Eco tourism through properly structured activities will be a tool for ecological education and will go a long way in inculcating conservation ethics in the minds of people, said Dr Sanjay Bijjur, Special Officer of Tourism Development.

Dr Sanjay Bijjur who delivered key note address at the national-level seminar on ‘Eco tourism-Problems and prospectus’ at Prof S P Hiremath Hall in Jnana Sahyadri campus of Kuvempu University in Shankaraghatta on Saturday analysed the pros and cons of eco tourism in Indian context.

While eco tourism intends to meet conservation, livelihood and business ends, there is concern that unplanned and unregulated tourism in natural areas can lead to negative environment and cultural impact. Visits to protected areas at critical periods may affect key processes such as breeding and regeneration. As eco tourism may eventually lead to mass tourism, culture and life styles of local community may get influenced by alien forces and may disturb the social structures, he noted.

On its positive side, revenue generated from eco tourism can be re-invested in conservation and it also provides income and employment generating opportunities to traditionally remote and marginal communities, he remarked.

Dr Sanjay called for proper strategies to reduce negative impact of eco tourism and enhance positive ones. While the thrust should be on promoting eco tourism as a tool for conservation, livelihood and development, comprehensive policy and planning, regulation, product development, marketing and promotion is also necessary. At State level eco tourism councils should be established to facilitate policy making and guidelines while at local level, eco tourism societies and trusts need to be established. Members of local communities who are prime stake holders in eco tourism need to have greater say in functioning of societies and trusts, he stated.

Director of Tourism Department Dr Somashekhara who inaugurated the programme said that blessed with coasts, western ghats, 5 national parks and 5 wild life sanctuaries, Karnataka offers immense potential for eco tourism. In order to give boost to eco tourism in the State, two proposals have been submitted to Government of India for creating ‘Jungle camps and trails of Karnataka’ and for establishing ‘Great western ghats treks of Karnataka,’ he informed.

VC Prof B S Sherigar who presided over the programme informed that university is contemplating of establishing a star hotel in Jnana Sahyadri campus or in the campus of Sahyadri College.