Eco-tourism often involves visiting remote and fragile ecosystems, which raises concerns about the impact on local cultures and indigenous communities. What problems can this cause?
Band 9 IELTS essay sample
More and more travelers now prefer offbeat destinations in hills and deserts. They visit remote and hitherto unexplored places with sensitive ecology. While traveling to such places is a unique and unforgettable experience for the travelers, these trips also have a negative impact on indigenous communities.
Many travelers now prefer to take the less-trodden path. They visit remote islands, deserts and mountains where there are hardly any facilities for tourists. Travelers prefer such destinations because they want to enjoy the untainted beauty of Mother Nature. Unfortunately, these places also tend to have fragile ecology. For example, recently there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people visiting shrines and other places in the Himalayas. These tourists cause considerable damage to the ecology of these places. To cater to their needs, more facilities are being built. For example, new roads and resorts are being built. This hurts the local ecology and often leads to catastrophic natural disasters.
Travelers visiting remote places also pose a threat to the indigenous communities. These people have no contact with the world outside and they have no immunity against many pathogens affecting us. Travelers often introduce germs that are deadly to the natives and cause massive outbreaks of epidemics that can even wipe out these communities. Sometimes, tribal people who are the natives of these places do not take too kindly to travelers. For example, India’s Andaman Nicobar Islands are home to some tribal communities that shun all contacts with the world outside. Travelers trying to befriend them often run the risk of getting murdered. Travelers have an impact on local cultures too. For example, tourists may bring in unhealthy foods and beverages with them. Over time, these foods and drinks will seriously alter traditional and healthy eating habits of natives. Even their style of clothing may change.
In conclusion, eco-tourism definitely has its plus points. However, it has some downsides too. Ecologically sensitive areas are ill-equipped to cope with the influx of travelers. Any attempt to build tourist facilities in such places can lead to natural disasters. Tourists also expose natives to bacteria and viruses that are deadly to them.
Key vocabulary
Offbeat destinations – places that are not on the conventional tourist maps
Hitherto – until now
Indigenous communities – people who are native to a particular place
Less-trodden path – less traveled path
Untainted – pure, not contaminated
Shun – avoid, ignore
Pathogens – disease causing organisms
