| DIAL A DESTINATION - Philippines |
ECOTOURISM PROMOTIONS:
The Philippines launched the Social Reform Agenda (SRA) on June 4, 1995 to enable people to have access to opportunities for undertaking sustainable livelihoods espoused under the agenda for change. The SRA is an integrated set of major reforms to enable the citizens to: a) meet their basic human needs and live decent lives; b) widen their share of resources from which they can earn a living or increase the fruits of their labor; and c) enable them to effectively participate in the decision-making process that affects their rights, interests and their welfare.
The enhancement of the SRA resulted in the sharper definition of the social equity, economic, ecological, and democratizing components of the various flagship programs. It also led to the integration of nine flagship programs having impact on all target sectors and ecosystems. At present, here we are promoting the Ecotourism of Philippines.
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| Eco-tourism
Promotion....
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Ecotourism is nature tourism. It is traveling to a relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural area with the specific objective of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wildlife as well as any existing cultural manifestations found in the area.
Ecotourism is an exciting new adventure that combines the pleasures of discovering and understanding the diversity of both flora and fauna with the opportunity to contribute to their protection and to provide an economic justification for conservation of areas that might not receive any protection.
Ecotourism or nature tourism aims to educate both local and foreign tourists on the environment and to promote conservation strategies. The education component consists of an orientation of the place its origins and features, threats and problems encountered, current effort to manage the resources and a tour to the designated area. The tour provides a first hand experience of communicating with the nature even for a short period of time.
Ecotourism is a response that seeks to reduce the negative environmental and cultural impacts of mass or traditional tourism.
Nature tourism combines the elements of science recreation, adventure and sports. It has three dimensions - the hard, soft and hard-soft tourism. Hard tourism refers to the interest in natural history or research travel. Soft tourism is a nature-oriented with interest in beaches, nightlife, deep sea fishing, shopping, culinary pursuits and other attractions. Hard- Soft tourism deals with physical rigors, walking miles into the forest, sleeping in tents or in crude shelters and tolerating primitive sanitary conditions.
Potential sites for Ecotourism:
· The site must have unique natural features, such as landscape, seascapes, caves, etc.
· The site must have a rich and diverse flora and fauna or biological diversity.
· The site can be an ancient burial ground or a historical site.
· The site must be seldom visited but must have a high ecological value.
Code of ethics for action
1. Observe but do not disturb a natural system.
· Move, quietly and carefully, to natural areas so as not to disturb the plants and animals.
· Respect wildlife and nature. Never pick, gather, write or destroy plants and animals and/or rocks, etc. leave them clean and undisturbed.
· Avoid using recordings or loud noises.
· Do not disturb wildlife during sensitive periods, eg., mating season. Spaces.
· Follow only existing trails.
· Use gas stoves in areas where fuel wood is scarce.
· Observe all rules and regulations established for the area.
· Always coordinate spaces for cooking, eating, camping, washing, bathing and other activities with the community or area.
· The highest compliment you can pay Mother Nature is to leave no evidence of your visit.
2. Minimize your impact on the environment
· Leave no litter, plastic, charcoal, etc. Always carry a trash bag for your litter. Deposit trash in duly designated places.
· Use provided toilet facilities. Of no toilets is available, carry a trowel to bury waste and a lighter/match to burn toilet paper. Never dispose of human waste within 25 meters of water source.
· Use biodegradable, coco-based soaps.
· Leave at home extra packaging for food, film, toiletries, etc.
· Do not consume or purchase plants or animal products that are endangered, overexploited and/or harvested- from unmanaged wild populations.
· Do not build campfires where wood is scarce.
· Only use the resources necessary; avoid over consumption, such as water.
3. Act directly to accomplish conservation of natural resources
· Pick up trash left behind by other people.
· Join conversational organizations.
· Support local resource management efforts.
· Donate/support environmental conservation efforts.
· Organize lectures/seminars and exposure trips on the environment for schools, offices and communities. Schools can incorporate eco-tourism in their curriculum - students can conduct activities outdoors such as bird watching, snorkeling, etc.
· Write letters to government officials - Be a personal witness against negative environmental trends with which you have experienced.
· Do not patronize individuals, groups, organizations, etc., which consciously violate environmental regulations and principles.
4. Respect local cultures
· Employ local residents as tour guides.
· Research and learn about the customs, habits, history, concern as well as the dialect of the place you are going to.
· Learn and observe proper local etiquette for greeting, eating and dealing with people of the community.
· Take photographs within the guidelines of the area you are visiting - respect privacy requests.
· Do not wear loud/bold colored clothing or jewelry if you do not fully understand its cultural and/or ritual significance. Dress conservatively and neatly as possible.
· Do not criticize or make unnecessary comments on the cultural practices of the people in the area.
Suggested Guidelines
· The eco-tour or nature tour must be well guided. A knowledgeable tour guide is necessary to provide utmost education to tourist about culture, topography, special attractions of the area, protection of the environment, restricted and danger zones as well as the peace and order situation of the area and the necessary precautions.
(Special Correspondent-Malou, the Marine Biologist)
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