Ecotourism is a philosophy where communities are part of the tourism initiative and, thus, derive financial incentive to conserve biodiversity. As important stakeholders, communities become partners in conservation.

In terms of policy, however, the only document available is the Ecotourism Policy and Guidelines 1998, not yet completely operational. There is a pressing need for a comprehensive and common understanding and operational guidelines for the successful implementation of ecotourism in India.

SEMINAR: The seminar will throw open a discussion on the following themes and topics:
• Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities in Ecotourism
• Setting Standards for Ecotourism in India
• Ecotourism in India – The Way Ahead

09.30 am	Registration
10.00 – 11:30 am	Session I: Inaugural
10.00 am	Film Screening: Leave Nothing but Footprints: 00.29.24/ English and Hindi/ Sanjay Barnela/ for the Ford Foundation
10.30 am	Welcome Address: Dr N. Bhaskara Rao, Chairman, CMS
10.40 am	Overview: Ms Seema Bhatt, Consultant, CMS Environment Download Presentation
11.20 am	Vote of Thanks: CMS
11.30 am	Tea Break
11.45 am – 01.30 pm	Session II: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities in Ecotourism
11.45 am	Experiences from Himachal Pradesh: Mr Harsh Mitter, CCF (Ecot.)-cum-CEO, ECOSOC, Shimla (Invited) Download Presentation
12.05 pm	Experiences from UNDP’s Endogenous Tourism Project: Mr Sudhir Sahi, Consultant, United Nations Development Programme
12.25 pm	Environmental Filmmaker’s Experiences: Mr Sanjay Barnela, Cameraperson and Director
12.40 pm	International Experiences: Mr Anne Feenstra, Principal, Arch I Exploring Design
01.00 pm	Chairperson’s Remarks and Open Forum
01.30 pm	Lunch Break
02.30 pm – 04.00 pm	Session III: Setting Standards for Ecotourism in India
2.30 pm	Need for Standards in Ecotourism: Ms Seema Bhatt, Consultant, CMS Environment
2.50 pm	Need for Standards for Ecotourism in General and the Feasibility of Adopting Global Standards: Mr C B Ramkumar, Founder and Managing Director, Our Native Village - Soul Spa & Eco Resort Download Presentation
03.10 pm	Examining Feasibility of Standards for Community-based Ecotourism: Mr. Ramana Athreya, Eagle’s Nest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh Download Presentation
03.30 pm	Examining Feasibility of Ecotourism Standards for Protected Areas: Mr Abhishek Behl, Director, Travel Operators for Tigers, India (TOFT India) Download Presentation
03.50 pm	Chairperson’s Remarks and Open Forum
04.15 pm	Tea Break
04.30 pm – 6.00 pm	Session IV: Panel Discussion on Ecotourism in India - The Way Ahead
	Moderator: Ms Seema Bhatt, Consultant, CMS Environment Download Presentation
	Dr Anil Bhardwaj, Scientist - F, Head, PA Network, Wildlife Management and Conservation Education, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun (Invited)
	Mr Rajiv Bhartari, Additional Secretary, Tourism, Govt. of Uttarakhand
	Mr Toby Sinclair, Vice President, Ecotourism Society of India
05.30 pm	Open Forum and Conclusion

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