The creation of national
parks has undoubtedly helped to protect rainforests. Yet, as
national parks are open to the public, tourism is damaging
some of these areas.
Often, national parks are
advertised to tourists before adequate management plans have
been developed and implemented. Inadequate funding is
allocated for preservation of forests by government
departments. Governments see tourism as an easy way to make
money, and therefore tourism is encouraged whilst strict
management strategies are given far less government support.
Ecotourism, or
environmentally friendly tourism, should educate the tourists
to be environmentally aware. It should also be of low impact
to its environment. Unfortunately, many companies and resorts
who advertise themselves as eco-tourist establishments are in
fact exploiting the environment for profit.
In Cape Tribulation,
Australia, for example, the rainforest is being threatened by
excessive tourism. Clearing for roads and pollution of
waterways are two of the major problems in this area. The Wet
Tropics Management Authority which oversees the surrounding
World Heritage Area is promoting tourism to the area before
any management plans have been formulated, before any
effective waste management strategy has been devised and
before any ecofriendly power alternatives have been fully
explored.
Solutions: The rights
of indigenous forest dwellers and others who depend on intact
forests must be upheld. In instances where there are campaigns
opposing specific tourist developments, they should be supported.
Genuine ecotourism should be preferred to other tourist
enterprises.
Great video talks on poverty -- and great data visualizations
