It was found that there are conflicting policies and regulations with little or no community participation in planning. In fact recognition and value of ecotourism is non-existent. In light of this there are few policy initiatives and hence this leads to uncoordinated and arbitrary decision making. In the use of protected areas there is a huge centrally controlled policy that leads to tremendous process delays. Furthermore, decision-making and role diffusion is more prevalent as a rule than an exception. 

Consultation of the stakeholders is absent. Protected areas are also characterised by complex rules for visitors as well as for communities - more by way of choking off the number of visitors. There is also no mechanism for recycling revenues into conservation.

Ecotourism Product Development and Monitoring in Protected and Natural Areas

It was found that there is a general lack of successful models of ecotourism in protected areas. Even if they have been done then community participation is really lacking.

Further there is a general lack of venturing or wanting to take risks in this area as rules of the conservation are too strict. Interpretation has been found to be an area of weakness. Moreover, there is little or no data available for planning. This is also marked by an absence of a long term vision for planning for protected areas.

Ecotourism Planning and Regulation for Local Communities and Businesses

There is a need for site specific planning. It was highlighted that in the present context there is very little Governmental support for communities and their rights. Many communities are not aware of their rights as well as how policies are going to affect them. Communities lack the suitable skills for planning and taking hold of opportunities that come their way. As far businesses are concerned they do not find the funds that can be channelised to ecotourism planning (green funds). Banks shy away and ecotourism is not in their 'manual'. In absence of clear government policies, the private sector and communities do not have a clear agenda or policy framework to depend upon. Hence it was found that traditional mechanisms that exist could be used innovatively. Voluntary initiatives by NGOs can be balanced with regulation in schemes and defining the roles and regulatory framework for ecotourism to thrive is the need of the hour. Establishing regulation so that leakage can be checked is also an area of considerable concern. 

Ecotourism Product Development and Monitoring Local Communities and Businesses

Communities and even the private sector do not possess skills to develop meaningful ecotourism products or establish environmentally responsible business enterprises. There is little or no access to funds for such ventures. There are no guarantees or incentives and this can make entrepreneurs shy away. There is also lack of focus for market research and those who have developed ecotourism products have done so on their own. Data for ecotourism product development is poor. In the absence of all this there is little appetite for anyone to take up risks in this business area. Hence, when a product is brought out it tends to be unregulated with little local participation leading the Government to see these as threats and local communities finding it intrusive. In the area of monitoring, baseline data was found to be absent. There was concern on the equitable distribution of benefits to the local community and other stakeholders. There was also a need to understand cultural impact and assessment of this was necessary if long-term significant contribution of ecotourism as a way forward for both enhancement of equity amongst stakeholders and conservation of natural areas are to happen effectively.

Ecotourism Planning, Regulation, Product Development and Monitoring at National and Sub-Regional Level

There was unanimity in the need for a vision when planning and framing policy that needed to be thought of in the context of national and region. There was consensus also that there was an urgent need to build awareness amongst policy makers. In all this mechanisms needed to be established to bring about cooperation in planning and regulation at the sub-regional and geographical contiguity context. Keeping the long-term interests of communities in view it was suggested to promote capacity building on all fronts. New channels for visitor education and partnerships also needed to be drawn out. Government can frame policies but must be kept out of business as monitoring and regulation would otherwise be difficult. Intra regional movement of visitors and development of long-term accredition systems were definitely a priority. This would enhance the overall ecotourism product. Local structures and capacity in this area needed to be explored. 

Ecotourism Planning, Regulation, Product Development and Monitoring at National and International Level

It was clear that focus should also be given to encourage international funding to support innovation in this area. Today there is little or no focus of international bodies on ecotourism and there is an urgent need to do this and one way out was to link it to international pro-poor and biodiversity agenda. This is one area where it was felt that the International Year of Ecotourism could give the necessary boost. There is also an urgent need to define indicators that will tell the whole story! Hence the starting point is to start research in this area, which can generate data both nationally, regionally, and in geographical contiguity - example Hindukush and Himalayan belt.