Ecology-and-Environment for 4th Semester

Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training Pokhara School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (To Be a Professional, Learn Technical and Vocational)DIPLOMA IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT ©Ecology and Environmentwww.psthm.edu.np DHM IVth Semester

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Syllabus Environment and EcologyCourse descriptionThis course explores major concepts in environment and ecology. It deals with impacts onenvironment by the development works done by hospitality industry and the tips to minimize theimpact.Course objectivesAfter the completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. State the concept of tourism, environment and ecology. 2. Understand sustainable development and its importance in tourism. 3. Understand the concept of eco-sensitive or \"green\" hotels and list of the criteria for Ecotel certification. 4. Explain the importance of energy and water conservation and compare various methods of managing waste. 5. Understand the benefits of using environment friendly guest supplies and stationery. 6. Discuss disaster management. 7. Understand the ecotourism and its futures trends in Nepal.Course contents:Unit 1: Introduction of environment and ecology 7 hrs1.1 Describe the term environment and ecology.1.2 Explain the type of environment.1.3 Explain the environmental pollution.1.4 Type of pollution (air, water, noise, soil)1.5 Describe the effects and control measures of different type of pollution.Unit 2: Sustainable tourism 5 hrs2.1 Describe the term sustainable development.2.2 Enlist the importance of sustainable development.2.3 Explain sustainable and tourism.Unit 3: Introduction to Ecotel (Green hotel) 5 hrs3.1 Define the term Ecotel. 7 hrs3.2 Describe the importance and purpose of Ecotel.3.3 Describe 3Rs of environmental conservation.( basic principle of Ecotel (green hotel).3.4 Environmental- friendly guest supplies and stationery.Unit 4: Criteria for the certification of Ecotel4.1 Describe the criteria for the certification of Ecotel 4.1.1 Energy efficiency 4.1.2 Water conservation 4.1.3 Solid waste management 4.1.4 Environment commitment 4.1.5 Employee education and community development4.2 List some examples of Ecotel.4.3 Discuss the design and construction aspects of Ecotel.ii

Unit 5: Energy conservation 5 hrs5.1 Define the term energy conservation.5.2 Describe how energy conservation is monitored in different departments of Ecotel.5.3 Discuss the tips for energy conservation in different departments of the Ecotel.Unit 6: Water conservation 3hrs6.1 Describe about water conservation.6.2 Discuss general tips of water conservation in hospitality industry.Unit 7: Waste management 3hrs7.1 Describe the term waste and its management.7.2 Describe how Ecotel manages the waste generates on the premises.Unit 8: Disaster management 7 hrs8.1. Describe the term disaster management.8.2. Describe the classification of disasters.  Earthquake, flood, landslide8.3. Describe disaster mitigation.8.4. Describe disaster preparedness.8.5. Explain how we respond to a different type of disaster.8.6. Explain how we do to recover from a disaster.Unit 9: Tourism and environment 10 hrs9.1. Discuss Nature based Tourism.9.2. Describe Sustainable Tourism.9.3. Explain evolution of ecotourism.9.4. Explain various principle of ecotourism.9.5. Explain various principle of sustainable tourism.9.6. Describe ecotourism and nature based tourism.9.7. Describe ecotourism and adventure tourism.9.8. Describe ecotourism and trekking.Unit 10: Future pattern of ecotourism in Nepal 8 hrs10.1 Discuss the existing pattern of ecotourism in Nepal.10.2 Describe the future direction of ecotourism in Nepal.10.3 Explain the vision for ecotourism in Nepal.10.4 Describe ecotourism and its policy.10.5 Describe ecotourism and its strategies.Reference1. Bhatta, BP (2015) Ecotourism in Nepal, concept, principle and practice, Kathmandu, Qualityprinter.2. Foskett, D. Paskins, P. (2011) The Theory of Hospitality and Catering, London.3. Raghubala, G. Raghubala, S. (2009) Hotel Housekeeping operation and management, 2ndEdition. India: Oxford University Press.4. Rajagopalan, R. (2012) Environmental Studies, From Crisis to cure, 2nd Edition India OxfordUniversity Press.5. Singaravelavan, R. (2011) Food and Beverage Service, India: Oxford University Press. iii

Table of ContentsSyllabus........................................................................................................................................... iiTable of Contents........................................................................................................................... ivUnit 1: Introduction of environment and ecology........................................................................... 1 1.1 Describe the term environment and ecology ........................................................................ 1 1.2 Explain the type of environment........................................................................................... 2 1.3 Explain the environmental pollution..................................................................................... 4 1.4 Type of pollution (air, water, noise, soil).............................................................................. 4 1.4.1 Air Pollution................................................................................................................... 5 1.4.2 Water Pollution .............................................................................................................. 5 1.4.3 Soil Pollution ................................................................................................................. 5 1.4.4 Noise Pollution............................................................................................................... 6 1.5 Describe the effects and control measures of different type of pollution. ............................ 6 Air Pollution: .......................................................................................................................... 6 Water Pollution: ...................................................................................................................... 7 Noise pollution........................................................................................................................ 7 Land pollution......................................................................................................................... 8Unit 2: Sustainable Tourism ......................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Describe the term sustainable development........................................................................ 10 2.2 Enlist the importance of sustainable development.............................................................. 11 2.3 Explain sustainable tourism. ............................................................................................... 12Unit 3: Introduction to Ecotel (Green hotel)................................................................................. 13 3.1 Define the term Ecotel. ....................................................................................................... 13 3.2 Describe the importance and purpose of Ecotel. ................................................................ 13 3.3 Describe 3Rs of environmental conservation.( basic principle of Ecotel (green hotel). .... 14 The First ‘R’ – Reduce.......................................................................................................... 15 The Second ‘R’ – Reuse ....................................................................................................... 16 The Third ‘R’ – Recycling.................................................................................................... 17 3.4 Environmental- friendly guest supplies and stationery....................................................... 17Unit 4: Criteria for the certification of Ecotel............................................................................... 19 4.1 Describe the criteria for the certification of Ecotel............................................................. 19 4.2 List some examples of Ecotel. ............................................................................................ 20 iv

4.3 Discuss the design and construction aspects of Ecotel. ...................................................... 20Unit 5: Energy conservation ......................................................................................................... 22 5.1 Define the term energy conservation. ................................................................................. 22 5.2 Describe how energy conservation is monitored in different departments of Ecotel. ........ 22 5.3 Discuss the tips for energy conservation in different departments of the Ecotel................ 23 Heating.................................................................................................................................. 23 Hot water............................................................................................................................... 23 Air conditioning .................................................................................................................... 23 Lighting................................................................................................................................. 24 Refrigeration ......................................................................................................................... 24Unit 6: Water Conservation .......................................................................................................... 25 6.1 Describe about water conservation. .................................................................................... 25 6.2 Discuss general tips of water conservation in hospitality industry..................................... 27Unit 7: Waste Management .......................................................................................................... 30 7.1 Describe the term waste and its management. .................................................................... 30 7.2 Describe how Ecotel manages the waste generates on the premises. ................................. 30Unit 8: Disaster Management ....................................................................................................... 32 8.2. Describe the classification of disasters. ............................................................................. 33 8.3. Disaster Management......................................................................................................... 36Unit 9: Tourism and Environment ................................................................................................ 39 9.1. Discuss Nature based Tourism........................................................................................... 39 9.2. Describe Sustainable Tourism. .......................................................................................... 39 9.3. Explain evolution of ecotourism........................................................................................ 41 9.4. Explain various principle of ecotourism. ........................................................................... 41 9.5. Explain various principle of sustainable tourism............................................................... 42 9.6. Describe ecotourism and nature based tourism. ................................................................ 43 9.7. Describe ecotourism and adventure tourism...................................................................... 45 9.8. Describe ecotourism and trekking. .................................................................................... 46Unit 10: Future Pattern of Ecotourism in Nepal ........................................................................... 47 10.1 Discuss the existing pattern of ecotourism in Nepal......................................................... 47 10.2 Describe the future direction of ecotourism in Nepal. ...................................................... 48 10.3 Explain the vision for ecotourism in Nepal. ..................................................................... 51 v

10.4 Describe ecotourism and its policy. .................................................................................. 5210.5 Describe ecotourism and its strategies. ............................................................................. 52 vi

Unit 1: Introduction of environment and ecologyIn the present chapter we will be discussing about ecology and environment, after having a lookon its meaning and definitions, we will study how ecology is different from environment.Ecology is the study of the relationship(s) of an organism between it and its environment and theenvironment is the set of circumstances surrounding that organism. Further abiotic and BioticComponents of Environment of ecology are discussed in detail that Biotic and abiotic factors areinterrelated. If one factor is changed or removed, it impacts the availability of other resourceswithin the system.1.1 Describe the term environment and ecologyMeaning of ecology:The term oekologie (ecology) was coined in 1866 by the German biologist, Ernst Haeckel fromthe Greek oikos meaning \"house\" or \"dwelling\", and logos meaning \"science\" or \"study\". Thus,ecology is the \"study of the household of nature\". Haeckel intended it to encompass the study ofan animal in relation to both the physical environment and other plants and animals with which itinteracted.This definition encompasses not only the plants and animals that Haeckel recognized butmicroscopic organisms such as Bacteria, Archaea and Protozoa, as well. The interactions thatdetermine an organism's distribution and abundance are processes that include energy flow,growth, reproduction, predation, competition and many others.Ecology is that branch of sociology that is concerned with studying the relationships betweenhuman groups and their physical and social environments or it is the study of the detrimentaleffects of modern civilization on the environment, with a view toward prevention or reversalthrough conservation (Sharma, n.d.).Definitions:environment rles Elton: Scientific natural historyabundance of organisms (Definition of Ecology, n.d.). 1

