, please ask him not to do so or bring it into the notice of the authorities.

·         Never get between the animals and the young.

·         Animals always have the right- of- way; it is there home; you are merely a visitor.

·         Keep noise levels to a minimum to avoid unnecessary stress.

·         Never harass or chase wildlife for the sake of a better look or an ‘ultimate’ photograph.

·         Don’t blow horns of the vehicles.

·         Don’t encourage illegal trade by buying products made from the endangered species.

·         Follow the directions and the signs in the area, which are for your comfort and convenience.

·         Follow the principle of Reduce, reuse and recycle.

·         While in a protected area please strictly follow the rules


Historical/ Spiritual

Caving

·         When selecting the leader and guide/s for a caving trip it is essential to consider the following:

o        The leader and guide/s must have the required competency to conduct the trip, effectively manage incidents and to satisfy the planned objectives.

o        The leader or a guide on the trip must be familiar with the specific cave system being visited.

o        Competencies must be commensurate to the cave system being visited.

·         Move through a cave with minimal impact.

·         Apply single pitch abseiling skills in caves

·         Perform complex vertical rescues

·         Do not make noise or play music in the caves.
 

Forts

·         Do not photograph, if it is not permitted.

·         Don’t burn the fire in the nearby forests or natural areas.

·         Don’t throw the plastics and detergents in the water bodies.

·         Do not write any thing on the walls or on the monuments.

 

Temples

·         Do not enter the temple with shoes.

·         Do not photograph, if it is not permitted.

·         Don’t throw the prasads and the wrappers and other solid waste here and there.

·         Use dustbins.

·         Don’t burn the fire in the nearby forests or natural areas.

·         Don’t throw the plastics and detergents in the water bodies.

·         Keep your worship place neat and clean.
 

Pilgrimage

·         Be culturally sensitive and respect local customs.

·         Always remember you are a guest.

·         Familiarize yourself with local regulations.

·         Learn about the customs and the local heritage and traditions.

·         Do not litter.

·         Do not pollute the water bodies by your activities.
     

Heritage

Tribal heritage trails

·         Be culturally sensitive and respect local customs.

·         Always remember you are a guest.

·         Allow enough time to the village to appreciate them.

·         Familiarize yourself with local regulations.

·         When traveling spend your money on local enterprises.

·         Accept the differences, adopt the local customs.

·         Consider the implications of buying plant and animal products. Find out if they are rare or endangered, taken from the wild, and if the trade is approved of by the locals.

·         Don’t encourage illegal trade by buying products made from the endangered species.

·         Do not play loud westernized music or create any other nuisance in the area.

·         Do not drink.

·         Learn about the customs and the local heritage and traditions.

·         Be an ambassador and back home.
 

Village stays

·         Be culturally sensitive and respect local customs.

·         Always remember you are a guest.

·         Allow enough time to the village to appreciate them.

·         Familiarize yourself with local regulations.

·         When traveling spend your money on local enterprises.

·         Accept the differences, adopt the local customs.

·         Consider the implications of buying plant and animal products. Find out if they are rare or endangered, taken from the wild, and if the trade is approved of by the locals.

·         Do not play loud westernized music or create any other nuisance in the area.

·         No not drink.

·         Learn about the customs and the local heritage and traditions.

·         Be an ambassador and back home.
 

Folk museums

·         Be culturally sensitive and respect local customs.

·         Always remember you are a guest.

·         Allow enough time to the village to appreciate them.

·         Learn about the customs and the local heritage and traditions.

·         Be an ambassador and back home.
 

Nature Interpretation Centres (NIC)

·         Learn about the customs and the local heritage and traditions.

·         Be an ambassador and back home.

·         Be enthusiastic for gaining more knowledge from the center.

Flora

Botanical Gardens

·         Don’t wander into the bushes or into the restricted areas without prior permission.

·         Learn about the flora and fauna of the area you are visiting. Your knowledge will lead to a greater appreciation and respect.

·         Don’t pluck the flowers and the shrubs unnecessarily just to collect it as a souvenir.
 

Visit to plantation sites

·         Don’t wander into the bushes or into the restricted areas without prior permission.

·         Learn about the flora and fauna of the area you are visiting. Your knowledge will lead to a greater appreciation and respect.

·         Don’t pluck the flowers and the shrubs unnecessarily just to collect it as a souvenir.
 

Medical plant Nursery

·         Don’t wander into the bushes or into the restricted areas without prior permission.

·         Learn about the flora and fauna of the area you are visiting. Your knowledge will lead to a greater appreciation and respect.

·         Don’t pluck the flowers and the shrubs unnecessarily just to collect it as a souvenir.

Educational

Research

·         Don’t interfere with the routine of the animals.

·         Don’t engage yourself in the activities that are creating stress on the animals.

·         Keep noise levels minimum to avoid the stress, and ensure that your trip should not harm their feeding and movements.

·         Don’t come in the path of the animals and the young.

·         Never harass or chase wildlife for the sake of a better look or an ‘ultimate’ photograph.

·         Never surround a single animal or a group of animals; animals should always be able to move away from you.

·         Only observe, don’t disturb.
 

Study Tours

·         Follow the rules and regulations for educational visits and generic risk assessment control measures

·         Pupils have a responsibility to behave sensibly and appropriately.

·         Don’t interfere with the routine of the animals.

·         Don’t engage yourself in the activities that are creating stress on the animals.

·         Follow measures specifically required for the visit. e.g. if in or near water

·         Ensure supervision by the escorts/ teachers, when the group remains within general sight and / or contact of the supervisor.

·         Split into smaller groups for specific activities, when a large group is there.

·         Only observe, don’t disturb.
 

Environmental Education tours

·         Pupils have a responsibility to behave sensibly and appropriately.

·         Pupils should be told that they must follow instructions, not take unnecessary risks and that they should tell one of the leaders about anything that worries or concerns them.

·           Don’t interfere with the routine of the animals.

·         Don’t engage yourself in the activities that are creating stress on the animals.

·         Don’t litter here and there.

·         Use dustbins

·         Don’t play music and create noise in the restricted areas.

·         Don’t enter the restricted areas.
 

Wildlife Videos

·         Don’t come in the path of the animals and the young.

·         Never harass or chase wildlife for the sake of a better look or an ‘ultimate’ photograph.

·         Never surround a single animal or a group of animals; animals should always be able to move away from you.

·         Only observe, don’t disturb.
Note:
  • Specify the activity level as low, moderate and high for each activity for the benefit of tourists.
  • While organizing these activities the carrying capacity should be kept in mind.

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