Other uses of Forests Forests for recreationRecreational
acitivities offered by forests include camping, fishing, hiking,
sight-seeing, boating, cycling and bird watching. All offer
positive health benefits to participants, but can also provide
great benefit, including financial reward, to local communities
as well as forest authorities. With increasing urbanisation, the
demand for outdoor recreational facilities rises, and therefore
forested lands near metropolitan areas must be effectively
managed. Ecotourism on the rise The increased awareness and
interest in ecotourism presents an obvious opportunity for
forest managers. Opening forests to these opportunities is of
economic benefit but can also promote good management practice.
However, this requires special expertise to ensure visitor
facilities and conservation considerations are finely balanced.
If properly managed, ecotourism can offer a viable alternative
income stream to local communities previously dependent on
income from unsustainable logging. Gr