Meaning & definitions of environment:The term “environment” which etymologically means “surrounding”, comprises of air, water andland. Environment creates favourable conditions for the existence and development of livingorganism / Environment can be defined in a number of ways. For example,“Environment is a sum of all social, economical, biological, physical or chemical factors whichconstitute the surrounding of man, who is both creator and moulder of his environment”.“’Environment refers to the sum total of conditions which surround man at a given point in spaceand time”. (C.C. Park1980)“Environment is the representative of components of the earth wherein man is the importantfactor influencing the environment”. (Gaudie 1984)“Environment is a holistic view of the world as it functions at any time, with a multitude ofspecial elemental and socio-economic system distinguished by quality and attributes of space andmode of behavior of biotic and abiotic forms”.However environment is viewed with different angels by different environmentalists. It may beconcluded that environment consist of an inseparable whole system constituted by physical,chemical, biological, social and cultural elements which are interlinked individually andcollectively in myriad ways (Singh, n.d.).1.2 Explain the type of environment.‘Environment’, this word has a great importance in our life. The simple definition ofenvironment is the ‘surrounding'. It is what surrounds a thing. We can also define it as\"environment is the combination of all of physical and organic factors that act on a living being,residents, or ecological society and power its endurance and growth\".It could be a physical component, which is known as physical environment or a-bioticenvironment that includes the built environment. The natural surroundings like air conditions,water, land, atmosphere etc are also the part of physical environment but they are commonlyknown as natural environment. People surrounding the item or thing, this type of environment isknown as human environment. This is also known as the social environment and includeselements like the religious environment, emotional environment, residence, relations etc.Types of EnvironmentThere are mainly three types of environment-1. The Physical environmentIt is also known as a-biotic environment and natural environment.The meaning of ‘a-biotic’ or ‘physical’ is non living like land water air conditions atmospherewhich constitutes of soil. So we can say that physical or a-biotic environment is the environment 2

which includes non living or physical things which are constitutes of soil and affect the livingthings.The physical or a-biotic environment also includes the climatic factors such as sunbeams,rainwater, precipitation, moisture, pressure and wind speed.The Importance of Physical EnvironmentJust think, the most important thing to make house is residential space, and for residential space,we need land area. The land area is included in physical environment. So it is responsible for theresidential for living beings.The a-biotic environment like soil, water and air are the necessary nutrients element provider forthe living beings.All of living beings are surrounded by atmosphere; it is the combination of different types ofgases. The living beings take oxygen and other gases from the atmosphere.The a-biotic environment also controls the climatic factors like weather.The physical environment also includes the soil which is responsible for the works and foodcrops for the living beings. It also provides different types of minerals which are very necessaryfor growth of lifeWater is one of the most necessary things for living beings. Physical environment also deals withthe water factor of the earth.2. Biotic environmentIt is also known as biological environment and organic environment.In the opposite side of the physical environment, the biotic or biological environment isresponsible for the living beings.You have already understood that the meaning of ‘biological’ is living things. So, the biologicalenvironment is the environment which involves the living part of the earth.The importance of biotic environmentIn this type of environment includes the plants, trees, animals, mammals, underwater livingbeings including human beings and microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.There is a concept which is necessary to understand. The living beings are highly dependent toeach other. For example humans are highly depend upon plants and trees for food and oxygen,and plants and trees are also depend upon humans and animals because of co23. Social or cultural environmentThis type of environment involves the culture and life style of the human beings. 3

The social or cultural environment means the environment which is created by the man throughhis different social and cultural activities and thinking.The historical, cultural, political, moral, economic aspects of human life constitute to the socialor cultural environmentThe Importance of Social or Cultural EnvironmentCulture involves the religion of the human, relations with each other etc. In a society thereinvolve different types of people, they have different religion, different thinking, which hasculture of its own and posses people having their own life style.The social or culture environment affects the social culture of human beings and hence it has thegreat importance.The development of a child is highly depends upon culture and society1.3 Explain the environmental pollution.Pollution refers to any undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristicsof our environment, i.e. air, water and soil that may or will adversely affect humans or otherspecies and life support systems of our biosphere directly or indirectly. A substance whoseintroduction into a resource damages the latter's usefulness is called a pollutant. However, somespecies are tolerable to certain pollutants up to fixed concentration levels.Pollutants are grouped into two broad categories: biodegradable pollutants (eg. organic wastesuch as vegetable wastes, human faces, distillery wastes etc.) and non- biodegradable pollutants.Non- biodegradable pollutants such as heavy metals and pesticides, move through the food chainand may get magnified to dangerous levels in higher trophic level organisms as they tend toconcentrate them. Some of these combine with other compounds and produce toxic substances.However, biodegradable materials such as human and animal wastes, agro-based residues andfertilizers can also pose a threat if their quantities or inputs exceed the assimilative capacity ofthe environment. Environmental pollution can be classified into air pollution, water pollution andsolid waste pollution.1.4 Type of pollution (air, water, noise, soil)There are several types of pollution, and while they may come from different sources and havedifferent consequences, understanding the basics about pollution can help environmentallyconscious individuals minimize their contribution to these dangers. In total, there are ninerecognized sources of pollution in the modern world. These sources of pollution don't simplyhave a negative impact on the natural world, but they can have a measurable effect on the healthof human beings as well. 4

1.4.1 Air PollutionAir pollution is defined as any contamination of the atmosphere that disturbs the naturalcomposition and chemistry of the air. This can be in the form of particulate matter such as dustor excessive gases like carbon dioxide or other vapors that cannot be effectively removedthrough natural cycles, such as the carbon cycle or the nitrogen cycle.Air pollution comes from a wide variety of sources. Some of the most excessive sources include:  Vehicle or manufacturing exhaust  Forest fires, volcanic eruptions, dry soil erosion, and other natural sources  Building construction or demolitionDepending on the concentration of air pollutants, several effects can be noticed. Smog increases,higher rain acidity, crop depletion from inadequate oxygen, and higher rates of asthma. Manyscientists believe that global warming is also related to increased air pollution.1.4.2 Water PollutionWater pollution involves any contaminated water, whether from chemical, particulate, orbacterial matter that degrades the water's quality and purity. Water pollution can occur in oceans,rivers, lakes, and underground reservoirs, and as different water sources flow together throughthe water cycle the pollution can spread.Causes of water pollution include:  Increased sediment from soil erosion  Improper waste disposal and littering  Leaching of soil pollution into water supplies  Organic material decay in water suppliesThe effects of water pollution include decreasing the quantity of drinkable water available,lowering water supplies for crop irrigation, and impacting fish and wildlife populations thatrequire water of a certain purity for survival.1.4.3 Soil PollutionSoil, or land pollution, is contamination of the soil that prevents natural growth and balance inthe land whether it is used for cultivation, habitation, or a wildlife preserve. Some soil pollution,such as the creation of landfills, is deliberate, while much more is accidental and can havewidespread effects.Soil pollution sources include:  Hazardous waste and sewage spills  Non-sustainable farming practices, such as the heavy use of inorganic pesticides  Strip mining, deforestation, and other destructive practices  Household dumping and litteringSoil contamination can lead to poor growth and reduced crop yields, loss of wildlife habitat,water and visual pollution, soil erosion, and desertification. 5

1.4.4 Noise PollutionNoise pollution refers to undesirable levels of noises caused by human activity that disrupt thestandard of living in the affected area. Noise pollution can come from:  Traffic  Airports  Railroads  Manufacturing plants  Construction or demolition  ConcertsSome noise pollution may be temporary while other sources are more permanent. Effects mayinclude hearing loss, wildlife disturbances, and a general degradation of lifestyle.1.5 Describe the effects and control measures of different type of pollution.Air Pollution:Air pollution is the accumulation of hazardous substances into the atmosphere that danger humanlife and other living matter.Sources Of Air Pollution: Some of the main contributors to air pollution are: Automobileemissions, Tobacco smoke, Combustion of coal, Acid rain, Noise pollution from cars andconstruction, Power plants, Manufacturing buildings, Large ships, Paint fumes, Aerosol sprays,Wildfires, Nuclear weapons.Facts about Air Pollution: Here are a few facts about air pollution:  Almost 232 million different types of vehicles are driven by U.S. citizens every day, adding greenhouse gases into the air.  U.S. vehicle emissions contribute 45% to global warming.  The average adult consumes 3,000 gallons of polluted air every day.  Vehicle exhaust contributes to 60% of carbon monoxide emissions in the U.S. and up to 95% in large cities.  Every year 335,000 Americans die of lung cancer, which is a direct result of air pollution?How to Prevent Air Pollution:The number one way to prevent air pollution is to walk or bike more and drive less. This willprevent fossil fuels from polluting the air. Here are some other ways to prevent air pollution:  Carpool or join a ride share with friends and coworkers.  Don’t smoke.  Keep your car maintenance up-to-date.  If you have to drive, do your errands at one time.  Don’t buy products that come in aerosol spray cans.  Avoid using lighter fluid when barbecuing outside. 6

