




































In ternationa l
Scholars
Journa ls

 

African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management ISSN 2375-0707 Vol. 7 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 
2019. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals 

 

Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. 
 

 

Full Length Research Paper 

 

Ecotourism and its effects on wildlife of 
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve 

 
Balendra Pratap Singh* and Ravi Upadhyay 

 
Government Narmada P.G. College, Hoshangabad, India. 

 
Accepted 15 November, 2018 

 
The present paper focused on ecotourism and its effects on wildlife. In the present scenario the 
ecotourism is a grooming sector in developing nations. However, its impact on wildlife and indigenous 
people has become a controversial issue. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve site explores the multitude of 
interactions that exist among the welfare of wildlife, conservation biology and socio-economy of the 
local people. 

 
Key words: Environmental impact, ecotourism, biodiversity, flora, fauna, landscape ecology, protected area. 

 
INTRODUCTION 

 
Tourism, especially international tourism, is one of the 
world’s fastest growing industries. The world has seen an 
“increase in international tourist arrivals from 25 million in 
1950 to 664 million in 1999” (Griffin, 2002). People have 
always had a great desire to travel the world, to experience 
other environments, and to simulate foreign ways of life. In 
its most basic sense, tourism can be defined as “travel 
outside one’s normal home…, the activities undertaken 
during the stay, and the facilities created to cater for tourist 
needs” (Dowling and David, 2003). However, this description 
is not as basic as one might think; rarely are the facilities 
created to cater for tourist needs discussed in tourism.  

Nature tourism is the organized viewing of wildlife. 
Nature tourists pay a considerable amount of money to 
participate in viewing wildlife in their native countries and 
in foreign countries that promote nature viewing to attract 
the revenue of tourists (Moreno, 2005). The example of a 
sustainable use of wildlife in the Manu Biosphere 
Reserve and Puero Maldonado National Parks of Peru in 
(Groom et al., 2000), recognizes the benefits of 
ecotourism as it helps to educate people on the 
importance of conserving wildlife. The monetary gain 
from this industry serves to benefit the conservation 
efforts to manage wild habitats and provides an income 
for local people. The main goal of this study is to find key  
 
 
 
 
*Corresponding author. E-mail: cool_balendrasingh@yahoo.com.

 

 

 
indicators and evaluate of ecotourism impact on wildlife of 
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. 
 

Study area 

 
The total area of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is 

4981.72 km
2
. It is located at Longitude 22° 11’ to 22° 50’N 

and Latitude 77° 47’ to 78° 52’E. It covers parts of three 
civil districts, viz., Hoshangabad (59.55%), Chhindwara 
(29.19%) and Betul (11.26%). It includes three wildlife 

conservation units viz., Bori Sanctuary (485.72 km
2
), 

Satpura National Park (524.37 km
2
) and Pachmarhi 

Sanctuary (491.63 km
2
). These altogether has also been 

notified as Satpura Tiger Reserve (1501.72 km
2
) 

(Annonymous, 1996).  
The places worth being seen at and around Pachmarhi 

area, Priyadarshani point, Hondi khoh, Apsara vihar, 
Rajat prapat, Raj giri, Lanjee giri, Dutches fall, Sundar 
kund, Jatashankar, Chhota mahadeo, Mahadeo, 
Chauragarh, Dhupgarh, Pandav cave, Cave shelters. In 
Bori sanctuary, Churna, is a base for tourism. For a truly 
wilderness experience, the visitor can reach up to 
Neemghan through Panarpani gate. The flat land and 
good visibility along with rich wildlife makes excursions 
here unforgettable. Among them Mahadeo, Catacomb, 
Jumbudweep, Madai, Dorothideep, Jatashankar , Pandav 
caves, Bazar caves, Maradeo, Kaila khurd, Taptka pani, 
Kanjighat, Tamia, Rajat Prapat, Kharilanes are important 
from archaeological point of view. 



 
 
 

 
Table 1. Madai entrance to Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.  

