Ecotourism and Sustainable Development of Mountain Communities: A Study of Dhanolti Ecopark in Uttarakhand State of India

The value of ecotourism in creating opportunities for sustainable development of communities and management of ecosystem and environment was studied in the Uttarakhand state of India. This Himalayan state promotes ecotourism in national parks and sanctuaries, apart from exclusive areas created for ecotourism in the form of ecoparks. One such ecopark namely Dhanolti ecopark was surveyed intensively, which is jointly managed by the state forest department and the local communities. The ecopark’s income has continuously increased since its inception and the participatory management practices have also improved its ecosystem and surrounding environmental conditions. The area that was once degraded due to dumping of non-degradable plastic waste is now almost free from such environmental-unfriendly substances. The study further argues that which model is more appropriate for meeting the requirement of ecotourism; whether the national park and sanctuary or the ecopark.