Protecting Biodiversity Through Sustainable Tourism

It was once a fiery, volcanic rock in a tiny corner of the universe. It seemed unimportant, insignificant, commonplace, and when compared to the scale of the universe, extremely small regardless. But who would have thought, that on this very rock, the spark of creation would ignite? Single-celled pioneers ventured forth and soon began to release oxygen into an atmosphere that previously had none of it. Originally appearing on a planet full of lava, acid rain, and extreme conditions, the tiny organisms transformed the planet’s landscape and harboured a new, clean and safe environment for life to diversify. From the towering ancient forests to the depths of the oceans, from the majestic creatures that roam the savannahs to the tiny miracles hidden in the soil, biodiversity has become nature's grand masterpiece—a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and sheer wonder of life itself.

However, among all this wonder, concerns arise about the changing state of biodiversity. Has it changed in recent years, and if so, how?

This question ties into human activities that prove to be harmful to biodiversity and the natural environment at large. Examples include deforestation, mining, urbanization, and another activity that most forget to consider – tourism.

Of course, we are no strangers to the notion that tourism has several positive impacts. Tourism brings money into local economies when tourists spend money on accommodations, food, transportation, goods/services, etc; which creates opportunities for locals while stimulating the development of traditional industries and markets. For instance, according to the Statista Research Department, the travel and tourism sector in India contributed around 5.9 percent to the total GDP of the country in 2022. This amounted to over 15,687 billion Indian rupees, marking an increase of nearly 89.2% compared to the previous year.

Apart from this, tourism can also promote cultural preservation by educating tourists and residents about local history and heritage, restoring historic sites and fostering a sense of pride in traditions and customs.

But is tourism all about the good things? What has it done to our biodiversity?

Well, tourism often leads to the construction of hotels, resorts, and infrastructure in ecologically sensitive areas, degrading natural habitats. This can disrupt the balance of ecosystems and lead to the displacement or extinction of native species. According to a report by Statista, almost 30% of India's geographical area is degraded, with this figure rising to more than 60% in states such as Rajasthan. This degradation includes land degradation, water contamination, and poor air quality; three significant factors that can influence India’s biodiversity.

Secondly, tourism generates significant amounts of waste, including plastic bottles, food packaging, and other non-biodegradable materials. Improper waste management practices in tourist destinations can result in pollution of water bodies, soil, and air, which can harm biodiversity.

Third, tourism often puts pressure on natural resources such as water, energy, and wildlife. Increased water consumption by hotels and resorts can lead to the depletion of local water sources, affecting water availability for both wildlife and local communities. Furthermore, activities such as deforestation, mining and over-cultivation – under the mask of economic and infrastructural growth – have been detrimental to the country's environment and the health of its inhabitants as well.

But as Canadian environmental activist David Suzuki once said, "I can't imagine anything more important than air, water, soil, energy and biodiversity. These are the things that keep us alive."

In line with his words, it is imperative that we consider the negative impacts of tourism, and use our learnings to build a better tourism model that benefits humanity and biodiversity. But what could that “better model” be?

Sustainable Tourism. Also known as eco-tourism or ecological tourism, it aims to minimize the negative impact of travel on the environment – and in this case, biodiversity – while fostering positive social and economic benefits.

Sustainable tourism places a strong emphasis on protecting biodiversity and preserving natural habitats. By implementing responsible practices, such as limiting visitor numbers, promoting sustainable resource use, and supporting conservation initiatives, sustainable tourism helps safeguard the ecosystems and species that comprise our planet's biodiversity.

Furthermore, this form of tourism often involves educational programs and initiatives that raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation. These programs can help tourists understand the value of biodiversity and the need to protect it. By building a deeper appreciation for the natural world, sustainable tourism contributes to the long-term preservation of biodiversity.

Moreover, An existing strong advocate for sustainable tourism in India is the STCI (Sustainable Tourism for India Criteria and Indicators), which has been developed to ensure sustainable tourism practices for various tourism businesses. The guidelines emphasize effective sustainable management, heritage protection, sharing social and economic benefits with the local community and conserving the environment, among other sustainable practices.

While the STCI works to ensure sustainable tourism becomes the mainstream form of tourism in India, there are certainly other ways through which India can achieve that goal faster.

The Indian government can continue to promote responsible tourism practices that minimize the negative impact on the environment and local communities. They could do this by encouraging tourists to follow sustainable guidelines - reducing waste, conserving water and energy, respecting wildlife, and supporting local markets – at hot tourist spots, and enforcing laws that emphasize following the same guidelines.

Additionally, tourism companies can be encouraged to facilitate the process of spreading awareness regarding sustainable tourism. They must hold campaigns to inform tourists about the benefits of eco-tourism and make sure to incorporate sustainable tourist practices in their tourism programs. This key tool will help make sustainable tourism a common practice among the general public. Given India’s large population, the number of people making a difference to the environment will make a huge positive difference to the nation’s environment.

Lastly, private organizations must build and maintain national parks/reserves for endangered animals. Several parks in India are pathetically constructed and maintained, providing no relief to humans and animals coming there to beat the rising temperatures. Reserves and parks must be designed to optimise the amount of care taken for residing/arriving animals, while increasing the touristic value for the people visiting.

Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Dr. Cristiana P. Palmer, once said, “Biodiversity is the food we eat, the water we drink, and it is also the air we breathe. More than that, biodiversity is part of us, as we humans are part of nature.” In conclusion, as we continue to appreciate and protect the diverse array of life on our planet, we are not only safeguarding essential resources like food, water, and air but also honouring our deep connection with the natural world. Let's work together to cherish and preserve biodiversity for the well-being of present and future generations, and to make the world a better place for all.