 
 

Year 
No. of tourist 

Amount of entry fees allocated  

 

Indian Foreigners 
 

   
 

 2000-2001 140,493 179 2,158,374 
 

 2001-2002 129,023 109 1,943,379 
 

 2002-2003 168,915 150 2,653,840 
 

 2003-2004 194,608 154 3,115,131 
 

 2004-2005 182,714 233 3,621,796 
 

 2005-2006 155,091 208 5,050,947 
 

 2006-2007 192,044 254 6,062,422 
 

 2007-2008 172,832 203 5,123,160 
 

 2008-2009 198,336 278 8,287,542 
 

 
 

 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 

 
The present study is the outcome of exhaustive field and tourist 
places survey undertaken for the period of one year from 
December, 2009 to 2010. The survey was conducted in the Hotels, 
Guesthouses, Rest houses, toll tax booth, bison lodge, Beefall, 
Dutchesfall, ApsraVihar, Rajendragiri, Bada Mahadev, Jatashanker, 
Chouragarh, Reechhgarh, Dhoopgarh, Pandav Gufa, Tawa dam, 
Madai and different villages of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve such 
as Panarpani, Badkachhar, Matkuli, Pagara, Bariam, Amkhedi, 
Neemghan, Singanama, Tekapar, Chaka, Pisua, Monhgaun, 
Kadari, Binoura, Kherghat, Parraspani, Rorighat, Kajari, Bori, 
Choorna, Badianhoni, Chhotianhoni, Tamia and Patalkot in various 
seasons. 

 

Key indicators of ecotourism 
 
In the process of evaluation of effects of ecotourism on Wildlife of  
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, these indicators have been used: 
 
(1) Old historic teak forest  
(2) About 80 km long stretch of Tawa reservoir 204 sq man made 
lake.  
(3) Geological formations 
(4) Ethic geological heritage  
(5) Richness of biodiversity of flora and fauna.  
(6) Pleasant climate  
(7) Beauty of landscape 
(8) Waterfalls  
(9) Sunrise and sunset point  
(10) Many form of God Shiva  
(11) Patalkote 
(12) Anhoni (Badi and Chhoti). 

 

 

RESULTS 

 

Status of biodiversity 

 

The study of the floral diversity in the area carried out by 
state forest research institute, Jabalpur in 1993, reported 
1381 plant species, which comprise 8 species of algae, 
22 of fungi, 83 bryophytes in 34 families, 71 pteridophytes 
in 16 families, 07 species of gymnosperms and 1190 
species of angiosperms. 

 
 

 

The faunal composition represents the Deccan 
Peninsular zone of biogeographic classification of India. 
Most of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is covered 
with dense forest vegetation and forms an ideal habitat 
for wild animals. Over 50 species of mammal, 254 
species of birds, 30 species of reptiles, 56 species of 
butterflies and numerous other forms of animals are 
found in the area. The steep vertical scarps are home to 
numerous raptors like honey buzzard and black eagle 
and hawks. These forests have both grey as well as the 
red jungle fowl, which are usually found separately either 
in north or south India, respectively. Among the other 
birds represented are Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar 
whistling thrush and paradise fly catcher. The presence of 
numerous streams, dense foliage, wild flowers, woodland 
edges and damp patches attract numerous colorful 
butterflies including orange oak leaf, black rajah, great 
egg fly, blue pansy etc. 
 

 

The structure and dynamics of tourists 

 

The main structure and dynamics of tourist in investigated 
area is presented in the Table 1. Critics of ecotourism 
point to the potential harm caused by the intrusion of 
large numbers of people into wild habitats. The presence 
of nature tourists is seen to influence behavior or 
population parameters such as reproductive success and 
survival of the affected wildlife. These effects can be 
listed as being direct or indirect.  

