Eco-tourism in a conceptual manner means tourism based on the natural ecological attractions of a destination area. “A form of nature based travel which involves responsible travel to relatively underdeveloped areas to foster an appreciation of nature and local cultures, while conserving the physical and social environment, respecting the aspirations and the traditions of those who are visited, and improving the welfare of local communities”. Eco-tourism can take many forms and magnitudes and is emerging world over as the most focused area of interest for the tourists and consequently, the private investors. Eco-tourism can help to reduce poverty and hunger, a key issue in mountain regions, where a high proportion of the world's poor and food-insecure live. It also has considerable potential for strengthening communities and for protecting mountain ecosystems.
In the present paper an analysis is made to study the potential for eco-tourism that can act as a catalyst for developing marginalized economy of “Har-ki-dun valley in Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand”. The study discusses the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of eco-tourism with particular reference to tourism development and to manage its resources that sustains its cultural integrity & heritage, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, life support systems, physical and social environment in order to attain sustainable development. Further through the paper an attempt has been made to evaluate the carrying capacity of the destination. In this context an empirical research evidences were taken from the study area.
Eco-Tourism, Har-ki-dun, Sustainable development, Ecosystems, Ecological, Nature, Environment
