Eco Tourism Blog

Smog Free Air for Skiers this Winter :

Citing the threat of Global warming on skiing areas, around 45 resorts in 14 states have moved to adopt ‘Green energy’ for their skiing activities. 16 resorts have gone a few steps further, and are receiving 100 percent of their power from clean energy to meet their power requirements in which wind, hydroelectric, solar, bio-mass and geothermal are mainly included. Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association said: I think we’re a platform industry. We have a bully pulpit to operate from. When you think of global warming the first thing you think of is snowfall and wintertime and how that changes. Well, these efforts are highly commendable, especially when the world is facing the threat to its own existence. This winter the skiers will find smog free air and as a result will inhale more and more oxygen. Via: msnbc

Finally More Forests in the Future :

Our ecosystem is veering to a good progress and in future, we could see more greenery around us. An International team of researchers has predicted this after adopting new methodology for accessing the conditions of world’s forests. The study has included other components such as timber volumes; biomass and captured carbon, which divulges that deforestation, could be, receded in the future. US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has published these findings. Pekka Kauppi, one of the paper’s co-authors said: The trend is better than previously thought. We see prospects for an end to deforestation; we do not make a forecast but it is possible. Kauppi, Professor in University of Helsinki said the previous studies were exclusively focused on the area covered by forests. New approach has helped a lot in accessing the changes in both areas covered and biomass, we can get a more complete picture of the ecosystems. The data provided by UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Global Forest Assessment report shows that forest area had increased over the past 15 years in 22 of the world’s 50 most forested nations. Image Via: BBC

Bottom trawling playing havoc with vulnerable marine ecosystem :

Bottom trawling is causing terrible damage to the fragile aquaculture of oceans. It has proven scientifically that slow-growing ecosystem of the deep is adversely affected by the trawling. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), has condemned the Northern fishing nations, the European Community, South Korea, and Russia for not paying their accountability about the deep sea-life in the South Pacific reason. Matthew Gianni of the DSCC said: All along the science has shown us that bottom trawling on the high seas needs to stop, until we can be sure it’s not damaging unique deep sea life. This new research is the most emphatic yet – high seas bottom trawling is destroying vulnerable ecosystems. Most countries in the world support a moratorium of some kind, it’s time for the remaining few who oppose action to step out of the way. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) is currently monitoring more than 60 conservation organizations from across the globe. The organization is urging to ruminate over the issue immediately as trawling in the deep sea is destroying the some endangered species of coral reefs and one of the rare habitats of oceans. A meeting convened in Hobart a few days back, made some consensus to from a South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO).

Image: greenpeace Via: oceans.greenpeace

Appalachian Trail: living laboratory

Location: From Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia The Appalachian Trail is a 2,200-mile trek through mountains, meadows and forests stretching from Georgia to Maine. This according to scientists is an environmental lab. It could be the key to provide warnings of looming environmental problems before they fall upon us. By collecting and reporting information on nature , people will get a first hand example of how far the environment is depleting. Groups of organizations will use “citizen scientists” as well as professionals. They will be collecting information about the health of plants, air and water quality and animal migration patterns to build an early warning system for the 120 million people along the Eastern Seaboard. Brian Mitchell, a coordinator with the park service’s Northeast Temperate Network in Woodstock says: We’re really after two things, We want to get a better understanding of what’s happening on the trail so we can better manage it. The other side is we want to take the lessons we learn from the trail and show people that what’s happening on the trail does actually affect us. Wildlife: Moose, White-tailed deer , Black bears , beavers , porcupines, bats, weasels, shrews, minks, and muskrats are also common. Tree frogs and bullfrogs inhabit wet areas in warm weather, lizards scurry along rocks and fallen logs, snakes (both poisonous and nonpoisonous) are common south of New England, and streams and ponds are home to salamanders. Continue reading “Appalachian Trail: living laboratory” »

Rhode island :

Some of the most scenic views can be seen above the cliffs in Narragansett Bay within Beavertail State Park, located on the southernmost tip of Conanicut Island near Jamestown. It is situated in between Newport and Rhode Island’s west bay along the New England coastline. The park attracts people from all over, to enjoy its pristine environment and panoramic views. Beavertail offers a spectacular view of the Ocean State’s coastline where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic. Larry Price says: Whether it’s adventurously sitting on the cliffs, sunbathing on the rocks below, or just viewing from your car at one of four overlooks, the vista stirs the soul and quiets the mind. The 170-acre state park also offers hiking and biking trails, saltwater fishing, and a naturalist program. Rhode islands often called the Ocean State, offers one an extensive shoreline waiting to be explored. Via: CNN

Huangguoshu Falls, China: The biggest waterfall in Asia

Location: Two-hour drive from Guiyang province The massive waterfall is formed by 18 waterfalls of various sizes. The wide Baishui River thunders over a main waterfall, 74m high and 81m wide, into the huge Pool, then down a series of smaller cascades. The most fascinating is the 12 meters high water-screen cave that arches into the cliffside and is curtained by a sheet of water also is present an inner waterfall. A path has been cut into the cliff behind the fall which gives you a beautiful view through the cascading water. This semi man made cave takes you behind the falls where you can get a feel of the force of the water as it slips through your fingers.