The main animals found are hyena, wild dog, wolf, fox, 
wild cat, jackal sloth bear, wild boar, gaur, sambhar, 
cheetah, barking deer, chinkaras, pythons, Indian giant 
squirrel, and flying squirrel. Poaching, hunting, illicit and 
uncontrolled felling and epidemic are the decimating 
factors for the wildlife management. The quality of 
richness and size of the territory is proportional to the 
strength of the male tiger. Habitat preference is distinctly 
shown by herbivorous animals. The Indian Gaurs, which 
is a very important animal of this sanctuary, shows a 
distinct seasonal habitat preference. They resort to local 



 
 
 

 

migration within the sanctuary area due to change in food 
and water availability. Bird life is also varied specially in 
the area adjoining cultivation in the Bori region. Peafowl, 
grey jungle fowl, green pigeon, peacock are common in 
the forests while grey partridges, several kinds of quail 
and other water birds are seen in the cultivated area 
along the edge of Narmada plains. Fish of various kinds 
and also crabs are found in large numbers in the streams 
and rivers. In deeper holes even up to a great height 
crocodiles are reported to be seen in Sonbhadra River. In 
Pachmarhi region, green pigeon, blue rock pigeon 
various doves parakuts, peacocks, racket tailed drongo, 
golden orioles, the barbets, king fisher, Indian roller, night 
jar, red vented bulbul, red junlge fowl, golden backed 
wood pecker scarlet minivet crested serpent, eagle and 
floral diversity Tectona grandis, Shorea robusta, 
Melastoma malabaricum, Murraya paniculata, Blumea 
lanceolaria, Isoetes panchanaii, Lycopodium cerenum etc 
are found. 

 

Direct effects 

 
Nature tourism can have direct effects on species, 
communities and populations by influencing their feeding, 
reproductive and social behaviors Medina, 2005. Whale 
watching along the west-coast of North America is based 
on the migratory route of gray whales. Whale-watching 
allows the visitors to approach whales by boat with 
disruptive effects on feeding and separation of calves 
from mothers (Hashimoto and David, 2004). It is also 
likely that the noise made by propellers and boat engines 
interferes with the sound-communication systems of 
whales (Edington and Edington, 1986) observed the 
effects of nature tourism on American flamingos in 
Yucatan, Mexico. The operation of motorized tour boats 
was seen to result in decreased feeding time and 
increased alert behavior in response to the tour boats 
(Galicia et al., 1997).  

Ecotourism activities affect populations of Megallanic 
penguin populations. Human visitation to nesting sites of 
Megallanic penguins caused changes in behavior in both 
adults and chicks, such as higher predation of nests, 
lower hatching rates of eggs, increased abandonment of 
nests, retarded chick growth and higher mortality rates 
(Fowler, 1999). Klein (1995) observed effects on water 
bird communities in the Ding Darling National Park. There 
was a marked difference between the behavior of water 
birds that used the reserve as a feeding and breeding 
ground to those species that used it as an over-wintering 
site. The migratory birds were clearly unaccustomed to 
the humans and fled at the mere site of humans and cars. 
 

 

Indirect effects 

 
Indirect effects of ecotourism are: Loss of vegetation, 
pollution of air, streams and terrain caused by tourist 

  
  

 
 

 

support facilities, loss of camouflage, increase in 
predation, intra/inter-specific competition and introduction 
of pests (Cole and Landres, 1995). The indirect effects 
are not as conceivable as the direct effects and can 
cause long-term damage to wildlife habitat which can 
directly affect the survival of wildlife. Indirect effects are a 
result of poor management and regulation of ecotourism 
coupled with socio-economic factors. In Nepal, Yonzon 
and Hunter (1991) and Haysmith and Hunt (1995) 
reported a chain reaction effect on red pandas by a 
tourism-driven market for local cheese. In an effort to 
meet the demand for cheese production, local cattle 
overgrazed large areas causing habitat destruction for the 
red panda population. These effects are largely due to 
economics of the industry that is governed by the 
consumptive behavior of the tourists (Haysmith and Hunt, 
1995). 
 

