Mystery of Giant Sink Holes in China Unraveled

Often referred as “tiankeng,” or “sky holes” near the southern Chinese city of Guilin they are 2,000-foot-deep wonders. The main factor to them is an underground river. It is the waterof the river that dissolves limestone to make caves, the roofs of which can give way to form sinkholes.

However the limestone at Guilin is fractured the sink hole are liable to form along vertical cracks forming steep walls. Rubble due to the cave in is dissolved by the waters of the river and over the eons cavern opens to the sky and a tiankeng is born Arthur Palmer, a cave expert at the State University of New York at Oneonta is quoted to have said

“You are impressed by how abrupt they are. These do tend to be the biggest in the world.”

Geologist William White, an emeritus professor at Pennsylvania State University is quoted to have said

“You could fit a couple of Empire State Buildings in and they’d disappear,”.

It would definitely be worth it to visit such extrordinary natural wonders especially now when China is becoming tourism friendly.

Via: discovery

Lodges With Alternative Energy Sources#3: Gaviota, Belize

Location: Tobacco Caye, Belize

Rates: $49 to $59 double occupancy, including meals Activities: Snorkeling (rentals; $7.50 per day), scuba diving, fishing, sightseeing tours ($37.50 for up to four people)

Gaviota Coral Reef Resort is located on the tiny island of Tobacco Caye at the opening of a huge barrier reef. Not a place for fancy entertainment and foods but definitely the place for peace and quiet, an ideal vacation for divers and snorkelers. The eco-resort is completely powered by wind and solar energy.

Via: Discovery

Africa in danger of loosing Tourist influx due to Climatic Changes as per UN report

The haven of safaris is in danger from global warning. The coastal zones are most likely to be affected by climate change with reduced fish productivity, coral bleaching, salt water intrusion, loss of beach facilities and tourism revenues. This is as per a new report on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation in Africa , released by the data from UN bodies and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Rainfall has fallen by up to 2.4% per decade in tropical rainforests regions of Africa since the mid-1970s.The rate of decline has been fastest in West Africa and north Congo. Sea levels could rise by 15 to 95 cm by 2100, according to some estimates.

It is also estimated that 30% of Africa’s coastal infrastructure could be inundated including coastal settlements in the Gulf of Guinea, Senegal, the Gambia and Egypt if Africa does not improve in climate and weather monitoring capabilities and policies. It needs 200 automatic weather stations, a genuine effort to rescue historical data and improved weather reporting capability. By 2085, between 25 per cent and over 40 per cent of species’ habitats could be lost altogether. Experts estimate that cereal crop yields will decline by up to five per cent by the 2080s.

Achim Steiner, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said:

Climate change is underway and the international community must respond by offering well targeted assistance to those countries in the front-line which are facing increasing impacts such as extreme droughts and floods and threats to infrastructure from phenomena like rising sea levels.

All these alarming estimates are of no use if they remain as such. The need of the hour is to create concrete realities, firstly to establish better weather stations and make arrangements for greenhouse gas emissions to be cut.

Huangguoshu Falls, China: The biggest waterfall in Asia

Location: Two-hour drive from Guiyang province

The massive waterfall is formed by 18 waterfalls of various sizes. The wide Baishui River thunders over a main waterfall, 74m high and 81m wide, into the huge Pool, then down a series of smaller cascades.


The most fascinating is the 12 meters high water-screen cave that arches into the cliffside and is curtained by a sheet of water also is present an inner waterfall. A path has been cut into the cliff behind the fall which gives you a beautiful view through the cascading water. This semi man made cave takes you behind the falls where you can get a feel of the force of the water as it slips through your fingers.

Zanzibar: Worlds first zero carbon Luxury Resort

London architects are designing this marvel eco destination, which hopes to have zero negative environmental impact. Its 35 self-sufficient villas, are to be energized by solar and wind power.

� The infinity pool in front of each villa will use water that has been naturally filtered by reeds in an adjoining pool � Natural air conditioning will cool the villas. The shape of the villa walls will draw sea breeze into the bedroom, after being cooled by passing over the swimming pool. Cold water pipes will run through the inside of the bed to cool it further. � Villa’s water supply is to be from rainwater and desalinated seawater. � Hot water will be from pipes which run beneath the solar panels on the roof, and so are naturally warmed. � The resort will be built from local earth, renewable timber and reclaimed stone. � Construction itself will be from local earth, renewable timber and reclaimed stone. � Bicycles are likely to be the mode of transport for the 100 staff. � Waste will be put into a biomass generator to produce energy. � Energy from gym machines will be used in the electric supply. Richard Hywel Evans, the British architect behind the resort said:

Carbon neutral is very difficult to achieve. What goes into the hotel must be available locally and plentifully, and what comes out the end must not damage the environment.

