Ecotourism project design and assessment of environmental impacts in the construction phase, Misahualli, Napo

Abstract

The Shalcani ecotourism project is located in the Misahualli parish, Napo province. An ample study was conducted to examine the potential environmental effects during the construction phase and to explore the possible tourist reception. This article reports only the environmental effects of the construction phase of the project. The research includes four specific objectives: (i) to design the eco - tourism project; (ii) to make the diagnosis “ex ante”; (iii) to identify and assess the environmental impacts; and (iv) to develop environmental management strategies. The “ex ante” environmental assessment enabled the identification of potential environmental impacts using observation techniques, interviews and extensive documentary research. The assessments of environmental impacts were introduced in in a double entry matrix which takes in account the causes (impact actions) and its effects (abiotic, biotic and socioeconomic - cultural components) under the criteria of magnitude and significance. The most relevant impact actions were forest logging, vegetation cover clearing, trail construction and transportation of building materials. The environmental receptors most affected were landscape, soil, fauna, flora and air. The socioeconomic-cultural environmental receptor was found beneficiary of the project. Impact assessment quantified 48 negative impacts, 20 of them were of medium intensity and low magnitude, 20 of permanent intensity and low magnitude, 8 of minimal affectation, and 10 positive local impacts of medium magnitude and significance. Based on the assessment findings, environmental management measures were suggested focused primarily on the area of impact mitigation.