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Impact of Ecotourism on Village Economy and Society in Sikkim
Introduction
Tourism has emerged as one of the most important segments of the world economy.
It is a major economic activity not only for developing countries but also for most developed
countries. Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries, generating an estimated 11% of
global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employing 200 million people and transporting
nearly 700 million international travelers per year- a figure that is expected to double by
2020. Developing countries currently have only a minority share of the international tourism
market (approximately 30%) but this is growing. International tourism arrivals in developing
countries have grown by an average of 9.5% per year since 1990, compared to 4.6%
worldwide. India itself has witnessed for the third consecutive year, a positive growth in
foreign tourist arrivals reaching a level of 3.92 million in 2005, which translates to a growth
rate of 13.2%. The tourism industry has been making important contribution to the
economies of developing countries, particularly to foreign exchange earnings, employment,
and GDP.
In the Tenth Five Year Plan of India, the core sectors of priority were agriculture and
infrastructure. Greater synergy among other economic and social sectors to promote
coordinated implementation of development programs for the generation of employment
opportunities was emphasized. The targeted poverty alleviation programs were to be given
greater attention .The tenth plan set the target of reducing poverty from 40% to 15% over
five years.
Tourism has potential advantages for pro-poor growth as it is a diverse industry and
has higher potential for linkage with other local enterprises because customers come to the
destination. It is also relatively labour intensive and employs a high proportion of women,
thus having great potential in poor countries and areas with few other competitive exports.
Tourism is highly dependent upon natural (e.g. wildlife, scenery) and cultural capital which
are assets that some of the poor have, even if they have no financial resources.
Tourism has become the most important civil industry in the world. Its contribution
to the Global Gross Domestic Product is about 11% involving nearly 7% of workforce to
make it the world’s largest creator of jobs. The total global capital investments (10.7%),
worldwide consumer spending (10.9%), and world’s international trade in goods and
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services (6.8%) make tourism as one of the three top categories of trade (WTTC 1995). The
international tourist arrival has increased from 1980 onwards at an average rate of 4%. The
World Tourism Organization (WTO) estimates that the domestic tourism far exceeds
estimates of international tourist movements and expenditure, tenfold in terms of arrivals and
seven times in expenditure levels (WTO 1991). Understanding its high multiplier effect, the
governments around the world are taking more proactive roles to attract more tourists,
recognizing tourism as a tool for economic diversification where traditional industries are
failing and as a source of foreign exchange earnings and better employment opportunities.
Conceptual Framework
In every society, some people have a greater share of valued resources - money,
property, education, health and power – than others. These social resources can be divided
into three forms of capital – economic capital in the form of material assets and income;
cultural capital such as educational qualification and status; and social capital in the form of
networks of contacts and social association (Bourdieu 1986). The diachronic approach is
concerned with broadly separated time phases in a society. It is this approach which helps the
study of social change, namely the change in social structure (Radcliffe–Brown, 1957).
However the recent trends in tourism development schemes – projected as sustainable, nature
based, soft, green and ecotourism ventures has generated considerable public debate and
concern due to their potential serious implications on nature and society, particularly in
developing countries.
At a social level, balanced tourism favors contacts between holiday makers and local
population. As a result, encouragement of cultural exchanges and ethnic relations take place
between two countries (Chettri 2007). If planned in this way tourism undoubtedly provides
positive socio-cultural advantages (Bisht 1994).
Tourism can play a key role in the development of the remote mountain areas.
Development of tourism activities may help in the diversification of the mountain economy,
and provide viable alternative livelihood opportunities for the mountain people. In view of
limited industrial growth in Sikkim, tourism can become a potential source of income
generation in the remote hilly regions and generate employment opportunities to the local
community. Over recent years this area has experienced significant changes as a result of
tourism growth. Since 1990, there has been a tremendous growth in visitation number (Rai &
Sundriyal, 1997).
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Over the last three decades, there has been growing debate on the magnitude of
tourism in developing countries, and its impacts and implications in the host regions are
enormous. Due to tremendous growth and its adverse consequences in the host region, the
concept of tourism has now changed from mass tourism to ecotourism/responsible
tourism/nature oriented tourism. The concept is now gaining overwhelming response (Rai,
Lepcha, and Sharma). Ecotourism is an exciting new venture, which combines the pleasure
of discovering spectacular flora and fauna, and understanding their values with an
opportunity to contribute to their protection. By harbouring environmental, both among local
people and visitors, and by linking tourism to social and economic development, it is
possible to conserve the natural and cultural heritage of an area, and to improve the living
standards of host region inhabitants. Ecotourism is the largest growing sector with an
estimated annual growth rate of 10-15%. Amongst all international visitors (528 million),
nature tourists comprise 40-60% (211-317 million, contributing an international direct
economic impact of US$ 166-250 billion), and that of 20-40% are wildlife related tourists
(106-211 million, contributing an international direct economic impact of US$ 83-166
billion) (TES 1995). It is an alternative form of tourism that promotes positive tourism-
environment linkages, and at the same time, the host regions can take pride in what they
have to offer for their people and the tourists.
For a number of developing countries, their natural environments continue to be a
source of significant economic benefits, attracting international and domestic visitors often
in search of an authentic natural and, to a lesser degree, cultural experience. Tourism
associated with natural and protected areas has been and continues to be a growing sector in
the global tourism industry (Whelan, 1991; Brandson, 1996). Of the estimated $55 billion in
tourism receipts in the Third World, a significant portion of this in the early 1990s was the
result of nature tourism activities (Whelan, 1991). Although not always concerned with
protected areas, it is estimated that annual global expenditure on adventure-related travel
amounts to $110 billion (Adventure Travel Society, 1998). Conservative estimates of the
growth in demand for nature-related tourism range from 10 to 15 per cent while more
optimistic forecasts go up to 30 per cent (Brandon, 1996), the variation due primarily to
differences in the definition of the types of tourism included. Although difficult to
generalize, for many developing countries, their natural heritage is a primary attraction for
international visitors and the increasing number of domestic tourists.
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The number of tourists visiting the Himalayan region is growing very fast during the
recent years. The data on tourists’ flow in the Himalayan region is not properly recorded and
maintained; though its implications and contribution in mountain economy are quite
significant. The share of domestic tourism in the economy of the region is overwhelming.
The western, central, and eastern Himalayan regions host about 96% domestic tourists of
the total visitors’ flow (AME 1995a, 1995b; Rai and Sundriyal, 1997). The concept of
domestic tourism is not properly accounted. The magnitude of tourist flow may testify to the
increasing economic importance of tourism. The sector contributed about Rs 200 to 250
crores annually to the state economy (AME 1995a, 1995b; Rai and Sundriyal, 1997). Of late
ecotourism has emerged as an important activity in the Himalayan region which includes
trekking, mountaineering river rafting and other nature oriented activities and attracts both
domestic and foreign tourists.
Ecotourism has been defined as a form of nature-based tourism in the marketplace,
but it has also been formulated and studied as sustainable development tool by NGOs,
development experts and academics since 1990. The term ecotourism, therefore, refers on
one hand to a concept under a set of principles, and on the other hand to specific market
segment. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1991 produced one of the earliest
definitions: “Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment
and sustains the well being of local people.” IUCN (now called the World Conservation
Union) stated in 1996 that “eco-tourism is environmentally responsible travel and visitation
to relatively undisturbed areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any
accompanying cultural features - both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low
negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of
local populations.”
In other words, ecotourism is the symbiotic relationship between tourism and
environment which benefits the socio-economic condition of local inhabitants and at the
same time promotes tourism and protects the environment. By harbouring environmental
awareness both among local people and visitors, and by linking tourism to social and
economic development, it is potentially possible to conserve the natural and cultural heritage
of an area, and to improve the living standards of host region inhabitants. Ecotourism, if
developed responsibly and managed properly, can become a powerful instrument/strategy for
the biodiversity conservation. It is a form of tourism that promotes positive tourism-
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environment linkages, and at the same time, the host regions can take pride in what they
have to offer for their people and the tourists.
