geo_en TRAVEL: 6/14/09

If you may asked me to define Eco-tourism, I'll proudly tell you that it is the practice of traveling to destinations where fauna, flora and cultural heritage are primarily the attractions. But Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia suggest verbally otherwise. "It is the travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strive to be low impact and (often) small scale. It helps educate the traveler; provides funds for conservation; directly benefits the economic development and political empowerment of local communities; and fosters respect for different cultures and for human rights". Exactly. And, these are the original words of Martha Honey, PhD, and the co-founder of centre for responsible travel, in one of her many books.

The branch of Tourism is aimed at the union of conservation, communities and sustainable travel. The inclination is towards the management of the environment and improving the well being of the local people. Here is where the participants are expected to: Build environmental awareness and respect, provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts, raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental and social climate, minimize impact, provide direct financial benefits for conservation, among so many others. Curiosity about understanding the surrounding, the serenity in accepting it- the way it is, and the commitment in showing appreciations by being part of its development, is highly required.

Nature has proved beautiful and nothing, not even the increasing destruction all over that see our environment breaking down into proliferating pieces, can prove it wrong. It only takes a good eye sight to approve the rich and scenic landscapes, a deep breath to get the freshness, and, a constructive attitude to interact with all these, nature. Just open your eyes and see: