Ecotourism Management Committees (ETMC), Sustainable Tourism and Leadership provided for Women Self-Help Groups (SHG) in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Ecotourism in the Forests and Forest fringes is managed by the Forest department (FD) along with the support of the Community, through institutional mechanisms, in this case the Women Self-help groups. The purpose being continued employment, tourism promotion and preservation and conservation of Natural resources. It is important to note here that Women have been at the forefront of not only conservation and preservation but also provided for the management of the Destinations through special purpose vehicles (SPV’s) viz., Ecotourism Management Committees (ETMC’s), Ecodevelopment Committees (EDC’s).