The views that appear in this section do not necessarily represent those of ECOCLUB S.A. We reserve the right to edit for brevity and clarity. Send your ecotourism news report or article for the next issue to news@ecoclub.com

COLOMBIAN MEMBER RECEIVES IMPORTANT AWARD
In early October, British Airways gave its "Tourism for Tomorrow - Highly Commended Accommodation Award" to Cabanas Pijiba, our Ecolodge Members in Colombia. Congratulations!!!
Visit Cabanas Pijiba at: http://ecoclub.com/pijiba
Enquiries: http://ecoclub.com/pijiba/members/form.html

PAKISTAN (TOURISM) ALSO SUFFERS
by Agha Iqrar Haroon, President, Ecotourism Society Pakistan
The war in Afghanistan has had grave negative impacts on tourism in Pakistan, especially in the North. Porters, guides, drivers and other small stakeholders of tourism industry including daily wages workers are directly hit by this situation because they do not enjoy any social security and depend upon only their daily and monthly wages which are of course closed down due to no businesss in the field. Support ESP's efforts, for a selection of quality Ecotours in Pakistan, VISIT http://www.ecotourism.org.pk

WORLD MOUNTAIN SYMPOSIUM 2001
by Agha Iqrar Haroon, President, Ecotourism Society Pakistan, reporting from Interlaken Switzerland: Community development between subsidy, subsidiarity and sustainability was the theme of the World Mountain Symposium held in Interlaken from September 30 to October 4, 2001 to inaugurate the United Nations International Year of Mountains (IYM) 2002. About 150 mountain experts from every part of the world working in the field of science, development cooperation and policy-making took part in the WMS 2001. SDC mandated the Centre for Development and Environment at the Institute of Geography, University of Bern to organise and run the symposium. This 4-day symposium, sponsored by the Swiss Development Corporation (SDC), constituted an important input to be used in preparation for IYM 2002, with a particular focus on the ways and means needed to enhance autonomous development regions in the industrialised developing and transition countries of the world. The goals of the symposium were to: Invite participants to give an overview of their experiences with community development in mountain areas of the world. Assess the different strategies, policies and instruments used in local communities and at higher levels of decision making in their efforts to enhance sustainable mountain development. Discuss and further develop principles for strengthening autonomous community development in mountain regions with a view to enhancing community contributions to sustainable mountain development. Each day of Symposium was conducted under a motto namely "Getting acquainted", "Becoming involved", Looking at instruments" and "Designing the future".

NEW VIETNAM BIOSPHERE RESERVE?
Reported by Nguyen Hong Vinh, Director V&D travel Co. Ltd, Vietnam
The central province of Quang Ngai has invested USD 500,000 in protecting 71,000 ha of forest as well as planting a further 1,700 ha this year. By the end of this month, 9.5 million young trees including ironwood and acacia will have been planted. The province has also increased funding for households involved in forest protection from USD 120 to USD 130 per hectare.

SPECIAL ECOTOURISM EVENTS IN NEPAL
The following exciting events are taking place at our Ecolodge Member Aqua Birds Camp, Nepal: 
Christmas Birdathon: 24 - 26 Dec. 2001:
The Birdathon is targeted towards the enthusiast and will last from the crack of dawn till dusk. Funds will be raised "per bird seen and heard" by the bird watcher or his / her sponsor. The highest bird species recorder will be felicitated amidst a champagne-toasting ceremony.
The 2nd Koshi Tappu Migratory Bird Festival: 18 - 25 January 2001:
to promote Bird watching tourism at Koshi Tappu in line with the International Year of Ecotourism 2002. Primary objective of the festival is to promote Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve as a primary destination for the bird watchers and ecotourists.
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was established in 1976, and covers an area of 175 sq. km. The reserve is named after the biggest river of Nepal, the Sapta Koshi. It is a major residing, staging and wintering site for waterfowls and waders in the sub-continent. Due to its international importance for the conservation of waders and waterfowl, it has been accorded the Ramsar Site in 1987. The reserve and the adjacent area supports more than 462 bird species.
For details: http://ecoclub.com/aquabirds
For enquiries: http://ecoclub.com/forms/ecp061.html

ECOTOURISM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Reported by Robi Smith - Founder, Timbuktours, Canada
I traveled 16 000 kilometers by car from major ports to ghost towns throughout South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland doing market research, and while on route i found the signs of an obvious lean towards Eco Tourism to be more clearly posted than some remote destinations. Current global trends and exchange rates create the existing Sub-Continental African Tour-Mecca and its perpetuation is as obvious as the ethnicity. These environs have never been more accessible than now and are some of natures most pristine regions. Many of them are proclaimed World Heritage Sites and the infrastructure which supports their existence is sound enough to cope with current demands. The strengthening of this market will ensure it's future and this should be inevitable due to world interests. Even in countries with unstable economies or corrupt governments there is a trend to preserve natural and historical heritage. This enables a traveler the luxury to enjoy this wilderness in relative safety and with an ability to afford comparatively the best in world Eco Tourism standards. The integration of independents, industry professionals and national authorities and regulation bodies helps to manage a favourable market in which to trade and travel in. "Viva Eco Tourism i Afrika!"
VISIT TIMBUKTOURS NEW WEBSITE: http://www.timbuktours.net 

TORONTO SETS THE GLOBAL STAGE FOR ECOTOURISM IN THE CITY
Reported by Rachel Dodds -  Professor, Humber College, Toronto, Canada
Innovative new ideas from Toronto, Canada were presented to representatives from over 25 nations about the important potential of ecotourism development in urban areas. The Americas Conference preparing for the International Year of Ecotourism was hosted by the United Nations and the World Tourism Organization and held in Cuiaba, Brazil on August 22-25, 2001. A unique presentation on the subject of urban ecotourism was given by Toronto's Green Tourism Association. With half the world's population now living in cities, and many more using cities as gateways to travel to remote ecotourism destinations, it has become clear that it is of utmost importance to inform the urban traveler about environmental responsibility, protection and enhancement - 'ecotourism in the city'. Brazil's urban centres, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo were both interested in using Toronto as a pilot for developing similar products and many governments requested further information.
For details: http://www.greentourism.ca

URITHI CELEBRATES 2nd BIRTHDAY
Reported in Urithi Newsletter, issued by our Member 
Tamim Amijee -  Chairman, Tanga Heritage Centre, Tanzania
Urithi - Tanga Heritage Centre was inspired by the desire of many residents of Tanga to see their heritage preserved, after years of neglect and decay and to attract tourism to their city, currently 2,000 per annum. Since its inception it has managed to start the rehabilitation of an old Courthouse and to establish a newsletter. A proposal to build a museum in Urithi has lately not been successful in securing funding from the Tanzania Cultural Fund but the organization is determined to pursue this objective.