THE ROLE OF ECOTOURISM IN PROTECTING SRI LANKA'S ENDEMIC SPECIES AND BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

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.