Nevertheless, green concerns have not made this Per Aquum resort any less luxurious. It is an effort that supports the local environment as well as the people living there. When built it will be a fine example of an eco tourist destination.

Santa Elena Reserve, Monteverde, Costa Rica

Today in Costa Rica Ecotourism is one of the prime industries in its economy. The country has only about 0.1% of the world’s landmass, it contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Over 25% of Costa Rica is composed of protected forests and reserves. Location: 6 Km (3.6 Mi) SE of Santa Elena, Monteverde Hours: 7 AM to 4 PM daily Entrance fee: $10 for adults; $6 for students Guided tours: $15 for 3 hrs, In Monteverde Costa Rica rain forest are found more than 100 species of mammals including 5 species of cats, over 400 species of birds including 30 kinds of hummingbirds, tens of thousands of insect species (over 5000 species of moths) and 2,500 species of plants (420 kinds of orchids).

A cloud forest is a highland forest characterized by nearly 100% humidity throughout the year. The cloud forest here receives an incredible four meters of rain every year- that is almost twelve feet.


The spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a green paradise of tall trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses. Its mystical magic exudes from a walk in the clouds with a green backdrop. Its all about the lush jungle and all the life hiding in it. Made possible because it’s a cloud forest keeping everything moist with it’s daily mist. Visiting the same reserve with a naturalist guide is a more informative experience.

Environmental concerns over ridden for granting approval to resort and golf courses

Amid worries raised by environmentalists, the developers have received approval to build new golf course and resort on the British Virgin Islands. The project to be build on 650-acre (260-hectare), which would costs around US$80 million (euro61 million) and will cover most of Beef Island and includes an 18-hole golf course. The government and developers seems convinced about proposed plan as the Chief Minister Orlando Smith said in a statement:

Yes, we must protect our environment — but we must also think about creating jobs, growing our economy and securing our tourism industry for the future.

The smith assured that government would take strong measure before initiating the work. He also said 10 percent of the planned hotel rooms and rental villas were cut in the final agreement. Countering the claims of the government, biologists said that the massive construction on the island, would pave way for degradation of marine lives.

It is noteworthy that British Virgin Islands comprise of around 60 semi-tropical Caribbean islands and most of the islands are volcanic in origin and have a hilly, rugged terrain. Only 15 of the islands are inhabited and rests of the island are still far away from the jaws of civilization.

Rules made stringent for elephant safari operators in South Africa

An elephant’s social life, in many ways, revolves around breeding and raising of the calves. Humans selfishly take away these very calves from the live wild herds to train and tame them for safari use. Hopefully these new rules will be a thorn in the side of South Africa’s dishonorable elephant-back tourism industry and put a dent in there notorious activities.

The draft rules, released for comment last week, proposed stopping the capture from the wild of anything other than genuine orphan elephant calves.


Southern Africa director of International Fund for Animal Welfare, Jason Bell-Leask said:

It is callous and greedy in its demands for young elephants, forcibly removing animals from their wild herds and subjecting them to training that is wrong, cruel and exploitative. Ifaw has long been calling for better legislation to manage the elephant safari industry, and it seems that government is finally going to get tough on this awful blight on South Africa’s tourism landscape.

Humans have always wrongly intruded on elephant lives. African ivory hunters, by killing only tusked elephants, have given a much larger chance of mating to elephants with small tusks or no tusks at all. Tusklessness, once a very rare genetic abnormality, has become a widespread hereditary trait.

In fact some believe that the wild instincts of male elephants can not be truly tamed. Therefore, they might turn dangerous even towards humans. Well I think that elephants are the gentlest of creatures and it is cruel to segregate young calves from mothers.

Taking a swim in naturally cleansing swimming pools

Self-cleaning “ecological” pools use microorganisms and aquatic plants to filter the water and prevent algal growth, and are designed to attract wildlife, such as dragonflies and butterflies. They do not taste and smell of chlorine but are like natural pools.

Pioneered in Austria, chemical-free pools have become increasingly popular in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Small hotels looking to save energy and attract wildlife to their gardens, such as Hotel Marini in South Tirol, Italy and Orion B&B in the south of France also have these pools .

So next time you want to cool off with a swim seek out these environmentally friendly pools and treat yourself to visual treat of butterflies and insects.

