Development of Eco -Tourism and Panorama of Rural Tourism in Pabitora- Mayong Area, Assam, India

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1 Development of Eco -Tourism and Panorama of Rural Tourism in Pabitora- Mayong Area, Assam, India Bhrigu kr. Nath 1, Dr. Prasanta Bhattacharya 2 1 Research Scholar, Department of Geography 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, 1,2 Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India ABSTRACT : Tourism thought to be the smokeless industry has gain a new dimension, especially in recent time; so far its sustainable development is concerned. Eco tourism, considered as a sustainable tourism form added a new dimension to tourism operation. However, improper management of it may cause severe problem to the concerned environmental conditions. Therefore, an adequate and explicit management strategy is the need of hour to operate ecotourism tourism activities. On the other hand, human activities has creates several problems to the nature due to over exploitation, especially in the developing world where majority of the population basically relies on primary activities as a mode of production and nature related laws and their enforcement is weak at grass root level. To get rid of such problems, local peoples participation in tourism, especially in and around pristine nature based areas is thought to be a viable alternative to convention practice. Globally, such ventures generate employment opportunities to the locals and encourage them to protect such areas to ascertain such linkages. Keeping these issues in mind an attempt has been made in this paper to understand the tourism development scenario in Pobitora wildlife sanctuary, a relatively small protected area of Morigaon district of Assam having highest density of rhino population. Based on field assessment the work tries to examine whether tourism practices in the sanctuary accommodating the welfare and livelihood issues of people in the park fringe and what may be other associated dimensions that can help the locals economically, socially and environmentally and add value to contemporary protective conservational regime. Keywords: Eco tourism, Environment, Livelihood, People, Rural Tourism. I. Introduction: Tourism is a collective process of activity and services which provides accommodation, travel experience, shopping, entertainment, adventures away from home. The travel and Tourism Industry contributes about 3.6% of the worlds Gross Domestic Product (GDP) directly while it indirectly contributes about 10.3% to the GDP, and stands as one of the major contributor to the global economy. According to the World Tourism Organization, tourism is currently the world s largest industry with annual revenue of over 3 trillion US dollar. Page 185

2 According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the economies of the 21 st century will be dominated by three industries: telecommunication, Information Technology and Tourism. Tourism is often said as the smokeless industry. Due to its least harmful effect to nature and society on one side and economic prosperity associated with it on the other hand tourism has gain importance over the years throughout the world. So far tourism is concerned it has different branches like ecotourism, heritage tourism, religious tourism, medical tourism, rural tourism etc. However tourism like ecotourism, rural tourism needs special management strategy as it may have negative feedback to the natural environment and the host community. Tourism is widely believed to be the most rapidly growing global industry. According to World Tourism Organization ecotourism is believed to be the fastest growing tourism segment [1] [2]. However, there is considerable debate over what eco-tourism really means. Among the first to guess this segment of tourism are Hetzer W. [3] in "Environment, tourism, culture" where the author, talking about sustainable tourism, responsible, defines four key factors of its "lowest possible impact environment, respect for the host culture, increase benefits to local people and increase tourists' satisfaction. "As it can be seen, the first factor is the promoter of the idea of "ecotourism" and puts concern for the environment on a prominent place and the analysis of how the tourism phenomenon can lead to it`s damage. The planning and management of national parks in South America, is also speaking about a range of ecotrails that have developed in those areas over time [4] ). Proper use of the term "ecotourism" belongs to Ceballos-Lascurain [5] who defines the type of "tourism is traveling to natural areas untouched and uncontaminated by human factor, with the specific purpose of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery, wild animals and plants in it, as well as any cultural events (past and present) found in these areas [6] in the article on ecotourism, are recognizing its role of "strategy for preserving natural areas while promoting sustainable development of the area", but they remarked from the beginnning that ecotourism has failed in reaching its goals, the problem is that all theory created around it (which shows good strategy goals and otherwise), is not enough to be implemented properly. The state of Assam with its unique natural and cultural backdrop has able to catch the eye of strangers from time immemorial. Its hills and mountains and various protected areas, in fact formed the basis for organized tourism, initiate during the post independent period. It is also gradually generating employment opportunities and help in conserving the rich biodiversity of the parks and sanctuaries. Tourism in Pabitora wild life sanctuary has gaining momentum during last few years. Both the domestic and international tourists to a great numbers gathered here to enjoy its rich biodiversity and scenic beauty. The high concentrations of the great Indian One horned rhinoceros are the chief attraction. It is interesting to note that during last few years no rhino Page 186

3 poaching incident was reported in the sanctuary and on the other hand the sanctuary witnessed 10% growths of rhinoceros. ( Due to the high concentration of rhinos has translocated to the Manas National Park to minimize the concentration and maximize the ratio between animal and ranching ground. Due to the lack of ranching land, rhinos use to migrate to the nearby agricultural fields. Therefore there is every possibility to occur man rhino conflict and as a result killing of those animals may take place. People s participation in tourism sector may be an alternative solution so far wildlife conservation is concerned. The area is also rich in culture and lots of ethnic groups are living together with different modes of living, customs, and tradition. Therefore the area has a great potentiality for cultural tourism to develop. II. Objectives of the Study: The main objective of the study are- To highlight the present development of tourism in the sanctuary To trace out the prospect of different tourism development in the area. III.Methodology: The present study concentrates its efforts to explore the present development of tourism in the sanctuary and the nature of participation of local people from the surrounding villages apart from developing a comprehensive understanding of the physical and cultural landscape for tourism development. The first step is done with an empirical observation to get an overall idea about the sanctuary and the fringe areas. To develop a sound base of the problem relevant secondary sources has been used like books, journals, magazines, newspapers, articles, maps, satellite images etc. The secondary data has been collected from Directorate of Census Operation, Department of Tourism, Assam, Assam Tourism Development Corporation, Guwahati Wildlife Division, Santipur, Pabitora Wild Life Sanctuary Range Office. To get the on field situation and fulfill the objectives of the study collection of primary data is indispensible. Therefore with taking consideration to the objectives and the research questions a questionnaire has been designed to assess the sanctuary managers, tourism facilitators, tourists as well as locals. Thus the primary data were collected through interview, opinion survey and investigation based on the questionnaire. IV. Results and Discussion: Development of Tourism in the Pabitora Wild Life Sanctuary (PLWS) So Far: It has been stated earlier that tourism in Pabitora has gain its momentum during recent years.both the domestic as well as foreign tourists gathered here during the pick time to enjoy the nature, specially the Indian One Horned Rhinoes. The sanctuary managers have been able to collect good revenue from the tourists. The revenues have been earned so far as entry fees in Page 187

