ZENITH International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research ______ISSN 2231-5780 Vol.8 (10), OCTOBER (2018), pp. 330-340 Online available at zenithresearch.org.in

EXTENT AND OUTREACH OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN ECO-TOURISM – A STUDY BASED ON DISTRICT JOEL OOMMEN MUZHANGODY

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR (GUEST) AT GOVERNMENT ARTS & SCIENCE COLLEGE, KOZHIKODE, , INDEPENDENT RESEARCHER,NATIONAL LEVEL QUIZZER COMPLETED POST GRADUATION IN ECONOMICS FROM ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE DEVAGIRI(AUTONOMOUS)-UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT , KERALA, . [email protected]

ABSTRACT 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. It means responsible travel to natural areas conserving the environment and improving the well-being of the local people. Hence Eco- tourism is strongly linked to the lives of the local people who are its beneficiaries It is here where eco- tourism is allied to community participation. It is the tourism of nature without hurting nature. In this study community participation of Ecotourism of Kozhikode district, Kerala was studied using 50 Households of Kodencheri Panchayat. It was observed that Community’s standards of living were raised through their participation in tourism. KEYWORDS: Attitude, Community Participation, Eco Tourism, Kodencheri, Kozhikode.

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ZENITH International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research ______ISSN 2231-5780 Vol.8 (10), OCTOBER (2018), pp. 330-340 Online available at zenithresearch.org.in

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Dr Asha Thomas – Assistant Professor –Department of Economics- St Josephs’College Devagiri (Autonomous)

Department of Tourism - Kerala