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Environment
The growth of Tourism can help protect our biodiversity. The best example could be UNESCO World Heritage Site Kaziranga National Park, the greatest success story of wildlife conservation - with the main target species being the ‘One Horned Rhinos’ (Rhinoceros Unicornis). This endangered species saw a stable growth over the years (2048 as per 2009 census) thanks to the painstaking efforts of the forest department with active assistance from the local villagers. The government funds are not alone enough to fund the park, so it is tourism which is bringing a large chunk of funds to the government exchequer. At the same time Kaziranga has witnessed local participation in tourism over the years in the form of providing tourist facilities. A good number of naturalists have already come out of the area and more are on the line. Thus there is constant awareness among the local populace regarding conservation of wildlife and the benefits of tourism both to wildlife conservation and economic growth of the population.
Community
Manas reopened a few years back after virtual seizure by militants for a decade forcing the UNESCO authorities to place it as a World Heritage Site in danger. During the chaotic decade the poachers had a free run and the rhinoceros became extinct, as it is the prime target of the poachers. However, recently a few rhinos have been reintroduced and their movements are constantly monitored. With the tourists moving in, a gradual growth in tourist infrastructure is in place in the both government and private sector involving the locals. The growth of tourism will bring in more locals once they realize that as long as the wildlife remain they can also make a living by providing tourist facilities, acting as a nature guide or any of the numerous other employment opportunities tourism is bringing to the area. In the eastern part of the park called Kokilabari, a local NGO has set up a force to guard the park with the involvement of the local population which includes former militants as well as poachers. The NGO has set up an eco lodge for the tourists so that funds do not fall short in their effort of protection.
Nameri has seen tourism growth in the recent years. The landscape is scenic, so it draws tourists even without the knowledge of wildlife because of its mesmerizing beauty. There have been rampant felling of trees and settling of people primarily of the Bodo tribe from outside the region in the reserve forests on the western side of the Jiabhoroli river which forms the western boundary to the park. These forests have been acting as the buffer zone to the park. With the growth of tourism, there will be more employment generation and awareness amongst people for conservation and thus such activities will come down.
Orang is the park which is yet to see tourism growth. It lacks horribly in local participation. Only recently a tourist lodge has come up from the Assam Government. The infrastructure is so poor that the park does not have a single safari jeep. Only bold Tour operators like us who have a strong sense of conservation bring tourists here and they arrange the safari jeeps from Kaziranga some 3 hrs away. Most of the tour operators skip this park because of lack of infrastructure.
The growth of tourism will bring in awareness amongst the locals and that is a big success in conservation of our biodiversity which is one of the hotspots on this earth. The biodiversity of North East India has a definite role in keeping the earth cool in these horrific times of global warming.
The Manas & Orang lodges are owned by Assam Tourism, but leased out to private parties of Assam to manage. Eco camp is a joint venture of Assam Bhoreli Angler’s Association & the forest Department, Assam Govt. This is also managed by an Assamese company based at Guwahati. Wild Grass is owned by a group of Assamese entrepreneurs.
Most of the employees are locales of the areas of location barring a few management employees who are from rest of Assam.Since all the accommodations are located in Wildlife destinations, the management & employees are sensitive to nature.
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