Himachal government identified 11 sites for developing eco-tourism: CM Sukhu

 

What is the news?

• • The Himachal Government has identified 11 eco-tourism sites in forest areas having scenic and natural beauty including Swaar, Saurabh Van Vihar, Neugal Park, Bir-Billing in Palampur forest division, Kasol, Kheer Ganga and Sumarupa in Parvati forest division, Sojha in Seraj, Narkanda in Kotgarh and Shogi camping site besides Potter Hill camping site under Shimla forest division.
  • This is a big deal because ecotourism is a type of travel that doesn’t harm the environment and can help protect the state’s natural environment while also creating jobs for people in the area.

 

Why this is important ?

• • The government of Himachal Pradesh wants to promote ecotourism in the state.
  • All eleven of the sites chosen for ecotourism growth are in areas with a lot of natural beauty and ecological importance.
  • The growth of ecotourism at these places is expected to create jobs for locals and bring more tourists to the state.

 

Which are these identified 11 eco-tourism sites?

• • Swaar: Swaar is a village located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. It is known for its scenic beauty, lush green forests, and waterfalls. Swaar is also a popular destination for bird watching. Ecotourism activities that could be developed in Swaar include nature walks, bird watching, and camping.

 

• • Saurabh Van Vihar: Saurabh Van Vihar is a wildlife sanctuary located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. It is home to a variety of wild animals, including leopards, deer, and monkeys. Saurabh Van Vihar is also a popular destination for trekking and camping. Ecotourism activities that could be developed in Saurabh Van Vihar include wildlife safaris, nature walks, and camping.

 

• • Neugal Park: Neugal Park is a botanical garden located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. It is home to a variety of plants and flowers, including some rare and endangered species. Neugal Park is a popular destination for nature lovers and tourists interested in learning about the local flora and fauna. Ecotourism activities that could be developed in Neugal Park include nature walks, botanical tours, and educational programs.

 

• • Bir-Billing: Bir-Billing is a village located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the most popular paragliding destinations in the world. Bir-Billing is also a popular destination for trekking and camping. Ecotourism activities that could be developed in Bir-Billing include paragliding, trekking, and camping.

 

• • Kasol: Kasol is a village located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It is known for its laid-back atmosphere and proximity to the Parvati River. Kasol is a popular destination for backpackers and tourists interested in yoga and meditation. Ecotourism activities that could be developed in Kasol include yoga retreats, meditation retreats, and nature walks.

 

• • Kheer Ganga: Kheer Ganga is a hot spring located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It is a popular destination for trekking and camping. Kheer Ganga is also known for its spiritual significance. Ecotourism activities that could be developed in Kheer Ganga include trekking, camping, and yoga retreats.

 

• • Sumarupa: Sumarupa is a village located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It is known for its scenic beauty and proximity to the Parvati River. Sumarupa is a popular destination for trekking and camping. Ecotourism activities that could be developed in Sumarupa include trekking, camping, and yoga retreats.

 

• • Sojha: Sojha is a village located in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. It is known for its scenic beauty and proximity to the Beas River. Sojha is a popular destination for trekking and camping. Ecotourism activities that could be developed in Sojha include trekking, camping, and rafting.

 

• • Narkanda: Narkanda is a hill station located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It is known for its scenic beauty, snow-capped mountains, and apple orchards. Narkanda is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding during the winter months. Ecotourism activities that could be developed in Narkanda include skiing, snowboarding, and trekking.

 

• • Shogi camping site: The Shogi camping site is located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It is a popular destination for camping and trekking. The Shogi camping site is also known for its scenic beauty and proximity to the Himalayan foothills. Ecotourism activities that could be developed in the Shogi camping site include camping, trekking, and nature walks.

 

• • Potter Hill camping site: The Potter Hill camping site is located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It is a popular destination for camping and trekking. The Potter Hill camping site is also known for its scenic beauty and proximity to the Himalayan foothills. Ecotourism activities that could be developed in the Potter Hill camping site include camping, trekking, and nature walks.

 

About Ecotourism:

• • Ecotourism is a type of tourism that focuses on visiting and enjoying natural places in a way that doesn’t harm them. It means teaching tourists about the local culture and the natural environment and making sure that tourists don’t hurt the environment or the people who live there too much.

