Remote Sensing and GIS based ecotourism planning: A case study for western Midnapore, West Bengal, India

Result and Discussion
Ecotourism activities include bird watching, trekking, mountaineering, horse riding and elephant riding within the forest wilderness trail, staying in natural caves, studying about flora and fauna, simple bush walking, fishing, animal behavior study, ecological studies (Ramaswami,2000)⁶. Based on the existence of the different motivations of ecotourists, the destination area and type of nature tours should be diverse, as a diversified nature of tour industry is more economically viable and stable.

In order to get these informations the ecotourism potential map (Fig 1.6 ) has been analysed (Fig 1.6.1), which shows that 4.42% of area comes under highly potential ecotourism spots followed by 25.67% under moderately potential and 9.62% which comes under low potential are suitable for development of ecotourism infrastructure . Most of these sites fall under Salbani block, where maximum area are covered by forest followed by Garbeta III. These areas are mostly covered by natural dense forest that can be considered for conservation. This forest is a part of elephant migration corridor, from Saranda forest (East Singhbhum, Jharkhand) to the forest of North Bengal(Second Working plan ,1995-2015, Midnapore)¹². The other blocks, Keshpur and Chandrakona I and II are having less ecotourism potential site, and so it can be used for ecotourism infrastructure development.


Planning For Ecotourism Infrastructure In the Study Area
In view of the result, the ecotourism planning can be done which can bring development of this underdeveloped area by employing the local people as well as by infrastructure development. Ecotourism being truly a form of environmentally conscious tourism and not just pursuit of remote pristine locations. It can be made sustainable with continuous capacity to safeguard natural environment as the very basis of tourism attraction (Ramaswami,2000)6.It should also provide and maintain the quality of tourist experience and satisfaction as well as benefit to the local people in the area. To fulfill this purpose, there is need to follow some guidelines which are highlighted below:

1. Sustainable development of ecotourism requires the balance between three elements the tourists, the place and the host community". Therefore, at management level Government should involve local people along with NGO and private organization


2. To maintain visitor satisfaction in crowded locales and protection of natural features, and to maintain high quality of service there is need to assess the carrying capacity of the potential site at planning level.


3. Generally the ecotourism destination is developed in eco-fragile area, which has time specific attraction. The duration of visit and activity pattern of the tourist should be decided by implementing authorities to maintain natural harmony.


4. Proper ecotourism legislation and environmental measures should be framed and along with this strict enforcement measures should be imposed at eco-destination.


5. Along with this there is also need for publicity and advertisement of ecotourism destinations, Environmental group accreditation (tour operator) and adequate funding to maintain the environmental quality of the potential ecotourism destinations.

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