Sustainable ecotourism development: Principles, potentials & practices in India & Iran Mousavi Sayed Ebrahim*, Dr. Pondhe G. M.**, Dr. Jaybhaye Ravindra G.*** *Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Pune, India **Department of Environmental sciences, P.V.P College, Ahmadnagar, India ***Department of Geography, University of Pune, India Online published on 21 November, 2013. Abstract Tourism or ecotourism is inherent desire of human beings, which developed with the progress of human civilization. Every man on this planet earth is very fond of tourism, hence always attracted towards nature. The mountains, hills, valleys, oceans, rivers, lakes, islands, waterfalls, forests, wild animals, birds butterflies etc. have become important attractions for the Eco tourists. The attraction towards nature is increasing day by day due to ever increasing urbanization, environmental pollution, deforestation, loss of biodiversity and natural sites. This paper focuses on Sustainable Ecotourism Development. It stresses on three shafts of SED including principles, potential and practices involves specifying the objective of sustainable development of ecotourism in Iran (Zayandeh Rud River) and India (Mulshi Lake) and identifying the internal and external impacts that are favorable and unfavorable to achieve that objective. In conclusion, all tourism-related activities should be well planned, located, designed, and managed in an environmentally friendly and culturally sensitive manner so that the environment is not congested, polluted or degraded and there no social tension. Top Keywords Sustainable development, Ecotourism, Benefits. Top |