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The webinar, “Ecology and Tourism – Sustainable Strategies for Coastal Regions” is organised by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), in collaboration with The Asia Foundation (TAF), as part of the Indian Coastal Think Tank Network (ICTN) project.

INTRODUCTION

Coastal ecology is an integral part of the coastal ecosystem as it is biologically diverse and economically valuable. Coastal ecosystems provide critical functions such as carbon sequestration, fisheries, serving as habitats for various species, and protection from storm surges. At the same time, these areas attract millions of tourists drawn to their pristine beaches, coral reefs, and cultural heritage sites. However, this rise in tourism creates significant ecological challenges, including habitat destruction, pollution, and biodiversity loss. It is therefore crucial to balance the preservation of ecosystems with the growth of tourism for long-term sustainable development.

This webinar aims to explore the relationship between tourism and ecology in coastal areas, focusing on the importance of finding a middle ground between ecological conservation and tourism.

Ecological conservation is particularly crucial in the face of climate change and its vulnerabilities, as the ecology of coastal areas plays a vital role in supporting ecosystems. These regions host diverse habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows, which are essential for ecosystem maintenance. Recognizing the value of such ecosystems is fundamental for sustainable tourism development, and tourism must be aligned with the sensitivities of coastal ecologies.

Innovative approaches to tourism, such as eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and cultural tourism, can drive sustainable development for both ecology and local communities. Local communities in coastal areas can play a pivotal role in ensuring that ecological conservation and tourism activities coexist harmoniously. Their active engagement in decision-making processes is essential to ensure that best practices and local knowledge are effectively shared and implemented.

This webinar is organised as part of CPPR’s project, “Indian Coastal Think Tank Network: Addressing Traditional and Non-traditional Challenges in the Indian Coastal Region from Regional and National Perspectives”.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

• Assessing the impact of tourism on coastal ecosystems.
• Exploring various strategies to balance tourism growth with ecological preservation.
• Examining the role of local government in promoting sustainable development and ecological conservation.
• Discussing the role of local communities in ensuring sustainable tourism development in coastal areas.
• Innovative policy approaches to sustainable tourism in the coastal areas balancing the coastal ecological conditions.

SPEAKERS

Dr Shriji Kurup

Programme Director, Centre for Environment Education (CEE) & National Operator, Blue Flag India

A Ph.D. in Marine Sciences, Dr Shriji Kurup is the National Operator for the International Blue Flag Beach Award program in India and is involved in the coordination of coastal and marine programmes at the Centre for Environment Education (CEE). Has been working on various aspects of coastal management, disaster risk reduction, public consultations on Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ),  policy interventions, etc.

Trained in ISO 14000 and Social Accountability systems, he is also part of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) International Committee for Blue Flag criteria revision for promoting sustainable tourism practices in coastal areas. He has been instrumental in implementation of key initiatives like the Climate Literacy and Marine Litter Management Campaign and field studies in the Critical Vulnerable Coastal Areas (CVCAs).

His current research focuses on nurturing beaches as place based environmental-sustainability learning sites and strengthening systems for adopting sustainable practices in tourism destinations.

Nayana Udayashankar

Senior Programme Officer – Communities and Resource Governance, Dakshin Foundation

Nayana has a degree in law with nine years of experience working in the field of environmental justice and environmental governance. Though formally trained as a litigating lawyer, with a degree in law from Gujarat National Law University in 2011, and as a fellow from the Young India Fellowship (2013-14), she soon found herself wanting to work more creatively in the field of law.

Her interest in environmental law led her to the organization, Natural Justice- Lawyers for Communities and the Environment in 2014. At Natural Justice, Nayana worked with mining affected communities of Odisha on aspects of biocultural community protocols, an  emerging concept in environmental jurisprudence. She also facilitated workshops on legal capacity building for communities in Odisha and Rajasthan.

Between the years 2016-2021, as a part of the organization, Equitable Tourism Options-EQUATIONS, she has critically examined tourism from a development lens and advocated for rights of local communities in the tourism context. She led teams to undertake research and knowledge building, support local self governments and local communities, create and grow networks and advocate policies suited to tourism across landscapes spanning the coasts, protected areas and hills and mountains.

Nayana was a part of a collaborative effort to critically examine the emerging concept of Blue Economy and supported with research and documentation the  Independent People’s Tribunal on the implications of the Blue Economy. Among other things, Nayana’s work on tourism has looked at concepts such as Environmental Impact Assessment, Tourism Carrying Capacity and tourism within the framework of Blue Economy in India.

MODERATOR

Dr Dhanasree Jayaram

Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, MAHE, India