Legislation and international treaties – an eye opener for Kerala

Legislative measures are also necessary to reduce tourist impacts on wildlife and biodiversity. With respect to consumptive-use tourism, government legislations and close monitoring efforts are essential to ensure that the illegal activities that jeopardize the welfare and natural surroundings of the exotic wildlife species are strictly controlled.

Australia, in compliance with ratified international treaties, has to protect not only its native flora and fauna but also cooperate with other countries in the conservation of globally protected species. Of course hunting kangaroo was allowed due to a phenomenal increase in its population, but hunting should not be allowed with respect to other species that are in the critically endangered list. In states like Kerala trips to wildlife sanctuaries allow a visitor only to witness wildlife from a distance, but without doing any damage to those rare animals.

The income and other benefits generated through wildlife tourism should be equitably shared for the proper management of wildlife in their habitats as well as with the host community the lives around the wildlife sanctuaries.

An integrated research project should go into the short and long-term impact of tourism on

• Wildlife species
• Habitats
• Ecosystems

While the above said aspects can be entrusted to the biologists, experts must also analyze other aspects like

• A study of visitors’ perceptions and expectations
• The measurement of non-economic benefits
• Determining the benefits from wildlife tourism that accrue due to biodiversity conservation efforts and
• Empowering the local communities that live near tourist destinations