THE FUTURE OF TOURISM, FORESTS, AND LIVELIHOODS

The magnificent land of Rajasthan, with its ancient forts, regal palaces, large old trees, and vast forests teeming with wildlife, offers a glimpse into the inseparable bond among tourism, forests, and livelihoods. Visitors from all over the world come to experience the grandeur of forests wildlife in Rajasthan. National parks like Ranthambore, Sariska, and Keoladeo have become vital sources of livelihood for thousands of people, drawing tourists who seek to witness nature’s most spectacular creatures, including the majestic Royal Bengal tiger.

Yet, this delicate balance between nature, culture, and livelihood remains under jeopardy. The rapid pace of economic development, a growing population, and climate change are converging in ways that challenge the very fabric of this interlocked relationship. As these forces collide, they spark a narrative of crisis, adaptation, and hope for the future of tourism, forests, and livelihoods in Rajasthan and across India.

THE BLOSSOMING OF TOURISM AND CONSERVATION IN RAJASTHAN

In the 1950s, Rajasthan’s forests began to emerge as vital tourist destinations. Ranthambore, in particular, captured the imagination of wildlife lovers. Declared a protected area for Royal Bengal Tigers, it quickly became the face of India’s wildlife tourism. Tourists, both Indian and international, flocked to see these majestic cats in their natural habitat, nurturing a flourishing tourism that transformed the region.

The local communities who lived on the periphery of these forests saw an unexpected shift. Tourism became a new source of livelihood. Hotels, guides, safari services, and craftspeople all benefited from the influx of visitors. Conservation and tourism, once seen as separate realms, found a perfect synergy. Local knowledge that was becoming obsolete, started serving it’s holders well. The presence of tourists helped to protect the forests, while protection of wildlife attracted more visitors, creating a virtuous cycle of ecological and economic benefit.

But this balance was more fragile than it seemed, as a growing storm loomed on the horizon.

SARISKA’S COLLAPSE: A STARK WARNING

Sariska, once a thriving hub of tiger tourism, faced a devastating blow in 2004 when the tigers disappeared. It was a man-made disaster. The lush forest, once alive with the roars of tigers and the excited whispers of tourists, had fallen silent. A combination of poaching and neglect had wiped out the entire tiger population. Sariska’s forests, once protected by the allure of its tigers, were left vulnerable.

The disappearance of tigers brought the tourism industry in Sariska to a grinding halt. The hotels emptied, guides were left without work, and those who depended on the bustling wildlife tourism industry for their livelihoods were plunged into economic uncertainty. According to reports, the number of tourists visiting Sariska dropped by 80% in the years following the disappearance of the tigers. Local businesses that had thrived on the steady stream of wildlife enthusiasts faced severe financial losses.

The ecological impact was equally disastrous. Tigers, as apex predators, are crucial to maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Without them, herbivore populations like chital and nilgai surged, leading to overgrazing and the degradation of vegetation. The intricate balance of life that had sustained Sariska’s forests for centuries had been broken, and with it, the biodiversity of the region suffered.

JUST ONE CHANCE: THE RETURN OF TIGERS

The crisis at Sariska led to new opportunities. In 2008, India launched the first successful tiger reintroduction, transferring tigers from Ranthambore. Despite the risks, this bold move sparked hope for both the ecosystem and local livelihoods. As the tiger population recovered, so did tourism, with visitors returning to witness these majestic animals. By 2024, Sariska’s tiger population had grown to 43, including cubs. The story of Sariska, like Panna, shows that even the worst situations can be reversed with the right intervention, standing as a testament to both collapse and resurgence.

FOREST TOURISM: A PATHWAY OF NATURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

Tourism, especially forest tourism, is more than a luxury—it is a valuable Natural Climate Solution. It supports ecosystem protection, carbon sequestration, and offers livelihood benefits to local communities. Forests absorb and store carbon, reducing greenhouse gases and mitigating climate change. Tourism also incentivizes biodiversity conservation by protecting species like tigers, which maintain ecosystem balance. For local communities, tourism is a lifeline, providing jobs for guides, hotel staff, artisans, and vendors. This economic support reduces pressure on unsustainable resource use, making tourism a key tool for both environmental and social well-being.

THE DELICATE BALANCE BETWEEN LUXURY, LIVELIHOODS, AND CONSERVATION

Yet, this system is not without its challenges. The modern tourist, particularly those visiting Rajasthan’s luxury resorts, often demands comfort and exclusivity. Balancing the luxury needs of affluent visitors with the preservation of fragile ecosystems is a tightrope walk for tourism managers. At the same time, local communities rely on tourism for their livelihoods, and the needs of these communities are critical to the sustainability of the industry.

NAVIGATING THE FUTURE: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The future of tourism, forests, and livelihoods remains perpetually at a crossroads. Addressing climate change, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and finding ways to integrate rural communities into sustainable development will be key challenges. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation. Rajasthan has already started implementing initiatives aimed at water conservation, sustainable farming, and the restoration and rewilding of degraded land.

THE PATH FORWARD

The story of Sariska and Panna stands as a powerful testament to the interconnectedness of tourism, forests, and livelihoods. Conservation landscape around the country provides hope. India has a vast protected area network, including 106 National Parks, 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 115 Conservation Reserves, and 220 Community Reserves. Many of these areas are notified as 55 Tiger Reserves, 33 Elephant Reserves, Bird Sanctuaries, and 82 Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance. The total forest cover of the country is 7,13,789 sq km which is 21.71 percent of the geographical area of the country. The tree cover of the country is estimated as 95,748 sq km which is 2.91 percent of the geographical area. Thus, the total Forest and Tree cover of the country is 8,09,537 sq km which is 24.62 percent of the geographical area of the country. One thing is clear. We must remember that even within protected areas, species collapse can have a cascading effect on ecology, economy and society. It also shows how recovery is possible through strategic intervention. Forest tourism, when managed sustainably, acts as a potent Natural Climate Solution—sequestering carbon, conserving biodiversity, and improving local livelihoods.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Dr Deep Narayan Pandey, The writer is Retd. PCCF HoFF & Nirmal Tiwari, The writer is Associate Editor at First India News