 

Current problems 

 

Authors would like to look at the effects of ecotourism in 
developing countries. Most of the world's natural rain 
forests that are found in tropical ecosystems are home to 
a large proportion of endemic flora and fauna species. 
Most tropical countries are found in South America, 
Africa, South and South-East Asia. Natural forests are 
being encroached by an expanding population and by the 
use of biological resources for economic development 
(timber, poaching etc.). The development of ecotourism 
can help save forest lands by encouraging a non-
consumptive use of wildlife while generating valuable 
foreign income. However, the development of ecotourism 
can create an unequal distribution of income contributing 
to socio-economic problems, affect wildlife and 
indigenous people and conflict with conservation efforts. 
The stake-holders of the tourism industry are a few 
leading tour companies that collaborate with lodges and 
tour groups. Therefore, the local communities do not 
benefit from the revenue. Local people may create a 
market for poaching and other forest products to sell to 
tourists and contend with the tourism industry (Benson 
and Clifton, 2004). A tourism industry needs to be 
supported by building suitable infrastructure. The 
construction of roads, buildings and introduction of 
electricity can result in fragmentation of wildlife and 
habitat destruction. The use of vehicles for transportation 
can disturb wildlife directly through noise and overuse of 
critical areas such as nesting areas, feeding grounds and 
water holes. Indirect effects can result in habitat 
degradation through pollution and alteration through trail 
cutting (Groom et al., 2000). Conservation efforts to 
protect valuable wildlife and their forest habitats may 
conflict with the interests of local communities. Therefore, 
intentions of conservation can be misunderstood by the 
local communities (Crouch and Scott, 2003). Such 
conflicts can result in a lack of trust and cooperation 
between local communities and conservationists. 



 
 
 

 

Why is it a problem? 

 

Madhya Pradesh governments lack guidelines and 
regulations that protect natural resources from negative 
effects of ecotourism. The inability to enforce the law on 
the consumptive use of forests can result in an 
unchecked depletion of natural resources the country 
depends on. 
 

 

Regulations 

 

Regulations need to reflect the value of forests and 
wildlife while also considering the need to sustain lives of 
indigenous people. The regulations should also try to 
minimize the impact of ecotourism on the welfare of 
wildlife and native communities. Most developing nations 
are facing economic problems and civil and political strife. 
The fickle nature of politics in most developing nations 
(Zaire, Peru, Sri Lanka, India etc) together with a 
multitude of other problems makes forest and wildlife 
protection seem like a needless endeavour. Presently, 
conservation groups such as NGO's, UNESCO, World 
Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Sierra Club are trying to 
implement the conservation of priority species and 
ecosystems (Johnson, 1995). The scientific knowledge in 
wildlife welfare and ecosystems are concentrated in 
educational institutions. Local governments have some 
regulations on protecting forests; however, most  
regulations are not implemented. Therefore, 
conservationists need to contend with the priorities of 
different groups together with funding problems when 
setting priorities to protect wildlife and their habitats. 
 

 

DISCUSSION 

 

In 1971 the annual tourist inflow to Pachmarhi was about 
4,500. This has increased to about 66,000 in 1992. 
Presently the inflow of tourist is around 75,000 to 80,000. 
Domestic tourists mostly visit Pachmarhi. Maximum 
number of tourists visits in the month of May. However, 
April, May and June prior to on-set of monsoon and 
October to December after rainy season are the main 
tourist inflow months. Mostly people from Maharashtra, 
Gujrat and West Bengal visit the area. The people visiting 
the area can be grouped in two categories, viz. students, 
and general tourists. In addition, annually around 3-4 
lakhs of piligrims flock the shrines of Mahadeo and 
Nagdwari during Shivratri and Nag Panchami festivals. 
During these festivals, people travel along the roads 
enmasse, camp over night, cook their food and defecate 
as per their convenience, creating a lot of environmental 
problems. Therefore it is necessary to regulate the 
activities of the piligrims. Being the only hill resort in the 
state, the number of tourist arrivals has increased 
considerably during the last decade. The growth of 
tourism has resulted in negative impacts like pollution of 

 
 
 
 

