Introduction
The Chalalan Ecolodge in Bolivia is located in the heart of Madidi National Park in the Bolivian Amazon. It is a 300,000 hectare region which is rich in diverse ecosystems and biodiversity. The lodge is said to be home for over1, 370 species of vertebrates, 4, 700 plant species and 860 tropical birds (Chalalan, 2013). As a result of the many species and variety found in the area the lodge is considered to be the biologically riches protected area on earth. The lodge is a joint ecotourism initiative of the native San José community and the Conservational International (CI) (CI, 2013). The project was initiated in 1992 as an economic alternative for the locals who were coffee, rice and peanut farmers. Their main objectives included providing an alternative that would prevent the future younger generation from migrating, the completion for the farm produce was high and the market distance was long and there was a need for an alternative that would prevent the destruction of the forest such as through hunting and logging (Chalalan, 2013). The available alternative was through the utilization of the forest resources and the need resulted into the Chalalan project.
The CI obtained funds from the Inter-American Development Bank and helped the local initiate the program with its main aim being to improve livelihood of the locals. The locals volunteered to work with the organizations and the Ecolodge was completed and opened in 1998; the CI corporate with the locals in sustainability and management of the lodge (CI, 2013). The CI main purpose of the project was to create a profitable ecotourism lodge that would be owned, managed and operated by the San Jose community of Bolivia. The locals were taught the required skill top run a tourism business and in 2002 they were given the full authority to run it.
The Ecolodge ever since its completion has been a great boost to the San Jose community’s livelihood. The lodge has not only benefited the local community but also the tourists who come to the lodge. From the definition of ecotourism, environmentally responsible travel and relatively undisturbed natural areas, the lodge offers visitors a good platform to explore nature and learn, enjoy and appreciate the nature of the region. The local in the other hand have harvested adequate socio-economic benefits that had been in the objectives in the projects projection benefits.
The local community has learnt how to take care of nature. The people had to learn how to take care of the environment so that they can attract tourist through the maintenance of a friendly environment that is properly managed. This was achieved through the skills they learnt from the project pioneers. The locals therefore have been learning to manage their resources and in so doing create a reputable tourist attraction lodge (UNDP, 2012). The proper handling of liquid and solid waste in the lodge together with other positive activities by the locals that ensure the protection of the environment has seen the increase of the earlier endangered species such as the spider monkey, jaguars and wild pigs. The community works with park guards to ensure that the park is protected from poachers. This in return is the back-borne of all the other advantages that accrue from the lodge.
The Chalalan lodge has affected the policies that are formulated in Bolivia. The Chalalan initiative has influenced political decisions at the local, national and international perspective. Due to the national impact on t6he economy of the country, it has necessitated for the inclusion of the organization members into the national committee that oversee the formulation and implementation of policies that are concerned with the local area of conservation and ecotourism. In their involvement in such important national committees, the community members bring in the experience gained from the vast travel to other countries and what they learn from other practitioners. As a result of the lesson learnt over the years, the local community is able to sustain the project by having adequate and appropriate management skills that are essential for such tasks.
The locals have vastly benefitted socio-economically from the Chalalan project. Before the establishment of the lodge, majority of the San José lived in poverty since they were small scale farmers (UNDP, 2012). The major reason for the project was to create an alternative for their livelihood and the objective has been successfully achieved. The earlier community was characterized by emigration but the project stopped it since the economical problems were solved.
The Chalalan lodge is an important attraction for the tourist. It offers them with unique variety of plant species and others. The tourists benefit from the accommodation offered by the lodge in its traditional cabins and kitchen with a combination of local and international cuisine. The locals give the tourists an expert interpretation and guide on nature hikes. The nature hikes enable the tourists to see the variety of animals and other forest habitats (UNDP, 2012). The tourist also have night hikes which they use headlamps to discover many animal species critical to the park ecosystem. Other services enjoyed by the tourists include canoe trips, bird watching, cultural interaction and swimming and relaxation.
References
Chalalan Albergue Ecologico. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.chalalan.com/comunidad.php
Conservation International (CI) (2013). Ecotourism Destinations - Chalalán Ecolodge, Bolivia - Conservation International. Retrieved from http://www.conservation.org/learn/culture/ecotourism/destinations/Pages/bolivia_chalalan_ecolodge.aspx
UNDP_Environment (2012). Case Studies UNDP: Chalalán Eco-lodge, Bolivia. Retrieved December 14, 2013, from http://www.scribd.com/doc/176599038/Case-Studies-UNDP-Chalalan-Eco-lodge-Bolivia