Ecotourism has a growing niche market within the larger travel industry, with the
potential of being an important sustainable development tool. With billions of dollars in
annual sales, ecotourism is a real industry that seeks to take advantage of market trends. At
the same time, it frequently operates quite differently than other segments of the tourism
industry, because ecotourism is defined by its sustainable development results: conserving
natural areas, educating visitors about sustainability, and benefiting local people.
Ecotourism is a small but rapidly growing industry working within a niche market
that is governed by market forces and regulations. Ecotourism is primarily advertised as
being equivalent to nature tourism in the market place. Some countries, companies and
destinations have social and environmental policies and programs, which others do not. This
has led to confusion worldwide about the meaning of the tourism as it is applied in the
marketplace. In ecotourism the prime motivation is the observation and appreciation of
natural features and related cultural assets, whereas in adventure tourism it is rather the
physical exercise and challenging situations in natural environments.
Statement of the Problem
Tourism is an industry that currently affects the society and livelihoods of many of the
world’s poor, both positively and negatively. Impacts vary between poor people,
destinations, and types of tourism. A reduction in world poverty is also an internationally
agreed priority and targets have been set to halve poverty by the year 2015. Achieving
poverty reduction requires actions on a variety of complementary fronts and scales, but a
prerequisite of significant progress is pro-poor growth - growth which benefits the poor.
Tourism is not very different from other productive sectors, but it has potential advantages
for pro-poor growth because:
It is a diverse industry. This increases the scope for wide participation, including the
participation of the informal sector.
It has higher potential for linkage with other local enterprises because customers
come to the destination;
It is relatively labor intensive and employs a high proportion of women;
It has potential in poor countries and areas with few other competitive exports;
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Tourism is highly dependent upon natural capital (e.g. wildlife, scenery) and cultural
capital. These are assets that some of the poor have, even if they have no financial
resources.
Tourism products can be built on natural resources and culture which are assets that
some of the poor have.
Many disadvantages of tourism such as leakage and volatility of revenue are common
to other economic sectors. But tourism may involve greater trade-offs with local livelihoods
through more competition for natural resources. The challenge is to enhance the many
positive impacts it can have (Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim).
Sikkim Himalaya is a site of high biodiversity value, and one that is facing growing
threats from a variety of sources including commercial logging, farming practices and
tourism. As concern grows over the loss of both natural and cultural heritage in this region,
attention is turning to strategies, which seek to link conservation with tourism development
and generate incentives to conserve the resources on which economic benefits depend.
Sikkim is growing in popularity, and likely to attract increasing number of tourists in the
visiting area’s cultural sites and protected areas of high biodiversity value. The economic
significance of tourism industry is multifarious. Tourism development has a great deal of
appeal for its role in the economic development of remote mountain regions and its impact
on local society, economy, and the environment.
The tourist arrivals in Sikkim have increased by 176% between 1990 and 2003. No
doubt, tourism has contributed to a fast rise in State Domestic Product (SDP) and
employment in Sikkim. However, the benefits have not reached most of the poor who
continue to lag behind due to lack of opportunities and unsupportive tourism
legislations/regulations. The present pattern of tourism in Sikkim is Gangtok-centric and
holiday motivated. There is also an imbalance in the distribution of income between rural
and urban areas necessitating an imperative need for more integration of tourism in the rural
economy.
The problems facing the region call for the promotion of activities that are based on
the region’s comparative advantage, which help in the diversification of the mountain
economy, provide alternative livelihood opportunities for the local people and at the same
time actively promote environmental care so that the twin issues of economic development
and environmental degradation can be simultaneously addressed. Tourism in the mountains
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has the potential of addressing all these concerns and providing alternative and environment
friendly income and employment opportunities across the region.
As concern grows over the loss of natural heritage in the area, it appears that this is
the ideal time to facilitate ecologically and socially responsible tourism at key destinations to
conserve the biological diversity of the area. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to
provide empirical evidence on the environmental, economic and social impacts of ecotourism
in Sikkim.
