Research Link - An International Journal - 133 Vol - XIV (2) April - 2015 53 I ntroduction : There is no doubt in the fact that the earth's environment has been severely depleted in the last 200 years or so. Tragically, this era of mass production and unending endeavour for creation and concentration of wealth by a few, while devastating the serene, scenic and pristine environment of our mother earth has ended up with taking away the livelihood and socio-cultural capital of those communities who used to survive in harmony with that environment. Thus, one can see huge loss to tribal, farmers, pastorals and other socially and economically marginal sections due to agro-based industries, mining, mineral based industries and many other corporate empires. Such mindless designs of policy makers have resulted in mass migration of these vulnerable sections to cities and urban centers in search of livelihood and ending up with an impoverished life and living conditions. Thus, the issue of environmental care has emerged as one of the most important debates among the development planners and thinkers at recent times. Particularly, there has been an increased interest in tourism as a potential engine for development that is both economically beneficial and environmentally sustainable to the local communities and this is encapsulated in the word Eco tourism. The primary objective of ecotourism is to preserve the natural environment and to promote local area development. When preservation is combined successfully with development-the preserve and use mandate-sustainable development is achieved. Thus, there are ample opportunities for rapid growth of ecotourism activities in India as well as in Odisha. The Ecotourism Society (TES) defined Ecotourism as a purposeful travel to natural history of the environment, Research Link - 133, Vol - XIV (2), April - 2015, Page No. 53-55 S ociology An International, Registered & Referred Monthly Journal : Since March 2002 Impact Factor - 2014 - 1.8007 ISSN - 0973-1628 RNI - MPHIN-2002-7041 taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people. Ecotourism in Odisha : Odisha, the soul of Incredible India is bestowed with spectacular natural beauty. Be it the long coastline or mountainous central and western region of Odisha or river vallies of Mahanadi/Bramhani, every part of its vast geographical landscape are scenic, serene and sublime. Every region is unique in itself and a tourist can find ample opportunities to enjoy, learn, interact, participate and ultimately submerge him in the multifaceted nature's treasure. Thus, ecotourism can make the economic development of these areas possible, while on the other hand it can increase the attraction base for the foreign tourist, which ultimately bring in foreign currencies and contributes towards the development of the state of Odisha and also the nation. But the fact is that, in spite of all types of ecotourism resources & potentialities the successive Governments have not been able to fully explore and utilise the vast tourism products & services to attract a sizeable number of International tourists. The concept of Odisha: the soul of Incredible India seems to be confined only to the level of imagination of our Government. Now it is the high time to make drastic changes in the policy issues and identify the right market in this era of fierce competition among the tourism generating countries. Innovative policy initiatives and its timely implementation can convert the sleepy state of India into the real soul of Incredible India. Eco-Tourism Hotspots : Here, three case points are discussed in brief to form Eco-Tourism as a Vehicle for Local Area Development DR. SUNAKAR PATRA Assistant Professor (Department of Sociology), P. G. Govt. College for Girls, Sector-42, Chandigarh The concept of Odisha: the soul of Incredible India seems to be confined only to the level of imagination of our successive Governments. Now it is high time for the state of Odisha to make drastic changes in the policy issues and identify the right market in this era of fierce competition among the ecotourism generating countries. Innovative policy initiatives and its timely implementation can bring positive changes in the local developmental profile without making any loss to the pristine nature and the people who live within it. Apart from that such steps can convert this sleepy state of eastern India into the real soul of Incredible India.
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Research Link - An International Journal - 133 Vol - XIV (2) April - 2015 53
Introduction :There is no doubt in the fact that the earth's environment
has been severely depleted in the last 200 years or so.Tragically, this era of mass production and unendingendeavour for creation and concentration of wealth by afew, while devastating the serene, scenic and pristineenvironment of our mother earth has ended up with takingaway the livelihood and socio-cultural capital of thosecommunities who used to survive in harmony with thatenvironment. Thus, one can see huge loss to tribal, farmers,pastorals and other socially and economically marginalsections due to agro-based industries, mining, mineral basedindustries and many other corporate empires. Such mindlessdesigns of policy makers have resulted in mass migration ofthese vulnerable sections to cities and urban centers insearch of livelihood and ending up with an impoverished lifeand living conditions. Thus, the issue of environmental carehas emerged as one of the most important debates amongthe development planners and thinkers at recent times.Particularly, there has been an increased interest in tourismas a potential engine for development that is botheconomically beneficial and environmentally sustainable tothe local communities and this is encapsulated in the word�Eco tourism�. The primary objective of ecotourism is to
preserve the natural environment and to promote local areadevelopment. When preservation is combined successfullywith development-the preserve and use mandate-sustainabledevelopment is achieved. Thus, there are ample opportunitiesfor rapid growth of ecotourism activities in India as well as inOdisha. The Ecotourism Society (TES) defined Ecotourismas a �purposeful travel to natural history of the environment,
Research Link - 133, Vol - XIV (2), April - 2015, Page No. 53-55
S ociologyAn International,Registered & ReferredMonthly Journal :
taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, whileproducing economic opportunities that make theconservation of natural resources beneficial to local people�.