 When you drive accelerates slowly and uses cruise control.  Always replace your car’s air filter.  Use a push or electric lawnmower rather than a gas-powered one.  Don’t use harsh chemical cleaners that can emit fumes.  Inspect your gas appliances and heaters regularly.Water Pollution:Water pollution is the introduction of chemical, biological and physical matter into large bodiesof water that degrade the quality of life that lives in it and consumes it. Water pollution is thecontamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater). Waterpollution occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies withoutadequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. Water pollution affects plants and organismsliving in these bodies of water. In almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to individualspecies and populations, but also to the natural biological communities.Sources of Water Pollution: Some of the main contributors to water pollution are: Factories,Refineries, Waste treatment facilities, Mining, Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, Humansewage, Oil spills, failing septic systems, Soap from washing your car, Oil and antifreeze leakingfrom cars, Household chemicals and Animal waste.Facts about Water Pollution: Here are a few facts about water pollution:  Over two-thirds of U.S. estuaries and bays are severely degraded because of nitrogen and phosphorous pollution.  Every year almost 25% of U.S. beaches are closed at least once because of water pollution.  Over 73 different kinds of pesticides have been found in the groundwater that we eventually use to drink.  1.2 trillion gallons of sewage, storm water and industrial waste are discharged into U.S. waters every year.  40% of U.S. Rivers are too polluted for aquatic life to survive.  Americans use over 2.2 billion pounds of pesticides every year, which eventually washes into our rivers and lakes.How to Prevent Water Pollution:The best way to prevent water pollution is to not throw trash and other harmful chemicals intoour water supplies. Here are a few more ways you can prevent water pollution:  Wash your car far away from any storm water drains.Noise pollutionNoise is ‘wrong sound in the wrong place in the wrong time'. Noise pollution is ‘the unwantedsound present in the atmosphere leading to adverse health effects on individuals or populations'.Noise pollution can result from either natural or anthropogenic processes. The natural processesare volcanic activity, earthquakes, thunder, wind / storm, sea waves. The anthropogenic causesinclude industries, domestic sector, traffic, and community activities. 7

Noise can be classified into the following types:  Ambient or steady state noise (background noise)  Fluctuating noise  Intermittent Noise (noise with breaks-noise / silence, noise / silence.... and  Impulsive Noise.Noise can be measured using Noise level meter. There are two basic characterizes of sound i.eIntensity or Loudness (dB), Frequency (Hz).The following are the effects of noise pollution on human health:  Auditory effects such as conductive deafness, perceptive hearing loss, noise induced temporary threshold shifts, noise induced permanent threshold shifts, noise trauma (or) acoustic trauma.  Non-auditory effects include interference with speech, decrease in work efficiency, physiological disorders. The physiological effects include effects on nervous system, headache, effect on stomach, heart attack, effect on fetus.Noise cannot be tolerated for many tourism activities. Noise pollution can be controlled and theimpacts minimized by adopting the following strategies:  Use of silencers  Use of acoustic tiles  Ear plugs and ear muffs  Job rotation  Trees as sound energy absorbers  Environmental education and  Control through environmental legislation.Land pollutionLand pollution is pollution of the Earth’s natural land surface by industrial, commercial,domestic and agricultural activities.Sources Of Land Pollution: Some of the main contributors to land pollution are:Chemical andnuclear plants, Industrial factories, Oil refineries, Human sewage, Oil and antifreeze leakingfrom cars, Mining, Littering, Overcrowded landfills, Deforestation, Construction debris.Facts about Land Pollution: Here are a few facts about land pollution:  Every year one American produces over 3285 pounds of hazardous waste.  Land pollution causes us to lose 24 billion tons of top soil every year.  Americans generate 30 billion foam cups, 220 million tires and 1.8 billion disposable diapers every year.  We throw away enough trash every day to fill 63,000 garbage trucks.  Every day Americans throw away 1 million bushels of litter out their car window. 8

 Over 80% of items in landfills can be recycled, but they’re not.How to Prevent Land Pollution:The best way to prevent land pollution is to recycle. Here are a few other ways you can reduceland pollution:  Reuse any items that you can.  Buy biodegradable products.  Store all liquid chemicals and waste in spill-proof containers.  Eat organic foods that are grown without pesticides.  Don’t use pesticides.  Use a drip tray to collect engine oil.  Buy products that have little packaging.  Don’t dump motor oil on the ground. 9

Unit 2: Sustainable Tourism2.1 Describe the term sustainable development\"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present, withoutcompromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.\"The concept of sustainable development can beinterpreted in many different ways, but at itscore is an approach to development that looksto balance different, and often competing, needsagainst an awareness of the environmental,social and economic limitations we face as asociety.Sustainable development is development thatmeets the needs of the present withoutcompromising the ability of future generationsto meet their own needs. Sustainabledevelopment has continued to evolve as that ofprotecting the world’s resources while its trueagenda is to control the world’s resources.Environmentally sustainable economic growthrefers to economic development that meets theneeds of all without leaving future generations with fewer natural resources than those we enjoytoday.The essence of this form of development is a stable relationship between human activities andthe natural world, which does not diminish the prospects for future generations to enjoy a qualityof life at least as good as our own.The idea of environmentally sustainable economic growth is not new. Many cultures over thecourse of human history have recognized the need for harmony between the environment, societyand economy. The ‘environmentally sustainable economic growth’ is synonym to the prevalentconcept of ‘Sustainable Development’. The goal of which is to achieve balance/harmonybetween environment sustainability, economic sustainability and socio-political sustainability.However, one problem faced by environmental managers is that the goal of sustainabledevelopment is not fully formed and its fundamental concepts are still debated. Sustainabledevelopment, like environmental management, is not easily defined. 10

According to other definitions, Sustainable developments are: i. Environmental care ‘married’ to development. ii. Improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems. iii. Development based on the principle of inter-generational {i.e. bequeathing the same or improved resource endowment to the future that has been inherited), inter-species and inter-group equity. iv. Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. v. An environmental ‘handrail’ to guide development. vi. A change in consumption patterns towards more benign products, and a shift in investment patterns towards augmenting environmental capital.vii. A process that seeks to make manifest a higher standard of living (however interpreted) for human beings that recognizes this cannot be achieved at the expense of environmental integrity2.2 Enlist the importance of sustainable development.The aim of sustainable development is to balance our economic, environmental and social needs,allowing prosperity for now and future generations. Sustainable development consists of a long-term, integrated approach to developing and achieving a healthy community by jointlyaddressing economic, environmental, and social issues, whilst avoiding the over consumption ofkey natural resources.Sustainable development encourages us to conserve and enhance our resource base, by graduallychanging the ways in which we develop and use technologies. Countries must be allowed to meettheir basic needs of employment, food, energy, water and sanitation.If this is to be done in a sustainable manner, then there is a definite need for a sustainable level ofpopulation. Economic growth should be supported and developing nations should be allowed agrowth of equal quality to the developed nations. There are four objectives of sustainabledevelopment:These include social progress and equality, environmental protection, conservation of naturalresources and stable economic growth. Everybody has the right to a healthy, clean and safeenvironment. Everybody has the right to a healthy, clean and safe environment.This can be achieved by reducing pollution, poverty, poor housing and unemployment. No one,in this age, or in the future should be treated unfairly. Global environmental threats, such asclimate change and poor air quality must be reduced to protect human and environmental health.The use of non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels should not be stopped overnight, butthey must be used efficiently and the development of alternatives should be encouraged to helpphase them out. 11

Everybody has the right to a good standard of living, with better job opportunities. Economicprosperity is required if our country is to prosper and our businesses must therefore offer a highstandard of products that consumers throughout the world want, at the prices they are prepared topay. For this, we need a workforce equipped with suitable skills and education within aframework to support them.2.3 Explain sustainable tourism.Sustainable Tourism involves social responsibility, a strong commitment to nature and theintegration of local people in any tourist operation or development. Sustainable tourism isdefined by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), the Tourism Council (WTTC) and the EarthCouncil as:Sustainable Tourism Development meets the needs of present tourists, host regions whileprotecting and enhancing opportunity for the future. It is envisaged as leading to management ofall resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled whilemaintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and lifesupport systems. Sustainable tourism products are products which are operated in harmony withthe local environment, community and cultures so that these become the beneficiaries not thevictims of tourism development.Responsible Tourism, Soft Tourism, Minimum Impact Tourism and Alternative Tourism areterms with a similar meaning as Sustainable Tourism.They are, for the purpose of this moduleincluded in the term Sustainable Tourism.Some factors can be seen as \"drivers\", pushing the tourism industry towards a sustainabledevelopment approach. These are:  Increasing regulatory pressure;  Growing awareness of cost savings from sensible resource consumption;  Tourism professionals and operators recognise that environmental quality is essential for a competitive product;  The awareness by governments and operators that the growth of tourism can have a negative impact on the environment;  A growing awareness of communities about their potential to influence tourism policy 12

Unit 3: Introduction to Ecotel (Green hotel)3.1 Define the term Ecotel.Eco hotel is a hotel or accommodation that has made important environmental improvements toits structure in order to minimize its impact on the environment. The basic definition of a greenhotel is an environmentally responsible lodging that follows the practices of green living. Thesehotels have to be certified green by an independent third-party or by the state they are located in.Traditionally, these hotels were mostly presented as Eco Lodges because of their location, oftenin jungles, and their design inspired by the use of traditional building methods applied by skilledlocal craftsmen in areas, such as Costa Rica and Indonesia.Today, eco hotels also include properties in less \"natural\" locations that have invested inimproving their \"green\" credentials.3.2 Describe the importance and purpose of Ecotel.Eco hotel is a hotel or accommodation that has made important environmental improvements toits structure in order to minimize its impact on the environment. The basic definition of a hotel isan environmentally responsible lodging that follows the practices of green living. These hotelshave to be certified green by an independent third-party or by the state they are located in.Traditionally, these hotels were mostly presented as Eco Lodges because of their location, oftenin jungles, and their design inspired by the use of traditional building methods applied by skilledlocal craftsmen in areas, such as Costa Rica and Indonesia.Today, eco hotels also include properties in less \"natural\" locations that have invested inimproving their \"green\" credentials.Green hotels follow strict green guidelines to ensure that their guests are staying in a safe, non-toxic and energy-efficient accommodation. Here are some basic characteristics of a green hotel:  Housekeeping uses non-toxic cleaning agents and laundry detergent  100% organic cotton sheets, towels and mattresses  Non-smoking environment  Renewable energy sources like solar or wind energy  Bulk organic soap and amenities instead of individual packages to reduce waste  Guest room and hotel lobby recycling bins  Towel and sheet re-use (guests can tell housekeeping to leave these slightly used items to reduce water consumption)  Energy-efficient lighting  On-site transportation with green vehicles  Serve organic and local-grown food  Non-disposable dishes 13

