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.
Katie Day on 13 Jul 10CRIN empowers the global child rights community through the exchange of information and the promotion of children's rights. CRIN has 2,186 member organisations. There are 20,226 information resources on the site.