 

water at tourist's spots, vandalism littering and problems 
of garbage disposal. The increase in tourist arrivals has 
also resulted in the increase in the number of hotels and 
tourist lodges. This has led to migration of labour from 
neighbouring villages and the mushrooming of Shanty 
towns. There has been a substantial increase in vehicular 
traffic on Pachmarhi leading to air emissions and noise 
pollution. If ecotourism is to benefit wildlife and the 
tourism industry, measures need to be taken to study the 
long-term effects of nature viewing on wildlife 
ecosystems, dynamics of the wild species and their 
environment, and a thorough knowledge of the wild 
species and their behavior. Further, there should be a 
strict regulation of ecotourism activities with the 
understanding of the participants and their willingness to 
cooperate to ensure the preservation of wildlife and their 
habitat. In developing countries, ecotourism should 
encourage the involvement of local communities in the 
industry to practice stewardship of their natural 
resources. Raising children with the knowledge about the 
costs and benefits of ecotourism puts them at a great 
advantage for generations to come, making continuing a 
sustainable tourism practice much more likely (Wearing, 
2001; Weaver 2002). A universal program would be able 
to set rules and monitor the progress of ecotourism 
around the world. Monitoring would not have to be an 
elaborate process, however; monitoring “can occur 
through a range of formal and informal means, including 
informal conversations, group discussions, and 
questionnaires” (Wearing, 2001). 
 

 

Steps to success 

 

(1) Set biodiversity priorities that link with conservation 
goals.  
(2) Clarify local, national and global bio-diversity 
conservation priorities.  
(3) Involve those responsible for implementing 
conservation actions: Government agencies, NGOs, local 
universities and local communities.  
(4) Give local people economic incentives to protect 
wildlife ecosystems.  
(5) Involve government policy makers in conservation 
efforts to declare protected areas and enforce 
regulations. 
 

 
REFERENCES 

 
Annonymous (1996). Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, Project Document 

(Environmental Planning and Coordination Organization- EPCO), 
Bhopal.  

Benson A, Clifton J (2004). Assessing Tourism’s Impact using Local 
Communities’ Attitudes toward the Environment. In Sustainable 
Tourism, eds. F.D. Pinela and C.A. Brebbia. WIT Press, pp. 3-12.  

Crouch D, Scott M (2003). Culture, Consumption, and Ecotourism 
Policies. In Ecotourism Policy and Planning, eds. Ross Dowling and 
David Fennell. CABI Publishing, pp. 77-98. 



 
 
 

 
Diamantis D (2004). Ecotourism Management: An Overview. In 

Ecotourism, ed. Dimitrios Diamantis. Thomas, pp. 3-26.  
Dowling R, David F (2003). The Context of Ecotourism Policy and 

Planning. In Ecotourism Policy and Planning, eds. Ross Dowling and 
David Fennell. CABI Publishing, pp. 1-20.  

Griffin T (2002). An Optimistic Perspective on Tourism’s Sustainability. 
In Sustainable Tourism: A Global Perspective, ed. Rob Harris, Tony 
Griffin, and Peter Williams. Butterworth Heinemann, pp. 24-32.  

Hashimoto A, David T (2004). Canadian Aboriginal Ecotourism in the 
North.” In Ecotourism, ed. Dimitrios Diamantis. Thomas, pp. 204-225.  

Medina LK (2005). Ecotourism and Certification: Confronting the 
Principles and Pragmatics of Socially Responsible Tourism. J. 
Sustain. Tourism, pp. 281-296. 

  
  

 
 

 
Moreno P (2005). “Ecotourism along the Meso-American Caribbean 

Reef: The Impacts of Foreign Investment.” Hum. Ecol., 33(2): 217-
244. 

Wearing S (2001). Exploring Socio-cultural Impacts on Local 
Communities. In The Encyclopedia of Ecotourism, ed. David Weaver. 
CABI Publishing, pp. 395-410.  

Weaver D (2002). Perspectives on Sustainable Tourism in the South 
Pacific. In Sustainable Tourism: A Global Perspective, ed. Rob 
Harris, Tony Griffin, and Peter Williams. Butterworth Heinemann, pp. 
121-139. 


