Do the benefits of Eco Tourism far outweigh
its drawbacks? Discuss and give your views. Discuss and give your opinion in at least 250 words
Nowadays, Eco tourism is often being quoted as green tourism
and it fast gaining prominence around the world. Many environmentalists and
governments have started professing about the benefits of this branch of
travelling, while there are several staunch critics who feel that Eco tourism
is actually generating more problems than providing solutions.
Eco tourism is believed to be beneficial in many ways, as it
does not exploit and disturb the sanctity of the location and the areas
surrounding the sites being visited by the tourists. The green tourism also
proves helpful for the locals living in that specific territory as it strives
to involve locals living in and around the site of interest which ensures
employment and self sufficiency for the local inhabitants. This in turn also
prevents influx of outsiders in these areas thus helping in preserving the sanctity
of the area.
Besides this, the eco tourism is also playing an important role
in creating awareness about the importance of preserving environment. The areas
being explored as part of nature tourist sites and spots are not developed on
lines with the commercial tourism, i.e. they are left untouched and untamed. Educational
travel based on natural attractions is also proving to be a promising medium of
promoting social, economic, and environmental goals especially in developing nations.
However, nature tourism is also leading to destruction of
forest and marine habitats and several wild species are being driven to the brink
of extinction due to pressures created by of illegal hunting, logging,
agriculture, and fishing. Furthermore, the poor nations who are maintaining
these locations lack appropriate funding sources to manage and preserve them.
To conclude,
I personally feel that although nature tourism has many demerits, its benefits cannot
be overlooked and ignored.