Eco Tourism Blog

Serene Saratoga :

The population of this little town swells to twice its own during July and August because of the numbers that come to enjoy the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet. The place is also popular for horse racing. And then comes time for relaxation in in its various hot water springs and spa resorts. It was initially because of these springs that this town became a resort, almost as early as the 14th century. Beneath Saratoga are pockets of water within folded strata of shale and limestone. Each pocket is the source of a different spring, and the nearby geology makes each special with a unique quality. Some are rich in minerals, some are sparkling, and some are clear and mineral-free. The naturally carbonated water of Lincoln Spring. The State Seal Spring is fresh, sweet and noncarbonated. Polaris, is also naturally slightly radioactive. Some people consider the water medicinal and drink the water. Island Spouter is so rich in gas and minerals that it shoots 15 feet into the air from the center of a gigantic tufa, a sort of mineral cushion of accumulated calcium carbonates. In early 20th century the springs were in danger of drying out, because soda makers as well as the navy had started using them to extract gas. Continue reading “Serene Saratoga” »

Nigeria: looking for investment in Eco Tourism :

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the Minister of Culture and Tourism wants private enterprise to develop eco tourism in the country in partnership with the government. Nigeria is planning to host an eco tourism and investment Symposium by November. This fortunately will also be the time for the Abuja Carnival 2006. After16 years of military rule this country gained peace only in 1999. Demographically the most populous region of Africa marred by the after effects of strife and corruption needs to preserve all its natural resources well. Map Via: The Tide

More Valuable Sunk than Sailing :

The Queensland Tourism Minister says the scuttling of HMAS Brisbane , off the Sunshine Coast has brought in a million dollars in tourism profits. The former Navy ship was scuttled on the 31st of July, 2005 to create an artificial reef for a dive site. Desley Boyle is quoted to have said “There is also the amazing story of the artificial reef that has grown at a great rate around the wreck, very much faster than had been predicted,’ Though these artificial reefs enhance the diversity of marine life in the midst of barren sea beds, providing a venue for ecotourism, some environmentalist believe that the process is an interference in the natural order of things. Image Via: Yahoo News

Coral Cay Conservation takes the cake :

Coral Cay Conservation, an award-winning non profit organization that has been running conservation expeditions since 1986. Their aim being to protect the world’s most endangered coral reefs, tropical forests and yet help people sustaining their livelihood. Peter Raines is the founder and CEO of Coral Cay Conservation (CCC). According to Raines, Coral reefs can bring in a lot of trade for the tourism sector, reef-based tourism alone is estimated globally to be worth something like GBP 6bn (EUR 8.8bn) per annum. Economically the coral reefs can be used only for fishing and aquaculture, the only other source of revenue is Tourism. CCC makes sure that this kind of tourism does not take place at the cost of harming the ecology of the reef or making the fishermen loose their jobs. In Fiji due to their recommendations about 20 Marine Protected Areas have come up. Because of their efforts Belize barrier reef was declared a heritage site.They are not so much for artificially created reefs the only help latest technology has been for them has been the accessibility of high resolution satellite images to help them in the work they do. Image Thanks: Peter Raines Via: Eco Club

Draw your Dream trip along Danube’s Delta :

Starting in Germany formed with the amalgation of Brigach and the Breg, river Danube crosses through various European countries to finally flow into the Black sea. It is here that it forms the second largest delta of Europe, a 1.6-million-acre World Biosphere Reserve. Preserved as a world heritage site this delta is home to varied varieties of birds and animals. It’s a bird watchers paradise where Birds from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean come during the migration seasons. A dream trip would be to follow the river across northern Romania to its Black sea coast between Constanta and the Ukrainian border. A good place to stay would be Diwaker Singh and Munteanu’s Delta Nature Resort opened in May 2005. Image Via: Los Angles Times

Thrill and Chill at Killer Whale Safari :

Norwegian Coastal Voyage is introducing 7 days long Killer Whale Safaris to Norway’s rugged Lofoten Islands from October 22 to December 26. These islands have been made famous by the narrow inlet of Tysfjord where about 600 killer wales( also called orcas) migrate in the winters to feed on herrings. To get the early booking Specials log on to their website. Image Read

Sulphur Emissions to Reduce Global warming?

Paul Crutzen , Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry in 1995, of Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, suggests infusing the stratosphere (above the troposphere and directly below the mesosphere, it has a stratified temperature) with particles of Sulphur which could reflect back the Sun’s ray’s. His views are published in the journal Climate Change. Crutzen’s theory would work like the cooling effects of volcanic eruptions, which send large sulfur-rich clouds into the atmosphere. Even with nation’s working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, extreme measures like this may become necessary to give more time. But a lot of people disagree with touching the natural balance, skeptics abound towards Geo-Engineering . The scientist himself hopes such a stage would not arise. Positive end would be brilliant sunrises and sunsets on the horizon and negative might result in raining Sulphur. Image Thanks: Kate Ravilious Via : National Geographic

Dead Waters of Oregon :

Waters low in Oxygen have created a death trap for aquatic life off the coast of Oregon. This has been occurring since the summer of 2002. Deep sea fish and crabs that don’t move away from these waters die out. If the situation continues it might extend unto the Washington shores. Jane Lubchenco, a marine biologist at Oregon State University in Corvallis said : “This is the first year we’ve seen the dead zone expand,” It’s something unusual triggering this unnatural, deadly phenomenon the answer is upwelling, a natural process of moving ocean currents that might result in Dead Zones. Some experts think the shifting winds are changing the timing of the upwelling, and in turn, the size of the dead zone. One theory is that bacteria feeding on dead plankton(that sank due to early upwelling) used up the oxygen. These oxygen depleted waters then end up next to the shores due to upwelling. Oregon’s oxygen-poor area is one of nearly 150 dead zones that pop up around the world. Another might nitrogen and phosphorous dumped as industrial wastes by human activities into the sea. Either way all attempts should be made to bring alive these dead zones. Still others think that all this is a result of Global Warming. Image Thanks: Cameron Walker Via: National Geographic

Shark Safari :

The Audubon Society of Rhode Island is planning a shark safari for 4 days in August and September. The participants will get to see sharks in their natural environment. The trip will be coordinated to watch the tagging of sharks by the National Marine Fisheries Service research study. It is scheduled for 21st and 28th August, 6th and 13th of September. From 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets are priced at $78 for members of the Audubon society, $88 for non-members. To further information, call 949-5454, ext. 3041, or e-mail programs@asri.org. Book your tickets soon for seats are limited. Image Via: The Jamestown Press

Village Tourism in Zambia :

A new tourism concept called ‘village tourism’ has been introduced by Thorn Tree Safaris. The concept cannot be truly regarded as new as it has been explored under ‘agritourism’ The concept means living with the villagers getting a feel of their culture and food habits . According to Stephanie Gabriel, it is aimed at showcasing the hospitality of Zambians. It’s a two way process in which the villagers are also helped and the guests entertained. Thorn Tree has aligned with Miyamba and Chipwa villages. The Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) will this year be promoting Luapula and Northern provinces through the ‘Visit Zambia 2006′ campaign. Image Thanks: David Silwamba Via: All Africa