Form 5 GUIDELINES CAMP SITES REGISTRATION SRI LANKA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 01. DEFINITION: ‘Accommodations provide to Tourist using a tent (mobile, semi permanent or permanent) within a restricted area or non restricted area in Sri Lanka’ is defined as a camping site. 02. CATEGORIES & CLASSES Two categories 2.1 Camp in a restricted area 2.2 Camp in a non restricted area Camp sites can be classified into following five categories according to their geographical features. a. b. c. d. e. Wildlife Adventure Pilgrimage New Destinations Destinations linked to international events The camp sites can be further classified under 2 categories according to the facilities available; I. Deluxe II. Standard 03. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CAMP SITES OPERATION 1.GENERAL 1.1. Operator should provide customers with verbal and written instructions on the following; 1.1.1.Camping Rules and safety measures ensuring comfortable camping 1.1.2.Information about the surrounding area of the camp for any dangers 1.1.3.Instructions on how to act in an emergency 1.2. Clear signage should be placed to locate the facilities even in the night 1.3. Adequate Lighting of camp sites is to be done by using boat lamps or kerosene lamps. Form 5 1.4. Regular maintenance checks must be done with all the equipment and records need to be maintained. 2. Camp in a restricted area 2.1. Rules & regulations of Wildlife Department and Forest Department or any other relevant authority should be adhered. 2.2. playing music, make artificial sounds or make unnecessary noise or any act like plying games that could disturb or attract the wildlife are not permitted. 2.3. Pets or any other animals or birds are not permitted within the restricted area. 2.4. Cutting of trees or branches for the use of fire wood or to build temporary structures while camping are not permitted (minimum use of drift wood and other fallen wood for small camp fires may be permitted, at the discretion of the DWC staff member on site). 2.5. Permanent facilities are not allowed to be constructed by the campers. 2.6. Vehicle should be parked in the designated areas of the camp site immediately to avoid unnecessary disturbance to the wild life. 3. Camp in a non restricted area 3.1.Light Music is permitted provided that the sound does not disturbed the natural, cultural and social surrounding of the camp site. 4. PLATFORMS 4.1. Platforms are recommended in the locations of permanent camp sites and semi permanent camp locations if required. 4.2. Permission to be obtained for building platform from the respective authority/ies. 5. STRUCTURES 5.1.The tents may be pitched under temporary semi built structures with the help of iron frames and temporary roofs like thatch, tiles, bolted plywood for protection from harsh weather conditions which may be easy to remove if desired (In the case of permanent and semi permanent camp sites). Side brick walls for stability may also be used if desired and permissible. Tents should be insect & waterproofed 6. ROOM 6.1.The minimum size of the sleeping area of the tent should be 10 X 10 ft. with a minimum center height of approximately 7 ft. The tent must have a front entry with at least two windows on each side of the wall. All tents should have to be provided with private toilets. 6.2.Open flame illumination should not be used inside the tent 6.3.All furniture and equipment are in good condition, free from rough and sharp edges and will be kept clean and secured wherever necessary. Form 5 7. LOW-COST ECOLOGICAL SANITATION (ECOSAN) TOILETS: 7.1.The camp sites should be provided with ecological sanitation (Ecosan) which offers a new philosophy of dealing with what is presently regarded as waste and wastewater. Ecosan is based on the systematic implementation of reuse and recycling of nutrients and water as a hygienically safe, closed-loop and holistic alternative to conventional sanitation solutions. Ecosan is a new holistic paradigm in sanitation, which is based on an overall view of materials flows as part of an ecologically and economically sustainable wastewater management system tailored to the needs of the users and to the respective local conditions. Deluxe tents should have private toilets. 7.2.Adequate hygienically Toilet and washing facilities should be provided and illuminated at night. 8. VERANDAS 8.1. The minimum area for veranda in front should be 6 X 10ft. with a clear height of 7 ft. 9. KITCHEN 9.1.Ideal kitchen size should not be less than 15 X 20ft. with a clear height of 8 ft. recommended fuel for cooking must be encouraged. The kitchen should be well lit with ample room for ventilation. Proper counters for placing burners, working tables, storage of groceries & ration, washbasin, storage of crockery, cutlery & serving dishes and also place for garbage bins should be earmarked. 9.2.Kitchen/Cooking area should be located at a distance from tents, trees and any combustible materials 9.3.All gas and fuel cylinders and hoses are regularly checked, and are in good condition and used and transported in a safe manner. 10. STORAGE 10.1. Separate & easily accessible storage units would be required for; 10.1.1. Ration 10.1.2. Housekeeping goods 10.1.3. Electrical goods 10.1.4. Sanitary & Plumbing goods 10.1.5. Gardening tools 10.1.6. Construction material 10.1.7. Adventure equipment ( for adventure camps) Form 5 11. TOURIST RECEPTION CENTER 11.1. In the case of permanent and semi permanent camp sites, Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) may be constructed in a manner which blends with nature and surroundings of the location and region. The TRC should have appropriate facilities and infrastructure for the tourist. 12. SAFETY, HYGIENE, FRIENDLY POLICY RESPONSIBLE STANDARDS, ENVIRONMENT 12.1. Responsible tourism friendly policy should be adopted for sustainable growth which also benefits the local community and does not adversely affect the local environment. Special attention should be given for safety and security of the permanent residents and guests who use the facility. Use of eco friendly practices and local products should be encouraged. 13. CAMP SECURITY & SAFETY 13.1. Adequate security and safety arrangements should be made at the camp facility viz. deployment of security guards, system of patrolling, fencing of the area wherever feasible to avoid unnecessary trespassing and unauthorized entry. 