Ecotourism in Odisha :Odisha, the soul of Incredible India is bestowed with
spectacular natural beauty. Be it the long coastline ormountainous central and western region of Odisha or rivervallies of Mahanadi/Bramhani, every part of its vastgeographical landscape are scenic, serene and sublime. Everyregion is unique in itself and a tourist can find ampleopportunities to enjoy, learn, interact, participate andultimately submerge him in the multifaceted nature's treasure.Thus, ecotourism can make the economic development ofthese areas possible, while on the other hand it can increasethe attraction base for the foreign tourist, which ultimatelybring in foreign currencies and contributes towards thedevelopment of the state of Odisha and also the nation. Butthe fact is that, in spite of all types of ecotourism resources& potentialities the successive Governments have not beenable to fully explore and utilise the vast tourism products &services to attract a sizeable number of International tourists.The concept of �Odisha: the soul of Incredible India� seems
to be confined only to the level of imagination of ourGovernment. Now it is the high time to make drastic changesin the policy issues and identify the right market in this era offierce competition among the tourism generating countries.Innovative policy initiatives and its timely implementationcan convert the sleepy state of India into the real �soul of
Incredible India�.
Eco-Tourism Hotspots :Here, three case points are discussed in brief to form
Eco-Tourism as a Vehicle for Local Area Development
DR. SUNAKAR PATRA
Assistant Professor (Department of Sociology), P. G. Govt. College for Girls, Sector-42, Chandigarh
The concept of �Odisha: the soul of Incredible India� seems to be confined
only to the level of imagination of our successive Governments. Now it is high time forthe state of Odisha to make drastic changes in the policy issues and identify the rightmarket in this era of fierce competition among the ecotourism generating countries.Innovative policy initiatives and its timely implementation can bring positive changesin the local developmental profile without making any loss to the pristine nature andthe people who live within it. Apart from that such steps can convert this sleepy state ofeastern India into the real �soul of Incredible India�.
Research Link - An International Journal - 133 Vol - XIV (2) April - 2015 54
an idea about the huge potentials of ecotourism in the stateof Odisha. But these three cases discussed here are tips ofthe iceberg.
Bhitarkanika It is considered one of the most impressive
wildlife sanctuaries of Asia. The Bhitarkanika WildlifeSanctuary in Odisha is special due to reasons more thanone. Housing the dynamic and salt tolerant species of trees,the Mangroves that generally grow in tropical and sub-tropical inter-tidal regions; Bhitarkanika has a luxuriant green,rich and pulsatingeco-system. Located in the estuarial regionof Brahmani-Baitarani, in the north-eastern place ofKendrapara district of Odisha, the sanctuary covers an areaof 672 square kilometers of mangrove forests and wetland.Crossed by a thick network of brooks, with the Bay of Bengalon the east, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is Apart fromthe Mangroves, another rarity that the sanctuary has to itsaccount is the inhibition of its ecosystem by the Giant SaltWater Crocodiles and numerous varieties of other animalspecies. It is because of these specialties only that a vastexpanse of forest around 145 square kilometers has beenofficially declared as the Bhitarkanika National Park. Thispark including mangrove forests, creeks, estuaries, rivers,accumulated land, backwater and mud flats is very significantfor the ecological, biological and geomorphologicbackground of Odisha.
Home to over 215 species of birds, including wintermigratory birds from Europe and central-Asia.
Mangaljodi-Chilika :It is a jewel in the ecological treasure of India. It's the
largest brackish water lagoon of Asia and declared as wetlandof international importance under Ramsar Convention (1971)in Egypt on account of its rich biodiversity (Kishore S. andShibalal M. 2003) which qualifies it to be an importantcommon globally. The area covered by the lake is 1055 sq.km which swells to 1165 sq. km. during rainy season and
shrink to 906 sq km during summers. Mangalajodi is a villagesituated in the Northern sector of Chilika Lake. Mangalajodiis an Important Bird area (IBA) as designated by BirdlifeInternational which identified a total of 2,293 IBAs in all 28countries and territories in the Asia region. IBA cover a totalarea of 2,331,560 km2, equivalent to 7.6% of the region's landarea (Birdlife International) and are considered as prioritysites for conservation.
Being an important bird habitat specially for waterfowland a forgotten but sustainable village life style highlightingminimal dependence on external resources qualify it to be animportant ecotourism destination supporting conservationinitiatives and local livelihoods.
