Eco-tourism is one of the buzzwords of our times. From how it had been coined, it is clear ecology has to be placed ahead of tourist goals.
Most people agree with this, but they are likely to differ on “how much ahead” this “ahead” is. So, we need powerful definitions of eco-tourim, especially when it relates to lakes. For, residents’ groups are now getting engaged in a big way.
In this context, Arun Krishnamurthy has come up with an interesting definition. “The focus of eco-tourism should not be entertainment but education. It should not be at the cost of the natural resource. In a lake, there should be a core area, a buffer area and periphery. Visitors should be allowed only in a space that is well removed from the lake. They should be enabled to experience the lake only from this distance. Even access to lake bunds should not be allowed. For doing so will disturb the ecological balance,” says Arun.
