Eco-Tourism-The best option for Rural Development

And Self employment

Pawan Kumar Mishra

Research Scholar
Dept. Of Commerce & Business Management
V.B.U. Hazaribag

Dr.M.K.Singh
Director, MBA
Dept. Of Commerce & Business Management
V.B.U. Hazaribag

Abstract

Key Words

Introduction

A need has been felt for a long time to extend tourism development to rural
areas.Countries like India successfully tap their natural beauty in the form of nature
based tourism project. They are managed by the local community in that area which
helps in the upliftment of the standard of living of rural people and of the
development of the nation as a whole.

Eco-tourism is a purpose full travel to natural areas to understand their natural and
cultural history. Care is taken not to alter the integrity of the Eco-system, while
producing economic opportunities that making conservation of natural resources
beneficial to the local people. It has grown as a consequence of the dissatisfaction,
which arise on account of the inappropriate implementation of the mass tourism.

The term Eco-tourism was first coined by the Mexican environmentalist, H’ector
Ceballos Lascurain in 1993. Initially the term was used to describe nature based
travel to relatively undisturbed natural areas with an emphasis on education. The
concept has however, developed into a scientific approach to the planning,
management and development of sustainable tourism products and activities.

Eco-tourism is nature based and ecologically sustainable. It conserves nature and it

has negligible impact on the environment. The infrastructure required is a very low
and an educative component is also is also in scars there. The visitors are able to
understand the natural and cultural history of that area. But sometimes this acts a as
a secondary motive. In short, Eco-tourism has been conceptualised as nature based;
ecologically sustainably; and where local people are benefitted.
Considering the growing importance of eco-tourism, the United Nations celebrated
the year 2002 as the “International year of eco-tourism and Mountains”. Seminars
and awareness programmes were held all over the world. The government India
published the eco-tourism guideline and policies in 1998 which are to be followed by
the planners, Tour operators, visitors and other agencies.

Eco-tourism, the latest edition in the tourism industry is “economic

development of the rural community” through the promotion of “rural natural potential
“In addition to this one of the four pillars, which forms the basis of eco-tourism, is
participation of the local community in nature tourism projects. Other components
are ‘sustainability and possibility’ of education and research. It is also noted that eco-
tourism is opened to small nature interested group. These specialities make eco-
tourism different from other alternatives and can be considered as the based option
for rural development.

The geographical diversity of Jharkhand is a wealth of eco-system,

which are well protected and well preserved. These ecosystems have become the
major ecotourism resource for the state. These include Bio-sphere reserves,
mountains, forests, flora and fauna, lacks, rivers and caves.

Biosphere reserves

Biosphere reserves are multipurpose protected areas for preservations of the

diversity and integrity of plants, animals and micro-organisms in representative
ecosystems.

Mountains and Forests

The different mountain ranges in the state along with the forests and rivers have also
become great attractions for Ecotourist. The state has an area of about ……hectares
notified as forests land and of this about ….. Hectares classified as reserve forests
and …..hectares as protected forests.

Flora and Fauna

Jharkhand is floristically very rich. There are about ….species of plants. The state
also has a great variety of fauna, numbering a little over …… known species,
including …..of Birds …..Reptiles ….Mammals ….Amphibians and ….. Fish.

In order to protect and preserve these faunal constituents, Jharkhand

has proposed to create a number of parks and wildlife sanctuaries in different parts
of the state although very few number of parts and wild life sanctuaries are existence
which have already become popular with the tourists are Betla National Park,
Hazaribag National park, Birsa National Park.

Local Participation

Any programme which aims at the empowerment of a particular group is possible

only when their participation to ensure, local participation has been defined as,
“Giving people more opportunities to participate effectively in the development
activities. It means empowering people to mobilise their own capacities, be social
actors, rather than passive subjects, manage resources, make decisions and control
the activities that affects their life”. The participatory approach is different from the
beneficiary approach. E.g., by launching tourism resort in a local area, they
economically benefitted, but empowerment is possible only when they are involved
in decision making. The real objective is empowerment. This is possible in
ecotourism. Community based participation if ecotourism means the launching of
ecotourism programmes. Which takes place under the control and with the active
participation of the local people who inhabit or own a place of natural attraction? It
includes three important aspects such as: Conservation, Business Enterprise and
community development.

Thus, it has to address three questions such as ‘who to involve’? ‘Why

to involve’? and ‘how to involve’? ‘the ‘who to involve’? Involves the host community,
that is, the natural in habitat of that area.