Similipal :Simlipal elephant reserve originated mainly as a hunting
ground for the royalty. It was formally designated a tigerreserve in 1956 and under Project Tiger in May 1973. The�Mugger Crocodile Scheme� was started in the year 1979 at
Ramatirtha, Jashipur. The Government of Orissa declaredSimlipal as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979 with an area of 2,200square kilometres (850 sq mi). Later in 1980, Government ofOrissa proposed 303 square kilometres (117 sq mi) of thesanctuary as a National Park. Further in 1986, area of thenational park was increased to 845.70 square kilometres (326.53sq mi). Government of India declared Simlipal as a biospherereserve in 1994. UNESCO added this National park to its listof Biosphere Reserves in May 2009.
There are 10,000 people living in 61 villages in theforest. That is why Simlipal is yet to be declared a full-fledgedpark, despite its having the status of one of the fifteenbiospheres of India. Similipal gained fame under the Bhanjarulers and more specifically under the rule of MaharajaKrushna Chandra Bhanjdeo.
Its unending expanse of extensive grassy lands, thickforests, resonating and precipitous waterfalls, meanderingrivers, roaring tigers and trumpeting tuskers, fleeting herdsof deer and flying squirrels and the rare blooming orchidshave brought world-wide fame to the wildlife sanctuary ofSimilipal.
Spread over a sprawling area of 2750 sq. kms it is afairytale destination for nature and wildlife lovers.
Bhitarkanika Sanctuary in Odisha.Source : www.orissawildlife.com,
Boatman busy in boating with tourists in the ChilikaLake in Odisha, Source: www.orissatourism.co.in
Research Link - An International Journal - 133 Vol - XIV (2) April - 2015 55
Its unending expanse of extensive grassy lands, thickforests, resonating and precipitous waterfalls, meanderingrivers, roaring tigers and trumpeting tuskers, fleeting herdsof deer and flying squirrels and the rare blooming orchidshave brought world-wide fame to the wildlife sanctuary ofSimilipal. Spread over a sprawling area of 2750 sq. kms it is afairytale destination for nature and wildlife lovers.Marketing Eco-tourism :
Apart from the Government, other parties' i.e. localcommunities, tour operators, hoteliers and local institutionscan play a major role for the optimum marketing of ruraltourism. Primarily, an international tourist comes to India toobserve, understand, learn and participate in the real Indianecological treasure which lies not in the Indian cities. Thus itdepends upon the stakeholders as to what extent they areprepared to satisfy a consumer who is ready to pay for whathe desires. Thus, there is a need for comprehensive strategyfor the selection and exploration of suitable locations,ascertain market size, tourist profile, perceptions andexpectations, to demarcate roles and responsibilities amongvarious stakeholders, complete package to tourists, productdevelopment, provision and management of infrastructure,accommodation and food facilities.Drawbacks :
While the term ecotourism may sound relatively benign,one of its most serious impacts is its consumption of virginterritories. These invasions often include deforestation,disruption of ecological life systems and various forms ofpollution, all of which contribute to environmental degradation.Some studies show that local communities are seen as a"backdrop" to the scenery and wildlife. Thus, the local peoplestruggle for cultural survival and freedom of cultural expressionwhile being "observed" by tourists. Traditionally, local-ruralcommunities also have strong resentment towards the change.Ecotourism often claims that it preserves the environment and"promotes" local development. However, there is no dearth ofresearch that shows that with the establishment of protectedareas local people have illegally lost their homes, and mostoften with no compensation. The establishment of parks andsanctuaries has created harsh survival realities and deprivethe local communities of their traditional use of land and naturalresources.
Elephants in Similipal National Park (Odisha).Source : www.orissawildlife.com
Conclusion :Ecotourism, if promoted with sincere planning and
execution can bring sizeable changes in the developmentprofile of local infrastructure and local communities. What isneeded is involvement of the local people in each step of theecotourism projects. In fact, local people are well acquaintedwith ecological treasure of the locality and hence theirassociation with the projects will make the tourists easy tounderstand the multifaceted treasure of nature and also helpthem generating livelihood.
References :
(1) Das, S, K, (2012) �Growth and prospects of tourism in
Odisha�, Odisha Review, Odisha, retrived from http://
Research Link, ISSN, Indore, India(9) Pruthi R.K. (2006). Rural Tourism Challenges and
Paradox, Rajat Publications, New Delhi(10) The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.(11) www.incredibleindia.org(12) www.ibef.org(13) www.orissatourism.co.in(14) www.orissawildlife.com(15) www.wikipedia.com
Research Link - An International Journal - 133 Vol - XIV (2) April - 2015 56
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