Tourism and Protected Areas: An Analysis of Conservation Issues

This report examines the impact of tourism on protected areas and the conservation of endangered species. It highlights the threats posed by tourism, such as habitat disruption, pollution, and disturbance to wildlife, and emphasizes the need for ethical behavior and responsible tourism practices. The report discusses how human activities, including noise and waste generation, can negatively affect the lifespan and behavior of endangered animals like elephants, koalas, and blue whales. It also suggests strategies for mitigating these negative effects, including clear demarcation of boundaries, the presence of tour guides to ensure responsible behavior, and awareness programs to educate tourists. The report stresses the importance of continuous management and investment in conservation to protect these vulnerable ecosystems and species.

Running head: TOURISM
Tourism
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1TOURISM
Protected areas refer to such areas where human occupation or the exploitation of
resources is limited. The objective of protected areas is to preserve biodiversity as an indicator
for the progress of conservation. The relationship of wildlife based tourism to conservation has
not led to a positive turn as there are increasing concerns about the sustainability of tourism in
protected areas. Wildlife sanctuaries and preservation of marine endangered species should be
saved from the tourists. However, tourists act as a threat to the protected areas throughout the
world. Tourism is treated as a threat because it is harmful towards the life of these endangered
species in various ways.
Endangered species like elephants, koalas, blue whales are being harmed due to human
beings. Tourists while visiting a wildlife sanctuary tend to disturb these species and make them
aggressive by making excessive noise and unethical behavior. The species get irritated and
refuses to eat. Such behavior of the tourists also changes the behavior of the species. Human
activities harm the life span of the endangered animals. Many a time’s tourists tend to generate
waste inside the sanctuaries or seas. Consumption of such toxic materials is dangerous for the
species. Loss of habitat and polluted water affects the terrestrial ecosystems.
Strategies have been established to reduce the level f threats in protected areas.
Demarcation of boundaries should be given clearly to the tourists. Tourism guides must be
present in the sanctuary while the tourists are taking a tour. Guides must ensure that tourists
should not harm the endangered species in any way. Awareness programs must be provided to
the tourists so that they behave ethically and decently with the species. Continuous management
of protected areas is an essential principle for all the protected area managers. However, the
establishment of a reserve is the start of investment in conservation.

2TOURISM