Ecotourism and Its Relation to the Wildlife Opportunities

INTRODUCTION

The desire to fly has been an important human pursuit since the beginning of human history. Form the first historical moment man has enjoyed exploring what is unknown, discovering new and unusual locations, looking for changes in the world and encounters. Early motifs to travel are food, water, protection, resource acquisitions, quest for new adventures or explore new lands. Later on, studying or learning became also a motif for travel. But the idea of travel for leisure has emerged recently in last few centuries. Uttar Pradesh has consistently been ranked 2nd among the top countries in India with respect to tourist arrivals in 2016. In terms of domestic tourist visits in India 2016 Uttar Pradesh made the second largest contribution (229,6 million). In terms of Foreign Tourist Visits in 2016 Uttar Pradesh ranked 3rd with a share of 3.16 million foreign tourists. The Tourism industry in Uttar Pradesh has a significant contribution to the state‘s economic growth. The contribution of tourism to employment generation both direct and indirect is of immense importance to the state. Increased demand for tourism contributes to increased pressure on the state's natural and other resources. If the ecologically sound growth of tourism and the protection of environmental sustainability are not taken into account, this will do irreparable harm. In the last two decades, ecotourism has been developed as a mode of tourism to support the environment and the population as opposed to traditional tourism. Ecotourism also known as ecological tourism is responsible for traveling to natural environments and aims to foster and inspire environmental and cultural understanding, respect and security, raising awareness of nature and local communities, while stressing the preservation of ecological tourism.

area/site. • Minimum effect on the tourism destinations' climate. • Sustainable nature tourism leads to sustainable growth and has a positive effect on local communities. • This style of tourism contributes to environmental and cultural awareness, respect and conservation. • Ethical tourism strives to enhance the visitor experience by enjoying nature and local culture. • The local ecology is not influenced by this form of tourism. • Ecotourism raises local community incomes and builds Community welfare through social growth. • Ecotourism raises jobs in rural areas and is an average of extra wages. • The goal of Ecotourism is to promote the conservation of the environment and reverence for different cultures.

• Find out what ecotourism in Uttar Pradesh offers and challenges. • To list Pilibhit potential for wildlife tourism.

This theory aims to decide the different possibilities open to the ecotourism industry in Uttar Pradesh and the various challenges. The research also focuses on ecotourism's utility prospects in Uttar Pradesh. The tourism industry in Uttar Pradesh is an important tool in job growth, infrastructural growth, foreign exchange income, growing rural economies, particularly in distant and backward areas. In this tech tertiary operation, extraordinary funds are therefore distributed to support economic development as a significant tool. Different old academic papers, magazines, internet books, some government records, etc. have gathered the requested secondary data in this report. The data has also been taken from various documents such as books, newsletters, reports, magazines and journals. panoramas, winding waterways, spectacular wild waterfalls and many rare birds and animals. The Government of the Uttar Pradesh is encouraging eco-tourism to the wilderness areas of the state and shows these natural wonders to the tourists in order to understand the grandeur and kindness of nature. Uttar Pradesh has an area of around 2,40,928 sq. km, and is the fourth largest state in India. It is also with a population of 199,5 million the most populous state in the world (2011). Uttar Pradesh being the cradle of the great and oldest civilization of the country offers a palette of diverse experiences for the tourists. Uttar Pradesh is one of the most favored state for tourists in India as it is blessed with a varied spectrum of tourism offerings ranging from wonder of the world Taj Mahal to the unique cultural and religious hotspots like Varanasi, Braj and Awadh regions.