Source: Guardian

Making the right choice for Eco-tourism

The word eco has been used so cheaply by tourism marketing strategies that probably you and I are unlikely to believe it anymore. In many projects ecotourism today is akin to green washing.

During the United Nations’ International Year of Ecotourism in 2002, Patricia Barnett of Tourism Concern said:

the ecotourism label could be used by anyone at anytime for anything from a small-scale locally-run rainforest lodge where the money goes to support a local community, to a large, luxury, foreign-owned resort which has little community involvement and uses masses of natural resources.

Well if you want to spend your money on genuine Eco-tourism then do check these out:

� Green Globe; Provides certification of green travel

� Green Tourism Business Scheme;(GTBS) is leading the way in certifying domestic green accommodations in the UK. Its website provides a map search facility for over 1,000 places to stay, from small B&Bs to luxury five-star hotels and visitor centers in England and Scotland.

� European eco-labels known as the Voluntary Initiative for Sustainability in Tourism; which is trying to provide a common framework for all certification schemes to work to.

� Australia’s Ecotourism Certification program; It has built up a comprehensive list of certified accommodations and attractions in Australia.

� In central America there is the Certificate in Sustainable Tourism, which has certified 55 hotels in Costa Rica - a country that Tourism Concern says ‘has made pioneering strides to promote sustainability’.

� Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA); It assesses travel businesses on fair trade principles, such as whether they provide decent wages and working conditions for their staff, and has certified over 20 South African businesses, including a downtown backpackers’ hostel and a luxury lodge in the African bush.

So next time you book your holiday you can make sure its genuinely green.

Source Guardian

Islay Birding gets top accolades

Do you want to go bird watching in Scotland? Then it would be a good idea to go with Islay Birding, which has been named as Britain’s first ever five-star wildlife attraction. Not only that it functions in sustainable harmony with nature and birds.

Started five years ago by Jeremy Hastings and his wife Anita in 2002, it offers tailor-made bird watching trips in the Inner Hebrides.


Mr Hastings is quoted to have said:

It is the most fantastic place in Britain for birds and nature and wilderness. There are old fashioned estates here and the farms still use traditional farming methods, so the habitat is ideal. And, because we are 16 miles out into the Atlantic, Islay is also on a major migration route.


The five-star rating comes from Visit Scotland’s new Wildlife Experience Quality Assurance Scheme and Islay Birding is the first attraction ever to receive top marks. Other attractions to receive recognition from VisitScotland include dolphin watching boat tours in Moray Firth, midnight badger trips and mink whale tours, all of which received four-star ratings.

Source: Opodo

Our ancestors chose caves ideally...

The Sevenways Cave is shown, located in the Peak District National Park

I have always fantasized about a cave being my home but for the ancients the cave was more than a home. They were the sites of their ritual activities as well as sites for burials. They did not take there dwelling place for granted, they searched far and wide for the perfect locale.

They preferred caves with larger entrances, deep passages, ones perched higher up, facing east or west and with flat areas out front.

The recently released three-year-long survey of approximately 230 caves in the Yorkshire Dales and 190 caves in the northern England Peak District determined that people there from 4,000 to 2,000 B.C. selected caves based on at least five criteria.

Thor’s Cave, located in the Peak District National Park

Sometimes caves were even like roadside motels, where both human and animal travelers would stop in for a night or two of rest before hitting the road again. These cave studies from the archaeological point of view can become a source of vast knowledge in the future.

Source: Discovery

Alaska's most recommended whale watching tour fined for aggravating humpback whales

When eco tours become eco hazards, the very purpose of ecotourism is defeated. As tour boats cut rules to get better views of wildlife they endanger not only the endangered species but also the passengers they carry. Such a tour boat operator has been brought to book.


Juneau, Alaska whale-watching tour boat operator has been fined $7,000 in connection with a collision between a humpback whale and tour boat that injured a woman.


The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration charged the captain of the tour vessel AWESOME ORCA and Orca Enterprises, Inc., the vessel’s owner, with a $9,000 Notice of Violation and Assessment for an alleged violation of the Endangered Species Act.

As the Juneau-based tour boat AWESOME ORCA was conducting a wildlife viewing cruise in Stephens Passage near North Pass in Southeast Alaska. During the tour, NOAA alleged that the captain maneuvered the vessel into the path of three oncoming whales, placing the vessel closer than 100 yards from the endangered humpback whales. Subsequently, one whale collided with the vessel causing one of the passengers to fall and suffer a head injury.


