Tourism is a rational if imperfect response to the plight of endangered wildlife all over the world. Any human endeavor can be abused or mismanaged to the degree that the means no longer serve the desired end. Ecotourism that interferes with the preservation of a species should be questioned. India's National Tiger Conservation Authority announced plans to phase out tourism in its 37 tiger reserves. One estimate is that 500,000 visit India's tiger reserves every year. More lodges are built in tiger habitat to accommodate humans crowding in to see the last remaining tigers. Noisy traffic jams are taking place on bush trails. Undeniably these situations have a negative impact on tiger conservation.
It seems a simple solution to remove the people from the scene, and allow the tigers the precious little space that is left to them. However, tourism does not drive poaching which is a criminal enterprise financed by an international trade. The way to stop poaching is to eliminate the irrational demand for tiger parts. Tourism in protected areas deters poaching since the perpetrators obviously want to remain anonymous, and tourism also provides a source of funds to protect undeveloped land. Simply banning visitors from the reserves is not a solution to the problems of protecting the last remaining wild tigers. Regulating tourism in ways that are compatible with the needs of tigers is a solution. Insuring that some of the money generated by visitors goes into the hands of rangers, their families and the villagers nearby is also necessary. Corruption drives bad conservation decisions. One fact is clear: when tourists stopped going to Zimbabwe to see the healthy wildlife, its survival was put in jeopardy. Poaching has increased dramatically, the parks are neglected shambles, and the wildlife decimated by hungry humans as well as ivory poachers.
[photos: Wildlife Extra.com]
