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Ecotourism has become an important economic activity in natural areas around the world. Tourism is becoming increasingly popular, as both
domestic and international visitors flock to the most attractive places. Tourism is one of the largest and steadily growing economic sectors world -
wide, as well as being a sector in which developing nations have a considerable stake. For this reason alone, tourism is a re levant factor in terms of
development policies. Especial ly in nature conservation, the "ecotourism" option is increasingly advocated in order to contribute to conservation
project funding and offer economic incentives for the preservation of ecosystems and their biodiversity. Ecotourism provides opportunities f or
visitors to experience powerful manifestations of nature and culture and to learn about the importance of biodiversity conser vation and local
cultures. At the same time, ecotourism generates income for conservation programs and economic benefits for com munities living in rural and
remote areas.
(Source:ecotourismbengal.files.wordpress.com)
Beautiful Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir
Of course, not all tourism to natural areas is ecotourism. Nature tourism, as opposed to ecotourism, may lack mechanisms for mitigating impacts
on the environment and fail to demonstrate respect for local culture. Consequently, we are witnessing an onslaught of visitat ion to natural areas
that, in many cases, is undermining the values that make these areas attractive.
Azad Kashmir:
Areas of Azad Kashmir, because of their ecological value, especially those found in temperate zone of District Muzaffarabad, Neelum ,Bagh and
Rawalakot and contain many of the national greatest ecotourism attractions. These attractions consist of rare or endemic species of flora or fauna,
abundant wildlife, high indices of species diversity,spectacular geomorphological formations, ,unique historic and contempor ary cultural
manifestations in a natural context. Azad Kashmir Government confronted with a wide range of different forms of tourism development and, at the
same time promote themselves as “ecotourism-destinations”.
In order for ecotourism to be successful, conservationists need a greater understanding of business considerations; likewise, developers need a
greater awareness of the management mechanisms that are necessary to ensure the sustainability of the activity. Combining bot h conservation and
business perspectives is essential for a successful ecotourism program.
In Azad Kashmir natural areas are state, private or community owned or administered, or any combination thereof. Funds to man age these areas
are usually scarce. As a result, these areas often lack the capacity to ensur e that tourism generates the full range of benefits it should. In spite of
recent tourism activities in Azad Kashmir hence, in many areas opportunities for income generation for site conservation and local communities are
Visitor Site Planning and Design other industries because social and environmental factors must also be
considered. Taking tourism as a sustainable development option, it must be
Sustainable Infrastructure Design planned and managed so that its socio -economic benefits are spread as widely as
possible throughout the society of the destination. Community -based tourism
Revenue Generating Mechanisms projects are important means for spreading benefits to local residents. The
sustainable development approach is particularly important in tou rism because
Visitor Monitoring and Management
this sector depends mostly on tourism attractions and activities that are related to
the natural environment and historic and cultural heritage.
Naturalist Guides –the Heart of Ecotourism
(The Writer is an Ecologist and Director Press for Peace ) UK)