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Eco-travel operations frequently fail to live up to their conservation ideals, as a growing influx of visitors may exert strong pressures on fragile ecosystems and lead to their degradation with a consequent loss of biodiversity. Visitors represent an increase in population, however temporary, and their demands on local resources can require the installation of additional infrastructure, produce large amounts of waste and pollution, and further the degradation of fragile ecosystems. Even a harmless-sounding activity like a nature hike can be destructive, as hikers can contribute to soil erosion and damage plants along the forest floor. Moreover visitors who go to view wildlife can scare animals away from their feeding and nesting sites.
"After cross a small stream, a student
group
resting
on the
nature-education
trail
inside
the gibbon territory."
(K0009 @Phamon Sumphanthamitr)
It is difficult to know how many people can visit the ecologically sensitive area like KPT forest in a day without disrupting the forest ecology. Low numbers are intended to assure a quality "experience" for visitors seeking to enjoy nature, as well as to minimize disturbances to wildlife. There is now an understanding that there is a limited number of people that can visit an area before that area is adversely affected, but deciding that number is often very difficult. However an overcrowding of visitors in KPT forest with project activities may not happen, because of the issues explained below.
 1. A limited number of local experienced bilingual ecologicalist leaders.
The local experienced bilingual ecology leaders at present are staff and volunteers from WARF. Currently five members of staff fit the criteria necessary to lead trekking field trips, but these individuals are already occupied with their full time positions at the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project. A training program will be devised by WARF for KPT staff and villagers who wish to participate as leaders in the program. This training will take time and experience will need to be gained before the individuals are able to lead visiting groups into the forest. Leaders will have to gain an acceptable level of English to be able to communicate with groups and make them aware of any dangers they may be faced with. Lack of communication, or misinterpretation could affect the visitors experience and reflect badly on the project as a whole.
"Apart from the gibbon reintroduction tasks in
KPT forest, the staff take
on many responsibilities
such as
conservation education, rescuing and
caring for injured wild animals,
public
relations,
official work, fund raising,
research on ecology, biodiversity,
socio-economics etc."
(K0011 @Owart Maprang) |
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2. Lack of funds to set up the project.
At the present, the worldwide economic crisis has badly affected not just businesses but also non-profit organizations. Previously most of the funds have come from abroad but now that people are watching their pennies donations have been diminishing. Many countries will not allocate large funds to non-profit organizations in Thailand anymore because Thailand is not seen as a poor country due to the high level of tourism. However if the KES project proves to be as successful and sustainable for local people as we believe it could be, we hope it would meet funding requirements from local authorities, village funds and/or sponsorship from some “green” businesses in Phuket.
3. The remote area, activities and accommodations are too basic for the average visitor.
Eco-travelers can be categorized into four groups, according to the depth of their interest in taking ecotrips. Lindberg classifies eco-travelers as:
 "Simply resting on the forest floor after lunch."(K0010 @Phamon Sumphanthamitr) |
 Type 1 Hard-Core Nature Visitors.
Scientific researchers or members of tours specifically designed for education, removal of litter, or similar purposes.
Type 2 Dedicated Nature Visitors.
People who take trips specifically to see protected areas, and who want to understand local natural and cultural history.
Type 3 Mainstream Nature Visitors.
People who visit places such as the Amazon, the Rwandan gorillas, and other destinations primarily to take an unusual trip.
Type 4 Casual Nature Visitos.
People who partake of nature incidentally as part of a broader trip. |
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We realize the needs and demands of each group are different. For instance, those described as hard-core or dedicated nature visitors would probably demand fewer amenities (being content with simple accommodation) from the travel but will hope to avoid crowded areas. Mainstream and casual nature visitors, on the other hand, may not need to be intensely involved with nature but, instead, could demand more luxurious services during the travel, such as convenient transportation, restaraunt food and more comfortable accommodation. So while a large influx of visitors may not happen here, all visits need to be carefully monitored and controlled. Participants must be committed to ensuring responsible forest management. Regular monitoring and discussion may warrant changes in the management of the programme in order to both protect the forest and improve the experience for those involved.
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