ECOTOURISM
CHARTER - Guidelines for Tourism in Protected Areas
The PAs constitute a unique ecosystem comprising wide variety
of flora and fauna including the diverse and rich aquatic
life and avifauna. However the primary objective of the PAs
is conservation, nevertheless, these areas are also known
for sites of natural beauty and religious significance for
local people, besides being the sites of unique bio-geographical,
geomorphologic and wildlife significance. These are the areas
having the potential to serve as ‘the ultimate destination
for eco-tourists’ of this region and from areas elsewhere
including the foreign visitors.
Tourism in Protected Areas (National parks and sanctuaries)
is governed by the proviso of Section 28 of Wildlife (protection
Act ) and Rule 34 of the M.P Wildlife Protection Rules,1974
as well as the policy guidelines contained in the National
wildlife Action plan 2002 and Wildlife Tourism guidelines
issued by Project tiger directorate in 1984. According to
the present policy, role of ecotourism in protected area is
to spread awareness and elicit peoples’ support for conservation
of wildlife and their habitats. Revenue generation has been
kept secondary to conservation objectives.
In order to regulate entry of eco-tourists in the PAs as well
as to avoid any instance of excessive tourism in these areas
the GOI prescribed to work out the carrying capacity of each
Protected Area and limit the intake of visitors to the that
extent only.
In view to the guidelines issued by GOI and to ensure its
compliance in a smooth and effective way as well as to promote
and regulate the visitors’ intake in these PAs the following
instructions are issued for strict compliance by the officials
and staff concerned.
1. DETERMINING THE
CARRYING CAPACITY OF EACH PROTECTED AREA
It is prescribed to determine the carrying capacity of each
PA on the basis of guidelines issued by GOI. It shall be determined
in terms of the following parameters;
i)
Number of vehicles of defined size and make per day
ii)
Number of visitors per day
The permission to entry inside the PAs shall be strictly
limited to the carrying capacity. In case, entry shall be exceeding
the maximum limit prescribed. Regulation shall be ensured at
the Reception Centre and at all the entry points. For the information
of the visitors, it shall be displayed on the boards and hording
fixed at the entry points along with other Dos and Don’ts
in PAs.
2. RECEPTION AND PERMISSION FORMALITIES
FOR ENTRY
As per provisions of section 27 and 35 of
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, entry in the National Parks
and Sanctuaries, without permission of a competent authority,
is strictly prohibited. In order to systematize and smoothen
the formalities for permission to entry in PAs, the following,
measures are proposed to devise and institute at all the defined
entry points of PAs.
·
Establish
Reception Centre at each defined entry point; and devise a comprehensive
format (to be filled in by the visitors) to seek requisite information
from visitors.
·
Indemnity
bond to be filled in by each visitor/group. No permission is
allowed without the Indemnity Bond filled in and signed by the
visitors.
·
No
permission shall be given without entry fee as per rules.
·
Dos
and Don’ts in the Parks and PAs shall be printed on the backside
of permission form for the ready information of the visitors.
·
Checking
at entry points to ensure observance of Dos and Don’ts and other
formalities.
3. CONDUCTED TOURS AND ECO-GUIDES
In order to ensure minimum impact of visitors'
intervention on the natural forest ecosystems and to have effective
check on the movements of visitors inside the National Parks
and other PAs guided/ conducted tours have been prescribed.
It will also help expose the visitors to the best probable sites
and places of significance for eco-tourism and wildlife point
of view. The movement of conducted or guided tours shall be
limited to defined circuits/routes within or connecting the
tourism zone areas only. Vehicles of defined size and make shall
be allowed for the purpose. For the purpose of conducted tours
inside PAs, the following, components shall be adhered to strictly.
·
Entry of visitors and vehicles shall be limited
to carrying capacity of the Park and / or the PA concerned.
·
No vehicle shall be allowed inside the Park or
any PA without the registered eco-guides; who will ensure the
movement of vehicle on the defined routes and check the movement
visitors and allow stoppage, rest and exposure at defined spots
only. On foot excursions inside the Park or PAs are not allowed
except on eco-trails and eco-tracks specially defined for the
same.
·
Eco-guides and staff involved in the eco-tourism
shall be specially trained in interpretation and behavioral
skills and shall have to follow approved dress code and shall
be registered with the Park authority and updated at regular
intervals.
·
Mini buses with closed windows have been prescribed
for conducted tours, while open jeeps and gypsies may be allowed
for guided tours.
·
Charges for hired vehicles and eco-guides shall
be as per approved list by the Park authorities. Rates shall
be displayed on the board at the Reception at every entry point
of the Park and the PA concerned.
4. ESTABLISHING SOCIETY OF FOREST WORKERS
AND GUIDES
It is proposed that each PA in this circle
shall have ‘Society of Forest Workers and Guides’ to maintain
and oversee the day-to-day works relating to boarding, logging,
and provision of transport and guide facilities to the visitors.