 

Ecotourism is based on the following principles:

• • Conservation: Ecotourism should help protect the earth and different kinds of life. To do this, sustainable methods like using recycled materials and cutting down on energy use can be pushed.
  • Community development: Ecotourism should be good for the areas that are visited. This can be done by helping local businesses and giving people jobs and training chances.
  • Ecotourism should teach people about the natural world and the cultures of the places they visit. This can be done with educational materials and events that explain things.

 

Ecotourism can happen in many places, such as national parks, wildlife refuges, jungles, mountains, and along the coast. Here are some common environmental activities:

• • Going to wildlife refuges and public parks
  • Going hiking and camping in the woods
  • Seeing birds and other wildlife
  • Stays at home and eco-lodges
  • Educational activities and tours of culture

 

Ecotourism is an important type of tourism because it can help protect the environment, help the people who live in the area, and teach guests new things. This part of the tourism business is also growing, and it will likely keep growing over the next few years.

 

Here are some reasons why ecotourism is a good idea:

• • Going on ecotourism trips can help protect rare animals and the places where they live.
  • Ecotourism can help local communities make money and live better by bringing tourists there.
  • Ecotourism can help rural places grow in a way that is good for the environment.
  • Ecotourism can teach people about the culture and natural history of the places they visit.

 

There are many ecotourism-friendly things you can do to make sure your trip is reasonable and doesn’t harm the environment. Here are some ideas:

• Pick tour companies and places to stay that follow ecotourism ideals.
• Buy things made in your area and support local businesses.
• Show respect for the wild world and the people who live there.
• Cut down on your trash and recycle as much as you can.
• Learn about the places you’re going and the problems they face with their culture and surroundings.
• Ecotourism is a wonderful way to see the world and learn about other cultures while also helping the places you visit.

 

QuizTime:

 

Which of the following is not a place in Himachal Pradesh that has been chosen for ecotourism development?

(a) Dharamshala

(b) Saurabh Van Vihar

(c) Neugal Park

(d) Dharamshala

• • Answer is D.

 

Which of the following is a popular place in Himachal Pradesh to go paragliding?

(a) Kasol

(b) Bir-Billing

(c) Kheer Ganga

(d) Sumarupa

• • Answer is (a) Bir-Billing

 

 

Questions for the mains:

Describe the ecotourism potential of the sites identified by the Himachal Pradesh government.

How to Answer:

 

The Himachal Pradesh government has chosen places for ecotourism development that have a lot of promise for ecotourism.

