THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ON ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT

In the context of intensifying global environmental challenges and the increasing anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems, the development of ecotourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan is gaining strategic importance as an effective instrument for ensuring sustainable development. This study is aimed at a comprehensive analysis of the role of environmental education in shaping an effective ecotourism model, taking into account the national characteristics of the country’s natural resource potential. Particular attention is given to Zamin National Nature Park — one of the key ecotourism centers of Uzbekistan, covering an area of more than 26,000 hectares. The park annually attracts thousands of tourists due to its unique mountain-forest ecosystems, rich biodiversity, and favorable climatic conditions. According to national and international sources, recent years have witnessed a steady growth in domestic tourism, with the share of nature-based tourism increasing on average by 10–15% annually. The study identifies key barriers to the development of ecotourism, including a low level of environmental awareness among the population, limited institutional integration of environmental education into the tourism sector, and insufficient implementation of sustainable natural resource management principles. It is substantiated that environmental education acts as a system-forming factor that contributes to the development of responsible tourist behavior and the reduction of anthropogenic impact on natural areas. The paper proposes scientifically grounded approaches to the development of ecotourism in Uzbekistan, including the integration of environmental education programs into professional training systems, the digitalization of environmental monitoring, and the development of sustainable tourism infrastructure. The results confirm that an increase in environmental awareness is directly correlated with the growth of regional tourism attractiveness and the effectiveness of environmental protection.