 Offers a fresh-air exchange system  Greywater recycling, which is the reuse of kitchen, bath and laundry water for garden and landscaping  Newspaper recycling programEcotel is a new concept in hospitality that claims to work for environment protection andpreservation.All Eco-certified hotels must pass a detailed inspection and satisfy stringent criteria designed byenvironmental experts.Green or Ecotel Hotels is a solution to reduce this impact of tourism in many ways. These areenvironmentally-friendly properties with programs to save water and energy and reduce solidwaste.The architecture of hotels with ‘Green Certification’ is aimed at saving energy. Green Hotels areecofriendly, energy conserving, nontoxic and recyclable.Environmentally friendly hotels not only save money for the owner and guests, but alsoresources for the world.3.3 Describe 3Rs of environmental conservation.( basic principle of Ecotel(green hotel).If you have heard of something called the “waste hierarchy” you may be wondering what thatmeans. It is the order of priority of actions to be taken to reduce the amount of waste generated,and to improve overall waste management processes and programs. The waste hierarchy consistsof 3 R’s as follows:  Reduce  Reuse  RecycleCalled the “three R’s” of waste management, this waste hierarchy is the guidance suggested forcreating a sustainable life. You might be wondering as to how can you incorporate theseprinciples in your daily life. They are not hard to implement. All you need is to bring a smallchange in your daily lifestyle to reduce waste so that less amount of it goes to the landfill thatcan reduce your carbon footprint.“The three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle – all help to cut down on the amount of waste wethrow away. They conserve natural resources, landfill space and energy. Plus, the three R’s saveland and money communities must use to dispose of waste in landfills. Siting a new landfill hasbecome difficult and more expensive due to environmental regulations and public opposition.”By refusing to buy items that you don’t need, reusing items more than once and disposing theitems that are no longer in use at appropriate recycling centers, you can contribute towards ahealthier planet. 14

The First ‘R’ – ReduceThe concept of reducing what is produced and what is consumed is essential to the wastehierarchy. The logic behind it is simple to understand – if there is less waste, then there is lessto recycle or reuse. The process of reducing begins with an examination of what you are using,and what it is used for. There are three simple steps to assessing the reduction value of an item orprocess.:- Is there something else that can be used for this purpose? Using multi-use items is essential to beginning reduction. One example would be a coffeepot and a cappuccino maker. Both of them do distinctly different things, but you can buy a coffeepot that has a steaming attachment on it so it can do both. The purchase of the one item means that you don’t use two. It reduces the amount of production, and the amount of waste packaging material that will be generated. Is this something that needs to be done? A lot of our waste material comes from items that are considered to be “disposable.” Not in the sense that you use something once and then throw it away, that can actually be a part of environmental responsibility when you are working with medical items – disposable in this sense means whether or not what the item allows you to do has any real meaning or purpose. Is the item a part of something that you need to do, or want to do in your life? There is a limit to what you need to be prepared for in life. Chances are you won’t need a car that is equipped to handle a sandstorm in the desert. Buying one encourages production, wastes your resources and creates more generative waste than you can imagine. Always make sure that what you consume, or keep in your life as preparation – matches the reality of potential opportunity in your life.Here are some of things you can do to reduce the waste:1. Print on both sides of the paper to reduce paper wastage.2. Use electronic mail to reach out to people instead of sending paper mail.3. Remove your name from the mailing lists that you no longer want to receive.4. Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.5. Avoid using disposable plates, spoons, glass, cups and napkins. They add to the problem andresult in large amount of waste.6. Avoid buying items that are over-packaged with foil, paper, and plastic. This excess packaginggoes to waste.7. Buy durable goods that have long warranty. They generally run longer and save landfill space.Number 3 deals with the problems created by living within a culture of consumerism. This typeof consumption driven culture also makes fulfilling the second “R” difficult, but it is gettingeasier to do. 15

The Second ‘R’ – ReuseYou may have a box of things you keep that are broken or that you don’t have a use for that youhang on to in-case you find another use for them; or you may find bargains on old furniture or gotrash picking and get things that you can refinish – in either case you are working towardsreusing the item. Learning to reuse items, or re-purpose them for a use different then what theyare intended for is essential in waste hierarchy.One of the best examples for how this is being done today is the modular construction of homesand office buildings that is being created out of discarded shipping containers. These large, semi-truck sized metal containers represent a huge waste problem. Repurposing them as homes andoffices saves them from the landfills and doesn’t require the additional expenditure of natureresources to melt down and reconfigure the metals used to create them.You may either reuse those items for your own use or donate so that others can use them. Youcan reuse below items like:1. Old jars and pots: Old jars and pots can be used to store items in kitchen. They can also beused to store loose items together such as computer wires.2. Tyres: Old tyres can either be sent to recycling station or can be used to make tyre-swing.3. Used wood: Used wood can be used as firewood or can be used woodcrafts.4. Newspaper: Old newspapers can be used to pack items when you’re planning to move toanother home or store old items.5. Envelopes: Old and waste envelopes can be used by children to make short notes.6. Waste paper: Waste paper can be used to make notes and sketches and can be send torecycling center when you don’t need them anymore.Items that can be donated to others include:1. Old books: Your old books can be used by poor children or can be donated to public libraries.2. Old clothes: Your unwanted clothes can be used by street children or can be donated tocharity institutions.3. Old electric equipment: Old electric equipment can be donated to schools or NGO’s so thatthey can use them.4. Rechargeable batteries: Rechargeable batteries can be used again and again and helps toreduce unnecessary wastage as opposed to regular batteries.Apart from this, you can build a compost bin and reuse many waste items like used tea bags. Thewaste then degrades and turns into compost that help your plants grow and shine. 16

The Third ‘R’ – RecyclingThe last stage of the waste hierarchy is to recycle. To recycle something means that it will betransformed again into a raw material that can be shaped into a new item. There are very fewmaterials on the earth that cannot be recycled. One of the issues facing communities that want tobecome more involved with a recycling effort is that while the relying collection and sortingprocess may be affordable to implement, there still has to be a facility to receive and transformthe discarded waste into a raw material. More progress is being made toward uniting recyclingplants with industries that can process the waste material through agreements and incentivecredits.One need to learn as to what products can be recycled and what not. By carefully choosing theproducts that can be recycled, can be a first step towards efficient recycling.1. Buy products from market that are made up of recycled materials i.e. the product shouldbe environment friendly.2. Buy products that can be recycled such as glass jars.3. Invent new ways to recycle different items.4. Avoid buying hazardous materials that could pose difficulty for you to recycle. Buy non-toxicproducts, whenever possible.5. Buy products that have been made from recycled material.3.4 Environmental- friendly guest supplies and stationery.Ecotel is a hotel or accommodation that has made important environmental improvements to itsstructure in order to minimize its impact on the environment. The basic definition of a Ecotel isan environmentally responsible lodging that follows the practices of green living. These hotelshave to be certified green by an independent third-party or by the state they are located in. AnEcotel must usually meet criteria such as, Dependence on the natural environment, Ecologicalsustainability, Proven contribution to conservation, Provision of environmental trainingprograms, Incorporation of cultural considerations, Provision of an economic return to the localcommunity. Ecotel or Green hotels follow strict green guidelines to ensure that their guests arestaying in a safe, non-toxic and energy efficient accommodation. Here are some basiccharacteristics of a green hotel:• Housekeeping uses non-toxic cleaning agents and laundry detergent• 100% organic cotton sheets, towels and mattresses• Non-smoking environment• Renewable energy sources like solar or wind energy• Bulk organic soap and amenities instead of individual packages to reduce waste• Guest room and hotel lobby recycling bins• Towel and sheet re-use• Energy-efficient lighting• On-site transportation with green vehicles 17

• Serve organic and local-grown food• Non-disposable dishes• Offers a fresh-air exchange system• Grey-water recycling, which is the reuse of kitchen, bath and laundry water for garden andlandscaping• Newspaper recycling programEcology has become a very strong trend; either convictions or a fashion, caring for the earth hasbecome an ideal of many. As a result, Ecotel have become an increasingly popular alternative inthe hospitality industry, the increase in demand has led therefore to a large range of hotels withplanet friendly options for all requirements. 18

