Abstract:
Ecotourism is nature-based visits with the anticipation of enjoying natural
attractions, learning, education, environmental protection and maintaining
sustainability. The Knuckles Mountain Range was acknowledged as a
‘world’s heritage’, considering its historical value, geological and
geomorphological features, ecological diversity and richness of biodiversity
within the area of 160-170 km2. This study was carried out with the objective
of assessing its existing potentials to promote ecotourism, while preserving
its sustainability. Both primary and secondary data sources have been used
for this study, following the quantitative and qualitative approaches and
applied a purposive sampling mechanism to identify the forest plot for this
study and convenient sampling method for interviewing visitors. The
computer software was used to process the coded data and accommodated
traditional statistical tools to analyze the same. The results revealed that the
existing potential for ecotourism development in the area was under-utilized
and 90% of the identified challenges, such as deforestation, solid waste
disposal (plastics and polythene) and clearing forest area for
cardamom/ginger cultivation etc., have been observed at an extensive level,
which are due to the human activities. According to the surveyed, 70% at
Pitawalpatana, 65% at Maningala and 75% at Ilukkumbura disclosed that the
said area was a very attractive and interesting place for nature lovers. The
local visitor expresses that 70% of them are satisfied with nature-based
attractions in the forest, 56% desire to visit to the Knuckles again, 42% has a
moderate desire to visit again, 8% states that they do not like to visit again
and 49% states that they have visited Knuckles more than one time. It is
recommended to formulate an integrated forest management system to
mitigate and manage challenges and to promote ecotourism in the Knuckles
area in a sustainable manner with the collaboration of reverent stakeholders.
