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Ecotourism and Empowerment: A Case Analysis of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India

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  • Madhumita Das
  • Bani Chatterjee

Abstract

Ecotourism is a type of sustainable tourism that aims at conservation of the environment through development of the indigenous communities. Development of the communities not only refers to economic development, but also to social as well as cultural development. The present study is an attempt to address the socio-cultural impact of ecotourism to the locals in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary (BKWS), Odisha, which is an important ecotourism site in India for its rich and varied biodiversity. Through a case analysis, the study endeavours to find out whether ecotourism has been able to empower the locals socially as well culturally. The study finds that ecotourism has come as an economic rescuer for many people who do not have a wide avenue of earning. With the creation of employment opportunities, locals have been made aware of participation in community development programme. Several institutions such as eco-development committees (EDCs) have come up in adjacent villages, and locals are made members of EDCs. However, these EDCs have not been very effective to empower the locals because of their lack of education and skill. From community participation to education and skill development, from infrastructure to awareness campaigns, there is a lot of effort needed by the government. Thus, proper policies are to be formulated for an inclusive ecotourism approach in BKWS, one which is socio-economically effective, culturally advanced and environmentally sustainable.

Suggested Citation

  • Madhumita Das & Bani Chatterjee, 2015. "Ecotourism and Empowerment: A Case Analysis of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India," IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, , vol. 4(2), pages 136-145, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:iimkoz:v:4:y:2015:i:2:p:136-145
    DOI: 10.1177/2277975215613175
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wunder, Sven, 2000. "Ecotourism and economic incentives -- an empirical approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 465-479, March.
    2. Reimer, J.K. (Kila) & Walter, Pierre, 2013. "How do you know it when you see it? Community-based ecotourism in the Cardamom Mountains of southwestern Cambodia," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 122-132.
    3. Coria, Jessica & Calfucura, Enrique, 2012. "Ecotourism and the development of indigenous communities: The good, the bad, and the ugly," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 47-55.
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    3. Amir Ghorbani & Hossein Mousazadeh & Fatemeh Taheri & Shaghayegh Ehteshammajd & Hossein Azadi & Masoud Yazdanpanah & Alireza Khajehshahkohi & Vjekoslav Tanaskovik & Steven Passel, 2021. "An attempt to develop ecotourism in an unknown area: the case of Nehbandan County, South Khorasan Province, Iran," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 11792-11817, August.
    4. Diptimayee Nayak & Vrajaindra Upadhyay & Bharati Puri, 2019. "Tourism at Protected Areas: Sustainability or Policy Crunch?," IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, , vol. 8(2), pages 156-170, July.

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