Friday, August 8, 2008 - 11:10 AM

COS 109-10: Visitors impacts on vegetation: Wildlife and surrounding area of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, India

Kalpana Mungali, Kumaun University

Background/Question/Methods

Protected areas are the main attraction of tourism. The frequent visit of the visitors always responsible to degradation of natural vegetation and sometimes disturb the   wildlife of the particular area. This relationship is true within and the adjacent area of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Himalayan wildlife, breathtaking natural beauty of unique vegetation, beautiful snow caped mountains, rich cultural diversity, socio economic traditions, history and the life styles always attract nature lovers, scientist and cultural tourist from all over the world to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining areas. Around two hundred fifty visitors visit Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary every month. This high dependency of visitors always created some disturbances related to environment, wildlife, and culture in and adjacent area of Binsar Sanctuary.

Results/Conclusions

The present study focus on the impacts of visitors inside and adjacent area of the sanctuary. Data sets related on the impact were collected through the detailed questionnaire based survey based on personal interview with local inhabitants and park managers. The Questionnaire based on a variety of impacts affected trails, wildlife, water, attraction features, vegetation cover loss and other resources. Impact assessment was based on rating systems. However, there is no positive relationship was found between the tourism and conservation perspectives. Local inhabitants were not satisfied with the visitor’s activities and they are able to identify the tourist disturbed areas. This also focus on the identification of the disturbance factors, and disturbed area due to visitor’s activities with the collaboration of park managers and local inhabitants for sustainable tourism in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, and to create the eco-tourism zone for  protecting biological species and sanctuary area.