The answer to the perennial problem of wildlife extinction might lie in the concept of Wildlife Tourism. Julian Matthews, chairman of Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT) campaign says “I believe that tourism is a good thing for tiger conservation. It gives them extraordinary protection through the passive viewing and monitoring of these magnificent creatures”.

According to statistics, national parks and sanctuaries, which are commercially viable, hold the maximum numbers of tigers left in India. Tourism and commercial feasibility have an impact on the health of a park. Not only Government and International funding are obtained for these, but the management also gets motivated to implement measures to protect the endangered. Constant attention and vigil from various segments of the society like conservationists, naturalists, visitors, tourists, hotel owners and NGOs keep the staff and management on their toes.

Indian Wildlife Tourism should take heart from a country like South Africa where the maintenance cost of the national parks is nearly generated from the tourism industry. A major part of the expenses of the parks are covered by the tourists. Whereas, the fees collected at the Indian sanctuaries are a miniscule part percentage of the cost involved.

Julian suggests that the solution lies in eco-tourism that needs to be extended further and wider. The Indian Government needs to open up more areas of reserve forests, sanctuaries and parks to the outside world for the generation of revenue. It also has to ensure that quality, instead of quantity, gets in. A bigger stake of the income should also be shared with the "communities living next to or within forests," to make them realize being a part of the whole agenda.