Ecological situation in Thailand and other countries ( Malaysia, India)

1. AZERBAIJAN TOURISM AND MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY
LECTURER: ASGARLI GULLU
STUDENT: VERDIZADA NURLAN
TOPIC: ECOTOURISM IN ASIA (THAILAND)

2. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ASIA REGION
Asia is the largest continent
in the world and has the
highest mountain range on
earth – the Himalayas, the
largest river delta – the
Indus River in Pakistan, and
the largest freshwater lake –
Lake Baikal in Russia.

3. INDIA
(Kerala, Tiger Sanctuaries, Jim Corbett National Park,
Bandhavgarh National Park, Ellora and Ajanta)
 Currently, there are about 80 national parks and 441
sanctuaries in India all working for the protection and
conservation of wildlife resources.
 Kerala is a state on the tropical Malabar Coast of south west
India, and easily reached from Cochin to the north. National
Geographic magazine called it “One of the 10 Paradises of the
World.” It is well known for its ecotourism initiatives and has
become one of the most popular tourist destinations in India.
Kerala is known not only for its tropical backwaters, but also its
pristine beaches such as Kovalam. Kerala is blessed with
gorgeous natural beauty. Bird watching tours, a wildlife tour, or a
remarkable Backwaters cruise will all allow you to explore
Kerala without harming the natural ecosystem in any way.

4. Tiger Sanctuaries
 There are 48 tiger reserves in India,
all of which are governed by Project
Tiger, which is administered by the
National Tiger Conservation
Authority. Tigers are a precious
commodity today, and their numbers
continue to diminish as a result of
habitat loss, poaching, and other
human-related factors. India remains
the most prolific home of these
animals and boasts the highest
population numbers.

5. Corbett National Park
 Named after the legendary hunter turned
conservationist, Jim Corbett, the Corbett
National Park is often considered as India’s
first national park located in the state of Uttar
Pradesh at the base of the Himalayas. The
park is home to over 585 species of birds and
7 species of amphibians. Some of the animals
found here include Bengal tigers, crocodiles,
leopards and elephants. There are eco-resorts
close to the park, allowing you to wake up to
the sounds of nature every morning.

6. Bandhavgarh National Park
 The Bandhavgarh National Park is a tiger reserve
in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The nearest town
and railway junction to Bandhavgarh is Umaria,
which is 22 miles away. The nearest airport is in
Khajuraho, 130 miles away. The park takes pride
in having the largest tiger population in India, plus
the largest population of leopards, and a few rare
species of deer. From a conservation point of
view, the park has consistently shown significant
increases in its tiger population. Apart from
Bengal tigers, there are 22 species of other
animals such as jackals, foxes, Rhesus monkeys,
and hyenas. Animal viewing is undertaken by jeep
tours and elephant safaris. There is a wide range
of all grades of hotels in the vicinity of the park.

7. ELLORAAND AJANTA
 The Ajanta and Ellora Caves, located close
to the city of Aurangabad, are more than
2000 years old and are UNESCO World
Heritage sites. The caves have been carved
out of mountain rock, back in time when
there were no sophisticated tools to work
with. There are some amazing paintings
and sculptures to see pertaining to
Buddhism and Jainism. The paintings and
sculptures of Ajanta are considered
masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.
Ellora represents the epitome of Indian
rock-cut architecture. Ellora’s 34 caves are
actually structures excavated out of the
vertical face of the local hills.

8. MALAYSIA
(TAMAN NEGARA, CAMERON AND GENTING
HIGHLANDS, MULU NATIONAL PARK, BAKO
NATIONAL PARK, DANUM VALLEY, PULAU
REDANG)
 Malaysia, made up of Peninsular Malaysia and East Borneo
(or Malaysian Borneo), is an amazing country with an
abundance of biodiversity. 75% of its land area remains
forested, with 60% virgin rainforest unchanged for millions
of years. Natural attractions include diverse flora and fauna,
white sandy beaches, exotic marine life, dense rainforests,
and the oldest and largest caves in the world. There are a
huge number of activities to choose from such as hiking,
jungle trekking, white water rafting, rock climbing, bird
watching, river cruising, and much more.

9. TAMAN NEGARA
 Taman Negara means “national park”, and is the world’s
oldest rainforest (over 130 million years old). Activities here
include river rapid shooting and rafting, staying overnight
at a wildlife observation hideout, and taking a canopy walk.
This huge park covers 3 individual states in Peninsular
Malaysia.
 Stroll on the world’s longest canopy walkway, enjoying
magnificent panoramic views. The Department of Wildlife
and National Parks supervises the park’s safety aspect
and manages the daily operation. The canopy walkway
can be reached by boat or by walking. You might consider
a night jungle walk when you can observe and discover the
nocturnal creatures in Taman Negara. Among those always
being spotted are reindeer, tapir, and wild boar.

