SDG 15 reminds us that we, as travellers, often choose destinations because of their unique flora and fauna, its biodiversity and natural heritage. Climate change, pollution and over-tourism are some of the large factors that put these valuable ecosystems and wildlife numbers under pressure. Sustainable tourism, however, holds the potential to play a large role in the protection and restoration of these areas.
When fragile ecosystems or areas rich in biodiversity are managed sustainably by tourism businesses, it’s possible to conserve and preserve nature and wildlife, while at the same time let it be a flourishing tourist attraction. This way, it can generate revenue as an alternative, more sustainable, livelihood to local communities. Communities in these remote or sensitive areas would otherwise, for example, herd cattle, go poaching or have no economic prospects at all.
Other practical measures that can be implemented are pollution reduction, waste treatment and offsetting the climate impact of actions through supporting local conservation or tree-planting projects. To make sure these measures are supported among the local communities and visitors alike, it’s important to involve, inform and educate them on the topic.
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