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Eco-tourism encapsulates scientific, aesthetic, and philosophical approaches which reflect the structure and function of the society. During the last decades, a lot of changes have been observed both in content and context of eco-tourism. With the globalisation process the processes of these changes have added values to enhance its importance. The present paper, while describing the treasure of tourism of Odisha, emphasises the potentials and prospects of eco-tourism in the State and more particularly in the tribal areas. It justifies that eco-tourism of the state, if given due importance with proper value addition, can not only provide the potency of attracting tourists from far and near, but can also generate more revenue for the state.
India is one of the fewer countries of the world, which is endowed with natural tourism. The rich resources of this country are reflected in bio-cultural diversities, histories and antiquities. All these natural resources should have made the growth of tourism in India four times faster than the world average (WTO, 1994). In reality small countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Hongkong, Maldives and Bhutan have proved more potential to make their national tourism an industry (Singh,1996). More so, tourism is one of the largest sources of foreign exchange in countries like Costa Rica, Belize and in Guatemala, it is second (Yadav, 2002). In Indian context the unwholesome development adopted in the country over the decades has threatened the integrity with the ecosystem. This is the reason why statecrafts, scientists, activists and local communities are struggling to balance the need for economic growth with preservation of natural resources.
Objective
The paper is divided into five parts. Firstly, the paper explains the concept of eco-tourism and reviews the major focus of the Government. Secondly, it briefly describes the treasure of tourism and the tourist potentials in the State of Odisha. Thirdly, it highlights an overview of the socio-cultural profile of the tribal communities of Odisha and the potentials of tourism expansion from within the State. Fourthly, the paper from empirical source explains the potentials of rich ethnic tourism, which has attracted tourists from within and outside of India. Finally, through evidences it analyses the potentialities and prospects of ethnic tourism in Odisha. For preparation of this paper data has been collected...