10. CAMERON AND GENTING HIGHLANDS
 Cameron Highlands and the Genting Highlands
were both originally hill stations created to get
away from the summer heat. They offer low
humidity and jungle trail hikes. Cameron
Highlands offers visits to butterfly and insect
farms, flower markets, a strawberry farm, and a
tea plantation. Genting Highlands is a little more
commercial, offering simulated free-fall skydiving,
a rock-climbing wall, and the Genting Skyway –
Southeast Asia’s fastest and longest cable car.
Here you can also visit a strawberry farm, a bee
and insect farm, and a mushroom farm.

11. MULU NATIONAL PARK
 The world’s largest single cave passage
was discovered in the Mulu National
Park in Borneo. The park is a
combination of forests, caves, wildlife,
and breathtaking karst stone formations.
It was declared a UNESCO World
Heritage site for its unique scenery and
expansive array of native plant and
animal species. Some 3500 species of
plants and 109 species of palm trees
flourish here. The area provides
protection for wildlife, as it includes a
substantial area of Borneo’s primary
tropical forest.

12. BAKO NATIONAL PARK AND DANUM
VALLEY
 The Bako National Park in Borneo contains
an incredible variety of plant species and
vegetation. It is possible to see almost
every type of vegetation found in Borneo
here. It is also home to approximately 275
rare proboscis monkeys, found only in
Borneo.
 The Danum Valley Conservation Area in
Borneo is blessed with a diversity of
tropical flora and fauna. It is home to the
rare Sumatran rhinoceros, orangutans,
,and the beautiful clouded leopard. Some
270 species of birds have been recorded in
the area.

13. PULAU REDANG
 The Pulau Redang Marine Park in Borneo is a tropical
paradise, offering beautiful coral reefs, crystal clear waters,
and secluded coves located 28 miles north east of Kuala
Terengganu. It has become popular due its pristine nature
and rich marine environment, and is a protected site by the
Malaysian government. You can go diving and snorkeling as
the sea bed around the island holds a magnificent variety of
marine life. You can also kayak around the island, but jet-
skis and water-skiing is banned to protect the tranquility and
quality of the environment. There are three species of
turtles that come to Pulau Redang to nest – the Green
Turtle, Olive Ridley, and Hawksbill. There are several trails
to explore in the rainforest on the island, leading you to
scenic hilltops and rocky cliffs that offer panoramic views of
the island and sea.

14. THAILAND
 In order to protect the large number of absolutely stunning
destinations in Thailand which are popular with visitors, several
non-government organizations (NGOs), such as the World
Wildlife Fund, have established an active presence in the
country. Thai authorities are also taking steps to preserve the
nature and wildlife of the country’s many different ecological
zones – from jungles in the south to mountain forests in the
north.
 Ecotourism in Thailand can include adventure and travel
activities such as bicycle tours, elephant safaris, cruises,
trekking, walking, and wildlife tours. All of these activities are
readily and abundantly available. There are more than 110
national parks in which visitors can view local wildlife.
Interestingly, and a positive action, the more popular parks
explain the important elements of sustaining the environment
and its inhabitants.

15. KHAO SOK AND KHAO YAI NATIONAL
PARK
 The Khao Sok National Park, located in Southern
Thailand, is one of the oldest evergreen rainforests in
the world. It is home to a whole host of wildlife such
as elephants, tigers, black bears, leopards, several
species of monkeys, and over 300 species of birds.
There are also spectacular waterfalls to view. The
park can be explored by elephant-back safari, hiking
trails, or even a raft, canoe, or kayak on the Sok
River.
 Kho Yai National Park, also in Southern Thailand,
was one of the first parks to receive protection. It
boasts 31 miles of hiking trails suitable for easy walks
and also multi-day treks. Again, it is a rainforest and
home to a large number of animals including bears,
tigers, leopards, and 200 elephants.

16. ANG THONG NATIONAL MARINE PARK
KO PHA-NGAN
 Ang Thong is on an archipelago of 42 islands with
limestone rocks rising out of the sea. It is only 18 miles
from Koh Samui. This is an excellent place to view
dolphins and sea otters. It offers beautiful, pristine
beaches and coral reefs. Activities here can include
snorkeling, diving, and hiking. It is also possible to stay
in a collection of bungalows.
 Ko Pha-Ngan is fringed with scenic bays, inlets, coves,
and beaches. There is hiking, as well as snorkeling and
diving available. Besides the usual beaches and water
sports activities, it offers beautiful landscapes including
waterfalls and panoramic lookout points. Almost 90% of
Ko Pha-Ngan is comprised of unspoiled tropical forest,
with 40% protected national park land harboring an
abundance of wildlife.

17. NAM NAO NATIONAL PARK
DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK
 Nam Nao is one of Thailand’s most valuable
nature preserves located in Northern Thailand, and
has a wide variety of virgin jungle including
bamboo forests, rainforest, and pine forests. It is
home to a large elephant population as well as
tigers and hundreds of bird species. Possible walks
range from short, one-hour hikes to more
challenging longer treks.
 Doi Inthanon is home to Thailand‘s highest peak.
Surrounding this mountain is a 1000 square
kilometre national park dotted with hiking trails
and waterfalls, all enveloped in a curtain of jungle.
The main attraction of the park is the summit of
Doi Inthanon, with its spectacular views which
include several waterfalls.