Among the types of tourism in India, ecotourism has grown recently. Ecotourism entails the sustainable preservation of a naturally endowed area or region. This is becoming more and more significant for the ecological development of all regions that have tourist value. For ecotourism in India, tourists can go to places such as Kaziranga National Park (Assam), Gir National Park (Gujarat), and Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh).
Ecotourism is now globally recognized as a powerful tool for the conservation of forests, biodiversity/ wildlife and scenic landscapes. It does so by creating sustainable alternative livelihoods for forest-dependent communities and by generating conservation awareness among the masses and decision-makers.
Kaziranga National Park in Assam witnesses record-breaking tourists and revenue in 2023-24. Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, witnessed a surge in visitors and revenue in 2023-24.
What makes ecotourism a sustainable form of tourism?
National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism was formulated by the Ministry of Tourism in 2022 to mainstream sustainability in the Indian tourism sector and ensure more resilient, inclusive, carbon-neutral & resource-efficient tourism while safeguarding natural and cultural resources. The comprehensive strategy document identified seven strategic pillars to make India a global destination for sustainable and responsible tourism: Promoting Environmental Sustainability; Protecting Biodiversity; Promoting Economic Sustainability; Promoting Socio-Cultural Sustainability; Scheme for Certification of Sustainable Tourism; IEC and Capacity Building; and Governance, and emphasized on the synergy between 16 ministries of the union government, state governments, local government institutions, industry, NGOs, local communities. The strategy emphasized creating synergies amongst the 8 ministries of the Central government, State Governments, Panchayati Raj Institutions, conservation NGOs & the private sector to develop ecotourism in the country. For the holistic development of the industry, the following pillars were identified: State Assessment and Ranking; State Strategy for Ecotourism; IEC, Capacity Building and Certification; Marketing and Promotion; Destination and Product Development; Public-Private and Community Partnerships; Governance and Institutional Framework.
It is estimated that India’s Tourism Sector will achieve the pre-pandemic level of foreign exchange earnings of $30 Bn and 15 Mn foreign arrivals by mid-2024, totaling a $50 Bn GDP contribution from Tourism.
Further, it is estimated that India’s tourism sector will grow at 7-9% CAGR in the coming decade. By 2030, it will contribute USD250 Bn — USD56 Bn in foreign exchange earnings and 25 Mn foreign arrivals — to GDP, creating 137 million jobs.