Unit 4: Criteria for the certification of Ecotel4.1 Describe the criteria for the certification of EcotelThe Ecotel Certification is based on five areas of environmentalism, each of which is designatedby a Globe award. These five areas are referred to as the ‘cornerstones of environmentalresponsibility’ or simply as ‘Globes’. These Globes are:Energy efficiencyThis requires the existence of a formalized framework to actually reduce the energy consumptionof the hotel. For instance, whether the hotel has been designed and constructed keeping in mindmaximum energy conservation. Factors like whether minimum lighting is being used, the extentof involvement of the guests as well as the employees etc. also make a difference to the finalscore.Water conservationEvaluates the effective conservation of water in all departments of the hotel, across all levels.The extent to which water is recycled and utilized is also considered an important factor. Again,all employees are expected to be well-versed with the water conservation operations of the hotel.Water is an increasingly scarce resource in most parts of the world and the United Nationsestimates that more than half the world population could be living in severely water stressedareas by 2032.Solid waste managementThe hotel must effectively recycle and manage waste wherever generated. Proper systems forcollection, recycling and disposal of these wastes in all departments of the hotel are a must forthe Ecotel certification. Moreover, all employees of the hotel must undergo training in the basicsolid waste management techniques. 19

Employee education and community developmentEvaluates how involved the employees are in the efforts of the hotel to contribute towards theenvironment. The hotel should have training modules in place for employees at all levels tofamiliarize them with the eco-friendly initiatives of the hotel.Environment commitmentThe hotel/ resort/ inn must demonstrate the existence of a formalized commitment towards thepreservation and enhancement of the natural environment. It must, through all operations,activities and written statements, communicate its commitment to the environment. For e.g. themission statement of the hotel/ resort must mention its environmental dedication. Additionally,every hotel should have a green team headed by a member of the top management ensuring thatall departments are working in consonance with the hotel’s mission of environmentalresponsibility.4.2 List some examples of Ecotel.The 5-globe hotels in the world1. Miraval, Arizona (this was the first certified 5 globe Ecotel in the world. Its re-certification ispending)2. Hilton Tokyo Bay, Japan3. The Benjamin, USA4. Arco Iris, Costa Rica5. Lapo Rios,Costa Ricathe 5-star 5 globe hotels in the world1. Hilton Tokyo Bay, Japan2. The Benjamin, USA4.3 Discuss the design and construction aspects of Ecotel.The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification programme is one ofthe first programmes to acknowledge buildings designed to be environmentally friendly. TheLEED green building rating system developed in late 1990’s and administered by the U.S. GreenBuilding Council, a Washington D.C. based non-profit coalition of building industry leaders, isaimed to promote design and construction practices that increase profitability while reducing thenegative environmental impacts of buildings, thus improving occupant health and well-being.The certification requirements were developed by representatives from various organizations andcover a wide variety of design specifications, including the site of the construction, watermanagement and indoor air quality. A checklist is used to determine the number of points that abuilding earns. A minimum number of points are required to receive LEED certification, and thebuilding could receive a rating of silver, gold, or platinum based on the number of pointsreceived. Recently, LEED has begun to expand the certification options. Some programs are still 20

in the development and trial phases. The new LEED system consists of five differentcertification plans- LEED for New Buildings (the original LEED certification) LEED for Core and Shell LEED for Commercial Interiors LEED for Existing Buildings and LEED for Residential BuildingsLEED for Residential Buildings is obviously not an option for hotels, and LEED for Core andShell is also usually not valid for hotel projects since hotels are concerned with the interiordesign as well as the exterior structure. The other three are all possibilities for new hotels,depending on whether the hotel is a new building, an existing building, or is undergoingrenovations. As with the original LEED Certification Programme, a point system is used toassign a rating for the hotel. LEED is an established programme, and LEED certification mightbecome a benchmark for such environmentally friendly hotels. LEED Certification is not veryexpensive, and the marketing and publicity benefits would help attract customers who areseeking quality sustainable hotels (LEED Green Building Rating System- U.S. Green BuildingCouncil, 2001). 21

Unit 5: Energy conservationEnergy conservation refers to the reducing of energy consumption through using less of anenergy service. Energy conservation is different from efficient energy use, which refers to usingless energy for a constant service.[1] Driving less is an example of energy conservation. Drivingthe same amount with a higher mileage vehicle is an example of energy efficiency. Energyconservation and efficiency are both energy reduction techniques. Energy conservation is a partof the concept of sufficiency.Even though energy conservation reduces energy services, it can result inincreased environmental quality, national security, personal financial security andhigher savings. It is at the top of the sustainable energy hierarchy. It also lowers energy costs bypreventing future resource depletion.5.1 Define the term energy conservation.A principle in physics: the total energy of an isolated system remains constant irrespective ofwhatever internal changes may take place with energy disappearing in one form reappearing inanother—called also first law of thermodynamics, law of conservation of energy5.2 Describe how energy conservation is monitored in different departmentsof Ecotel.Current thought in facility management, and specifically hospitality operations, is largelyfocused on optimizing operational efficiency in energy.Hotels consume energy for HVAC operations, lighting, cooking fuel, and other miscellaneouspower requirements. From a facility management perspective, the majority of focus is placed onreducing energy intensity, which can be accomplished using a technical, engineering-basedapproach known as commissioning. Front of the house energy efficiency measures includelighting retrofits, minimization of plug loads, and sealing of the building envelope. Back of thehouse energy efficiency measures include improved equipment and equipment scheduling,proper sensor calibration, elimination of simultaneous heating and cooling, and maintenance ofproper building ventilation. Recent advances in technology relating to renewable sources ofenergy (solar, geothermal, wind, etc.) have improved the economics of using these alternativeenergy sources at the individual facility level. 22

5.3 Discuss the tips for energy conservation in different departments of theEcotel.The Carbon Trust estimates that you could cut your hotel's energy bills by as much as 20% justby implementing simple and inexpensive eco measures. If you're new year resolution is to makeyour hotel property greener, this is a good place to start.Lighting control, optimizing room and water temperatures, and raising energy awareness amongstaff are just some of the options. Equally importantly, energy efficiency measures are not onlygoing to prove economically beneficial but are also likely to benefit the reputation of your hotel.British Gas has put together some simple tips to get you started:Heating  Avoid overheating bedrooms and corridor areas. This is not only expensive, it can also be uncomfortable for guests; aim for 19-21°C  Ensure good control of your heating system. Use timer switches and thermostatic radiator valves, and check that thermostats are unaffected by draughts, sunlight, radiators and fireplaces  Service your boiler regularly. This could help you save up to 10% of your annual heating costs  Ensure that pipework feeding bedrooms and common areas is well insulatedHot water  Do not overheat hot water. A temperature of 60°C is ideal:it provides comfortable hot water and is hot enough to kill legionella bacteria  Consider fitting spray water taps, as they use less hot water and energy  Make sure that leaking taps are repaired promptly  Ensure that pipework is well insulatedAir conditioning  Avoid operating the heating and cooling systems simultaneously. This can be a common problem in hotels. Switch off heating when a temperature of 21°C has been reached. In addition, back-of-house temperatures can probably be set lower than those at front of house  Avoid using air conditioning for cooling until the temperature exceeds 23-24°C  Implement a building management system (BEMS). These systems control and monitor heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and can reduce total energy costs by 10% or more 23

Lighting  Install occupancy and daylight sensors so that your lights are only on when required  Use low-energy lighting. Replace tungsten GLS lamps and T12 fluorescent tubes with much more energy efficient items such as T5 tubes or compact fluorescent or LED lamps. These could help you reduce the electricity you consume for lighting by up to 80%. Furthermore, some of the newer bulb types last more than eight times longer than tungsten GLS lamps, and, as they produce less heat, they will put less strain on the cooling required from your air conditioning systemRefrigeration  Defrost fridges regularly; check the seals on cold rooms and fridges; and keep condensers and evaporators clean  When replacing or buying new, look for energy efficient units such as those that are A rated. If possible, buy A++ units, as they have the lowest electrical running costs  Keep fridge doors closed as much as possible 24

Unit 6: Water Conservation6.1 Describe about water conservation.Water conservation is a big thing, but every little bit helps, so don’t think that what you dodoesn’t matter. A whole lot of people doing a little bit adds up to a whole lot. We must all makechanges in our lifestyles that will change the course of our water and its quality.Water conservation needs to be a way of life, not just something we think about once in a while.If we all do our part in conserving Washington’s water, we can make a huge difference for theenvironment. Water conservation means using our water wisely and caring for it properly.Since each of us depends on water for life, it is our responsibility to learn more about waterconservation and how we can help keep our water pure and safe for generations to come. Sincewe all enjoy the benefits of having pure, clean water, we must help conserve water so that wemay continue to enjoy these benefits.Water conservation is not a job that is just for the technician, soil scientist, hydrologist, forester,wildlife manager, plant scientist, city planner, park manager, farmer, rancher, or mine owneralone. It is a job for the everyday person who just likes to have access to the life sustainingresource of water.We must all recognize that water conservation really is our personal responsibility and not justleave it up to other people. Our water supply is finite, which means that we do not have anendless supply. We only have the water that we have now.Ninety-seven percent of all the water on the earth is salt water which is not suitable for drinking.Only three percent of all the water is fresh water, and only one percent is available for drinkingwater. The other two percent is locked in ice caps and glaciers.With all the people on Earth relying on such a small percentage of all the water on Earth, it onlymakes sense that we must preserve and conserve our water. We must not pollute our waterbecause it is the only water we will ever have. Some people do not realize the importance ofwater, and they are continually polluting it.Only about ten percent of waste water is disposed of properly. We must learn to save water nowfor the future. The quality of our water is very important. We have the same amount of waternow as there was when the earth was created. This is the water we have, and we must preserveits quality.Water is the foundation of food and life, Next to air, water is our most precious resource. Wecannot live without water. Saving water helps to preserve our environment. It reduces the energyrequired to process and deliver water, which helps in reducing pollution and in conserving fuelresources. 25

