Ecotourism
Costa Rica established the National Parks System in 1970 to prevent the destruction of wilderness areas. Now 12 percent of the country is protected as national parks, and a further 16 percent as Indian reserves, biological reserves, wildlife refuges and wildlife corridors. This means that more than a quarter of Costa Rica has been set aside for conservation. Many species that are threatened or even extinct in neighboring countries, still thrive here. The parks envelop complex ecosystems ranging from cloud forest to marsh land, savanna, rain forest and coral reef, and contain extraordinary biodiversity. An international effort is underway to catalog Costa Rica's natural assets, but at the last count, this tiny country was calculated to have just over 237 species of mammals, 857 species of birds, 10,000 insects and over 9,000 species of higher plants, including 1,200 orchids. Most of the national parks are easily accessible to tourists and ecotourism is an important factor in generating the funds needed to continue the protection of the wilderness. Over 290,000 people visit the parks each year but you often get the feeling that you are the only one exploring a park at any given moment.
“Ecotourism” is perhaps the most over-used and mis-used word in the travel industry. But what does it mean? The Ecotourism Society defines it as "responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people". A walk through the rainforest is not eco-tourism unless that particular walk somehow benefits that environment and the people who live there. A rafting trip is only eco-tourism if it raises awareness and funds to help protect the watershed.
7 Points to define Ecotourism:
1) Involves travel to natural destinations. These destinations are often remote areas, whether inhabited or uninhabited, and are usually under some kind of environmental protection at the national, international, communal or private level.
2) Minimizes Impact. Ecotourism strives to minimize the adverse affects of hotels, trails, and other infrastructure by using either recycled materials or available local building materials, renewable sources of energy, recycling and safe disposal of waste and garbage, and environmentally and culturally sensitive architectural design. Minimization of impact also requires that the numbers and mode of behavior of travelers be regulated to ensure limited damage to the ecosystem.
3) Builds environmental awareness. Ecotourism means education, for both travelers and residents of nearby communities. Essential to good ecotourism are well-trained, multilingual naturalist guides with skills in natural and cultural history, environmental interpretation, ethical principles and effective communication. Ecotourism projects should also help educate members of the surrounding community, schoolchildren and the broader public in the host country.
4) Provides direct financial benefits for conservation: Ecotourism helps raise funds for environmental protection, research and education through a variety of mechanisms, including park entrance fees, tour company, hotel, airline and airport taxes and voluntary contributions.
5) Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people: National Parks and other conservation areas will only survive if there are "happy people" around their perimeters. The local community must be involved with and receive income and other tangible benefits (potable water, roads, health clinics, etc.) from the conservation area and it's tourist facilities.
6) Respects local culture: Ecotourism is not only "greener" but also less culturally intrusive and exploitative than conventional tourism. It strives to be culturally respectful and have a minimal effect on both the natural environment and the human population of a host country. Part of being a responsible ecotourist is learning beforehand about the local customs, respecting dress codes and other social norms and not intruding on the community unless either invited or as part of a well organized tour.
7) Supports human rights and democratic movements: Ecotourism demands a more holistic approach to travel, one in which participants strive to respect, learn about and benefit both the local environment and local communities.
DID YOU KNOW?
While only presenting 0.03 percent of the
planet’s surface, Costa Rica is home to
6 percent of the world’s bio-diversity, including
more than 800 species of wild birds.