Ecotourism in Asia:
Responsible Travel is Key to Green

Ecotourism in Asia is of utmost importance these days. My travel focus in Asia has been in Southeast Asia, which has suffered greatly and continues to struggle with illegal animal poaching, logging, and environmental abuse in the name of mass tourism. Responsible travelers, voluntourism projects, and sustainable tourism practices are making headway in protecting the environment and in improving living conditions in rural villages by partnering with natives in fostering ecotourism values and practices.

The mainland of Southeast Asia, a subregion of Asia, includes Cambodia, Laos (one of the world's poorest nations), Vietnam, Thailand (one of the more advanced developing countries in Asia), and Myanmar. Maritime Southeast Asia, island arcs to the east and southeast, includes Brunei, Singapore, East Timor, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Most of Southeast Asia is tropical--hot and humid year-round--and thus is home to the world's second-largest rain forest.

Animal and plant life in Southeast Asia historically has been lush and exotic, but now ranges from the surviving to endangered as more and more deforestation robs species of their environments. Orangutans and Sumatran tigers currently live precariously on the endangered species list. Water Buffalo are bountiful, but Asian Elephants, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Malayan tapir, and Bornean Clouded Leopard, not as numerous.

Cultures and religion are too blended and numerous to completely list, but combinations of Tai, Mon-Khmer, Chinese, Eurasian, Austronesian, Arab and Polynesian practice various forms of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Roman Catholicism, Christianity, Taoism, and Sikhism. Languages and dialects are equally as varied.

Generally, the cultural influences in Southeast Asia stem from India and China. If a culture tends to eat with their fingers, they were more influenced by India. If they eat with chopsticks, they were more likely influenced by China.

Southeast Asia is a magical area, but it is more important than ever to travel green if you plan to visit. Ecoutourism in Asia can save a dwindling green treasure.

Interested in supporting Ecotourism in Asia? Consider voluntousim in Laos and Thailand.