The Society shall be duly registered and will have by-laws and
executive body to manage its affairs. Forest ranger concerned
shall initiate the process of registration and institutionalization
of Society of Forest Workers in their respective Park or Sanctuary.
The rates for each item of work or service provided shall be
approved and displayed at the appropriate sites for the information
of the visitors.
5. ECO-ZONING
OF THE AREAS OF CONSERVATION AND TOURISM IMPORTANCE
The areas, which are important for conservation
and have tourism significance should be identified, delineated
physically and marked on maps and displayed in the interpretation
center or at the entrance gate. These zones may include areas
as per the abundance of flora / fauna, any special species,
any geological or geographical features, special NTFP / medicinal
plants, water bodies, temples, rocks, caves etc. The zoning
will help in providing the bigger canvas of the spots / interesting
features to diversify the tourists to different areas as per
their interests. This will also help to identify the sensitive
areas and regulate and restrict tourism in time and space, for
example, tourists may not be allowed in an area during the breeding
season of a particular species, or if a mother (say tigress)
is roaming with the just newly borne cubs.
6. DEVELOPING
TOUR CIRCUITS, ROADS, TREKS AND TRAILS – SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL
DISTRIBUTION
All the existing roads, treks, trails and
paths, used or not being used presently, should be marked physically
and also on maps, that can be provided to the guides and the
tourists. New possible paths may also be explored. Based on
the networking of these paths, tourism circuits can be laid
out to diversify the vehicles and uniformly disperse the tourists
in the Park. Numbers should be assigned to the circuits and
each vehicle can be allotted one circuit, next vehicle another
circuit and likewise. This arrangement will help to disperse
the tourist pressure at any particular place and thus increase
the overall carrying capacity of the Park.
7. DOs
AND DONTs IN THE PAs
Formulation and observance of a standard codes
of conduct is essential for smooth and effective running of
an affair associated with people. Thus, for effective and smooth
conduct of eco-tourism in PAs there is potent need of formulation
of code of conduct for the visitors in the form of ‘Dos and
Donts in the PAs’. A standard list of ‘Dos and Don’ts
in the PAs’ shall be prepared for each PA and displayed
at all the entry points and other prominent sites in the PA
concerned. A standard list of ‘Dos and Donts in the PAs’
is enclosed along with these instructions.
6. FACILITY FOR ORIENTATION AND FEED
BACK OF VISITORS
An orientation of the visitors towards the
best practices before they enter into the PA is must and a feed
back of the visitors’ experience in the PA is also essential
for the improvement of the management of the PA. A mechanism
should be evolved to effectively facilitate these two objectives.
The interpretation centre can be used for this purpose.
DO’S AND DON’T IN THE PAs
-
Entry into the Park without valid permission is strictly
prohibited. Please do not enter the PAs without valid permit
or pass. Tress-passers will be prosecuted as per the provisions
of law.
-
Carrying of firearms, ammunition or toxic material of
any kind inside the PAs is strictly prohibited.
-
Kindling or burning of fire, cooking of meal and carrying
inflammable material of any kind inside the Park or any
other PA is strictly prohibited.
-
Nature and wild animals do not like disturbance of any
kind. Do not make noise or loud cries and do not throw stones
or offer edible things to the wild animals while venturing
through PAs.
-
Do not go close to snakes or other wild animals. It
may be dangerous.
-
Do not carry articles made of plastic such as plastic
bags, bottles, glasses, cups, etc. inside the park.
-
Do not litter around and throw waste papers or articles
in the Park. Use the places or Bins meant for the purpose.
-
Use of horn, searchlights and musical instruments are
not allowed.
-
Carry and use of liquor inside the PA is strictly prohibited.
-
Swimming in the water bodies and river pools is risky.
There may be crocodiles in the water bodies and you may
become feed to them.
-
Permission is allowed only for the time period between
the sunrise and the sunset. Visit during the night hours
is strictly prohibited.
-
Observe silence if you really want to enjoy nature in
its naked best.
-
Nature is mysterious. Keep a vigilant eye around while
moving. Every moment has the potent to be a lifetime experience
for you. Don’t miss this opportunity.
-
For your enjoyment please do not disturb others sleeps.
Wild creatures also need privacy like us.
-
Take the help of eco-guides to maximize the gains and
joy of your visit.
-
Only guided and conducted tours shall be permissible
in the PAs. The speed of vehicles shall not exceed in any
case more than 35 km. per hour.
The visitors should observe the above Dos and Donts to avoid
any possibility of becoming the visit a nightmare. They should
co-operate with the Park managers for their own well being and
safety as well as for the safety and well being of the beautiful
creatures of this Park. This will make the visit a memorable
experience of life.
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Charter
