SUBJECT: Tourism and Biodiversity - A Key Role for Environmental Management
AUTHOR: Desmond Kaplan, Architect and planning consultant, Israel

SUMMARY: An integrated approach that includes cycles of research, planning, implementation and adjustment is required in order to effectively come to terms with the dynamics and complexities of constantly changing realities on the ground.

KEYWORDS: Environmental management, planning, ecotourism.

As a planner I am constantly faced with the question of the relationship between a plan that has been produced at a given time, based on an understanding of the situation at that point, and the process of implementation over an extended period, especially when dealing with a timetable for implementation that may span many years, if not generations. During the implementation period, more often than not, changes take place in the field that require a response from the plan. Alternatively, new information comes to light that obliges one to make adjustments.

As an example, I would like to refer a regional plan that we prepared for part of the Upper Galilee in Israel. The goals of the plan include:
- Creation of conditions for the strengthening and development of the northern section of a north-south ecological corridor (with appropriate biodiversity) that more or less accompanies the course of the Jordan River.
- Preservation of the rights and livelihoods of the rural communities in the planning area.
- Development of tourism as a vehicle for sustainable economic development of the area.

The plan essentially subscribes to the triple bottom line concept that is the basis of ecotourism (community development, economic feasibility and environmental responsibility) while providing a framework for adapting to change. It does this through the provision of three basic components:
- An overall guide plan that essentially lays out the framework for development, both physical and policy-wise. This document is intended to be reviewed and adapted periodically.
- An environmental zoning map that defines development potentials, limitations and restrictions, including geophysical and ecological parameters.
- An environmental management framework. This is probably the most important part of the plan since it creates the vehicle for ongoing monitoring of the plan’s implementation and adaptation, as required.

Research work is required to further develop and extend the tools available to those carrying out the environmental management work so as to ensure that they are equipped with the best means available to achieve optimum results and feed a positive ongoing development cycle.
These tools cannot be limited to scientific/laboratory measuring devices but need to include organizational and resource management skills and techniques that can integrate the contributions of the various organizations, interest groups and stake holders in the region; these include government ministries, regional and local government bodies, NGOs, professional organizations, independent lobby groups (such as business organizations) and local residents. To this end the plan proposes the establishment of an environmental management forum made up of representatives of the above to oversee the implementation process. This provides a vital operative platform, the workings and performance of which should also be monitored and studied, the subject of applied research that serves an ongoing learning cycle. This process needs to include identification and mobilization of appropriate resources to achieve the desired results.