Eco pledge
Ecotourism is FUN!!!
Here are some points to help on our educational journey. Remember, as a responsible traveller, agent, operator, promoter or policy maker, we can have and provide fun while helping to conserve and protect our fragile ecosystems, endangered species, indigenous peoples and beautiful natural environment.
SOME BASIC FACTS
Examples of the length of time litter lasts:
Orange and banana peel up to 2 years
Cigarette butts 1-5 years
Wool socks 1-5 years
Plastic-coated paper 15 years
Nylon fabric 30-40 years
Leather up to 50 years
Tin cans 50 years
Aluminium cans and tabs 80-100 years
Plastic bags & Plastic film containers 80-100 years
Glass bottles 1 million years
Plastic bottles indefinitely
Forest Fires
Forest fires, starting from visitor's campfires and carelessly tossed cigarette buttscause extensive damage. Some trees are killed by very hot fires, and replacement ofmature trees may take hundreds of years.
In many areas, firewood is often in short supply. Many small native animals liveamong fallen branches. In alpine areas where the growing season is short, such habitats are replaced very slowly.
Always try to use a fuel stove when camping. Compared with campfires, fuel stoves are cleaner, a lot easier to use in wet weather, they cook faster and don't scar the landscape. Ensure that your party members have warm clothing and good tents so fires won't be needed for warmth.
