Nineteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

Community-based ecotourism (CBET) has been gaining importance as an emerging concept. Ecotourism have always been deemed as important resources for livelihood among the host communities reside nearby protected areas. Here we evaluate the ecotourism initiatives in Jiabhoreli landscapes that have been introduce by Assam (Bhorelli) Angling and Conservation Association (ABACA), an organization started nature-based tourism ventures in the year 1956 benefiting local populace in terms of income, improved infrastructure, employment opportunities and exposure. The present research is based on data collected using semi-structured interviews, and updates using information gathered during successive local meetings. A process of triangulation was ensured where by key informants and focus group were interviewed and different sites (e.g. homestead, ecocamp, village market, river bank and in the forest) visited. Snowball sampling procedure was used to collect information. Interview questions touched on livelihood options, wildlife conservation, and tourist resource management. This paper highlights the community-based ecotourism that implies sustainable management initiatives and its impact of on livelihood in the fringe of Jiabhoreli River.