Such measures are truly required for the safety of both endangered species as well as humans. Source: Alaska Report

Our ancestors chose caves ideally...

The Sevenways Cave is shown, located in the Peak District National Park

I have always fantasized about a cave being my home but for the ancients the cave was more than a home. They were the sites of their ritual activities as well as sites for burials. They did not take there dwelling place for granted, they searched far and wide for the perfect locale.

They preferred caves with larger entrances, deep passages, ones perched higher up, facing east or west and with flat areas out front.

The recently released three-year-long survey of approximately 230 caves in the Yorkshire Dales and 190 caves in the northern England Peak District determined that people there from 4,000 to 2,000 B.C. selected caves based on at least five criteria.

Thor’s Cave, located in the Peak District National Park

Sometimes caves were even like roadside motels, where both human and animal travelers would stop in for a night or two of rest before hitting the road again. These cave studies from the archaeological point of view can become a source of vast knowledge in the future.

Source: Discovery

To save Olive Ridley turtles

The olive ridley sea turtle has an olive colored heart shaped shell, the Lepidochelys olivacea is one of the smallest species of sea turtle. It nests at several sites in the western Indian Ocean, Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The single most important breeding area for olive ridleys in the Indian Ocean along the Bay of Bengal is Orissa.

Though Hindu mythology worships sea turtles as an incarnation of one the gods. Most, fishing communities along the coast do not consume turtle eggs or meat. However, these endangered species remain threatened by various other factors like trawling, offshore drilling for oil and gas, and the proposed construction of an industrial port near the nesting sites.

This nesting beach in Rushikulya is one of the most important breeding areas for the Olive Ridley sea turtle in the Indian Ocean

Over 100,000 dead Olive Ridleys have been washed ashore on the beaches of Orissa in the last decade alone. The turtles are caught in the trawler’s nets being dragged far behind the boats. Unable to surface, the turtles suffocate to death and drown. Olive ridley turtles feed on invertebrates and may play important roles in both open ocean and coastal ecosystems.

Dead Olive Ridley turtles litter at a beach

S Murali Mohan Rao, [Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI) State vice-president] took part in the annual moonlight hiking from Tenneti Park to Rushikonda as part of the awareness programme on conservation of Olive Ridley turtles. More such programmes and enforcement of the ban on trawling are required to conserve these endangered turtles.

Will Galapagos islands no longer be open to tourists?

The name Galapagos itself is a calling card that beckons you and thousands of tourists to its spectacular landscape and endemic species. After all, who would not want to visit such unique islands with no natural predators?

Galapagos, bartolome island

However, it is the fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos,which is under threat from a booming tourism industry, a growing local population and the introduction of invasive species.

A group of marine iguanas on the Galapagos Islands

These volcanic islands, 1,000km (625 miles) west of Ecuador’s coast, inspired naturalist Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. However, now the government has been forced to halt tourism to the Galapagos.

Blue footed boobies The islands unique species include centenarian giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and even vampire finches. Nazca booby (masked booby) Sula granti

These are under pressure from non-natives species such as black rats, dogs, goats and cats which have been steadily introduced since British pirates visited the islands in the 18th century. Illegal fishing is also dramatically reducing the sea life around the islands especially of sharks and sea cucumbers. Giant tortoises

Thousands of people visit the Galapagos each year and the permanent population has increased in line with tourism. More than 30,000 people are believed to live on the islands but about half do so illegally.


Prohibiting people from visiting the island will only result in illegal tourism, a better idea would be to have only very specific numbers of tourists visit. After all tourism and fishing is the mainstay of the islands economy. Tourism revenue could be channeled into conservation, it would be a good means to sustain these islands as well.

Source: Telegraph

Birding by boats

Have you ever been bird watching from a boat? If not, then do try it, it could be quite a novel experience. Using a boat gives you a chance to move quietly, access becomes easier and you get a chance to view some unique species. Canoing and Kayaking are one of the least invasive and most enjoyable ways to bird watch from the water.

Bird watching on the river and mangroves by boat, Image credit

Melanie Driscoll of the National Audubon Society in Baton Rouge, Louisiana said:

Kayaking or canoeing is one of the few ways to reach habitats that otherwise are inaccessible. It’s a good way to count birds by ear. You can even get to birds migrating through. Warblers and other birds that nest over water are more approachable.

A trip to Cachuma Lake in Santa Barbara County, California, Image credit: Whalt

Another advantage would be to use The Hobie Cat Co., Kayaks, which offers a line of kayaks propelled by foot, much like a bicycle so that your hands are free for more important things, such as shooting a camera, logging a bird sighting or working a fishing rod.