• • Village of Swaar is in the district of Kangra in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It’s famous for its waterfalls, lush green trees, and beautiful views. A lot of people also like to go to Swaar to watch birds. Swaar could become a better place for ecotourism by offering things like forest walks, bird watching, and camping.
  • For those who don’t know, Saurabh Van Vihar is a wildlife refuge in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. There are many wild animals that live there, such as lions, deer, and monkeys. A lot of people also like to go hiking and camping in Saurabh Van Vihar. Wildlife tours, nature walks, and camping are all ecotourism activities that could be built up in Saurabh Van Vihar.
  • There is a botanical garden called Neugal Park in the Kangra area of Himachal Pradesh. It is home to many kinds of plants and flowers, some of which are rare or threatened. People who love wildlife and tourists who want to learn about the local plants and animals often go to Neugal Park. Neugal Park could become a better place for ecotourism by adding nature walks, botanical tours, and educational events.
  • In the Himachal Pradesh state, the town of Bir-Billing is in the Kangra district. It’s one of the world’s most popular places to go flying. A lot of people also like to go climbing and camping in Bir-Billing. Paragliding, hiking, and camping are all ecotourism activities that could be built up in Bir-Billing.
  • Kasol: The village of Kasol is in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It’s known for having a laid-back vibe and being close to the Parvati River. Travelers on a budget and people who want to do yoga and meditate often go to Kasol. Yoga vacations, meditation retreats, and nature walks are all ecotourism activities that could be built up in Kasol.
  • There is a hot spring called Kheer Ganga in the Kullu area of Himachal Pradesh. A lot of people go there to go hiking and camping. There is also a spiritual side to Kheer Ganga that people know about. Trekking, camping, and yoga camps are all ecotourism activities that could be built up in Kheer Ganga.
  • Sumarupa: The village of Sumarupa is in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Many people like it because it has beautiful views and is close to the Parvati River. A lot of people like to go hiking and camping in Sumarupa. Trekking, camping, and yoga camps are all ecotourism activities that could be built up in Sumarupa.
  • The village of Sojha is in the district of Mandi in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is known for having beautiful scenery and being close to the Beas River. A lot of people like to go hiking and camping in Sojha. Trekking, camping, and kayaking are all ecotourism activities that could be built up in Sojha.
  • Narkanda is a hill station in the government area of Shimla in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It’s famous for its apple farms, snow-capped mountains, and beautiful scenery. Through the winter, a lot of people like to ski and snowboard in Narkanda. Narkanda could become a better place for ecotourism by adding sports like skiing, snowboarding, and trekking.
  • Site for Shogi camping: The site for Shogi camping is in the Shimla area of Himachal Pradesh. A lot of people go there to camp and go hiking. People also like the Shogi camping spot because it is close to the foothills of the Himalayas and has beautiful views. Camping, hiking, and nature walks are all ecotourism activities that could be added to the Shogi camping spot.
  • There is a camping spot called Potter Hill. It is in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. A lot of people go there to camp and go hiking. Another great thing about Potter Hill is that it is close to the foothills of the Himalayas and has beautiful views. Camping, hiking, and nature walks are all ecotourism activities that could be added to the Potter Hill camping spot.
  • Ecotourism should grow at these places in a way that is safe and responsible, so that it has the least amount of damage on the natural environment and the people who live nearby.

 

 

Question 2:

 

Discuss the importance of ecotourism in India.

 

• • Ecotourism focuses on the natural environment and the people who live there, so it is a sustainable and low-impact type of tourism. It’s important for India because it can help them:
  • Protect India’s biodiversity and natural ecosystems through ecotourism, which encourages eco-friendly habits and teaches tourists about how important it is to protect the environment.
  • Offer jobs to people in the area: Ecotourism can create jobs for people in the area in many fields, including crafts, dining, and tourism services. This could help get people out of poverty and make life better in rural places.
  • Ecotourism can help build sustainable businesses and infrastructure in rural places, which can help with sustainability. This could make the lives of people in the area better and help protect the earth.
  • Teach tourists about India’s cultural and natural history: Ecotourism is a great way to teach tourists about India’s rich cultural and natural history. This can help people learn about and value Indian traditions and culture.
  • Besides these advantages, ecotourism can also help bring people from different countries together and help them understand each other better. It can also help people understand environmental problems and get them to do something to protect the Earth.

 

Some specific ways that ecotourism can help India:

• Tourism that is good for the environment has helped protect the Royal Bengal tiger and its home in the Sundarbans National Park.
• Ecotourism has helped people in the Western Ghats make money and raise awareness about the need to protect woodlands.
• In the Himalayas, ecotourism has helped build companies and infrastructure that can last for a long time.
• There is a growing industry in India called ecotourism that could be very important to the country’s economic and social growth.

 

Ecotourism is covered in the HPAS exam in the following ways:

 

• • Preliminary exam: Ecotourism may be covered in the preliminary exam in the form of MCQs on the following topics:
  • Concept of ecotourism
  • Importance of ecotourism in Himachal Pradesh
  • Ecotourism destinations in Himachal Pradesh
  • Ecotourism activities in Himachal Pradesh

 

Main exam: Ecotourism may be covered in the main exam in the following ways:

 

• • General Studies Paper-I: Ecotourism may be covered in the General Studies paper in the form of questions on the history, geography, economics, polity, and culture of Himachal Pradesh. For example, a question may be asked on the impact of ecotourism on the local economy or culture.
    General Studies Paper-II: Ecotourism may be covered in the General Studies paper in the form of questions on environmental issues and sustainable development. For example, a question may be asked on the challenges of developing ecotourism in a sustainable manner.