The Diploma in Ecotourism and Natural Resources Management offered by The Open University of Sri Lanka
Ecotourism focuses on socially responsible travel, personal growth, and environmental sustainability. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.
Ecotourism industry is growing and changing at a fast pace to be an increasingly important source of income and employment in many countries. According to the World Tourism Organisation, ecotourism is recorded as the highest growing market in the tourism industry with an annual growth rate of 5% worldwide and representing 6% of the world’s GDP and 11.4% of all consumers spending. Sri Lanka has tremendous ecotourism resources with great potential for further development in Southern Asia.
Sri Lanka is an oceanic island uniquely situated at the edge of a geologically ancient landmass and so should receive special global attention for its high biodiversity, habitat complexity and its unique geopolitical location. Being trapped on such oceanic islands can result in plant and animal populations to change from their mainland (ancestral) forms and give rise to endemic forms (i.e. species, subspecies or distinctive races peculiar to an area). For example, ~225 bird species are breeding residents in Sri Lanka (IUCN red list 2007), of which about one third are endemic ( 34 species and ~ 70 subspecies).
High endemism and diversity of animals is one key factor that facilitates the nature-based tourism ( eco- tourism) industry in Sri Lanka. Tourism has become one of the largest foreign exchange generators in the country. It is estimated that the direct impact of tourism industry on our GDP is about 5%, but this could be much higher when considering indirect impacts. The tourism industry provides around 150,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Lack of enough knowledge about our natural resources and ecotourism practices will adversely affect the development of that particular field. Therefore, developing the theoretical and practical base course is essential. To fulfill this void since 2016 the Diploma in Ecotourism and Natural Resources Management programme has been offered by the Department of Zoology, of The Open University of Sri Lanka. The main aim of the programme is to create an awareness of the importance of Natural Resources and how Ecotourism Management Contributes to conserve our natural resources in Sri Lanka and other parts of the world. By following this Diploma course, you will be able to gain relevant practical and theoretical knowledge. We provide practical sessions in both the laboratory and the field and the program is highly interactive.
This programme has been specially designed for those who are planning to start their own Ecotourism Business, who are already in the business; but don’t understand the concepts but very much interested in the field of Ecotourism, and for those who are keen to develop their knowledge based on ecotourism and natural resources management in Sri Lanka.
The programme focuses on; the origin & organisation of life, characteristics of life, Classification, adaptation, defence mechanisms and morphological features of living organisms and then about the Natural Resources, use of biodiversity and the conservation of biodiversity in Sri Lanka and Wildlife Conservation and Management.
You will have a wonderful opportunity to study bot the natural and cultural environment of Sri Lanka. Understand how sustainable development takes place in Sri Lanka, and about Eco friendly ancient architectural designs.
We provide expertise on the possible interventions and opportunities, environnemental Interprétation, Interprétation planning, environmental Education in Eco-tourism, Ecotourism and environmental communication which leads to educate you about managing highly protected.
Another important area of study which enables you to gain knowledge about eco-tourism, Eco-tourism concepts and practices, community benefits and the Eco- tourism contribution towards the conservation and Interpretation in eco-tourism.
You will sharpen your knowledge on policy development both nationally and internationally. Especially focusing on environmentally friendly tourism and policy tools that leads to an environmentally sound tourism.
This programme will commence on November 2020, come and join the
programme. Visit our website www.ou.ac.lk for further details.