Tourism development and its impact on endangered species: A case study of Nilgiri Thar

Abstract

Munnar is one of the most important Hill Resort of Southern Peninsular India. It is famous for its wide and varied species of flora and fauna. The most important rare species of flora is the Neelakurinji which booms once in 12 years, and fauna is the endangered species of rare Nilgiri Thar, Nilgiri Langur etc. Nilgiri Thar is found only in the Eravikulam National Park. Tourist flow to the sanctuary had adversely affected the lives of the animals especially the Nilgiri Thar in the Eravikulam National Park. After observing the animals, some of the tourists start teasing them and even throws stone and bottles at them. Even certain circumstances had resulted in the injury of the animals. It was observed that the tourists who frequented the sanctuary are the domestic doesn't show any serious interest on the habitats of these rare species. Majority of them depended on the outside economy for their basic needs which also resulted in a diminished flow of income to the local economy. Heavy rush of tourist traffic and vehicular emissions had adversely affected the habitat of the Nilgiri Thar. Various studies had pointed out that, higher the altitude, there will be more than double the impact of pollution in the area. As they are considered as one of the pull factor in the tourism development in the area, sincere effort is needed for further protecting this rare and endangered species of earth.

Citation

Syamlal, G.S. (2002), "Tourism development and its impact on endangered species: A case study of Nilgiri Thar", Tourism Review, Vol. 57 No. 1/2, pp. 50-52. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb058380