Objectives of Research
The objectives of this research proposal may be outlined as follows:
1. To understand the importance of ecotourism as an alternative livelihood in rural
Sikkim
2. To gauge the impact of ecotourism on village economy.
3. To measure the extent of the impact of ecotourism on village society.
4. To understand the role of ecotourism in the conservation of environment.
Review of Literature
Literature on Eco-tourism
Many authors have depicted eco-tourism as the means to achieve conservation
oriented rural economic development in ecologically rich areas. Many say that eco-tourism is
the only powerful answer to conserve and sustain tourism for future. According to Ceballos–
Lascurain (1996) eco-tourism is “traveling to relatively undisturbed areas with the specific
objective of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals as
well as any existing cultural manifestations found in these areas”. Black (2006) defined eco-
tourism as an experience with a focus on the natural and cultural environment, as
ecologically sustainable activity, an activity with a pre-dominant educative and interpretive
programme and an activity that contributes to the local community groups and projects and to
the conservation of the surrounding environment. Eco-tourism has recently come to be
regarded as the panacea that enables us to aggressively seek tourism dollars with no obvious
damage to the ecosystems (Yadav 2002).
According to Butler (1992), Healy (1992) and Ceballos-Lascurian (1996), nature
tourism denotes all tourism directly dependent on the use of natural resources in a relatively
undeveloped state, including scenery, topography, water features, vegetation and wildlife etc.
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Thus it includes hunting, countryside motor biking, and white-water rafting, even if the use
of the natural resources by the tourist is neither wise nor sustainable. Like traditional tourism,
it can be negatively influenced by various external factors. This accounts for its instability as
a source of income. Nevertheless, nature based tourism (which includes ecotourism) is a
rapidly growing sector of the tourism economy. Its global value for 1988 has been estimated
to have been as high as US$1 trillion (Filion et al.1992).
“Ecological tourism” or “Ecotourism” as defined by IUCN’s Ecotourism Program is
“environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in
order to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes conservation, has low visitor impacts, and
provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local population” (Ceballos-
Lascurain 1993). The Ecotourism Society definition is similar: “ecotourism is responsible
travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local
people” (Boo, 1990, Blangy & Wood 1992, Lindberg & Hawkins 1993, Hvenegaard &
Dearden 1998).
Wallace (1992) observes, ecotourism operators have begun to form partnerships with
protected area managers and local people, with the intention of contributing to the long-term
protection of natural resources and local development and in the hope of improving mutual
understanding between hosts and visitors (Wallace 1992). Ecotourism is reliant on natural
phenomena in relatively undisturbed sites (Boyed et al.1992), such as protected areas. Before
being promoted, the impacts of ecotourism must be thoroughly examined in the context of a
protected area’s mandate. Tour operators call themselves “ecotourism operator, with varying
standards for conservation and development goals. However, monitoring has been proposed
recently for some jurisdictions” (Allcock et al.1994).
According to Hammond et al (1995), Ecotourism has strong correlations with
sustainable tourism, which contains economic, ecological, social and cultural dimensions to
be assessed and this requires developing Criteria and Indicators (C&I) in all respects. These
C&I should be multidisciplinary, covering all aspects of social, environmental, ecological,
cultural, economic and institutional factors affecting sustainable ecotourism in this national
park.
Our sages and saints have been moving to mountains, meadows and streams and
experiencing elevation of mind that close contact and communion with nature produces.
They understood that man and nature were not two separate entities but an enmeshed part of
the same organic entity and the same divine spirit (Jag Mohan, 2002). With the evolution of
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pilgrim tourism mountains became the destination for peace seekers, healers and mediators.
Later with the growth of adventure tourism, mountains became the playground for trekkers
and mountaineers. The mountain world today is in perilous ecological state. The biophysical
and socio-economic resource base is undergoing disastrous impoverishment due to human
action. Being an environment friendly activity eco-tourism aims at promoting environmental
values and ethics in preserving nature in an uninterrupted form. It thus benefits wildlife and
nature by contributing towards ecological integrity (A.B.Chettri, unpublished thesis).
