Beyond the forests: ecotourism and sustainable livelihoods in Karnataka’s protected landscapes

The paper is situated within the context of two prominent tiger reserves, namely the Kali Tiger Reserve and Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, located in Karnataka, India. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the pivotal role played by ecotourism in shaping rural livelihoods and to evaluate the outcomes that result from the integration of ecotourism into pre-existing livelihood strategies. Employing a sustainable livelihoods approach, the study engaged 214 participants from 25 adjoining villages of the tiger reserves, service providers, and government officials at various administrative levels. The findings of the study suggest that although ecotourism has not supplanted traditional livelihoods, it has effectively contributed to income augmentation for residents in the study areas. This research also illuminates a notable disparity between policy intent and on-ground implementation due to the inherent ambiguity present in tourism policies, which tends to generate and exacerbate a plethora of issues that impede the effective integration of ecotourism into existing livelihood strategies. The paper sets the stage for further deeper exploration of the intersection between ecotourism and rural livelihoods, aimed at fostering more inclusive and sustainable tourism practices within ecologically sensitive areas.