Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve is under pressure from unplanned and insensitive development plans and projects. Tourism practices perpetuated in this ecologically sensitive area, including its protected areas, show a trend of ‘development at any cost’. Subsistence needs of local communities and their access to traditional livelihood resources are negated and neglected by tourism-related development that opens up more spaces for tourists and the tourism industry. In the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve the Waynad Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipura National Park, Nagarhole National Park and the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary are receiving maximum attention for the development of tourism. In Tamil Nadu, vast forest areas come under the focus of tourism development. With each state vying for its share of tourism revenue, their environmentally sensitive regions are put at risk. Contact: [email protected], +91.80.25457607 Visit: www.equitabletourism.org