Saving water now means having water available in the future for recreational purposes, too.Conserving the water we have minimizes the effects of water shortages and helps build a betterdefence against future drought years. If we save water now, we are helping to ensure a watersupply adequate for future generations. Saving water saves money.We must save water today so that it will be available to us in the future. We need to think offuture generations, people who will not have a sufficient supply of water unless we become moreconcerned with how we use our water today.Strategies for Water Conservation:The following strategies can be adopted for conservation of water:1. Decreasing run-off losses:Huge water-loss occurs due to run-off on most of the soils, which can be reduced by allowingmost of the water to infiltrate into the soil. This can be achieved by using contour cultivation,terrace framing, water spreading, chemical treatment or improved water-storage system.(a) Contour cultivation:On small furrows and ridges across the slopes trap rainwater and allow more time for infiltration.It is applicable on relatively short slopes up to about 8 percent, steepness with fairly stable soils.By planning across the slope, rather t up and down a hill, the contour ridges slow or stop thedownhill flow of water, water is held in between these contours, thus reducing water erosion andincreasing soil moisture.(b) Terrace farming:Terracing constructed on deep soils has large water-storage capacity. On gentle slopes trappedrun off is spread over a large area (for better infiltrations). Terraced fields decrease erosion andsurface runoff, and are effective for growing crops requiring much water, such as rice.(c) Conservation-bench terracing:It involves construction of a series of benches for catching the run off water’s.(d) Water spreading:Water spreading is done by channelling or lagoon-levelling, in Channelling, water flow iscontrolled by a series of diversions with vertical intervals. In lagoon levelling, small depressionsare dug in the area so that there is temporary storage water.(e) Chemical wetting agents (Surfactants):These seem to increase the water intake rates when added to normal irrigated soiled) Surfacecrop residues, tillage, mulch, animal residues etc. help in reducing run-off by allowing more timefor water to penetrate into the land’s) Chemical conditioners like gypsum (CaS04.2H20) whenapplied to sonic soils improve soil permeability and reduce run off.Another useful conditioner is HPAN (hydrolyzed poyacrylonitrileg) Water-storage structureslike farm ponds, dugouts etc. build by individual farmers can be useful measures for conservingwater through reduction of runoff. 26

2. Reducing evaporation losses:This is more relevant in humid regions. Horizontal barriers of asphalt placed below the soilsurface increase water availability and increase crop yield by 35-40%. This is more effective onsandy soil but less effective on loamy sand soils. A copolymer of starch and acrylonitrile called‘super slumber’ has been reported to absorb water up to 1400 times its weight. The chemical hasbeen found to be useful for sandy soils.3. Storing water in soil:Storage of water takes place in the soil root zone inhumed regions when the soil is wetted to fieldcapacity. By leaving the soil fallow for one season water can be made available for the cropgrown in next season.4. Reducing irrigation losses:(a) Use of lined or covered canals to reduce seepage.(b) Irrigation in early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation losses.(c) Sprinkling irrigation and drip irrigation to conserve water by 30-50%.(d) Growing hybrid crop varieties with less water requirements and tolerance to saline water helpconserve water.(e) Leave some ground idle and apply the saved water to high- value crops.(f) Use soil-moisture monitoring equipment to measure how much moisture is in the soil.(g) Know each crop’s tolerance of drought stress and irrigate accordingly.5. Reuse of water:(a) Treated wastewater can be used for ferti-irrigation.(b) Using grey water from washings, bath-tubs etc. for watering gardens, washing cars or pathshelp in saving fresh water.6. Preventing wastage of water:This can be done in households, commercial buildings and public places:(a) Closing taps when not in use.(b) Repairing any leakage from pipes.(c) Using small capacity flush in toilets.7. Increasing block pricing:The consumer has to pay a proportionately higher bill with higher use of water. This helps ineconomic use of water by the consumers.6.2 Discuss general tips of water conservation in hospitality industry.Everybody needs to do their part to regulate water usage, but the hospitality industry particularlycan make a huge impact. Hotels can waste millions of gallons of water a year, but there are manyways to drastically cut down these numbers and start to move in a more sustainable direction.Here are 10 of our favorites. 27

1. Metering UsageIn order to start reducing water usage, you have to know where the trouble areas are. Measuringyour meter can yield valuable information on water usage and allow you to solve the problemintelligently.2. Fix LeaksWhile this may sound blaringly obvious, attention to drips can have a huge impact on the totalwater usage in a building. Finding leaks and fixing them is a simple step with Big Bang for yourbuck.3. Low Flow Faucets and Shower HeadsLow flow bathroom features can reduce water usage by as much as 30 percent! Newertechnologies like aerated shower heads are a definite step in the right direction and are becomingmore and more affordable everyday.4. Laundry ManagementLaundry accounts for a huge percentage of water usage in the hospitality industry. By beingconscious about the number of loads being done and making sure those loads are as large as canbe cleaned, a lot of water can be saved. Policies regarding towel placement for wash or not arealso great. Guests understand and most often respect a request to only ask for towel laundrywhen necessary.5. Sustainable LandscapingToo many hotels I’ve been to have landscapes filled with turf grass and non native species. Theirrigation and watering needs for this kind of design are enormous. By planting native plants anddiverse landscapes water usage can drop drastically. These native species are adapted to theenvironment and have a lot less need for human intervention.6. Grey Water StrategiesGrey water is wastewater generated by laundry, dishwashing, bathing etc. that can be recycledon-site. If treated correctly grey water can be used for irrigation and toilet flushing. If you canget over the difficulty of building the system, grey water is an awesome way of reducing theamount of potable fresh water being used.7. Rain Water CollectionThoughtful roof design and gutter placement can allow for rain water catchment. This water canthen be used for irrigation or other similar services. It can also be used to shower with and caneven be drank if treated appropriately. 28

8. Employee EducationEmployees can have a major impact on water usage because they are often the ones performingthe tasks that use a lot of water. By doing things like flushing less when cleaning or using a bowlof water to wash dishes instead of running water, water consumption can be cut significantly.9. Compost RegularlyComposting food waste instead of using a garbage disposal can have a huge, positive effect onwater usage. You can use the gallons of water normally used every time you run the garbagedisposal and compost, to instead help with your plants or other uses.10. Upgrade Kitchen TechnologyBy upgrading taps, using waterless woks and other newer industrial kitchen technologies waterloss in the kitchen can be cut to a minimum. Every little bit counts so investing in thesetechnologies can be well worth the seemingly high up-front cost. 29

Unit 7: Waste Management 7.1 Describe the term waste and its management. Waste and wastes are unwanted or unusable materials. Waste is any substance which is discarded after primary use, or it is worthless, defective and of no use. Examples include municipal solid waste (household trash/refuse), hazardous waste, wastewater (such as sewage, which contains bodily wastes (feces and urine) and surface runoff), radioactive waste, and others. Waste management is the process of treating solid wastes and offers variety of solutions for recycling items that don’t belong to trash. It is about how garbage can be used as a valuable resource. Waste management is something that each and every household and business owner in the world needs. Waste management disposes of the products and substances that you have use in a safe and efficient manner. “Waste management or Waste disposal is all the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes amongst other things, collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste together with monitoring and regulation. It also encompasses the legal and regulatory framework that relates to waste management encompassing guidance on recycling etc.” You will find there are eight major groups of waste management methods, each of them divided into numerous categories. Those groups include source reduction and reuse, animal feeding, recycling, composting, fermentation, landfills, incineration and land application. You can start using many techniques right at home, like reduction and reuse, which works to reduce the amount of disposable material used. 7.2 Describe how Ecotel manages the waste generates on the premises. Waste Management is an important aspect of environmental responsibility given the amount of waste that is sent to landfills all over the world. We follow the 3R theory - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to manage waste efficiently. To segregate the waste in all the hotel. Four separate colour coded bins are used for storing the separated waste. Black Bin- for the wet garbage like food waste Green Bin: for Paper waste like newspaper, cardboard cartons, paper napkin etc. 30

 White Bin: for the Recyclable waste like empty mineral water bottles, tin cans, thick plastic bags, parcel packets, stirrers, soft drink cans/tins, etc. Red Bin: Used for non-recyclable garbage like oil packets, soiled aluminium foil, cling wrap etc. The food waste or wet waste is decomposed in the hotel premises. A Vermiculture area has been set up for converting this food waste into organic manure or 'vermicompost'. This rich and fertile vermicompost is then used as a fertilizer for the gardens. 31

Unit 8: Disaster Management8.1. Describe the term disaster management (Concept and Meaning)A disaster is a consequence ofa sudden disastrous eventwhich seriously disrupts thenormal function of the societyor the community to the extentthat it cannot subsist withoutoutside help.A disaster is not just theoccurrence of an event such asan earthquake, flood, conflict,health epidemic or anindustrial accident; a disasteroccurs if that event/processnegatively impacts humanpopulations.Disasters combine two elements: hazard, and the vulnerability of affected people. \"A disasteroccurs when a hazard exposes the vulnerability of individuals and communities in such a waythat their lives are directly threatened or sufficient harm has been done to their community'seconomic and social structure to undermine their ability to survive.A disaster can be defined as any tragic event stemming from events such as earthquakes, floods,catastrophic accidents, fires, or explosions. It is a phenomenon that disasters can cause damageto life, property and destroy the economic, social and cultural life of people.Disaster is the exposure of a group of people to a hazard, leading to a serious disruption of thefunctioning of a society and causing human, material, economic environmentallosses which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope. A disaster resultsfrom a combination of hazards and vulnerability that exceeds the capacity ofa society to reduce the potential negative consequences of risk.Hazard is an extreme event, natural or man-made , with a destructive potential to social,economic and human assets. These may include future threats, and may be “natural”(geological, hydro meteorological and biological) or “man-made” (Conflict, environmentaldegradation and technological hazards).Disasters are often described as a result of the combination of: the exposure to a hazard; theconditions of vulnerability that are present; and insufficient capacity or measures to reduce orcope with the potential negative consequences. Disaster impacts may include loss of life, injury, 32

disease and other negative effects on human physical, mental and social well-being, togetherwith damage to property, destruction of assets, loss of services, social and economic disruptionand environmental degradation.A disaster is a calamitous, distressing, or ruinous effect of a disastrous event which seriouslyaffects or disrupts (or threaten to disrupt) the critical functions of a community, society orsystem, for a period long enough to significantly harm it or cause its failure. It is beyond thecapapabilty of the local community to overcome it. The stricken community needs extraordinaryefforts to cope with it, often with outside help or international aid.It is a situation resulting from an environmental phenomenon or armed conflict that producestress, personal injury, physical damage, and economic disruption of great magnitude.DefinitionThe World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Disaster as \"any occurrence that causes damage,ecological disruption, loss of human life, deterioration of health and health services, on a scalesufficient to warrant an extraordinary response from outside the affected community or area.\"8.2. Describe the classification of disasters.Disasters are simply defined as any over helming ecological disruption which disturbsenvironmental and economic positions.Disasters are mainly divided as two types:  Natural Disasters and  Artificial Disasters.Artificial Disasters are also called as Man Made Disasters.Natural Disasters:Disasters that are caused by Natural causes are called as Natural Disasters.  Earthquakes,  Landslides,  Floods,  River erosion,  Cyclones,  Tsunami,  Forest Fires etc…Artificial Disasters:These are the disasters that are occurred due to man made changes over the surface of the Earth. 33

 Nuclear Disasters,  Chemical Disasters,  Mine Disasters,  Biological Disasters.These are an example of manmade disasters.Natural Disasters:Earthquakes:Earthquakes are nothing but any sudden movement over the surface of the Earth which shakesEarth vigorously that destroys the structures resting on the Earth.“We are not about to predict earthquakes. As one door closes, another opens. If we can’tpredict earthquakes, then let’s learn to live safely with them.”The main safeties behind Earthquakes are:  We should know safe spot in each and every room of our house,  Decide where your family will reunite if separated,  Maintain emergency food, water, medicine, first aid kit, tools, and clothing.During an Earthquake:  Take cover. Go under a table or other sturdy furniture; kneel, sit, or stay close to the floor. Hold on to furniture legs for balance. Be prepared to move if your cover moves.  If no sturdy cover is nearby, kneel or sit close to the floor next to a structurally sound interior wall. Place your hands on the floor for balance.Cyclone:Cyclone is defined as: Rapid inward circulation of air masses about a low pressure centre; circlingcounter clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern.  Keep watch on weather and listen to radio or TV. Keep alert about the community warning systems – loudspeakers, bells, conches, drums or any traditional warning system.  Get to know the nearest cyclone shelter / safe houses and the safest route to reach these shelters,  Prepare a first aid kit, emergency tools for saving ourselves, dry food.During a Cyclone:  Disconnect all electrical appliances and turn off gas. 34

 If the building starts crumbling, protect yourself with mattresses, rugs or blankets under a strong table or bench or hold on to a solid fixture (e.g. a water pipe)  Listen to your transistor radio for updates and advice.Floods:  All your family members should know the safe route to nearest shelter/ raised pucca house.  If your area is flood-prone, consider alternative building materials. Mud walls are more likely to be damaged during floods. You may consider making houses where the walls are made of local bricks up to the highest known flood level with cement pointing.During Floods:  Drink boiled water.  Keep your food covered, don’t take heavy meals.  Use raw tea, rice-water, tender coconut-water, etc…During a Landslide:  Stay alert and awake. Many debris-flow fatalities occur when people are sleeping. Listen to a Weather Radio or portable, battery-powered radio or television for warnings of intense rainfall. Be aware that intense, short bursts of rain may be particularly dangerous, especially after longer periods of heavy rainfall and damp weather.  If you are in areas susceptible to landslides and debris flows, consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Remember that driving during an intense storm can be hazardous. If you remain at home, move to a second story if possible. Staying out of the path of a landslide or debris flow saves lives. After the Landslide:  Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of additional slides.  Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide area. Direct rescuers to their locations.  Help a neighbor who may require special assistance - infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations. 35

8.3. Disaster ManagementDisaster management means Emergency management is the discipline of dealing with andavoiding risks. It is a discipline that involves preparing for disaster before it occurs, disasterresponse (e.g., emergency evacuation, quarantine, mass decontamination, etc.), and supporting,and rebuilding society after natural or human-made disasters have occurred. In general, anyEmergency Management is the continuous process by which all individuals, groups, andcommunities manage hazards in an effort to avoid or ameliorate the impact of disasters resultingfrom the hazards. Effective Emergency Management relies on thorough integration of emergencyplans at all levels of government and non-government involvement.Disaster management involves a cycle namely Emergency Cycle.Experts, such as Cuny, have long noted that the cycle of Emergency Management must includelong-term work on infrastructure, public awareness,and even human justice issues.The process of Emergency Management involvesfour phases: 1. Mitigation 2. Preparedness 3. Response 4. RecoveryThis is named as Emergency Management Cyclesince it works in a cyclic process.Mitigation:Mitigation efforts attempt to prevent hazards from developing into disasters altogether, or toreduce the effects of disasters when they occur. The mitigation phase differs from the otherphases because it focuses on long-term measures for reducing or eliminating risk.Mitigative measures can be structural or non-structural. Structural measures use technologicalsolutions, like flood levees. Non-structural measures include legislation, land-use planning andinsurance. Mitigation is the most cost-efficient method for reducing the impact of hazards;however it is not always suitable. Mitigation does include providing regulations regardingevacuation, sanctions against those who refuse to obey the regulations (such as mandatoryevacuations), and communication of potential risks to the public. Some structural mitigationmeasures may have adverse effects on the ecosystem.A precursor activity to the mitigation is the identification of risks. Physical risk assessment refersto the process of identifying and evaluating hazards. The hazard-specific risk (Rh) combines both 36

the probability and the level of impact of a specific hazard. The equation below states that thehazard multiplied by the populations’ vulnerability to that hazard produces a risk Catastrophemodeling. The higher the risk, the more urgent that the hazard specific vulnerabilities aretargeted by mitigation and preparedness efforts. However, if there is no vulnerability there willbe no risk, e.g. an earthquake occurring in a desert where nobody lives.Preparedness: Preparedness is a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping,exercising, evaluation and improvement activities to ensure effective coordination and theenhancement of capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigatethe effects of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.In the preparedness phase, emergency managers develop plans of action to manage and countertheir risks and take action to build the necessary capabilities needed to implement such plans.Common preparedness measures include:  Communication plans with easily understandable terminology and methods.  Proper maintenance and training of emergency services, including mass human resources such as community emergency response teams.  Development and exercise of emergency population warning methods combined with emergency shelters and evacuation plans.  stockpiling, inventory, and maintain disaster supplies and equipment[8]  Develop organizations of trained volunteers among civilian populations. Professional emergency workers are rapidly overwhelmed in mass emergencies so trained; organized, responsible volunteers are extremely valuable. Eg: Community Emergency Response Teams, Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).Another aspect of preparedness is casualty prediction, the study of how many deaths or injuriesto expect for a given kind of event. This gives planners an idea of what resources need to be inplace to respond to a particular kind of event.Response:The response phase includes the mobilization of the necessary emergency services and firstresponders in the disaster area.This is likely to introduce: 1. firefighters 2. police 3. ambulance 4. disaster relief operation(military) 37

5. Noncombatant evacuation operation 6. Special rescue teams at the site of the disaster prone areas. A well-rehearsed emergency plan developed as part of the preparedness phase enables efficient coordination of rescue. There is a need for both discipline (structure, doctrine, process) and agility (creativity, improvisation, adaptability) in responding to a disaster.Recovery: The aim of the recovery phase is to restore the affected area to its previous state. It differsfrom the response phase in its focus; recovery efforts are concerned with issues and decisionsthat must be made after immediate needs are addressed.Recovery efforts are primarily concerned with actions that involve rebuilding destroyed property,re-employment, and the repair of other essential infrastructure.Efforts should be made to \"build back better\", aiming to reduce the pre-disaster risks inherent inthe community and infrastructure.An important aspect of effective recovery efforts is taking advantage of a ‘window ofopportunity’for the implementation of mitigative measures that might otherwise be unpopular.In the United States, the National Response Plan dictates how the resources provided by theHomeland Security Act of 2002 will be used in recovery efforts.It is the Federal government that often provides the most technical and financial assistance forrecovery efforts in the United States. 38