Tips: 1) Always waterproof expensive gear 2) Do try to blend in with the environment, Subdued colors are best when mingling with wildlife. Kayaks or outboard-powered boats painted sand or green are good choices.

Roseate Spoonbills, Image credit

3) The best times for bird viewing are early morning or late evening, when the low sun casts a soft, buttery light. Birds are more active then, too. 4) Keep your distance and slowly follow the drift.

Great Egrets, nest-building , Image credit

Useful Accessories: ’sidekick’ can be attached to the back of a kayak for additional stability, with this you can you can stand up, walk around the boat, reach for the rear hatches and even swing your legs over the side. You could also attach a fabric cover that screens the lower half of the kayaker’s body, converting the boat, in effect, into a floating photo blind.

Purple Gallinule, Image credit: Lee

What does the birder glimpse? Well among others, you are likely to view Roseate spoonbills, Bald eagles, Great egrets, green and blue herons, purple gallinule. So do plan a trip for colorful bird watching from a boat.

Source: CNN

Environmental awareness grows, the color of new face of travel changes

The World Travel & Tourism Council announced the winners of the seventh Tourism for Tomorrow Awards Lisbon last night. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise and promote the world’s leading examples of best practice in responsible tourism development across four categories.


Image Credit

The winners are:- Destination Award - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia.

It maintains a delicate balance between supporting tourists and lessening their impact on the environment. Conservation Award - Aspen Skiing Company, United States.

It made a significant contribution to the conservation and preservation of nature or cultural heritage. Investor in People Award - Nihiwatu Resort, Indonesia.

The owners set up the Sumba Foundation to channel tourist-generated donations into community development projects that would directly benefit the local population - helping to improve living conditions and dramatically reduce malaria rates.

Global Tourism Business Award - Lindblad Expeditions.

It has long advocated sustainable tourism and takes about 16,000 travelers each year on conservation voyages to destinations from the Galapagos and Antarctica to Mexico and Alaska.

The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have grown in stature since their commencement in 1989, with the number of entries increasing every year. 74 entries were received from 36 countries in 2003. The figure has nearly doubled to 130 applicants from some 40 countries this year. This shows that as the concern about the impact of aviation on the environment is growing, the commitment of travel companies to sustainable tourism is getting firm

Rising tourism posing threat to Antarctica's eco-system

Antarctica, the white continent is at the top of the dream holiday hit list of travelers. There is a huge rise in visitors with numbers reported to increase further in the future. The number has risen by 14 percent to more than 37,000 over the last season.

To discuss about the problems and find possible solutions to protect eco-system of Antarctica, a two week international consultative meeting on Antarctic Treaty took place in New Daily. It warned that proper regulation of tourism was vital to protect the fragile eco-system of Antarctica. The meeting was attended by nearly 300 delegates including scientists from 37 nations and organizations.

Various measures were proposed to protect the eco-system of Antarctica. First, it was said that the authorization to tour operators to land the ships that carry more than 500 passengers should be discouraged. It was also said that a check should be kept on tourist vessels at landing sites, there should not be more than one vessel at a time.

Environmentalists say that global warming is leading to loss of ice shelves on the continent’s coast and scientists are of the view that a boom in tourism is putting pressure on the region. Whatever be the reason, the fact is that Antarctica’s fragile eco-system is under threat.

Antarctica has opened up to tourism and it would be difficult to close the door, but operators can take a responsible stand, more than lip-service, and help restore the region’s beauty.

Eilean Shona: A Luxurious eco break in Argyll

Eilean Shona, near Archaracle, Argyll, is a tiny gem of an island, privately-owned by Vanessa Branson, fabulously set at the entrance to Loch Moidart on the spectacular West Coast of Scotland between the Islands of Mull and Skye.


Only 2 miles long by 1.5 miles wide, completely unspoilt, with no cars or bikes, it is a natural haven for wildlife, plants, and many rare trees brought from distant parts of the world . Total relaxation in a green environment is the order of the day.


The five-minute ferry ride to Eilean Shona seems to take you back about 100 years. It has no cars, no shops, and no television; instead, you walk through moss-covered woods, chase waves on the bone-white beach and spot otters and red squirrels.


The sturdy grey stone house was built in the late 18th century; this is where JM Barrie wrote Peter Pan. The house oozes style with its artwork, bought and commissioned by the owners. Inside, the design is eclectic but cosy - one bed’s made from driftwood.