Ecotourism is "sustainable, nature tourism" involving he indigenous stake holders, while forging artnership with the existing tourism industry. The /orld Tourism Organisation (WTO) defines :otourism as " tourism that involves traveling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the specified object of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural aspects (both of the past or the present) found in these areas".

Ecotourism or wilderness tourism has tremendous potential in protected areas of Orissa. The principal goal of ecotourism in PAs is to strengthen the cause of conservation by providing informed wilderness experience to visitors, enabling the visitors to view a cross-section of values of Sanctuary / National Park and providing additional employment opportunities for local communities, thus reducing resource dependency and also enhancing their stake in conservation of Protected Areas of the state.

Ecotourism has a strong potential for socio economic benefits to rural populations as well as to the economy. At the same time it can be a powerful force for protecting and promoting the unique biodiversity along with landscapes and seascapes. With flowing socio-economic benefits, local people are expected to be in the forefront of protection of flora/ fauna, Increased visitor access to interior areas would have a synergized effect. Thus ecotourism could provide gainful employment to villagers in and around PAs as they can be suitably and intimately involved as guides, porters, construction workers, small shop keepers, as well as through food, transporting and handicraft facilities in villages. Thus ecotourism can be a tool of sustainable development on a local scale around protected areas along with conservation of its biodiversity. The state policy is to develop ecotourism as a community managed activity with govt. facilitation and control.

Local people can be involved by way of guide for making arrangements and providing support services. They can also sell their handicrafts especially made up of local products with little training and can be involved for safe disposal of litter as well as for keeping the camping place neat and clean.

Ecotourism will improve the long term sustainability of tourism in ecologically important and sensitive areas. Although substantial revenue for PAs will be generated, the goal of biodiversity conservation shall remain the prime concern.

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