ROLE OF ECO-TOURISM FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION: W.R.T. MAREDUMILLI, ECO-TOURISM PROJECT, ANDHRA PRADESH STATE, INDIA
Teki Surayya
Professor and Dean academic affairs Adikavi Nannaya University (Autonomous body under Government of Andhra Pradesh, India) Rajahmundry-533105, India. website www.nannayauniversity.infoPhone: 91-8121692457 and +91-883-2472616-17,
Chairman of Indonesian Agricultural Economics Association of Palembang
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ABSTRACT
Maredumilli community based eco-tourism project, Vana Vihari (excursion to forest) Maredumilli forest village, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Project was developed by Government forest department and give to communities. A management committee of 18 members manages project on their own. Project is presently self sustaining. Average monthly revenues is INR 0.1 million out of which wages INR 54000, electricity overheads 15000 and 1500 to forest department fee and maintenance 5000 to be incurred per month. Remaining revenue realized from the project is allocated to promote health of forest. Findings of study show that Vana Vihari, provides livelihoods to 68 families. 5th day of every month project community general meeting is being held to make necessary decisions. Impact of project is visible in many folds; a) local communities have become entrepreneurs and 68 households, directly or indirectly getting their livelihood, b) degradation of ecosystem has been decreased through community based ecotourism management c) forest canopy has been improved significantly that is contributing for climate change mitigation and rural development and d) local communities have become safeguards against exploitation of natural forest resources and forest protection force. The main objective of the study was to evaluate impact of project in terms of the project’s role - a) providing livelihoods local rural communities, b) protecting natural forest against exploitation and c) to measure role of ecotourism in mitigating climate change.
Keywords: Community, Eco-tourism, rural development, Livelihoods, Impact