Ecotourism

Ecotourism is travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. With an emphasis on enriching personal experiences and environmental awareness through interpretation, ecotourism promotes greater understanding and appreciation for nature, local society, and culture. Ecotourism is uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel.

Ecotourism is increasing in popularity across the world. Ecotourism aims to create viable and sustainable tourism opportunities, and limit the impact that all related activities will have on the environment, while improving the lives of the local people living in the area.


Group Farming Corporation promotes Ecotourism in the southern states, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Taminadu and Kerala at strategic locations with an aim to achieve sustainable and responsible tourism practices and ultimate goal to create a sustainable resource that protects both the people and the nature involved.

Salient features of Ecotourism promoted by Group Farming Corporation includes:

Sustainable Tourismthat does not reduce the availability of resources and does not inhibit future travelers from enjoying the same experience.

Responsible Tourismthat operates in such a way as to minimize negative impacts on the environment.

Nature-Based Tourismthat is more generic term for any activity or travel experience with a focus on nature.

Green Tourism that has facilities operating in an environmentally friendly fashion.

Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial (mass) tourism. Its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Since the 1980s ecotourism has been considered a critical endeavour by environmentalists, so that future generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human intervention. Several university programs use this description as the working definition of ecotourism.

Generally, ecotourism focuses on socially responsible travel, personal growth, and environmental sustainability. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotourism is intended to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats.

Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities. For these reasons, ecotourism often appeals to advocates of environmental and social responsibility.