With a rising demand for nature-based tourism in a growing economy like India, it is imperative we understand how tourism remains an opportunity and does not turn into a cost for the wild places, wildlife and the people we care about. CWS forayed into nature-based tourism research in 2009, with the post-doctoral work of Dr. Krithi Karanth at Columbia University. Initial research projects focused on understanding tourism trends, visitorship, management practices and policies in India’s wildlife reserves. This extended to stakeholder analysis, community perceptions and economics. In-depth field research has been conducted in twenty sites in India and Nepal in collaboration with research institutions and universities.
Your donation will greatly help contribute to the cause of innovative research and reform for all our stakeholders.
Currently, CWS scientists are working on nature-based tourism research in multiple sites across India. Ongoing work encompasses understanding the expenditure and preferences of tourists, trends and patterns of visitation, assessing stewardship by communities and the hospitality sector, evaluating benefits and costs of tourism, and gate fee pricing policies. We have produced several scientific publications and book chapters.
