Green holidays means ecotourism, a kind of tourism aimed at non-native, often endangered, natural environments, to aid in conservation endeavours and observe fauna. It includes visiting sensitive, pure, and comparatively less disturbed natural places. It means accountable travel to natural spaces, protecting the environment, and bettering the sustenance levels of the natives. Its purpose could be to edify the traveller, to offer financial assistance for ecological preservation, to majorly help in the economic progress and political emboldening of local communities, or to create a sense of honour for varied cultures and contribute in human safety. Since the 1980s, ecotourism has been undertaken as a crucial attempt by environmentalists, so that the posterity may enjoy going to destinations relatively unadulterated by man’s interference.

Green holiday chiefly involves holidaying in destinations where birds, animals, and cultural legacy are the chief allurements. Ecotourism strives to provide tourists a deeper knowledge about the impression of human beings on their surroundings and to facilitate a genuine acknowledgement of the natural habitats. Responsible ecotourism plans comprise those that lower the negative sides of traditional tourism on the environment and improve the cultural uprightness of the locals. Hence, besides assessing environmental and cultural elements, a fundamental component of ecotourism is the furtherance of careful protection and preservation of natural resources such as water, wood and generation of employment benefits for the local communities. 

Ecotourism, also known as sustainable tourism, shows respect to the gifts of nature and aids in uplifting the status of natural treasures. Moreover, it is an intrinsic part of environmental conservation, and a great help in ameliorating the quality of life of the locals. It also engages the ones practising it to know in greater detail about the historical past of other places and safeguarding the historical milestones.

Ecotourism gives the tourists the privilege to take enriching experiences and learning home. It is much more than merely getting information about facts pertaining to various places of visit. It provides them the platform to lose themselves into the cultures and traditions of the locals and creates an indelible imprint in their mind, never to be erased in the lifetime.

It also creates an attitude of solidarity and oneness with not only nature but also the residents. Apart from that, the visitors develop a feeling of sensitivity with regard to the culture of the land. The curious conversations and light-hearted interactions with the natives leads to mutual understanding. In addition to that, ecotourism also stabilizes the economic condition of the places travelled to. The local economy gets uplifted and more jobs are created.

Sustainable travel reduces carbon footprints, keep the diverse species safe from exploitation and becoming extinct, thanks to the monetary aid by small firms. It keeps destructive habits endangering the environment at bay. The lesser number of people, the lesser refuse and hence, lesser pollution. Eco-friendly travel options are a hit with both solo travellers as well as a complete family.

Harmonious co-existence among communities is another benefit of travelling sustainably. Besides, it also enables the tourists to have a peek into themselves, their thoughts, their perception of the world and the challenges faced by them, thus making them adaptable, flexible, and open minded. It gives them the treasure of once in a lifetime experiences, to be cherished for years to come. Not to forget, the enhancement of their lexicon representing different places they have visited.

Much more than travelling globally or visiting places of interest and fascination, ecotourism creates positive ripples in the waves of ecology and environment. Reshaping the contours of travel, it is the most righteous way of travelling. It is only in ecotourism that conservation, communities and responsible travel come under one roof. Hence, to keep up with providing a constructive experience to the traveller, increasing their awareness about sustainability concerns and encouraging sustainable tourism operations, green holidays need to be practised globally.  

On this illuminating note, let’s pledge to actualize the thoughtful words of John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day—“Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics, and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty, and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure.” #

Heemal Handoo Bhat, Principal, Hansraj Model School, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi.