Introduction

Ecotourism is a subcomponent of the field of sustainable tourism. Ecotourism’s perceived

potential as an effective tool for sustainable development is the main reason why developing
countries are now embracing it and including it in their economic development and
conservation strategies. Ecotourism is an alternative tourism, involves visiting natural areas
in order to learn, to study, to carry out activities environmentally friendly that is a tourism
based on the nature experience, which enables the economic and social development of
local communities. It focuses primarily on experiencing and learning about nature, its
landscape, flora, fauna and their habitats as well as cultural artefacts from the locality.
Ecotourism contributes to conservation of biodiversity, sustains the well-being of local
people, and involves responsible action.

The valley of Kashmir has been a place of attraction to the tourists from the very beginning.
Because of its natural beauty and cultural heritage, it attracts tourists from every corners of
the world. The bubbling streams, snow covered peaks, evergreen forests, lush green
meadows; cool and sweet water, pleasant climate and lily laden lakes are unparalleled and
unmatchable throughout the world and offers good attraction to the tourists. The Mughals
aptly called Kashmir “The Paradise on Earth‟. Tourism is one of the potential sectors of
Kashmir and provides jobs to thousands of youths. But there are many sites which have
great potential of tourism but are yet to be unexplored by the decision maker or relevant
agency of Kashmir. Bangus Valley is one among these hidden tourist sites which has rich
potential for ecotourism and it is very fast growing in this state. It is best destination of
ecotourism due to its natural beauty, landscape, meadows bubbling streams, archaeological
sites, picnic spots, forest and wildlife. It is a perfect hub for promoting ecotourism. The green
patches provide shelter to some of the best plant, bird, mammals, reptiles and amphibians
species. In this area, the scope of nature based tourism, research based tourism, culture
based tourism, and eco- tourism is quite evident. It is high time we explode our natural
treasures and utilize it.

Literature review
Regina Scheyvens:

The empowerment framework, designed for analysis of the impacts of ecotourism ventures
on local communities, attempts to emphasise the importance of local communities having
some control over, and sharing in the benefits of, ecotourism initiatives in their area. The
rationale behind the framework is that ecotourism should promote both conservation and
development at the local level. The framework could be applied in both western and
developing country contexts but, because it takes as its central concern the concept of
empowerment, it is perhaps particularly pertinent when examining the extent to which
indigenous people, or other disadvantaged groups, are benefiting from ecotourism.

Mohd Farooq & Anisa Manzoor:

Within the Himalayan range of India, Kashmir is an area with great tourism potential.
Adventure tourism in the state is at the leading edge of development. The enchanting
geographical landscape and range of ecosystems leaves a lasting impression on the tourist in
Kashmir. Thus, there are certain structural and institutional weakness like tourism
infrastructure and superstructure, the level of development and internet usage being
especially significant for tourism development. Development of infrastructure and linkages
with the other sector of the economy and promotion of tourism is a vehicle for local
development and visitors’ satisfaction as well. The political and social instability in the valley
is also a serious deterrent to the growth in tourism arrivals.

S.KUMARI, M.D BEHERA & H.R. TEWARI:

Increased human interference in the ecologically fragile areas can cause irreversible change
in the existing ecological processes. This necessitates a methodical management of
ecotourism destinations, which can minimize the impacts from ecotourism activities while
offering benefits to the local communities. This can be made possible by adopting the
ecosystem approach of ecotourism development, which can adopt tourism as a means to
protect the environment and, in turn, sustain biodiversity. The present study has tried to
develop an integrated approach of ecotourism development by identification of ecotourism
sites. Assessment of ecotourism sustainability at field-level has assisted in identification of
poorly and very poorly performing indicators elsewhere. The main contribution of this study
is the identification of ecotourism indicators for identification of PES in West district, Sikkim,
by applying the hierarchical structure of AHP in geospatial environment. Secondly, a method
for sustainability assessment of ecotourism destination has been developed in four stages in
the present study. Use of ecotourism indicators will help in identifying the potential
ecotourism sites based on the environmental parameters. This can also have its implication
at the site level environmental management of ecotourism activity based on ecotourism
attractivity, ecological fragility and environmental resilience.

Bushra Hamid & Anila Khalid

Since ages, nature worship and the conservation ethics have been an inseparable part of
Indian thought and traditions. Traces go back to ancient civilizations of India, when people
used to nurture the philosophy of the oneness of life. The Indian tradition has always taught
that, humankind is a part of nature and one should look upon all creation with the eyes of
love and respect.
It is tragic that since last few decades, the mad quest for the material end and economic
progress in India and abroad has become identical with the exploitation of nature in all its
appearances. Today, the entire world is facing a deep crisis and is in the danger of being
doomed. The rich forest areas and biological diversities have been relentlessly divested to
erect concrete walls. The continuous denuding of forest reserves has led to Global Warming
and Greenhouse Effects. Fortunately, this has led to some realization, and now the world has
awaken for new beginnings about human responsibility towards nature.

Abdul Hamid Mir & Dr Ateeque Ahmed

Bungus Valley an unexplored hub for eco-tourism is paradise for nature lovers. Its location,
greenery, evergreen forest, mountains, hills, valley streams, cultural heritage and rich bio-
diversity provide a wide base for the development of eco-tourism. It is a part of a unique
eco-system with a distinct bio-diversity. The valley with its ideal setting will surely capture
the hearts and the minds of all visitors to the region. In order to promote the natural
tourism potential of Bungus Valley, it is very important to develop a set of objectives, which
will encouraging visitors to the area and will also simultaneously help in protecting and
conserving the existing environment of the Valley. For an overall sustainable development of
Bungus Valley as a variable tourist destination, an integrated approach to tourism planning
and conserving of the rich, natural eco-system is required. Thus traditional tourism in terms
of accommodation, accessibility, road network, services and related marketing and
economic development need to be combined and integrated with a tourism development
plan that primarily focuses on the preservation of the existing Eco-System.

Methodology
The research would use both primary data as well as secondary data. Primary data would be
collected by field visits, surveys, interviewing the habitants of the area etc.

References
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Development of Tourism Industry in India.
2. Husain, M., Vishwakarma, D.K., Rathore, J.P., Rasool, A., Parrey, A.A. and Mahendar, K.,
2018. Local people strategies in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
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West District, Sikkim using geospatial tools. Tropical Ecology, 51(1), pp.75-85.
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