Uttar Pradesh is a haven for visitors. The glorious Himalayas have rare ecotourism opportunities, mountain climbing, trekking, skiing etc. Its river system gives the chance to enjoy different water activities and rough surfing. Nature is a gracious offering to its abundant fauna and flora. Uttar Pradesh provides a wide variety of ecotourism facilities, including agricultural, educational, pilgrimage, adventure, jungle safari and other styles. Several drivers of industry are influenced by the rise in ecotourism opportunities in the state . Rich natural/cultural resources and geographical diversity: Ecotourism spots in Uttar Pradesh are divided in 09 circuits. 1. Circuit of Western Wildlife 2. Riverine Circuit Lion Safari 3. Circuit Terai Tiger 4. Adventure Circuit of Bundelkhand 5. Mountain Path Vindhya 6. Circuit of West Bird/Wetland 7. Circuit of Central Bird/Wetland 8. Circuit of the Ganges Basin 9. Circuit of the East Wildlife Uttar Pradesh is able to attract a good number of domestic and international visitors in this field with • Dudhwa National Park • Pilibhit Tiger Reserve • Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary • National Chambal Sanctuary • Lion Safari Etawah • Nawabganj Bird Sanctaury From these over 06 ecoturism destinations, 04 destination (Dudhwa National Park, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Lion Safari Etawah) are situated within driving range of metro cities, such as Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon. Increased concern about wellbeing: urban working classes are now giving great priority to health and prefer a daily break from the hectic metro life in areas of natural beauty. Ayurveda's Vedic expertise and the Indian medical system will play a role in attiring the development of eco-tourism in Uttar Pradesh and its importance among urban people and the Western world. In Delhi and adjacent areas in the winter of 2016-2017, the alarming degree of air pollution has also obliged the public to recognize the dangers of living in the metro. Favorable Indian development: increased urban population of the middle class and higher levels of disposable income, with a growing inclination for leisure and tourism in the welfare sector, are some of the driving factors. Changing consumer lifestyles and changing preferences of tourists: With more than 65% of Indians in the ages of 15 to 64 years, they are more open for vacation and are keen to discover new destinations instead of visiting conventional tourist destinations. These tourists will provide a good choice for ecotourism destinations of Uttar Pradesh. Easy finance availability: Increased adoption of credit culture and availability of holidays on Equated Monthly Installments (EMI) is another growth driver. Availability of professional tour and travel planners: Tour plan and implementation are critical in the case of visits to ecotourism destinations, as facilities such as stay arrangements and vehicles can often be unexplored. Now experienced tours and tour planners are conveniently accessible with a mouse click and eradicate the pressure of a tour planning minute to minute which the travelers themselves had to do until now. Apart from these big religious gatherings like Kumbh in Allahabad and in Haridwar in adjoining natural beauties.

Lack of technology funding: Inadequate ecotourism support systems in countries like inadequate road, rail, and air connectivity are major obstacles. Lack of supply of hotel rooms and of hygienic, reliable food suppliers are other restrictions impacting tourists' arrival estimates. Restaurant locations at destinations are another restriction. Failure to be safe: The heavily inhabited state of Uttar Pradesh and its insufficient purity in tourism destinations, including the absence of clean public toilet facilities are main elements that deter international visitors. Lack of ecotourism areas conservation : Failure to manage ecotourism sites properly, either due to inadequate finances or politics, or collusion in policies, is destroying the environment and adversely impacting the potential prospects for visits abroad.

Conflict between ecotourism industry participation and local interests : There will still be possibility of clashes between the usage of ecotourism tools and the survival of local people before the position of local people and their importance is recognized. The State government of UP's significant steps to encourage ecotourism Because of its immense ability to increase domestic and international tourist traffic the state government of Uttar Pradesh has made a significant commitment to promoting tourism in the state. The few measures listed below have illustrated the new priority of state governments: • Govt. UP. UP. For the execution of activities relating to ecotourism, including the planning, development and

• In 2015 website https://upecotourism.in/ has been launched by UP Government to promote ecotourism and to provide all facilities to foreign and domestic tourists for ecotourism at single spot . • The government has given special attention in promoting Heritage and Eco-Tourism for foreign tourists. These have witnessed increased tourist arrivals in the form of weekend getaways. • To promote adventure and wild life tourism and attract both domestic and foreign tourist UP Tourism department has taken up an ambitious plan and investments are being made in the Lion Safari Etawah and Dudhwa National Park. This area draws a lot of domestic tourists and wildlife lovers from across the world. A budget of Rs. 5 crores each has been allocated to develop the areas of Lion Safari, Etawah and Dudhwa National Park. • To promote greenery and educate the people of the state on the benefits of ecotourism, the UP government conducted a plantation drive named ‗Van Mahotsav‘ which consisted of planting 3.15 lakh trees in 80 different places. • Special initiative has been taken by the state government to deploy ‗tourist police‘ for safety of the visitors. This facility is already implemented in cities like Agra, Varanasi and Lucknow. • The Government is encouraging people to provide paying guest facilities to tourists so that tourism can be developed and far reached.

The rising demand for tourists also places pressure on our natural capital and other resources. If the ecologically sound growth of tourism and the protection of environmental sustainability are not taken into account, this will do irreparable harm. The clear correlation between ecology, ecotourism and the benefits to the population, whether collective or individual, must be resolved to foster Community support for conservation and hence the preservation of the natural resources. Creating understanding of intangible benefits would also help to create connections with conservation and eco-tourism, allowing local communities to engage in sustainable tourism growth projects and to benefit from this major problem and nature offers tremendous opportunities for eco-tourism, strong-willed government efforts will produce wonders in the eco-tourism sector and its potential to create job opportunities. Government programs, such as improving air connectivity, creating tourist destinations, improving the maintenance of eco-tourism sites and others, have also opened up employment opportunities throughout the province. A leading tourist center for international tourists Uttar Pradesh has the potential to mobilize investments in the ecotourism sector from both private and public sources, and also to draw indirect revenue, such as tax collections, to fill the state's treasury. All wings of the Central and State government, private sector and voluntary organizations should become active partners within the endeavour to realize actual growth in ecotourism sector.

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Research Scholar, Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi rajeev.mta@gmail.com