Ecotourism is actively promoted by a large variety of governmental and non-governmental actors, as the new and innovative way to finance the conservation of forests and other ecosystems. In India, ecotourism is convenient because it becomes a lucrative way to speak the conservation language. This paper questions whether ecotourism is actually leading to conservation. Categorised as a market-based conservation scheme, the paper shows how incentives are geared to promote only tourism and not conservation! It analyses the implications of national and state ecotourism policies and regulations, the impacts of financial incentives provided for investment in ecotourism and the resultant alienation of local communities at ecotourism destinations. Publisher: Equitable Tourism Options (EQUATIONS) Contact: [email protected], +91.80.25457607 Visit: www.equitabletourism.org, www.equitabletourism.org/stage/readfull.php?AID=408