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HIMALAYA STUDY CENTRE

“BURANSH MAHOTSAV”

Venue

“Role of eco-tourism in the development of

Uttarakhand ,and the way forward”

* Eco-tourism map of Uttarakhand (http://forest.uk.gov.in/)

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The World Conservation Union (IUCN) defines ecotourism as:

“...environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural

areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features

- both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact,

and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations”

(IUCN, 1996)

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***

A seminar on “Role of eco-tourism in the development of Uttarakhand , and the way forward” was

organized by Himalaya Study Centre, 5th April 2015, as a part of Buransh Mahotsav- cultural festival of Kumaon.

The program was dedicated to celebrate the birth anniversary of Sarla Behn, a renowned English social worker who

dedicated her life for the welfare of the people of Uttarakhand , and lived in Kausani for most of her life in India.

HIMALAYA STUDY CENTRE

A social venture operating at The Buransh Retreat. Its commitment is to gain knowledge and understanding of the

different cultures of the people in Uttarakhand.

The Himalaya Study Centre helps and aims to make Uttarakhand reach various local goals concerning art & culture,

education, and development. Their activities span over fields covering research in art & culture, creative education,

social aspects and prime activity of agriculture in this area.

The programs aim to develop mutual learning processes through meetings, workshops, education and cultural

experiences.

*** Eco-tourism logo

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The speakers

Threesh Kapoor, President of Himalaya Study Centre, moderated the discussion. The entire dialogue revolved around

the potential of Kumaon region especially Kausani as a destination for eco-tourism.

Gopal Dutt Bhatt, former chairmen of KNVN and poet shared several insights from personal experience. He talked at

length about the limitations of a small state with limited employment opportunities which calls for the urgent need to

build the future on local resources.

Tourism, animal husbandry, horticulture and education are the major verticals for economic and

social development of Uttarakhand.

Animal Husbandry Horti-culture Tourism

Education

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He shared his reservation towards the major tendency of the denizen to be service oriented rather than

being entrepreneurial in approach.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

He pitched over the need to train and employ the local youth in hospitality especially

as tour-guides.

Tour guide of Kausani

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The tendency of the locals to cheat the tourists has to be checked. The “Hoteliers” attitude should be

transformational then transactional . A tourism which attracts a traveler to come over again has to be

encouraged.

There is a need for creation of a circle of religious tourism to develop Kumaon region.

There is a pressing issue of avoiding negative publicity of the tourist destinations. The 2013 natural disaster

sent a wrong message through out the world that entire Uttarakhand is unsafe for travel. It was not the reality.

This had a drastic impact on tourism in the Kumaon region. Media, bureaucrats and locals have to acknowledge

the sensitivity of such rumors and must convey true facts. We must endorse the good work being

accomplished and undertaken in the State rather than solely sharing the negative.

“When we make a man, country is made”

Threesh Kapoor gave the assurance that tourist guides

will be trained by Himalaya Study Centre as a part of

this year’s goal.

“A guide training course is going to be conducted

by Himalaya Study Centre at The Buransh

Retreat” - Chief Conservator Eco-Tourism

Uttarakhand, Mr.Rajiv Bhartari.

Danik Hindustan

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Mr. Ranjan Joshi, scientist at G.B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development; shared at length over

the necessitate of protecting nature to promote culture and develop economy. Mr.Joshi specializes at tourism impacts

and management.

He defined eco-tourism as a means to rural development. It’s an apt intervention when tourism reaches a

saturation point in a location.

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Potential of Kausani as Eco-village

Kausani is one location which has a selected clientele in comparison to places like Nanital and Almora. Kausani is not

an established destination. Bengali tourist comes here mostly. Commercial influence is less in this area which provides

ideal opportunity for eco tourism. A package which sells eco-stay has to be marketed. A conservation fee can be

levied by the owner as a part of the package. A proper branding is required in this area.

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STRENGTHS

Scenic views, peace & tranquility

WEAKNESSES

Remoteness, limited civic amenities, lack of trained local guides, inadequate branding of local handicrafts,

water and energy scarcity

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VISION

-Branding of nature and Himalayas to overcome the limitation of remoteness.

-Attract tourist to stay in Kausani for more than 3 days

-Developing quality tourism contrary to quantity tourism (the enviro-damage to Nanital

& Almora is an apt case study)

MISSION & STRATEGY

Promote Kausani as an eco-tourism destination. Department of Eco-tourism must declare Kausani village

as a major Eco-Tourism destination .

Make available and distribute literature encompassing the history, heritage, wildlife, local art & culture

0f Kausani.

Provide visitors with a kit to promote responsible tourism.

Train tour – guides.

Conducting regular activities/programs such as “Buransh Mahotsav”.

