Ecotourism a Sustainable Development Option in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

By Ejaz Ur-Rehman

ejazrehman78@gmail.com

Ecotourism has become an important economic activity in natural areas around the world. Tourism is becoming increasingly popular, as both
domestic and international visitors flock to the most attractive places. Tourism is one of the largest and steadily growing economic sectors
world-wide, as well as being a sector in which developing nations have a considerable stake. For this reason alone, tourism is a relevant factor in
terms of development policies. Especiall y in nature conservation, the "ecotourism" option is increasingly advocated in order to contribute to
conservation project funding and offer economic incentives for the preservation of ecosystems and their biodiversity. Ecotourism provides
opportunities for visitors to experience powerful manifestations of nature and culture and to learn about the importance of biodiversity
conservation and local cultures. At the same time, ecotourism generates income for con servation programs and economic benefits for
communities living in rural and remote areas.
(Source:ecotourismbengal.files.wordpress.com)
(A shot taken on Neelfarry near Kalamula ,Haveli District Bagh Azad Kashmir)
 The attributes of ecotourism make it a valuable tool for conservation. Its implementation can:

ü Give economic value to ecosystem services that protected areas provide

ü Generate direct income for the conservation of protected areas
ü Generate direct and indirect income for local stakeholders, creating incentives for conservation in local communities
ü Build constituencies for conservation, locally, nationally and internationally
ü Promote sustainable use of natural resources; and reduce threats to biodiversity.

Of course, not all tourism to natural areas is ecotourism. Nature tourism, as opposed to ecotourism, may lack mechanisms for mitigating impacts
on the environment and fail to demonstrate respect for local culture. Consequently, we are witnessing an onslaught of visitation to natural areas
that, in many cases, is undermining the values that make these areas attractive.

Azad Kashmir:

Areas of Azad Kashmir, because of their ecological value, especially those found in temperate zone of District Muzaffarabad, Neelum ,Bagh and
Rawalakot and contain many of the national greatest ecotourism attractions. These attractions consist of rare or endemic species of flora or
fauna, abundant wildlife, high indices of species diversity,spectacular geomorphological formations, ,unique historic and contemporary cultural
manifestations in a natural context. Azad Kashmir Government confronted with a wide range of different forms of tourism development and, at
the same time promote themselves as “ecotourism-destinations”.
Sharda Forest Rest House and rich Biodiversity around ,Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir
Ecotourism can be initiate only when it is the most effective strategy to achieve tangible, lasting results. The distinc t but intimately interrelated
aspects of ecotourism, conservation management and business development, must be fully understood by ecotourism planners and protected area
managers before moving ahead with plans to implement ecotourism activities. Conservationists have typically approached ecotourism with a
limited understanding of business issues and an incomplete understanding of the management mechanisms that are available and necessary to
ensure the sustainability of tourism in Ecological valuable areas in Azad Kashmir.
Similarly, n ature tourism operators and organisers have often carried out their initiatives with an incomplete understanding of conservation
issues and consequently have operated in an unsustainable fashion like recent Polo Matches in Neelum Valley and Bhutto Mela in Sudhan Galli
,Bagh Azad Kashmir.

In order for ecotourism to be successful, conservation ists need a greater understanding of business considerations; likewise, developers need a
greater awareness of the management mechanisms that are necessary to ensure the sustainability of the activity. Combining both conservation
and business perspectives is essential for a successful ecotourism program.
In Azad Kashmir natural areas are state, private or community owned or administered, or any combination thereof. Funds to manage these areas
are usually scarce. As a result, these areas often lack the capacity to ensure that tourism generates the full range of benefits it should. In spite of
recent tourism activities in Azad Kashmir hence, in many areas opportunities for income generation for site conservation and local communities
are under exploited and tourism may in fact pose a threat to conservation.For ecotourism to fulfill its potential and generate sustainable benefits,
natural areas must implement a planning framework to guide and manage the activity.

Ecotourism Management Plan

Like all well -managed organizations, ecotourism enterprises require sound
business planning to succeed, but the planning process differs from those of
Zoning for Visitor Use
other industries because social and environmental factors must also be
considered. Taking tourism as a sustainable development option, it must be
Visitor Site Planning and Design
planned and managed so that its socio-economic benefits are spread as widely
as possible throughout the society of the destination. Community -based
Sustainable Infrastructure Design
tourism projects are important means for spreading benefits to local residents.
The sustainable development approach is particularly important in tourism
Revenue Generating Mechanisms
because this sector depen ds mostly on tourism attractions and activities that
are related to the natural environment and historic and cultural heritage.
Visitor Monitoring and Management (The Writer is an Ecologist and Director Press For Peace UK)

Naturalist Guides –the Heart of Ecotourism