Community-driven wildlife tourism gains popularity in the Himalayas

In the Himalayas, there are wildlife tourism initiatives that provide hope for both local livelihoods and the protection of unique mountain species. Latpanchar, a small village near India’s Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal, is a prime example. It draws visitors from across India and beyond who come to witness rare birds like the rufous-necked hornbill, long-tailed broadbill, and red-headed trogon, many of which can be spotted right in the village.

Latpanchar, with its population of around 15,000, offers 17 homestays, 15 bird guides, and 20 drivers, showcasing a growing trend in the Himalayas: locally-led, small-scale tourism catering to those interested in lesser-known species, in contrast to the more common tiger and elephant safaris. While tiger reserves in India generated substantial tourism revenue and employment, the Himalayas hold significant potential for wildlife tourism models benefiting both local communities and biodiversity conservation.

Tourism potential in the Eastern Himalayas

In Latpanchar, all aspects of ecotourism, from homestay owners to drivers, cooks, and birding guides, are sourced from the local community. According to Gurung, this approach instills a widespread understanding of the importance of conservation.

He emphasizes that tourism in the area depends on the continued existence of the birds and the forests they inhabit. The growth of wildlife-focused tourism in the village has provided many community members with their primary source of income over the past decade, thereby reducing their reliance on the forest for resources like firewood.

The Himalayan region is renowned for its biodiversity, with various plant and animal species evolving in the diverse valleys separated by high ridges and peaks. The Eastern Himalayas, recognized as an ‘Endemic Bird Area’ by BirdLife International, is home to 23 bird species found nowhere else on Earth.

India has a thriving community of birdwatchers, with numerous volunteers regularly contributing to bird counts. The Himalayan regions are also popular destinations for international birding tour companies, highlighting strong global demand to witness the area’s unique avian species. Thus, there is considerable potential to develop specialized tourism centered around this biological distinctiveness, which can subsequently benefit conservation efforts.

Beyond Latpanchar, other examples in the Eastern Himalayas include community-conserved areas around Thembang village in Arunachal Pradesh, where tourists visit to observe red pandas in the surrounding forests, and community-based butterfly-watching in the Garo hills of Meghalaya.

In the mid-hills of Ilam district in eastern Nepal, local communities profit from tourists interested in seeing red pandas. They provide hospitality services like homestays and serve as forest guides. Janita Gurung, an ecologist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), notes that the Red Panda Network is working to build the capacity of these communities for tourism focused on the endangered red pandas. This tourism income serves as an incentive for the community to ensure the conservation of red pandas, their habitat, and their primary food source, bamboo.

Engaging local voices

Earlier this year, a group of young Indian pastoralists engaged with India’s Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying to advocate for skill development programs enabling their participation in ecotourism, such as roles as naturalists and tour guides.

Rashmi Singh, an affiliate researcher at PASTRES: Pastoralism, Uncertainty, Resilience, emphasizes that pastoralists, who coexist with unique antelope and carnivore species, possess invaluable knowledge about these animals and their habitats. She stresses the importance of involving local institutions like village or tribal councils in ecotourism management to ensure sustainable resource use and equitable community benefits. Additionally, Singh suggests limiting visits to core wildlife habitats to minimize disturbances. 

To ensure the long-term success of community-led wildlife tourism, expert Roy highlights the need for community acceptance, assessing wildlife impacts, implementing safeguards, and establishing sustainable financing and commercial viability.

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