Create a demand for religious, health, agriculture, adventure and rural tourism. A lot of potential is

there to explore these forms of alternate tourism.

Require to build on Kausani’s heritage trails, folk music, culture, local Kumaoni Cuisine & wildlife.

Train local entrepreneurs on innovative designing of handicrafts to add value to the products.

IMPACT

Tourist consumes “experience”, and that’s how he analyzes destinations for vacation

Meeting the customer expectations is the policy of building regional tourism

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Kala Upadhaya , Principal, gave suggestions to build a campaign to promote Uttarkhand in lines of the tourism

strategy of other states such as “khushboo gujarat ki campaign”. Along side we can have a campaign for

branding Kausani by honoring popular artists of the region as brand ambassadors.

She even gave the assurance to facilitate in building and collaborating with civil societies for developing and

promoting Kausani.

Sincere considerations have to be given to promotional advertisements in local newspaper, regional news

channels and radio channels.

She requested for large scale publicity of Kausani in press and media by the government.

Apoorv Pande from California appreciated the efforts of Himalaya Study Centre. He remarked “Gone are the days

when Kausani was referred as the Switzerland of India, it’s high time to reverse the saying.” Sincere

efforts towards making and maintaining a clean and green Kausani is of major concern.

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*Praveen Thapa, age 11, winner of the painting activity “Meri Kausani” organized by Himalaya Study

Centre

He discussed about the role of branding in development of eco-tourism. There is an urgent need to add

value on local produces, which is largely lacking - “Kausani Ki Nashpati”

N.N Mishra, retired commandant CRPF, requested for proper display of information over the historical sites and

keeping them clean. If the heritage of a place is not maintained then the place looses its value.

He mentioned that no matter how amazing a location is, if the attitude of service amongst the locals is lacking then

the complete purpose of tourism gets defeated.

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S.S Karayat , Range Officer Kausani, accepted the reality that the forests of Kausani are save just because of the

individual and combined efforts of the farmers and locals ; till now the forest department hasn’t played any role in

environment conservation .

He promised to develop the forest near the lake as a forest of Buransh, Banj and Kafal. He assured all help from

forest department in development of eco-park, lake and trails in Kausani. He requested the local people to support

the government projects so that they can be implemented speedily and effectively.

He even assured that the eco-tourism guidelines will be promoted and put into use soon.

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Feedback on the Report -

Pameli Chatterjee , a social activist, shared the following views over the seminar .

To begin with ,I have to commend Himalaya Study Centre’s effort in organizing Buransh Mahotsav in

Kausani and exposing local people to art, culture, eco-tourism and other activities - some specially designed to

enthuse children in the area.

Speaking of the Eco session, it was good to hear that it was attended by a number of experienced people. I can

see that there were several good suggestions which touched upon the employment potential , not only in

tourism, but also other aspects of life in the hills, such as Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Horticulture

which are the mainstay of the people, here..

The reporting of the session with graphics and photographs was very well done.

However, it would perhaps have been a good idea to draw up an action plan, with a time schedule...otherwise

we tend to get lost in the ideas, which do not reflect achievements on the ground.

Let us hope this Mahotsav is followed through by others - perhaps with your initiative, so that it can affect

some change for the better, in Kausani.

Nature has already blessed Kausani with spectacular mountains and it is up to us humans to cherish this beauty.

For starters, we could at least clean up the place and make it attractive, not only for tourists, but for those of us

who live here.

We just need to walk beyond Harchina to the forest out-post, to see rubbish dumped and scattered down the

hillside. It is a small matter to organize each hotel to provide two large dust bins,( one for plastic stuff, tins etc

and another for biodegradable material) These sould be set down in strategic places - in the market, near

hotels,dhabasand wherever else necessary - and a sweeper needs to be appointed to separate the stuff for the

two dustbins; to burn the biodegradable stuff and take the plastic stuff for disposable where directed by

hoteliers or other responsible persons.

This initial step will make a big difference for tourists coming in and then we

can think of other practical initiatives

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LINKS

http://forest.uk.gov.in/pages/view/47/51-ecotourism-in-uttarakhand

http://forest.uk.gov.in/files/ECO%20TOURISM/EC_OWildlifeEco-tourism.pdf

http://forest.uk.gov.in/files/ECO%20TOURISM/ECO_CommunityBasedTourism.pdf

http://forest.uk.gov.in/files/ECO%20TOURISM/ECO_Destinations.pdf

http://forest.uk.gov.in/files/pdf/96_Eco_do_e.pdf

http://www.gujarattourism.com/destination/category/5

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*Manisha Mehra, age 14, winner of the painting activity "Meri Kausani" organized by Himalaya Study

Centre

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