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haichaoguo

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[资源] 2012年6月PETS 5听力Part C原文，刚google到的。

刚通过Google找到听力Part C的原文如下，大家一起努力凭记忆看看能不能把其他的也搜出来哦：David Horwell is the founder of Galapagos Adventure Tours, which offers small-group escorted trips to the Galapagos Islands and elsewhere in Ecuador. Sian Wherret talks to him about the company's origins, philosophy and future direction

What first led you to the Galapagos Islands?

I grew up near Charles Darwin's house in Kent and I'd been fascinated by the Galapagos since learning about them at school; the significance of Darwin's visit there left an impression on me. I intended to travel after university and applied to be a naturalist guide for an Englishman who ran yacht cruises around the archipelago. After much persistence, I got the job. Back then, the islands were very remote, a five hour flight in a turbo prop from the mainland of Ecuador.

Why did you decide to found the company?

After working for more than a year in the Galapagos, I backpacked the length and breadth of South America, taking photographs and exploring wilderness areas. Back in England, I found it difficult to settle into regular work, so ended up as a freelance tour leader and photographer. In 1985, I returned to the Galapagos to research tourism and decided to offer my own personally escorted tours.

What makes your company unique?

I was one of the pioneers. We used locally owned boats and environmentally sound lodges from the start. We only take small groups and have a low-impact philosophy. As well as British leaders, we employ the best local guides and try to ensure that some of the ethos rubs off on our clients. We contribute to local conservation organisations and offer our clients membership of the Galapagos Conservation Trust.

What measures do you take to minimize your tours' effect on the environment?

People think that taking tourists to wild regions is destructive; however, it's tourism that helps protect the Galapagos and the Amazon, provided it's done in an environmentally sound way. Tourists have to adhere to strict national park rules--there are limits on tourist numbers and licensed operators that have been imposed by the national parks authorities. Tourism is the only sustainable way of generating an income for the inhabitants. The problem is that the local population is growing exponentially and politicians are more worried about votes than limiting immigration.

What do you think are currently the biggest threats to the Galapagos?

Illegal fishing and introduced organisms. Fishing is prohibited in the marine reserve, but this is flagrantly ignored by sea-cucumber, shark-fin and long-line industrial fishermen. The local authorities have given in to the fishing lobby and sadly it's the thin end of the wedge; each year they demand more and get it. The other threat is the introduction of non-native plants and animals. I've noticed over the past 20 years that on the inhabited islands, endemic plants have been eclipsed by introduced ones.

How do you think tourism can benefit endangered areas such as the Galapagos?

Tourism is by far the lesser of all evils--compared to fishing or logging--and provided it's controlled, it can be a positive force. Every tourist who goes there is a potential ambassador for conservation and contributes directly and indirectly to preservation. Our tour leaders make passengers aware of the responsibilities of visiting the islands, and make sure that they take home a sense of wonder of the place. We hope that many will continue to support our conservation partners.

What type of people sign up for your expeditions? Do you have a typical client?

We don't really call them expeditions, more like 'soft adventures'. Generally, on our escorted trips, clients are 'mature'--middle aged to retired. They like nature, botany, birdwatching and local culture. Our bespoke trips can attract folk from all walks of life, but usually those who respect nature. The accessibility of once remote places has meant that now there is a class of tourist who just wants to tick places off a list. I'd rather they go elsewhere.

Are you particularly fond of any one island?

The island of Fernandina is probably the world's largest pristine island--it has no introduced organisms. Visitors are usually only allowed ashore at one promontory, but I managed to get a permit to climb the 1,500metre active volcano and descend into the crater. Sulphur fumaroles steamed through cracks in the lava; the only witnesses were large iguanas and hawks hovering overhead. In the base was a large mineral lake. On the return climb, there were avalanches of boulders the size of cars. It's something I feel privileged to have done--and survived.

How do you select your trips?

Biodiversity is the key. Our most popular trip goes to the jungle of the Amazon headwaters, the cloud forest and the high Andes and then finishes with a Galapagos cruise. In a couple of weeks we can see toucans, macaws, colourful cock of-the-rocks, hummingbirds, tanagers and condors--not to mention orchids, butterflies and the odd mammal and that's before we even get to the Galapagos.

Do you have any plans to expand the company further?

A timely question. Because we now offer tours elsewhere in Latin America, we're re branding to Select Latin America. The idea is to select partners in each country to cherry pick the best wildlife and cultural destinations.

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