ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN SRI LANKA:RECOMMENDATION FOR A WORKING COVENANT

Abstract

Despite the potential to capitalize on the expanding and popular ecotourist industry, Sri Lanka has failed to do so. Development of this low-impact, high-quality component of the tourist industry will, however, provide a good economic reason to advance the cause for conservation of Sri Lanka's wildlife and wildlands, and for maintaining the extensive protected areas system. The tourist industry and the conservation community should cooperate to develop a viable, innovative ecotourism program, complete with facilities and infrastructure, which is sustainable over the long-term. Such a cooperative effort can be fostered through an umbrella organization - 'an ecotourism society' - which can promote responsible tourism practices and provide a forum for dialogue between the tourist industry and the conservation community.