Running Head: CASE STUDY 1
1-2 Short Paper: Social Issue Case Study
IDS 410
CASE STUDY
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Social issue in the case study
The social issue that has been presented in the case titled ‘Ecotourism in a Country
Rich in Both Biodiversity and Hope’ revolves around the tension that exists between the
socioeconomic development in Colombia and the need to conserve the natural environment.
In spite of the fact that the country is filled with biodiversity, the ecotourism landscape has
been struggling greatly. The years of internal conflicts in the region have affected the image
of the country. A serious dilemma that Lucelia faces is whether to convert her purchased farm
into an ecotourism spot or whether to keep it private (Hernandez et al., 2018). The dilemma
that she faces is a representation of a broader social issue i.e. whether the natural resources
should be used for economic purposes, or the environment must be conserved.
Background or history of social issues
Colombia is known as a country which is full of biodiversity. The presence of a
diverse ecosystem, including rainforests, mountains and coastal regions makes it a unique
area which has immense natural beauty and rich flora and fauna. However, in the past
decades, the occurrences of internal conflicts have negatively affected the region as well as its
people. Due to illegal activities such as drug trafficking, micro trafficking, kidnapping,
massacres etc., the local people have been at the receiving end. They have been marginalized
which has adversely affected their economic condition and overall quality of life. Although
after the peace agreement was signed the instances of internal conflicts have reduced, the
local people have been struggling to improve their socioeconomic conditions. Ecotourism
serves as a unique opportunity that can enable the people of Colombia to attract tourists
toward their land and improve their socioeconomic conditions. It can increase the revenue of
the country and create employment opportunities for the local people. However, ecotourism
may adversely affect the natural environment and the rich biodiversity.
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The impact of social issues on specific communities
The identified social issue has a direct and significant impact on the communities that
live in Colombia. One of the major impacts is related to the economic situation. Ecotourism
can give rise to economic opportunities for the local people, and they can earn their living by
working in the tourism sector in the country. They can also engage in conventional farming
practices to earn their income. The emergence of ecotourism in Colombia can stabilize their
current financial situation. Another major impact is related to environmental conservation. It
can create an opportunity for local communities in the country to adopt sustainable and
environmentally friendly practices so that the environment will not be affected due to
ecotourism. The identified social issue can enable the local communities to recover in the
post-conflict era and create a positive identity for their country.
The impact of the social issue on society
The social issue which involves the interplay between the need for conserving the
environment and economic development can give rise to major impacts on society. One of the
chief impacts is that ecotourism can act as an important source of income for the members of
the society. By attracting tourists towards the region, economic development can be improved
and people in society can earn their livelihood. Another impact is the promotion of social
inclusion. The local communities can get an opportunity to participate in the ecotourism
sector and they can play a proactive role to influence how their country is represented in the
ecotourism landscape. However, the specific issue can have an adverse impact on the natural
environment in the region. For instance, the natural habitats may be altered in order to meet
the needs of tourists. It may affect the biodiversity of the land in the long run.
Connection between the social issue and the sustainability theme
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The social issue relating to balancing environmental conservation and economic
development has a strong connection with the ‘sustainability’ theme. The United Nations
(UN) has defined the term ‘sustainability’ as meeting the needs of the current generation
without affecting the ability of the future generations to meet their needs (United Nations,
n.d.). The ecotourism concept is a sustainable concept since it focuses on responsible
travelling practices so that the environment can be conserved. Moreover, ecotourism in
Colombia can also have a positive impact on the local communities and people in the region
by sustaining their well-being. In the context of the case, ecotourism can promote
environmental sustainability, and Lucelia will be able to earn her livelihood by transforming
her farm into an ecotourism project (Hernandez et al., 2018). The initiative at a broader level
can promote social sustainability as diverse community members can participate in
ecotourism initiatives and adopt sustainable practices to attract tourists. Ecotourism can play
a catalytic role in Colombia to encourage responsible tourism practices as well as economic
development.
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References
Hernandez, I., Cortés, P., & Sosa, S. (2018). Ecotourism in a Country Rich in Both
Biodiversity and Hope.=Journal of Case Studies,=36(3), 29-43.
United Nations. (n.d.). Sustainability. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/academic-
impact/sustainability
