Abstracto

Eco-Tourism ? A Key to Protect the Biodiversity in Maharashtra

Dr. Vandana M. Joshi

Biodiversity is an asset to tourism and it varies greatly across the globe. It is vital in maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. From the last couple of decades biodiversity has been affected due to rapid urbanization. Various efforts are made to conserve the biodiversity; one of them is protected areas which are reserved for rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. Maharashtra has up to 15,732 sq km reserved forest which is about 5.02 per cent of the State‟s geographical area. Maharashtra is rich with varied biodiversity ranging from forests, wetland, grassland to coast and evergreen forest. Natural site, Kaas in Western Ghats has been included in the World Heritage Site list by UNESCO. Conservation of endangered and rare species of flora and fauna is a challenge in developing countries as rules and regulations are not strictly followed. Ecotourism is the key to conserve the endangered species because it is referred to as sustainable nature based tourism. It incorporates tourism in harmony with nature. Further it provides opportunities for tourists to experience and explore the powerful manifestation of nature. It also emphasizes the utmost necessity of protection of biodiversity and local culture. Ecotourism helps in economic development of area through employment generation. Awareness created and income generated through ecotourism enables to protect the endangered species. This paper attempts to find out significance of eco-tourism in protection of biodiversity in Maharashtra. A detailed study is needed to investigate the pressure and negative impact on biodiversity. Adoption of ecotourism on the grounds of environment carrying capacity will lead to sustainable tourism development and this is the need of the hour.