NCCF participated in Sustainable Tourism Workshop jointly organized by Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board (MPEDB) in collaboration with Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) at Bhopal on 23-24 January 2023, with a view to train the officers of M P Forest Department/MPEDF including the front-line staff for developing sustainable ecotourism destinations.
NCCF also participated in this workshop and Mr A K Srivastava, Director General, NCCF presented NCCF’s Ecotourism Certification Standard that offers a great potential for sustainable management of ecotourism destinations.
Earlier, MP Ecotourism Development Board had actively associated with NCCF and facilitated the pilot testing of Draft Ecotourism Standard at Kathotiya and Kerwa Eco-Jungle Camps, Bhopal. NCCF’s Ecotourism Standard will be launched shortly.
Dr Sameeta Rajoura, CEO, MPEDB briefed the participants how the Board had been promoting sustainable management of its destinations in collaboration with the local communities and tribals. Mr C.B. Ramkumar, Vice Chair, GSTC conducted the destination masterclass.
Mr J. N. Kansotia, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment Department, Mr Ramesh Gupta, PCCF & HoFF and Mr Jasbir Chauhan, Chief Wildlife Warden, Madhya Pradesh had addressed the participants and encouraged them to manage ecotourism destinations on the principles of sustainability jointly with the communities.