The second aspect, ‘why to involve’? requires much attention. Any

developmental activity must address the issues of the host community. If the host
Community is given stake in the venture, then such issues will be less concern. From
an environmental, economic and moral perspective, it makes sense for the people
and communities to actively manage around them, rather than by controlling
outsiders. Eco- Tourism acts as an incentive for local development, if benefits are
widely distributed.

‘’How to involve’? aspect addresses numerous sub issues such as identification of

the community leaders, identification of the site-specific conditions, bringing about
change, and evaluation. The participation of the community must be assured before
the project is begun. If the community leaders are obtained, then there will be further
opposition from the people. For identifying the site-specific conditions, and
transforming it to an ecotourism spot, their continued participation is needed. The
locals become the stake holders when they are involved in planning and decision
making. They are also responsible for evaluating the project- whether the project
results in any environmental deterioration. Thus the participation of the host
community in eco tourism project is ensured from the planning, implementation and
maintenance levels. Then only the objectives of local participation can be attained.

The locals are also benefited by way of guest house construction, trial
construction and interpretive signs, handicraft production, local naturalist guide
training, food and beverage preparation and so on. In Jharkhand there are certain
eco-tourism spots which are working according to these principles.

Thenmala ecotourism project (TEP), the first planned ecotourism project in

India. In Kerala, launched on 1st July, 1998 and opened on public on 1st April 2001 is
strictly based on ecotourism principle. Thenmala is predominantly a forest-covered
area in the foothills of western Ghat region of Kerala. It s located around 90
kilometres from the state capital, Thiruvanantrhapuram. TEP envisages three fold
strategy such as ecotourism, eco-friendly general tourism, and pilgrimage tourism.
Participation of the local community is ensured at all levels of the project. Fifteen
local youths from Thenmala were selected and given training in Kerala institute of
travel and tourism studies (KITTS) for working as guides. The cost for the entire
programme was met by Thenmala ecotourism promotion society. Most f them now
earn a fare amount of income through guiding the tourists. In addition to this shop
courts at the entrance are provided to local people for displaying the locally made
handicrafts products. And also many of the local communities are indirectly benefited
through the project.

Periyar tiger trial, an innovative trekking programme, conducted in

the Peryar tiger reserves in Kerala is an eco tourism product. This programme
includes camping inside the forest and enjoying the scenic beauty of the forest and
of the wild life. This innovating trekking programme was conducted with the
participation of the forest department and the local people, who were once poachers
and were engaged in distractive activates for their livelihood. This distractive
dependence on forests used to lead to sever conflicts with the forest department.
They were selected as guides for the programme, because of their excellent
knowledge of the forest and the camping sites, which were once used for their formal
occupation. Further, their presence in these areas along with the forest officials and
tourist ensure the protection of such areas from the poachers and other illegal
encroachers. An eco-development committee has been constituted and a certain
portion of the revenue goes to the fund of this committee for the common benefits.
The forest department and private tour operators are co-operating in this effort. This
is a very successful programme were the conservation of the natural resources takes
place, local people are benefited and authentic ecotourism experience is ensured

The Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu & Kashmir, and Ajanta –Allora caves in
Maharashtra are other such places were ecological preservation and local
participation is the primary objective. Himachal Pradesh Govt. had announced a
policy of ecotourism with special emphasis on the involvement of local community. In
many of the state Govt. including Karnataka, Sikkim, and Rajasthan, tourism
department and forest departments are co- coordinating in this activities.

Conclusion

Ecotourism is based on the four principles- Nature orientation eco-sustainability,

possibility of conducting research and involvement of local people. Modern tourist
industry may take different forms including adventure, health, trade-fairs, cultural and
religious festivals, atonal celebrations and food festivals. Among these ecotourism
blends a different strategy of enjoying the Nature’s serenity in its own way.

Considering the wide geographical and biological diversity, the scope of eco-
tourism in Jharkhand is very high. If these resources are tapped successfully we can
definitely transform the face of tourism industry in Jharkhand/ what actually needed
is careful planning and a target oriented approach.
References

1. ‘Ecotourism in Kerala’, Department of public relation, Govt. of Kerela,1999.

2. Fenel, A David; ‘Ecotourism- An Introduction’. Routledge; New York, 1999.
3. India 2003; Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broad casting.
4. K.G. Mohanlal IFS; ‘Ecotourism’; SAJOSPS, Vol.ll, 2202.
5. Lindberg Kreg, and Hawkins E.Deonale; ‘Ecotourism, A Guideline for
Planners and Managers’, (ed.); Vol.ll & Nataraj Publishers, Dehra Dun, l; 1999