A Study on Visitor Impact Management at Eravikulam National Park for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Tourism and recreation in protected areas are one of the fast-growing sectors of tourism, where the tourist attraction is provided by relatively undisturbed natural environments (Das and Syiemlieh, 2009).Visitor Management is an important tool in recreational and PA s, as an increase in use levels can negatively impact the quality of recreational experience as well as natural resources (Candrea and Ispas, 2009). The Indian state of Kerala hosts several popular wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks. Among the National Parks of Kerala, Eravikulam National Park located in Munnar, was selected as the study area. ENP attracts lakhs of visitors per year which is an abode of Neelakurinji species that blooms once in 12 years and the major viable population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hypocrisy). ENP is also the largest stretch of the undisturbed Shola-Grassland ecosystem in the Western Ghats. Tourism Activities and visitation may have significant detrimental effects on the national park and may build up permanent degradation, to the biodiversity of the national park. In this backdrop, the research work was carried out to focus on the factors influencing Visitor Impact Management at Eravikulam National park for Sustainable Development. The study was conducted in Two Phases. Phase I was conducted as pilot study at Parambikulam Tiger and Phase II was conducted at Eravikulam National Park, where data is collected with structured questionnaire from visitors. The study identified the socio-economic profile of visitors and its relationship with the study attributes, Factors of Environmental Impacts, Facilities and Visitor Impact Management and Constructs for Visitor Impact Management. The findings from the SEM has thrown light on the factors contributing to Visitor Impact Management for Sustainable Development of the Eravikulam National Park, which may help the National Park Managers in identifying the priority areas for better management and conservations for future generation.