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ISSN 1108-8931 |
INTERNATIONAL ECOTOURISM MONTHLY |
Year 5-Issue 50, July 2003 |
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In the last month we have welcomed three new Ecolodge Members, Yacutinga in Argentina, El Momo in Saba and La Selva Jungle Lodge in Ecuador. We warmly thank Mocking Bird Hill of Jamaica, Tree Tops Farm of Sri Lanka and Genesis II of Costa Rica for renewing their participation in ECOCLUB. Following are news & views from our Ecolodge Members: |
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Excerpt from Article: "Our boat dropped anchor at the foot of the bamboo platform that also doubled up as a jetty. Shomnath Chakraborty, one of the owners, was there to welcome us. He ushered us to the restaurant while our luggage were sent up to our tents. Open on all sides, the restaurant commanded a wide view of the lake. Tucked beneath shady trees, the tents were Spartan but cosy inside. A couple of beds, side-tables, dressing table, and a fan took care of your basic needs. ...such mundane needs paled into insignificance as we settled down to a relaxed schedule dictated by the movement of the sun across the horizon... we took boat rides across the Chilika lake to visit some of the popular island attractions scattered along the vast watery world-Nalban bird sanctuary, Bird Island, Honeymoon Island (containing a dilapidated palace), Kalijai temple. One day we took a boat and car ride to visit one of the lonely beaches that string the seaward side of the lake. ... Although Chilika can be visited round the year, the best time is from October to March. In winter, migratory ducks and flamingoes flock to Chilika and a stay in the eco-camp will help you to see them real close. If you are lucky, you will also come across groups of Irrawady dolphins frolicking in the lake."
The Black Sheep Inn has been chosen to participate in a Pilot Program for Ecotourism Certification by the Ministry of Tourism in Ecuador as one of 14 pilot projects for certification. Many of the pilots have participated in forums/conferences sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, ASEC and CARE International with the goal of creating an Ecotourism Law in Ecuador. This law is a new legal standard (Norma Technica) that any operation, business or organization needs to comply with in order to call themselves an "ECO" tourism operation. The Norma Technica details how any Ecotourism operation should deal with various issues including Quality of Services and Responsibility for the Visitor, Conservation and Natural Resources Management, Environmental and Cultural Impacts and Waste and Garbage Treatment.
ECOCLUB has invited us to explain how an eco-lodge/wildlife preserve could begin a volunteer program. Perhaps the easiest way would be to describe the process we followed and hopefully you can glean some useful tips. It all started about 15 years ago when we read an article on volunteering in the Sunday Telegraph. At the end of the article was the address (pre-Internet) of a publisher of a book of volunteer opportunities. Having a vague glimmer in the back of our minds we wrote to the publisher about a situation we had which might be of interest to his readers. He responded by saying that if this were so, he would publish our notice for free - an offer we couldn't refuse! Since then, we have learned that virtually all sources will advertise for free. Anyway, we wrote something up and they published - and then came the enquiries requesting full information and application forms. So as not to lose these prospects we hurriedly composed said documents and mailed them off. Then the volunteers started coming. Later on, so as to minimize losses we created a separate e-mail address with an auto-responder of full information and application. In the beginning we had floods of volunteers - unfortunately many were quite unsuitable. Since the donation we asked for was so low we got lots of young people just looking for a cheap place to hang out and with no intention of working. It surely helped a great deal to raise the donation and price Genesis out of that market!. Now, the pendulum has swung the other way. There are so many volunteer situations that we haven't had a full unit (of 6) for many years. We are even in competition with funded organizations who offer "free" volunteering - we can't compete with that. Nevertheless, over the years volunteers have been primary in the building and maintaining of a world-class trail system and the impetus behind the forest restoration project. Additionally sometimes volunteers are professional people with skills we can put to use. Our oldest volunteer was a 69-year-old surveyor from British Columbia, Canada. The key to getting the best volunteers, and getting the best out of them, is to create the context for their work. Thus, their "work" is lifted to a higher level and most of all, it is given willingly. The contrary aspect is the volunteer, skilled or not, who is not willing. Shun this person - they are not worth your time or effort! Some tangential benefits are the personal friendships that can be made, sometimes lasting for many years, and the infusions of enthusiasm and varied philosophies which keep my wife and I on our toes. These days, with the Internet, things are much easier. Just type in the keyword "volunteer" and you'll be amazed at what comes up. If you create your own volunteer situation you'll find many opportunities to have it listed for free - we personally do not bother with the ones that have a fee. Also do not forget the student services departments of universities and colleges. This can be quite a targeted approach for your specific needs. Overall it has been a positive experience and one we commend to you.
Learn basic & practical skills in the following topics: 1 – Permaculture criteria for designing rural sustainable areas Rates: Euros 250 per person for all. Please book before 5 August.
August 31 - September 8, 2003: Yuva presents a four day intensive course with renown educator Roger Green, followed by a three day Mediterranean vacation with an optional Istanbul tour, and a one week Mediterranean or Anatolian extension. A lively and enthusiastic teacher, Roger illuminates and explores the deeper principles and underlying wisdom of this ancient philosophy. Integrating the various schools of Feng Shui into a creative, flexible and holistic approach, he is one of the most sought after educators and consultants. Roger Green will cover Module I of his Feng-Shui Practitioner Certification Course. |
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