4 to the parks and fee for jeep safari and elephant safaris that have been operating by the sanctuary. YEAR AMOUNT( in RS) YEAR AMOUNT( in RS) Source: Pabitora WLS Range Office Fig: Revenue earned from the tourist during The above table reflects that there has been a continuous rise in the inflow of tourist to the sanctuary. There has been a phenomenal increase so far the revenue collected is concerned. Infrastructure for the Tourists: To say about the infrastructure for the tourist it has a tourist lodge namely Prashanti Tourist Lodge run by Tourism Department, Government of Assam, along with a few privately run resorts by the local youth with different kinds of tents and lodges which also provides different cuisine according to the pursuit of the tourists. There are again 12 jeeps in working Page 188

5 condition to carry out jeep safaris inside the sanctuary premises along with 8 elephant for conducting elephant safaris which is most preferable by the foreign tourists. Prospect of Ecotourism development: The sanctuary has a promising potentiality for eco tourism development due to its rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. As the sanctuary is the pride of the entire North Eastern region with higher density of Rhino population on one hand and on the other it is vulnerable as it is surrounded by human habitat from all sides. As a result of which problems like man animal conflict, poaching of rhinos, and illegal extraction of valuable forest products may take place. Therefore to mitigate probable problems tourism may be an alternative way by involving the locals into the sector. It will not only generate employment opportunities in rural areas but also make aware the people about the nature conservation. Therefore pro people participation in tourism is a sustainable way to get the development without hampering the nature. An eco friendly strategy is of urgent need for the preservation of biodiversity in the sanctuary. It is possible to do so by bringing into the pro people in the tourism sector. Tourism sector generates a number of allied services with it and thus given rises to employment generation. Prospect of Rural Tourism Development: The father our nation M.K Gandhi said India Lives in its Village. Assam is blessed with distinctive natural and cultural charm at its best. The state has an important tourism element which lies in its villages. The Pabitora Mayang area is also not differs from such ethics. Today also one can fine the thatched house, cracking bullock carts, click-clack of the looms, the shade giving trees. Historically the area bears significant one as the area is a isolated one. The area is has been cut off from the mainland due to the poor transport and communication system which in turn works as a depriving factor to the people of this region. It is perhaps one of the reason for which the traditional practice of Tantra Mantra is famous in this region which might have emerged out as a means of curing various disease. On the other hand as the area is rich in wildlife there might have several conflict between man and animal and to get rid of, the then traditional society started praying to different gods which has gradually given rises to the superstitious believes among the people. Though there is no such practices are run at present the legendry is still there. Therefore there is still serious inquisitiveness in the minds of people specially from outside the area to know about the practice of black magic. However on the other way it has accelerate the inflow the tourist to some villages of the area which were known for the black magic practice. V. Conclusion: The location of the sanctuary and its periphery has a great advantage as it is nearly 50 kms away from the capital city Guwahati which is also known as the gateway of the entire North eastern region. Therefore the sanctuary has been able to attract more and more tourist every year. Transport is said as the backbone for development of all kind. The Guwahti city is Page 189

6 connected by all means of modern speedy transportation system. The city is also blessed with Lokpriya Gopinath Bordaloi International Airport located nearly 60 km away from the sanctuary. This has worked as a motivating factor among the international tourists to visit the sanctuary. The sanctuary is also approachable by road form the Jagiroad side via Jagibhakat gaon which normally the tourist from eastern parts of Assam follows. The other positive side of the sanctuary is that it has the higher concentration of rhinos which have more surety for sitting compared to the other sanctuaries and parks of the state. Apart from the Indian Rhinos the sanctuary is also full of different flora and fauna along with different species of residential and migratory birds during the winters. Apart from such natural beauty and rich biodiversity of the sanctuary, the surrounding area of the sanctuary has rich cultural heritage with the assimilation of different ethno linguistic as well as various religious people. On the contrary historically the area is famous for its black magic practice, the tantra mantra and different pilgrimage centre. The different traditional practice like weaving, handloom, and handicraft are some of the additional attraction so far the tourism attraction of this region is concerned. References : [1] Buckley, R. (1994). A Framework for Ecotourism, Annals of Tourism Research. 21, [2] Deardon, P., & Harron, S. (1993). Alternative tourism and adaptive change, Annals of Tourism Research, 21, [3] Hetzer, W., (1965) Environment, tourism, culture, Links July, 1-3. [4] Blamey, R.K., (2001) Principles of Ecotourism în Weawer, D.B. (chief editor), The Encyclopedia of Ecotourism, Cabi Publishing, UK. [5] Ceballos-Lascurain, H., (1987) The future of ecotourism, Mexico Journal, January. [6] Ross, S., Wall, G., (1999) Ecotourism: towards congruence between theory and practice, Tourism Management, 20, Page 190