Unit 9: Tourism and Environment9.1. Discuss Nature based Tourism.Nature Tourism is one of the forms of Ecotourism that attracts the nature lovers to understandand learn the functioning of ecosystem. Its primary focus is to experience the natural areas thatfosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation. Nature tourismoffers outdoor travel to remote areas with scenic attractions. The inclusion of ecology as anintegral educational element has become increasingly important for which nature tourism is apart of ecological processes.A special type of planning, conservation management, and economics has been evolved fornature tourism to be more acceptable to the ecosystem. Otherwise, there may be severe reactionsfrom ecology and nature tourism can become an odd form of attraction in a natural areas. Theobjective of nature tourism is to provide interesting information on organisms and their uniquerelationship and it gives importance to the sustainability of ecosystem through methodicalconservation management, education, equitable social benefits and community responsibility.Thus, the principles of Nature Tourism now include Providing education on nature and its functioning Stressing on sustainable use of resources Giving scope for avoidance of degradation Empowering local community as a part of nature tourism Respecting local culture and heritage Providing sustainable profits to the business firms involved in nature tourismNature-based tourism offers on-site activities include hunting, fishing, photography, birdwatching, and visiting parks and studying information about the ecosystem. The experiencechanges the perception, attitude and beahviour of an individual towards the nature. He/she mayact as an ambassador for protecting the nature. Hence, nature tourism has emerged as a humanactivity distinct from adventure travel.9.2. Describe Sustainable Tourism.The evolution of the concept of sustainable tourism may be traced back to the literature before itwas acknowledged as a principle or philosophy by the governments. hunting and maintenance ofrecreational areas in nature reserves in Mesopotamia may be referred as the earliest example ofsteps towards the preservation of nature. A report titled The Limits to Growth was released bythe Club of Rome in 1972 to challenge the traditional assumptions and discourses that the naturalenvironment provided an infinite resource support for population and economic growth. Theterm sustainable development was evolved as an umbrella concept in the literature between the1960s and 1970s as a very common research subject (Bramwell and Lane, 1993).The debates and discussions on the sustainable development during the United Nations’Stockholm Conference on Humans and the Environment in 1972 laid the foundation of concept 39

of eco-development with special emphasis on cultural, social and ecological aspects along withtourism development. According to Dasmann et al., (1973), the ecological principles foreconomic development must be linked to the environment with economic development. Thesymbiotic harmony between preservation of ecology and economic development waswholeheartedly supported by signatory countries of the World Conservation Strategy (IUCN,1980).The primary objective of sustainable tourism was focused on the conservation vision which waspropounded in the early stage of the evolution of the concept of sustainable development eventhough there are other two objectives like community vision and economic theory as three facetsof sustainable development was implicitly embedded in the practices in good old days.The Globe’90 Conference in Vancouver, Canada discussed the challenge of implementing thebroad principles of sustainable development in the tourism sector. The World Conference on thetheme Sustainable.Tourism in 1995 in Lanzarote in Spain deliberated on the implementation of Agenda 21. Theconference resolved to create a Charter for Sustainable Tourism that was endorsed by the UNGeneral Assembly.The Charter has since been using a number of principles and objectives for the implementationof sustainable tourism, including the need for integrated planning, consultation of stakeholdersand improvement in the quality of life of the host population (WCST, 1995). The same principleswere also outlined in the Bali and Male Declaration on Sustainable Tourism Development andthe principles were also adopted at the UNWTO forum in 1996 and 1997 respectively. TheBerlin Declaration adopted the same principles for sustainable tourism management at theInternational Conference of Environment Ministers on Biodiversity and Tourism in 1997.The formal foundation of the meaning of sustainable development was laid by the Brundtland’sReport titled Our Common Future. The Report elaborated on some common challenges andrecommendations to include Conservation outside the protected areas Wildlife-based tourism The role of small scale Culturally and environmentally sensitive tourism by involving local aboriginal peopleA formal and well-conceived definition of sustainable development has been defined in theReport “ Our Common Future”. The Report emphasized on the two key concepts: The concept of needs Subjective well-beingThe Chapter 11 of the Agenda 21 recommends that government should promote ecotourism as amethod to enhance sustainable forest management and planning (UNCED, 1992). The WTTC,the UNWTO and the Earth Council formulated the Agenda 21 for the Travel and TourismIndustry in 1995 to sensitize tourism companies involved in the business directly. 40

9.3. Explain evolution of ecotourism.The origins of the term ‘ecotourism’ may be traced back to the four pillars or principles ofresponsible tourism by Hetzer in 1965, who conducted the first eco-tours in the Yucatan duringthe early 1970s. His study found the intricate relationship between tourists and the environmentsand cultures in which they interact. However, Hector Ceballos-Lascurain first coined the term‘ecotourism’ in July 1983 when he was in the process of developing the PRONATURA, an NGOin Mexico. The PRONATURA worked for creating awareness for the conservation of AmericanFlamingo in the wetlands in northern Yucatan for sustaining the breeding and feeding habitats.Other early references to ecotourism may be found from the work of Miller (1978) on nationalpark planning for eco-development in Latin American countries. Documentation was preparedby the Environment Canada to make road-based eco-tours from the mid 1970s to the early 1980s.Each tour was conducted in ecological zone in the corridor of Trans-Canada Highways withinformation to help effective interpretation.The need for conceiving ecotourism arose from the worldwide environment movement in the1970s and 1980s. For example, the International Conference was held in Geneva on HumanEnvironment in 1972 followed by the World Conservation Strategy by IUCN in 1980 outlinedthe importance of sustainable development or eco-development. Further, growing concern forenvironmental pollutions, loss of species coupled with the aversion towards mass tourism led tocreate a new class of tourists interested and motivated towards seeking nature-based experiences.At the same time, the third-world countries found the form of nature-based tourism as a meansfor earning revenue to sustain the livelihood of people as an additional occupation or a substituteto agriculture, logging, fishing, hunting, etc. By the mid 1980s, many such less developedcountries with huge potential for promoting nature-based tourism as a means of protectingenvironment and ensuring development.9.4. Explain various principle of ecotourism.Ecotourism is a way to generate funds for conservation and scientific research, protect fragileand pristine ecosystems, benefit rural communities, promote development in poor countries,enhance ecological and cultural sensitivity, instill environmental awareness and a socialconscience in the travel industry, satisfy and educate the discriminating tourist, and build worldpeace and harmony. These are the following principles of ecotourism.  Minimization of the negative impacts on nature and culture that largely damage the serenity and tranquility of tourism destinations.  Dissemination of Education to the travelers on the importance of biodiversity conservation  Promotion of responsible business in cooperation with local authorities and people to meet local needs and deliver conservation benefits  Generation of direct revenues to the conservation and management of natural and protected areas  Maximization of economic benefits for the host community, local business and communities, particularly people living in adjacent to natural and protected areas. 41

 Development of infrastructure in harmony with the environment that can minimize the use of fossil fuels and can help conserve local plants and wildlife by blending with natural and cultural environment  Contribution to the conservation of biodiversity  Provision of the sustainable ways of maintaining the wellbeing of local people.  Establishment interpretation for enhancing experience and learning  Responsible action on the part of tourist and the tourism industry.  Requirement of the lowest possible consumption of non-renewable resources.  Encouragement to small groups with small scale investment  Provision for local participation, ownership and business opportunities particularly for rural people  Conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity through ecosystem protection  Promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity by providing jobs to local populations  Equal distribution of socio-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous peoples by seeking their informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises  Protection of unspoiled natural resources with minimal impact on the environment being a primary concern.  Minimization of tourism’s own environmental impact  Reduction of waste and residue  Preservation of local culture, flora and fauna being the main attractions  Economic benefit from ecotourism often more than mass tourism9.5. Explain various principle of sustainable tourism.  Tourism development must be designed, planned and managed to respect the maximum capacity or limits of environment in order to give much importance to long-term planning for the judicious use of natural and human resources for the future.  The conservation and use of natural, social and cultural resources is essential to achieve sustainable use redevelopment.  Tourism planning and development must be integrated into local, region and national level sustainable development strategies.  Planners and policymakers must take into the capacity of land, resource and socio- cultural factors while planning for tourism development.  Tourism industry should sincerely use the local products for the benefits of local economy  Tourism revenue should overshadow the economic base of an area for which environmental costs and benefits should be assessed.  Local community members should be given pivotal role in decision-making process, planning and implementation.  Local communities must act as a custodian of tourism resources as well as touristic facilities.  As an objective of equity and social justice, indigenous people, women and minority groups should be empowered economically and socially to take part in the tourism development. 42

 All efforts should be directed towards the fair equitable distribution of the benefits of tourism.  The cultural value, social system, economic system, the way of life, local environment and political setup should be preserved and respected.  All the partners of tourism should be sensitized to respect the sustainable forms of tourism.  Efforts for continuous staff training, awareness, marketing, publicity, empowerment, etc should be taken up without having any prejudice for the benefits of host communities and other stakeholders.  Research should be encouraged at all levels of tourism development and operation in order to find solutions  Helping each other and extending cooperation to tackle the negative consequences of tourism should be the motto of all individual and organizations involved in tourism business.  Promoting energy saving measures through renewable ways should be adopted for increasing the efficiency  Reducing consumption of high-quality drinking water supplied from rainwater/grey water must be practiced.  Reducing domestic consumption with water management system is the best way to save water and save energy used for pumping and supplying water.  Selecting the use of renewable materials must be done to help reduce the waste and save the natural resources.  Making the use and design of land for a long-term development must be figured in the destination planning documents.  Preserving the cultural heritage must be the objective.  Alleviating poverty and malnourishment should be taken seriously.  Reducing the consumption of fossil fuels can curb the greenhouse gas emission.  Taking steps for preservation of existing endangered species for biodiversity must be welcomed.9.6. Describe ecotourism and nature based tourism.Eco Tourism is emerging as a dominant concept throughout the world, attracting a larger numberof alternative tourists. In Southeast Asian countries, eco-tourism is increasingly being made aflagship project to attract hard currency for economic recovery and to help communities ride outof the debt crisis.Though we cannot trace the origin of the term ‘Eco-tourism'. One of the first to use it appears tobe Hetzer (1965), who identified the following 4 pillars of 'responsible tourism':• Minimizing Environmental impacts• Respecting host's cultures• Maximizing the benefits to the local people and• Maximizing the tourist satisfaction. 43