Successful Butterfly Hybrid of extreme weather :

Hybrids of different species generally are unable to reproduce. However scientists have found a new form of genetic mixing between two butterfly species that come out perfect in extreme conditions. The species Lycaeides Melissa(below) and Lycaeides idas(last photo) have been combined to create this hybrid species that has yet to be named. Scientists state: The alpine populations possess a mosaic genome derived from both L. melissa and L. idas and are differentiated from, and younger than, their putative parental species. This unique species is an even rarer “homoploid hybrid”-a crossbred species with the same number of chromosomes as its parents, representing a blend of the two original genomes. Image Image Via: NationalGeographic

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Monument: America’s Galapagos :

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Monument, the Monument encompasses the islands and surrounding waters, forming the largest marine wildlife reserve in the world. 139,000 square miles of ocean has been set aside for protection. But it has taken the efforts of two presidents and more to come to this point. This national monument is so remote that only two dozen people at a time will be able to visit, and only here in Midway, one of two populated islands. land surface is just 3,328 acres, rather it is the beautiful corral surrounding the islands which covers more than 5,000 square miles in hues ranging from magenta to aquamarine. It is here that the living fossil: endangered Hawaiian monk seal is found, the archipelago also has some of the chief densities in the world of so-called apex predators, the sharks, groupers and jacks, whose numbers are being depleted by the biggest predator of all, man. If all fishing stops, scientists say, these reefs could be changed back into a truly pristine state within a decade. Then what stood in the way? Mr. Inouye’s and NOAA’s Unwillingness to curb fishing. What Mr. Babbitt feels about this: They were afraid that this is the beginning of a slippery slope, leading the American public to understand that our oceans are in serious trouble from over fishing and that having started in one place, we will expand our vision to stronger regulation of the entire ocean. Well the Midway atoll, (ring like formation of reefs) is home to two million birds for much of each year, including the world’s largest population of Laysan Albatrosses, or “gooney birds”. Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, 250 species of fish and spinner dolphins frequent Midway’s crystal blue lagoon. Now they have a safer home to live in. Via: The New York Times

Largest Tiger Reserve of the world polluted by unbridled Gold mining :

Myanmar is considered one of the hotspots of the world’s biological diversity and many new species, both botanical and zoological are still being discovered here. It is home to Hukaung Valley Tiger Reserve, originally founded in 1999 by Myanmar Forest Department as a wildlife sanctuary, which was expanded later in 2001, with help and funding from the U.S.-based Wildlife Conservation Society. It is the largest tiger reserve in the world panning a total area of up to 21,802 km. Myanmar’s military junta is allowing gold mines to pollute this region and has promoted development that is destroying ethnic Kachin communities alleges The Kachin Development Networking Group, a coalition of NGOs. Hukaung Valley was once known as Death Valley by the Allied Forces in World War II , when the Ledo Road was built as a military supply route for the allies between India and China. This area experiences widespread flooding in the lowlands during the rainy season because of which most people live on the edges of the sanctuary and venture into the park to hunt and collect forest products. That is why the area has still remained a refuge for wild life but now this refuge is open to danger. At least four major ethnic groups reside within Hukaung Valley: the Kachin, and the associated Kachin Independant Army (KIA), the Naga, the Burman people and the Lisu. The reserve allows these tribes to live and work within its boundaries. Continue reading “Largest Tiger Reserve of the world polluted by unbridled Gold mining” »

AquaCity Resort: An ultimate destination for eco-friendly vacations :

Use of green energy and opt environment friendly techniques have become need of the hours in order to save the rapidly polluting planet. Citing this necessity Slovakia’s AquaCity Resort is on the way to become the world’s first complete eco-friendly resort. The resort is built over the geo-thermal spring. The geothermal water is converted to electricity to power the resort, currently in part, which is planned to convert 100% self powered and emission free by 2008. 14 swimming pools are filled with natural geothermal water and water also heat two hotels, a conference centre, restaurant, bars, and gym and generate electricity. The swimming pools are stainless-steel lined, reducing the amount of chemical required to keep them sanitized. The resort has not only paid enough heed to the safety of environment but has also come forward with plenty of services at reasonable rates. Accommodation in single room starts from £65 and double rooms starting from £85 per night. If you are least concerned about environment and tend to do something for the betterment of environment then AquaCity is a perfect place for you to spend your holidays without harming the earth or the atmosphere.