Bisht (1994) observes that at a social level, balanced tourism favors contacts between
holiday makers and local population. As a result, encouragement of cultural exchanges and
ethnic relations take place between two countries .If planned in this way tourism undoubtedly
provides positive socio-cultural advantages. Tourism brings investment. The tackling of
certain social problems, opening of schools and dispensaries and revival of old customs and
style along the trek route to Everest in Solu Khumbu district of Nepal is yet another example
of humanizing tourism and making it more acceptable and trauma-free for local people.
Tourism helps in building society by introducing planned development. As per the
requirement of tourists, amenities are provided and similar planning is carried out in a society
.This helps local people in planning their surrounding.
Some authors are more skeptical of the true objective of eco-tourism and do not see it
as a solution to the destructive aspects of tourism. “The recent tendency to qualify tourism in
ecologically-sensitive areas like forests and coasts as ‘eco-tourism' or ‘nature tourism' is a
terminology that is applied for the convenience of tourism service-providers. The very
reason why the tourism industry opted for this terminology was because wherever tourism is
practised, it has proven to be detrimental to the environment and the social fabric of local
communities. So, rather than changing what you are doing, the solution has been to simply
change what you call it. Not tourism but eco-tourism,” states a draft paper ‘Biodiversity and
Tourism' prepared by the Bangalore-based group Equations.
According to Sekhsaria, environmental activist and author of Troubled Islands -- a
compilation of his writings on the indigenous peoples and environment of the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands: “Eco-tourism is like a wave sweeping through wild and natural India,
capitalizing on the diversity and beauty of this country's rich and varied natural heritage. It
does not matter that our forests, grasslands, wetlands and rivers are the very basis of our life
systems. Across the length and breadth of this country, from Maharashtra to West Bengal,
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from Kerala to Uttaranchal, the eco-tourism juggernaut is on the roll, particularly in those
areas that are being protected and conserved for wildlife.”
According to a World Tourism Organization report, tourism has the unique capacity
of generating trade and investment directly at the local level, as tourists and entrepreneurs
seek new destinations. It can contribute significantly to rural development, agricultural
transformation, community enrichment and social empowerment. But this must be balanced
with the tremendous pressure on natural, cultural and socio-economic environments of
popular places of tourist interest. Many of the claims concerning the benefits of ecotourism
have been exaggerated, or owe more to labelling and marketing, as such projects are often
planned and carried out without local support, and indeed threaten rather than benefit local
peoples cultures, their subsistence economies and life sustaining natural resource base. It is
because of this that critics regard ecotourism more as an ‘eco-façade’ and as a tactic to
conceal the consumptive and exploitative practices of the mainstream tourism industry – by
greening it (Fernandez 1994, Munt 1994).
Literature on Sikkim
Sikkim, a small mountainous State in the Eastern Himalayas has its own identity of
social structure, economic life and cultural values. Diversified physiographic features of
Sikkim provide structural diversity in the ethnic population. The Sikkim Himalayan people
have a diverse nature of Socio-economic characteristics and this diversity is measured in
terms of their social status and economic structure. However the developmental activity
comparatively seems to be taking its shape in economic passion and social organization for
successive years. The socio-cultural and economic set up of Sikkim reveals that population is
growing in numbers followed by rapid development of infrastructure development. When we
consider the cultural impact of tourism, poor sector sometimes loses its moral values in
tourism process (Jina 1994). Cultural and Social change takes place through a number of
factors slowly over a period of time (Bezbaruah, 1999).
Hooker (1855), a British naturalist, first studied and described social institutions of
Sikkim. In his report he gives an account of his travel in Sikkim and discusses the history and
religion in Sikkim. Latham’s descriptive ethnology offers information on the Murmi, Kirata,
Limbo, Bodo and Lepcha races of Sikkim. Risley (1894) edited the “Gazetteer of Sikhim”.
