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| What is Ecotourism? |
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| According to the Quebec Declaration
on Ecotourism, ecotourism |
"embraces the
principles of sustainable tourism... and the following
principles which distinguish it from the wider concept
of sustainable tourism: |
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- Contributes actively to the conservation of natural
and cultural heritage,
- Includes local and indigenous communities in
its planning, development and
- peration, contributing to their well-being,
- Interprets the natural and cultural heritage of
the destination to visitor,
- Lends itself better to independent travellers,
as well as to organized tours
for small size groups".
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| Ecotourism is sustainable tourism,
which follows clear processes that: |
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Ensures prior informed participation
of all stakeholders,
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Ensures equal, effective and
active participation of all stakeholders,
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Acknowledges Indigenous Peoples
communities' rights to say "no" to tourism
development - and to be fully informed, effective
and active participants in the development of
tourism activities within the communities, lands,
and territories, and
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Promotes processes for Indigenous
Peoples and local communities to control and maintain
their resources.
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To promote eco-friendly
tourism the Union Territory Administration is working
towards an awareness campaign among the general public
and also strictly enforce rules and regulations for
preservation of forests, wildlife, parks, etc. in
co-operation with the Tourism Department. |
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| 1. Wildlife division
of Forest Department of Union Territory of Dadra and
Nagar Haveli is in certain project areas which is encouraging
the ecotourism activity as follows: |
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a) Lion safari – The Dadra
& Nagar Haveli Forest Department had initiated
the lion safari project at village Vasona survey
No147 and 148 by initially enclosing 8.68 hector
area of Reserve Forest in year 1988. This area was
expanded to 19.36 hectors in year 1996. The habitat
here has been especially created and maintained
as per the wild natural habitat of the Asiatic lion.
The Lion Safari was opened for public on 4th October
2002 with 3 pure bred Asiatic Lions from Sakkarbaug
Zoo, Junagad. Lion safari is closed from 15th June
to 30th September every year, also it is closed
on all Mondays.
The basic objectives of establishing the safari
in this UT were
- Conservation of an endangered species.
- To create awareness regarding the importance
of wild animals and conservation of natural habitat.
- To provide an opportunity for scientific study
and creation of a database useful for ex-situ
and in-situ conservation.
- To encourage ecotourism in the UT.
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b) Satmalia
– Satmalia is about 350 ha of fenced
Wildlife Sanctuary area which was earlier a degraded
natural forest. The area was restored as ideal ungulate
habitat through management interventions since 1986.
The forests here are mostly semi-moist teak with dry
to semi-moist deciduous forests. Management interventions
taken up here are plantation of fodder grasses and
browsable species, removal of weeds and creation of
alternating stands of grassland and trees. The area
is dry and to recharge ground water, soil & water
conservation measures have been taken up. These measures
have led to a visible increase in the water table,
benefiting not only the wildlife, but also the local
villages.
Nilgai, Sambar, Chital and Chausinga
corresponding to the original wild fauna of the UT
have been re-introduced in the area in 1987 as a plan
to restock the WLS. At present are present inside
the park. Apart from the ungulates, the area also
supports diverse fauna and flora. The area is rich
in bird life with over 100 species sighted.
A motorable fair-weather 3.5 km forest
road network has been laid inside the area to facilitate
movement of the staff, visitors and tourists. This
route is a part of the eco-tourism zone of the Dadra
and Nagar Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary. Satmalia is closed
from 15th June to 30th September every year, also
it is closed on all Mondays. However, study tours
are allowed during this period.
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c) Luhari
– The habitat here was degraded and
in the past 15 years efforts have been made for its
eco-restoration. The forests here are mostly semi-moist
teak interspersed with moist teak patches. Management
interventions taken up here are plantation of fodder
grasses and browsable species, removal of weeds and
creation of alternating stands of grassland and trees.
This area has an active leopard population. In 2004,
about 30 chital were re-introduced here, in a about
350ha fenced area, as a step for restoration of the
prey base. Apart from the reintroduced chital, the
area also supports leopard, birdlife, smaller mammals,
reptiles etc. Especially the Athal area has been observed
to have a large snake population.
The area was dry and to recharge ground water, soil
& water conservation measures have been taken
up. Three artificial waterholes have been created
in addition to two water ponds. Water conservation
measures include construction of series of small check
dams and gully plugs on the nallahs and water channels,
farm bunds etc. These measures have led to a perceptible
increase in the water table, benefiting not only the
wildlife, but also the local villagers.
An existing road 3.5 km network has been improved
and made motorable. A new network of nearly 1.5 km
has also been laid. This will facilitate better accessibility
to the staff, as also to the visitors and tourists.
This road network is the part of the Dadra and Nagar
Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-tourism zone. Luhari
is located about 12 kms. From Silvassa and 6 kms.
From the Silvassa – Naroli main road. Luhari
is closed from 15th June to 30th September every year,
also it is closed on all Mondays. However, study tours
are allowed during this period.
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| 2. The Nature Education
and Interpretation Facility |
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| a) Nature Education Center - An
area of 38 ha in village Vasona adjacent to the Lion
Safari is being developed as an Interpretation cum Nature
Education Center. At present it has the following facilities |
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The Arboretum – over
150 rare endangered tree species of the local
Dadra and Nagar Haveli flora have been represented
with 15-20 Sample specimens (age about 20 years)
in plots. A Bambusetum and a Palmetum has been
developed. These represent most of the D&NH
forest flora including the only available specimens
of locally extinct forest trees and serve as a
gene bank with an aim to preserve the local floral
Biodiversity. These are rare and valuable trees
for the biodiversity conservation point of view.
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Medicinal plant garden –
over 400 species of medicinal plants, herbs, shrubs
and creepers maintained here which are a part
of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli local flora.
- Cactus dome – This has been maintained
since the 1986, with over 80 rare cactus specimens
maintained here.
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Activity center – several
working science models for demonstrating scientific
principles. Regular science workshops for teachers
and students of the UT and competitions on Wildlife
week, National Science Day etc are organized here.
- Mini planetarium- regular shows organized for
the local school-children
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Edu Sat –The nation-wide
broadcasts with talkback facility for interaction
of the local students with educators and fellow-students
throughout the country. Edu-Sat programmes are
regularly conducted here with regular participation
of the local schools.
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Wildlife Interpretation –
other informative displays, panels, life like
models of animals, several nature trails have
also been laid out here.
- Greenhouse – for ferns and rare species,
which require controlled conditions.
- Vermicompost unit – demonstration unit for
encouraging use of organic manure
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Several student study tours
regularly visit the area including students from
nearby schools, pharmacy and ayurvedic/homeopathic
colleges, nature clubs etc. The area is also a
tourist attraction with sizeable number of regular
tourists visiting NEC.
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b) Baludyan
Garden - This is a small area of about 2.5
ha in the center of the HQ town Silvassa that was
initially conceived as a rescue center cum mini-zoo.
However after the CZA refused recognition the area
is being developed as a garden with strong nature
education values. An Aquarium has been set up here. |
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c) The Eco-tourism
initiative - The Lion Safari, Vasona, Satmalia
and Luhari Wildlife Sanctuary zones are also open
to the public, for spreading nature education and
also as eco-tourism locations. |
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