Wetland ‘nature tourism’ gets a fillip

Contact Counsellor

Last Updated23/01/2024

The Central government has embarked on a mission to boost tourism at ecologically-sensitive wetlands, known as Ramsar sites.
The goal is to shift from high-value tourism to nature tourism by supporting conservation efforts and empowering local communities and economies.

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention signed in 1971.
India has 75 Ramsar sites, including Chilika Lake, Sundarbans and Bhitarkanika Mangroves.

Launched in June 2023, the scheme aims to promote the conservation values of Ramsar sites, generate employment, and support local livelihoods.
- The initiative is a part of the 2023-24 budget announcement.
It is part of the 'Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme' 2023, launched by the Union Tourism Ministry and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
It is implemented in collaboration with various central government ministries, state wetland authorities, and formal and informal institutions.
Objectives
- Enhance livelihood opportunities for local communities through nature tourism at Ramsar sites.
- Shift from high-volume tourism to high-value nature tourism by supporting conservation actions.

Facilitators, tourism service providers, and stakeholders are being trained in collaboration with State Tourism Departments.
The focus is on nature tourism activities like birdwatching, photography, stargazing, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, and visiting parks.
Thirty participants from each site undergo a 15-day training program.
- This includes the Alternative Livelihood Programme (ALP) and Paryatan Navik Certificate (boatman certification for tourism).

Sixteen Ramsar sites have been identified, with five selected as pilot projects for skill development.
- Pilot sites include Sultanpur National Park (Haryana), Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha), Chilika Lake (Odisha), Sirpur (Madhya Pradesh), and Yashwant Sagar (Madhya Pradesh).