Changing Paradigms of Development in and around Protected Areas of Southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India: Emerging role of Ecotourism

Communities living in and around Protected Areas (PAs) have traditionally remained poor due to restricted traditional forest resource use and inadequate access to development opportunities. Integrated Conservation and... [ view full abstract ]

Communities living in and around Protected Areas (PAs) have traditionally remained poor due to restricted traditional forest resource use and inadequate access to development opportunities. Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICDPs) have been trying to search for alternative approaches that can reduce the resource use pressures on PAs and provide livelihood opportunities to local communities, simultaneously building local support for protection of these areas. Ecotourism is emerging as an important tool for biodiversity conservation and livelihood support for local communities in and around PAs worldwide. However, given the social, economic and ecological ramifications of this approach at various spatial scales, the need to evaluate what is working and what is not is becoming increasingly important. The present study undertaken in three landscapes in southern Western Ghats, India examines the linkages between ecotourism initiatives and biodiversity conservation and livelihood security of local people. Study also tries to look contributions of these initiatives into changing paradigms of development in these areas.   

Archival research and survey of all the Village Ecodevelopment Committees (VECs) involved in ecotourism programmes as a part of the ICDPs in these landscapes formed the backdrop of the study. Stratified random sample of VECs and households was carried out and information on the resource use patterns, sources of livelihood, socioeconomic conditions of local people, people-Park conflict, attitudes of local communities and strength of local institutions to sustain ecotourism initiatives was gathered. information about impact of these programmes on health, education and community empowerment was also gathered so as to look at process of development. As an outcome of ecotourism, the incomes of the VECs increased significantly and the income disparities among various sections within the community were reduced. Share of the income from resource use from forests came down while share of non-consumptive and non forest activities went up. On the other hand due to significant support provided by VECs in protection programmes, improved participatory PA governance systems have evolved in these areas. Study also reveals that these initiatives have lead to significance change among the communities with respect to awareness about health, education, community empowerment and social capital.