In recent years, in Asia, where there are varied environmental conditions and issues of nature conservation, there has been a rapid rise in awareness of the importance of education for sustainable development (ESD), and efforts to promote tourism, especially ecotourism, have been actively made in protected areas as a means to support the livelihood of the neighborhood residents. Ecotourism in Asian countries is mostly derived from nature, which is closely related to community life, and is implemented in an area adjacent to a community, but at the same time, this means that it is on the border between development and protection. Consideration for nature disturbance is also required since there are also some tours arranged to enjoy pristine nature. In this working group, ecotourism in Asia and the actual situation/current issues regarding education for sustainable development (ESD) will be discussed. It also covers ecotourism in marine areas, particularly in coastal areas.
Ecotourism and ESD are closely related to conservation and the inheritance of the nature and culture of the areas concerned, and are also activities to widely promote its values to tourists and those involved in environmental education. However, what is value of protected areas as capital resource of tourism or environmental education in Asian countries? In this theme, we will exchange information and discuss on the diversity of programs, resource management for utilization, evaluation of resources in Asian countries protected areas.
This theme will consider the evolution of resources management and information dissemination related to protected areas due to current progress in information communication technology (ICT). The relationship between information communication technology and protected areas will be looked at from two sides. One is from the aspect of management including the monitoring necessary for the conservation of protected areas, and the other is from the aspect of utilization, including the promotion of protected areas by distributing data on resources and the environment in real time.
There is a possibility that the development of tourism in protected areas will achieve sustainability of the region through economic, social benefit, besides involve a paradox causing the destruction of the natural environment or local communities due to the new development. In many areas people are concerned about what they can do to realize the maintenance of a balance between community development through tourism and nature protection in protected areas. Under this theme, solutions to this issue will be discussed.
In order to promote the use of protected areas, it is essential that ecotourism in protected areas brings positive benefits to the communities and the protected areas. However, currently, it cannot be said that there is sufficient understanding of the actual conditions except for numerical information such as the number of tourists, etc. This theme will consider the impact of ecotourism on resources protection and the maintenance of communities.
Great experiences in nature, particular in protected areas, contribute to development of a healthy mind and body of the young generation. Under this theme, participants will discuss the means to increase activities for the young generation to have experiences in nature, focusing on some measures in place in protected areas in Asia, such as nature experience program for the young generation, environmental education programs, and communication methods effective for the young generation.
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