Around the world, governments spend only US$10 billion each year on protecting wildlands and wildlife — a fraction of what’s needed. The United Nations and leading scientists have long called for a transformational change in how we fund and act to preserve our natural world.

Yet nature-based tourism represents a remarkable US$650 billion per year global industry — largely driven by park and wildlife revenues. It’s the largest funder of conservation and rewilding efforts worldwide and an essential lifeline for creating rural jobs, non-extractive enterprises, and supporting village communities.

Nature tourism isn’t just leisure — it’s a conservation economy vital for well-being, education, and connection to nature.

Funds invested by governments, philanthropists, and individuals in these wildlands should not be seen as an “environmental cost” — but as a high-return investment in nature and humanity’s future.

It’s time to see things differently — to design and manage responsible nature-based tourism that supports both people and planet. We advocate for reinvesting tourism revenues from Protected Areas into wildlife protection, habitat restoration, and community livelihoods across India and beyond.

We have no time to lose.