13.2. The facility of first aid should be available at the site and adequate first aid training should be provided to the staff. A well defined mechanism should be available to handle a medical emergency. 13.3. There should also be a backup plan to handle emergencies as well as a mechanism for evacuation in the need of any eventuality. The camp management should maintain effective coordination with local medical establishments. 13.4. Utmost respect must be maintained, at all times, while at the camp site or on safari towards the wildlife and the environment. 13.5. You are not allowed to roam in the areas outside the designated camp site. 13.6. When using water ways, tanks and reservoirs within or to close proximity to the camp sites, it must be always done in consultation with the DWC representative who is present at the camp sites. 13.7. Children must always be accompanied by a competent adult when using waterways, tanks and reservoirs within or to close proximity to the camp site. 13.8. You must not feed the wildlife that may frequent the camp sites. You are expected to make minimum sound and noise whilst bathing. 13.9. Always remember the animals in the parks are wild and could be danger 14. GARBAGE/WASTE DISPOSAL 14.1. Garbage should be segregated into bio-degradable (kitchen waste etc), non-biodegradable (thermo coal products, aluminum foil, cigarette buts etc) & recyclable (newspapers, bottles, cans etc). Vermi-composting should be encouraged for the disposal Form 5 of kitchen garbage. Solid waste and sewage disposal should be carried out in an orderly and eco-friendly manner. Use of a sewage treatment plant should be encouraged. 14.2. Campers must only bring the essentials to the camp site in order to minimize their carbon foot prints. 14.3. Only the bio degradable wastes are allowed to be properly buried in the area designated for the purpose or in consultation with the guide available at the site. 14.4. The use of plastic products and disposable cutlery/crockery made of plastic should be minimized/discouraged. 14.5. Waste from mobile toilet should be buried in a deep pit and covered with a minimum of 1 foot of soil. 14.6. Permanent toilets to be fully cleaned before departure (Tracker to monitor) 14.7. After breaking up the camp the entire camp site must be cleared by the campers to the satisfaction of the guide available at the site. There should be not evidence of use of the site such as scattered garbage or other material. 15. GREEN DRIVE / POLLUTION CONTROL 15.1. Greening of the camp site along with planting of trees and landscaping should be encouraged. Use of chemical fertilizers should be discouraged and use of natural manures / fertilizers should be practiced. Rain water harvesting measures should be encouraged and there should be one water bore well per 3 acres. Efforts should be made to regulate noise, air and water pollution. 16. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES 16.1. Adequate fire fighting equipment should be available at the camp site. Controlled burning of camp fires should be exercised with caution and fire drills should be held regularly for the staff. Dry foliage, leaves, ect. should be cleared away regularly to avoid fire. In addition to the availability of sand and water buckets, modern fire extinguishers should be available on site and also frequently checked and serviced. 17. USE OF ALTERNATE ENERGY RESOURCES & CONSERVATION 17.1. In addition to the use of CFL lighting, the use of solar energy should be encouraged. Other non-conventional eco-friendly energy resources should be used. 18. HEALTH & HYGIENE 18.1. Regular medical checkup should be carried out and the staff should be trained about personal hygiene and cleanliness Form 5 19. SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION 19.1. The following support is required from the local administration to set up a campsite: 19.1.1. Waste disposal 19.1.2. Water supply 19.1.3. Electricity 19.1.4. LPG connection from the nearest depot 19.1.5. Subsidies on buying state of the art alternate energy resources such as solar and wind based equipment. 20. MINIMUM LAND AREA FOR CAMP ERECTION 20.1. Land requirement for different categories for camps Sector Mountains/Hills Plains Wildlife Min 1200 Sq.m Min 2000 Sq.m New destinations Min 1200 Sq.m Min 2000 Sq.m Pilgrimage Min 2000 Sq.m Min 4000 Sq.m Adventure Min 1200 Sq.m Min 2000 Sq.m Festivals & events Min 1200 Sq.m Min 2000 Sq.m 21. MINIMUM/MAXIMUM NO. OF UNITS BY CATEGORY OF CAMPING SITES 21.1. No. of Camping units that could be permitted to built by the category Category In Plains In mountains & Hills Min Max Min Max Wildlife 6 30 6 20 Adventure 6 40 6 40 Pilgrimage 6 50 6 25 New Destinations 6 30 6 30 Destination linked to international events 6 50 6 30 Form 5 22. CARRYING CAPACITY 22.1. The maximum camp site number within a specified area should be defined with the camp site identification master plan. Congestions of camp sites must be avoided at all time. Carrying capacity must be kept in mind for wild life/adventure/new destinations campsites ensuring visitor satisfaction. There should be a minimum of 500m distance between two camp sites. 23. PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITY 23.1. All provision should be made available for the local communities to participate in camp site services and activities. 23.2. Raising awareness and capacity building should be carried out for the local community. Awareness of economic benefits of tourism and necessary training also should be given before community gets involved with camping services. 23.3. To the level possible local cultures and the traditions and their values should be highlighted with broachers and other means. REGULATORY REQUIREMENT Under the section 48 (4) of Tourism Act No 38 of 2005 all Tourist services shall be registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. It shall be an offence to provide any tourist services which has not been registered of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. According to the section 48 (10) and section 63 (2) of the said Act any enterprise or tourist service with no proper registration and license will become a punishable offence. Form 5 No. Present Absent 01 Ms.Dinushka Senanayake Kulu Safaris Mr.Dirk Grigson SLAITO 02 Mr. Ramli Mohomed Kulu Safaris Mr.Anurudha Bandara ASMET 03 Mr. Suraweera Dept. of Wildlife Mr. V.Welikala