The gazetteer gives detailed historical, geographical, botanical and zoological accounts of
Sikkim. White (1908), the first British Political Officer posted in Sikkim gave a vivid
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account of the origin of its people in “Sikkim and Bhutan: Twenty-one years on Northeast
Frontier 1887-1908”. The History of Sikkim, written by ninth Chogyal of Sikkim Thutob
Namgyal and Gyalmo Yeshay Dolma, Queen of Sikkim, (1908) offers a fascinating account
of the origin of Sikkim and of the Namgyal dynasty that ruled over Sikkim between 1641-
1975. However the account is till 1908, which is the year this text was compiled. It talks
about the culture and history of Sikkim and gives interesting accounts regarding various
important places including the setting up of various monasteries in Sikkim. It offers valuable
insight into the history of various communities of Sikkim and also gives the pedigree of
leading families of Sikkim. It is perhaps the only authentic indigenous work on Sikkim with
its sources including the Holy Buddhist (Pechaas) scriptures of Sikkim. “Excerpts from
history of Sikkim” by Rocks also contains excerpts from the main body of the book, “The
History of Sikkim”. He also gives an ethnographic profile of the Bhutias, Lepchas, Limbus,
and Mangars. Stocks (1925) wrote about “Folklore and Religious Belief of the People of
Sikkim”. It is an anthropological study which contains the religious rites and customs of the
inhabitants of Sikkim. “Reflection on Tibetan Culture”, Essays in memory of Turell. V.
Wylie contains an essay by Leo Rose, which highlights the historical background of the state
of Sikkim. He touches upon the traditional political institutions in Sikkim under the Namgyal
dynasty and the changes that took place in Sikkim because of contact with neighboring states
of Tibet, British India and Nepal. In fact he makes a historical perspective of modern Sikkim.
Bhasin (1989) in her book, “Ecology, Culture and change: Tribal of Sikkim Himalayas”,
used a micro approach to study the Dzongu reserve, and Lachung valleys. It focuses on the
interplay between ecology and socio-cultural environment. Kotturan (1983) in “The
Himalayan Gateway” depicted Sikkim’s history, culture and its nature. He also collected the
“Folk Tales of Sikkim” (1989), which is a collection of tales of mythological nature, some of
which have moral teaching and some are humorous. Desai (1988) in her book “Eco-system
and Ethnic constellation of Sikkim” has examined the process of transformation in the state
of Sikkim as result of changing human activities. The Anthropological Survey of India
launched the People of India Series in 1985 to prepare anthropological profile of all
communities. As a part of this project the state of Sikkim was studied and a bio-cultural and
linguistic profile of 25 communities was prepared. Dhamala (1993) edited the 39 th volume of
“People of India, Sikkim”. In 1988, a society called ‘Himalayan Today’ was founded at
Gangtok by a group of people drawn from public and academic life. It was a research
organization, which laid emphasis on culture, society and economy of Himalayan Region. A
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special volume on society, culture and economy of Sikkim edited by Lama was brought by
the society.
From a review of the literature available on eco-tourism impacts in Sikkim it is seen
that considerable work has gone into establishing the importance of eco-tourism as a
conservation and natural resources management tool; some work has even focused on the
possibility of promoting eco-tourism as a means of village development but there is an
information gap on the quantitative impacts of eco-tourism on the village economy and its
social impacts in terms of changes that occur to traditional social institutions due to exposure
to alien culture. This study will probe these aspects of the current development scenario of
the State.
Research Questions
The increasing economic importance of tourism has captured the attention of most
countries. However, the global growth of tourism poses a significant threat to cultural and
biological diversity. Eco-tourism in Sikkim, which has a forest cover of more than 46% of
the geographical area with its exquisite flora and fauna apart from scenic values of its
landscapes, must therefore impact on the village economy, as villagers provide the support
mechanisms for eco-tourism. It must also impact on the indigenous social elements in so
much as there will be a socio-cultural invasion and therefore infusion of an alien culture into
the local settings.
The research project will seek to answer the following questions:
1. Has there been an increase in per capita income due to tourism related activities?
2. Has the eco-tourism led to self-sufficiency of the village economy and a reduction in
dependence on govt.?
