How Not to Save the Environment: Environmental Damage Caused by Bad Ecotourism
The environment is precious to all forms of life, because without the environment, nothing would survive. Over the years more and more damage has been done to the environment by humanity. For example, gas emissions from cars and trucks have damaged the ozone layers. So, various groups have decided to educate people about the environment by creating ecotourism events. However, are these groups aware of the environmental damage that is caused by bad ecotourism?
How Environmental Damage is Caused by Bad Ecotourism
Perhaps the idea of ecotourism was formed with good intentions, but the fact is that there is much environmental damage that is caused by bad ecotourism. Sometimes, getting up-close with nature is something that really does not benefit the situation.
A very common example of how environmental damage is caused by bad ecotourism is camping. National parks often allow people to camp in tents in certain areas, but some of these people do not respect their surroundings. A family might have gone camping and littered, having not found a wastebasket anywhere nearby. This litter might be ingested by an animal and cause harm, not to mention damaging the delicate ecosystem of the forest.
Something else that many people like to do while they are camping is carve their names into trees. These people think that the tree does not feel any of it, but in fact the tree can. Unless the tree is visibly dead, it is very much alive, and this action scars the tree. This is not to mention people, while camping, cutting branches for firewood.
Another example of environmental damage caused by bad ecotourism is what happens at many beaches. While private beaches that charge a fee require people to be clean and considerate of their surroundings, public beaches have no private funding, so people often end up littering. An unfortunate example of this is when people bring drinks that come in plastic rings. Animals such as seagulls try to eat the left over plastic, and end up choking to death. Thus, if you decide to go to a public beach, do not litter!
Something that is also considered an example of environmental damage caused by bad ecotourism is when tourists decide they want to bring home a natural souvenir. Perhaps it is a plant, or some other example of flora and fauna. Regardless, this is a bad idea, because the plant is only accustomed to a specific climate. Also, the plant might be a source of food for animals. If tourists started taking things like this, it would cause a chainlike effect in the environment. So, the next time you decide to participate in an ecotourism effect, be sure that you respect the environment!
Eco Tourism In Poland
Why is ecotourism important?
Today, ecotourism is a global phenomenon that is fast changing the way we are taking vacations and it is also a fast growing segment in the tourism industry and it has a significant magnitude. Besides, you can also hope to get the grant if your project is pragmatic and will make significant and long lasting impact on the issues in question. It provides for the impetus of awareness that educates the public on the importance of environmental issues and explains the consequences before they occur.
It also respects the culture of the local surroundings and communities, and emphasizes human rights rather than exploitation.
In addition, such a case study of tourism must also delve into finding out whether people that are more educated have better understanding of ecotourism. After all, what could possibly be the importance of teaching ecotourism to people who are not involved in the hotel and tourism trade? Also, such ecotourism grants may generally not be given to undergraduate expeditions and there should also be strong emphasis on field work for conservation applications, and the grant is usually given to those that bring new skills and conservation education opportunities to the area where ecotourism is taking place. In fact, when the total effects of the damage were finally revealed, the public was outraged. These people seem to forget that everyone needs the environment to survive.
Though there is no definition of ecotourism that is universally accepted there are also some doubts whether ecotourism is about a pure concept, or is a term that is for public consumption.
Economic benefits are the most direct and are seen in better employment and more income. However, there is a need to put an end to illegal activities that continues to exist even in spite of international interventions. There is also protection being given to underwater habitats and thus it is illegal to remove corals. Ecotourism in general means visiting significant as well as sensitive environments and one may choose places such as those that offer opportunity for bird watching as well as rainforest areas as possible ecotourism destinations. As an ecotourism example, Costa Rica too has ranked high as that country had a scale of compliance that ensures that it is not just a vacation center in the middle of a cloud forest, but was actually run on lines that were conducive to conserving the environment with means such as solar power. Is that not the goal in the first place? |
