ecotourism by tanveer

ECO TOURISM

Ecotourism is a form of  tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial mass tourism. It means responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local people. Its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Since the 1980s, ecotourism has been considered a critical endeavor by environmentalists, so that future generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human intervention^.

^{BENEFITS OF ECOTOURISM:}

• ^{A vacation at an ecotourism site can give a warm, fuzzy feeling.} 
• ^{Ecotourists learn about the ecosystems, traditions and cultures of their destination without missing out on adventure, excitement and relaxation.}
•  ^{For local communities, it's a win-win experience.} 
• ^{Ecotourism provides support through employment and other means, but not at the expense of the local environment.}
•  ^{Search listings at reputable websites before booking a vacation to avoid unscrupulous companies that don't offer genuine ecotourism opportunities.} 

The Disadvantages of Tourism:

Although tourist money might be put to good use in preserving environments, tourism does put burdens on natural resources and often promotes over consumption and unfair allocations of resources in places where resources are already limited. When tourism becomes unsustainable, it can permanently damage the environment. Tourism impacts the wildlife, vegetation, air quality, the quality and supply of water, and natural phenomena.

•  Tourism can often cause environmental damage with risks like erosion, pollution, the loss of natural habitats, and forest fires. Even if tourists behave responsibly, the sheer number of them can cause damage. Ancient buildings, monuments, and temples often struggle to cope with increased traffic and suffer inevitable wear-and-tear. Reefs and other natural tourist attractions can suffer permanent damage. 
• When huge numbers of people visit, they invariably burden the transportation system and contribute to pollution—locally and globally. Flying one mile in a plane produces about 53 pounds of carbon dioxide, and tourists account for almost 60% of air travel. Some estimate that cruise ships to the Caribbean create over 70,000 tons of annual waste.
• Tourism can spread non-native species. The increased human presence from many diverse geographical regions has a detrimental affect on native plants and introduces non-native species in these areas.
•  Increased human presence can severely damage the delicate balance of the food webs, ecological communities, and keystone species of an area.
• Tourism can put pressure on natural resources and encourages over-consumption. This is particularly damaging in spots where resources like food and water are already scarce.