3. Is the impact more or less on different ethnic groups or is it evenly spread across all
sections of the village community?
4. Is eco-tourism a sustainable venture for the village and if so, what are the conditions
that need to be sustained for eco-tourism to sustain itself?
5. Has there been a cultural invasion as a result of the eco-tourism? and
6. If so, is the Govt./PRI/CBO/local society/Non-government agency doing anything to
preserve the indigenous culture?
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Research Hypothesis
Mass tourism may have an adverse effect on social behavior, attitudes, and religious
sentiments, traditional as well as on the economy. Among some of the adverse impacts of
tourism in Sikkim there is evidence of changes in socio-cultural outlook. However, the
employment generated through tourism, especially eco-tourism, has resulted in providing
means of sustenance to those who are living near the forested areas and are no longer
dependent on the sale (illegal or legal) of forest products. This has led to biodiversity
conservation which in turn provided pleasant landscapes for eco-tourism.
Methodology
At least two major ecotourism destinations in Sikkim will be selected as study sites.
A descriptive cross sectional research design will be used for the study comprising of
questionnaire surveys and group discussions with the different stakeholders to ecotourism in
the study site. As the population consists of numerous and scattered small units, normally no
up-to-date lists exist which can be used as the sampling frame. Consequently, a multistage,
area-based design is required, just as in typical household surveys (Verma 1992). The sample
design considerations for informal sector survey comprise sample size, stratification,
selection of area units and listing.
Questionnaire surveys will be conducted with ecotourism service providers (like
guides, animal operators, trek cook and porters), hotel and lodge operators and tea
shopkeepers and foreign and Indian tourists. Semi structured informal interviews will also be
used to obtain appropriate information. Apart from the above, the methodology will be based
on the final destination level Criteria and Indicators (C&I). Informal interactions will also be
conducted with ‘home stay’ representatives, village youth. Visits will be also made to the
police check post for collecting data on international and domestic tourists. Transect walks
will be conducted at the ecotourism sites for gauging the level of impact of ecotourism in
these areas.
For developing C&I, participants from different parts of Sikkim representing
community based NGOs working in the field of ecotourism development and conservation,
students, forest department personnel, JFM and EDC members and local community
members from the nearby villages will be interviewed.
In order to determine the economic benefits of nature-based tourism in the selected
tourist spots, a detailed schedule will be developed. Part 1 of the schedule will be to obtain
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the background information on the visitor’s current visit to the selected spot; part 2 will
include data on travel costs involved with the trip to the selected spots, part 3 and part 4 will
contain the economic valuation questions and visitors’ impressions. The present study on
tourists will be based on multi-stage sampling technique. The tourists will be selected
randomly and the interview will be conducted in two stages.
The study however will have its limitations in the sense that the findings from this
case study may also not be applicable in other parts of the globe as the socio-cultural
situation in the state of Sikkim of India is rather unique to the region and may find its
replicability within India a non-feasible proposition. Despite its limitations the study will
provide some useful insights on some community opinions towards ecotourism. There is
need to develop an applied tool to measure threshold of tourism impacts and change in socio-
economic and environmental status of the site through Criteria and Indicator (C&I) under the
framework of sustainability.
Time Budgeting
The total time needed for completion of the research work is two years. The first six months
will be spent on reviewing the literature and in the collection of secondary data related to the
research work. The next six months will be spent on field surveys to collect primary data and
in collation and compilation of the data so collected. Another year would be needed for data
analysis and writing the thesis.
Tentative Chapterisation of the Thesis
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION: Design of the Thesis
CHAPTER 2 - REVIEW OF LITERATURE
CHAPTER 3 - ECOTOURISM IN SIKKIM: Initiation, Growth and Marketing of
Ecotourism in Sikkim
CHAPTER 4 - CASE STUDY: Ecotourism in select villages
CHAPTER 5 - SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: Indicators of Economic
Development
CHAPTER 6 - IMPACT OF ECO-TOURISM: Impact on Village Economy and Society.
CHAPTER 7 - SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: Suggestion of future management of
Tourism
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Bibliography
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