A study of the current state of ecotourism in Shennongjia Forest Region in China: A questionnaire survey of local residents
2007
Hu, D.(Shinshu Univ., Matsumoto, Nagano (Japan)) | Koike, M. | Yao, T.
We carried out a survey with local resident in order to understand the current state of ecotourism in Shennongia Forest Region (SFR), Hubei Province, China. This questionnaire survey focused whether the introduction and development of ecotourism has any influence on the natural environment, living environment and traditional culture of the SFR. In this context, the main source of income of the local residents, their level of awareness towards ecotourism and their response to its development were investigated. Based on the results of this questionnaire survey, the current state of ecotourism at SFR was analyzed from four viewpoints viz., i) natural environment, ii) economy, iii) society and iv) culture. It was found that the local residents demand for extended development of ecotourism because their income has been increased considerably with the introduction and development of ecotourism in that region. However, along with this economic development, a number of problems have also emerged including negative influence on environment like insufficient conservation of the natural environment and traditional culture. Therefore, there is an urgent need for local administration to promote development balancing the aforesaid four key areas like i) natural environment, ii) economy, iii) society and iv) culture in SFR. It is suggested that more appropriate strategies must be chalked out to reduce the degradation of the natural environment and traditional culture.
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