"Ecotourism" is low visitor impact tourism intended primarily for appreciation of unspoilt nature. It seeks to promote the economic benefits to the local communities so as to nurture their motivation for preserving the beauty and appeal of these landscapes. With proper planning and appropriate regulation, ecotourism can be a tool for conservation of wildlife because any region with well-preserved biodiversity is the ideal eco-tourism destination. The core of the ecotourism concept is conservation of the pristine nature of these areas and their cultural features, both past and present. As a matter of fact, preservation of many natural/wild areas has been possible mainly for their eco-tourism value.

Ecotourism incorporates strong commitment to nature, and a sense of social responsibility. Without these characters, ecotourism becomes merely another form of mass tourism. Benefits like nature based recreation, heightened awareness of nature and wildlife and development of the local rural economy are derived from properly organised ecotourism. Ecotourism can provide the desired thrust towards achieving the goal of development without destruction.

Ecotourism has been the fastest growing segment in tourism. According to Ecotourism Society (1995), 40 to 60% of all international tourists are nature tourists and 20-40% are wildlife tourists.Well-organized ecotourism with community participation is in early stage of development in Orissa, but its potential is very high, in view of the tradition of involvement of people in community forest management.

The objectives of International Year of ecotourism (2002) are:
- Generate greater awareness among public authorities, the private sector and consumers regarding ecotourism's capacity to contribute to the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage its natural and rural areas, and the improvement of living standards in those areas.
- Disseminate methods and techniques for the planning, management, regulation and monitoring of ecotourism to guarantee its long-term sustainability, and
- Promote exchanges of experiences in the field of ecotourism.

Some of the attractive natural locations in some selected PAs of Orissa, which could be ecotourism destinations, as has been listed in this book can be carefully developed in order to attract more and more nature loving tourists to the state while creating greater awareness about nature conservation. It is hoped that the book will be helpful to popularise the wilderness and wildlife habitats of the state.

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