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Written by: JK Monitor News Network

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 31 May 2023

GANDERBAL: Department of Tourism Studies (DTS) in collaboration with the Departments of Botany and Students Welfare (DSW), organized a one-day seminar on “Ecotourism: A path towards sustainable future”, at varsity’s Tulmulla campus here on Wednesday. The programme was organized under the aegis of “Our Planet: Our Environment and Our campus”, "Mass Mobilization On Mission LiFE”.

Addressing the participants, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, stressed the enforcement of the ecotourism practices on ground and implementation of the policies. He spoke about ways they (students) can contribute directly and indirectly towards a better environment. During his address, Dean School of Business Studies, Prof. Fayaz Ahmad Nikka, underscored the need of promoting ecotourism and more specifically the promotion of unexplored destinations. He discussed extensively the impacts that tourists have on the destination after their visit and that implementing regulations at destinations is essential to achieve the desirable change in tourists’ behaviour.

Finance Officer and DSW Dr. Mehraj Ud Din Shah emphasized the importance of responsible tourism and the urgency to sensitize all stakeholders on conservation and protection of the environment.  Coordinator, DTS, Dr. Faizan Ashraf Mir, impressed upon the impacts of tourism and the need to manage and mitigate the negative impacts.

Assistant Prof. Ms. Shahnaz Akhtar, spoke on concepts of community empowerment, conducting guided tours to create education awareness of ecotourism, need for sustainable transportation and increased conservation funding to sustain ecotourism. She focused on Plastic pollution and how the tourism industry can reduce plastic waste generation.

During the event, various aspects of Ecotourism were discussed and debated threadbare. Scholars of the department engaged the students of MTTM and B.Voc in intellectual discussions. The topics ranging from introduction to ecotourism, global, national and local best practices; policy implications and implementation were discussed. Faculty members, Dr. Faizan A. Mir, Dr. Ramjit Singh, Ms. Shahnaz Akhtar, Dr. Abid Nika, Dr. Adil Nazki jointly conducted a panel discussion on the theme. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Asma Bashir.  Dr. Ramjit Singh proposed the vote of thanks.