Dear Sir / Ma’am,

 
Ecotourism Society of India (ESOI) is pleased to invite you to its seventh & eighth workshops on “PRACTISING RESPONSIBLE TOURISM” scheduled to held as follows:

September 26 & 27, 2011—SKICC, Srinagar (J&K)

September 30 & October 1, 2011—Tourism Club House, Leh (J&K)

The workshop has been organised by ESOI with the support of J&K Tourism,  Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and WWF India.

The Srinagar workshop also commemorates the World Tourism Day on the 27^th September with a strong signal of Responsible Tourism becoming the only vehicle to ride on for a sustainable Tourism industry.

The workshops aim at setting corrective and curative measures with regard to TOURISM practices with ecological sensitivity and conservation of nature and community development in the region of Jammu and Kashmir. The challenge for the tourism service providers is in implementing environmentally responsible and sustainable tourism practices. These practices will not only create a lighter footprint but will support the local communities and environment.

Besides the Honourable Ministers of Tourism, J&K, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora and Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani who shall preside over the event, Mr. Omar Abdullah, Honourable Chief Minister of J&K Govt. is expected to give the valedictory speech.

Some of the eminent speakers participating in the workshops are Mr.Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, Dr. Venu V, IAS, Secretary Tourism, Government of Kerala, Mr. Ajoy Bhattacharya, CEO of Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Devt. Board, Mr. Jose Dominic, MD, CGH Earth Hotels, Mr. Cherian Ramapuram, Director, Orange County, Mr. Saleem Beg, Convenor INTACH J&K, Mr. Pankaj Chandan – WWF India, Ms. Seema Bhatt – Consultant Biodiversity, Mr. Samir Sinha – TRAFF INDIA, Mr.Ritwick Dutta – Environmental Lawyer, Mr. Himanshu Lal – Architect, Dr Sameer Maithel, Director, Greentech Knowledge Solutions, Dr.Raghu Chandawat, Wildlife Biologist, Mr.Nima Tashi Bhutia, KCC.

Some of the key topics are:

1. Need for Responsible Tourism Practices in the Himalayas

2. Sharing models of International & Indian Best Practices.

3. Public – Private Partnership in Ecotourism initiatives

4. Protection of Heritage Buildings & Art & Cultural preservation

5. Wild Life Protection and its law

6. Ecological Architecture

7. Waste Management & Renewable Energy in usage.

8. Environmental Law and its relevance in tourism sector

9. Need for Ecotourism Certification

We cordially invite you to join this noble initiative and register your name immediately, using the attached registration form. The final program sheet would be sent to you after registration. The last date of receipt of advance registration is September 12, 2011.

Subsidized Registration Fee: Srinagar—Rs.1,500/-; Leh—Rs.500/- . Shall include 2-day’s lunch and refreshments. Accommodation for outstation participants being arranged at special rates with advance booking. All fees are non-refundable.

Best regards,

Arvind K Balan

Administrator

Telefax:011-45793028; M:9717456822

Email: admin@ecotourismsocietyofindia.org