Eco-tourism is a rising form of tourism that is aimed at preserving the environment from the harmful impact of regular tourists. Eco-tourism involves the promotion of wildlife conservation and encourages visiting naturally untouched places. However, many scientists consider eco-tourism as the one causing a detrimental impact on wildlife.
Firstly, as much as eco-activists say that eco-tourism is beneficial for the wilderness, many studies prove otherwise. The researchers claim that disturbing never-before touched wilderness may be a significant threat to the fauna and wildlife (Putois 2016). Subsequent to assessing animals’ behavior, it was discovered that they act more indifferent to the surrounding events after communicating with humans, which poses a significant threat of predation. The disturbance of natural habitat by humans can also lead to habitat fragmentation, which will disarrange all wildlife and could potentially lead to the loss of individual species. The delicate nature system does not handle outside interruption and external elements well; minimal interference may cause harmful consequences for the species living there. Some examples of the detrimental impact of human disruption are the scare of prey and disruption of hunting patterns, soil erosion, etc. Therefore, wildlife suffers from eco-tourism more than benefits from it.
Local people that have lived nearby the untouched wilderness for centuries suffer from eco-tourism as well. More than 8 billion people visit protected wildlife areas every year (Putois 2016). Many tourism companies claiming to provide eco-touristic activities usually do not discuss it with residents who rarely support such invasion in their community. In some cases, local residents are forced to be relocated and leave their homes for hotels and recreational buildings to be built in that place. Such a model of behavior is not ecologically friendly in any way. An example of such an invasion happened in East Africa, where native residents (Maasai’s) were forced out of their land illegally, with no material compensation for the creation of the so-called national parks and recreational facilities.
In conclusion, even though eco-tourists follow only good intentions while going on such trips, they are usually unaware of what consequences their visits may cause. The detrimental impact of eco-tourism on wildlife is already scientifically proved, and cases of relocation of native citizens have been shown in numerous media. Therefore, before going on such an eco-friendly trip, one must consider all the benefits and their detrimental effects.
Work Cited
Putois, Anissa. “The Downside of Ecotourism: What Happens When Humans Interact with Animals.” One Green Planet, One Green Planet, 2016. Web.