Ecotourism as a Tool for Biodiversity Conservation: A study of Protected Areas and National Parks in India

Tourism can play a vital role in protecting the environment, conserving biodiversity and maintaining sustainable development. Furthermore, tourism has the power to enhance the environment, to provide fund for conservation, to preserve culture and history, to set sustainable use limits, to protect wildlife and to add value to biodiversity. Ecotourism has emerged as a sustainable approach that links biodiversity conservation with socioeconomic benefits for local communities. In India—a mega-diverse country with extensive protected areas including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves—ecotourism has been increasingly integrated into conservation strategies. This study examines how ecotourism contributes to biodiversity conservation, enhances environmental awareness, supports livelihoods, and reinforces protected area management. Through a literature review and case evidence from Indian protected areas, we argue that properly managed ecotourism can strengthen conservation outcomes while addressing local development needs.