Abstract:
Sri Lanka harbours exceptional endemic species diversity within its 65,610 km²
landmass and has been recognized as one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots. With
over 3,200 endemic species, including flora and fauna, the island faces mounting
conservation challenges from habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and
development pressures. The island's unique geographical position and varied climatic
zones have created distinct ecosystems ranging from tropical rainforests to montane
grasslands, each supporting specialised endemic communities. Ecotourism has
emerged as a potential conservation strategy, generating revenue while promoting
environmental protection and raising awareness about biodiversity conservation.
However, the effectiveness of ecotourism in safeguarding Sri Lanka's endemic species
and critical habitats requires systematic evaluation. This study aims to systematically
evaluate the effectiveness of ecotourism as a conservation strategy for endemic species
protection in Sri Lanka, examining conservation outcomes, community impacts, and
implementation challenges across different protected areas and ecosystems. This
systematic review synthesised peer-reviewed literature from 1995-2024 using
databases including Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Keywords used
included "Ecotourism Sri Lanka," "Endemic species conservation," "Biodiversity
hotspots," and "Sustainable tourism." Studies were included if they: (1) focused on Sri
Lankan protected areas or endemic species, (2) examined ecotourism impacts on
conservation outcomes, and (3) provided quantitative or qualitative data on tourism
conservation linkages. Exclusion criteria eliminated studies without empirical data,
those focusing solely on mass tourism, and reports lacking peer review. Data extraction
captured study design, geographic location, target species, conservation outcomes, and
community impacts. A total of 87 studies were analyzed, focusing on protected areas,
community-based conservation initiatives, and tourism impact assessments.
Additional grey literature and government reports were reviewed to provide
comprehensive coverage of ecotourism initiatives across different protected areas.
Analysis revealed that ecotourism contributes significantly to endemic species
protection through multiple mechanisms. Challenges persist, including limited local
community participation in some regions due to inadequate benefit-sharing
mechanisms, lack of technical skills and training opportunities, weak institutional
support, and limited access to credit for tourism-related enterprises. Ecotourism
demonstrates considerable potential for endemic species conservation in Sri Lanka
when implemented with proper planning and community engagement.
