Ecotourism and Environmental Sustainability- An Evaluative Study on Kuruva Island in Wayanad, Kerala

Abstract

Kuruvadweep (Kuruva Island), a 950-acre protected river delta on the Kabini River in Wayanad district, Kerala, is a well-known ecotourism destination in the world. Kuruva Island is an evergreen forest with many streams making many islands within an island. This uninhabited island is an abode of many rare species of flora and fauna, especially Wild Orchids, Birds, Amphibians and many herbs. It has been declared as one of the Biodiversity hotspots of the World. This paper, theoretically, aims to evaluate the ecotourism activities organized in Kururva Island and their impact of these activities in environmental sustainability and biodiversity protection. The primary data has been collected from representatives of various stakeholders of both the tourism industry and organizations involved in environmental protection.