Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Gharhwal University, Srinagar(A Central University)

Centre for Mountain Tourism & Hospitality SutdiesM.B.A. (Tourism) IIInd sem

Batch (2013-15)

PROBLEM AND PROSPECT IN TOURISM WIH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PAURI

Submitted to Submitted by Prakash Chandra Rout Saurav rawat

• Introduction

• Study area: PAURI

ContentsPROBLEM AND PROSPECT IN TOURISM WIH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PAURI

SUBMITTED BY-SAURAV RAWAT

INTRODUCTIONCountries and regions where the economy is driven bythe tourism industry have become increasinglyconcerned with the environmental, as well as the socio-cultural problems associated with unsustainabletourism. As a result, there is now increasing agreementon the need to promote sustainable tourismdevelopment to minimize its environmental impact andto maximize socio-economic overall benefits at touristdestinations. The concept of sustainable tourism, asdeveloped by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) inthe context of the United Nations sustainabledevelopment process, refers to tourist activities“leading to management of all resources in such a waythat economic, social and aesthetic needs can befulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essentialecological processes, biological diversity and lifesupport systems”

• Over the decades, tourism has experienced continued growth anddeepening diversification to become one of the fastest growing economic sectors inthe world. Modern tourism is closely linked to development and encompasses agrowing number of new destinations. These dynamics have turned tourism into akey driver for socio-economic progress.

• Today, the business volume of tourism equals or even surpasses that of oilexports, food products or automobiles. Tourism has become one of the majorplayers in international commerce, and represents at the same time one of themain income sources for many developing countries. This growth goes hand inhand with an increasing diversification and competition among destinations.

• This global spread of tourism in industrialised and developed states hasproduced economic and employment benefits in many related sectors - fromconstruction to agriculture or telecommunications.

• The contribution of tourism to economic well-being depends on the quality andthe revenues of the tourism offer. UNWTO assists destinations in theirsustainable positioning in ever more complex national and international markets.As the UN agency dedicated to tourism, UNWTO points out that particularlydeveloping countries stand to benefit from sustainable tourism and acts to helpmake this a reality.

The tourism industry of India is economicallyimportant and is growing rapidly. The World Travel &Tourism Council calculated that tourism generatedINR6.4 trillion or 6.6% of the nation's GDP in 2012. Itsupported 39.5 million jobs, 7.7% of its totalemployment. The sector is predicted to grow at anaverage annual rate of 7.9% from 2013 to 2023.[1] Thisgives India the third rank among countries with thefastest growing tourism industries over the nextdecade. India has a large medical tourism sectorwhich is expected to grow at an estimated rate of 30%annually to reach about ₹ 95 billion by 2015.

• According to provisional statistics 6.29 million foreigntourists arrived in India in 2011, an increase of 8.9% from5.78 million in 2010. This ranks India as the 38th countryin the world in terms of foreign tourist arrivals. Domestictourist visits to all states and Union Territories numbered1,036.35 million in 2012, an increase of 16.5% from2011.The most represented countries are the UnitedStates (16%) and the United Kingdom (12.6%). In2011, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi were the mostpopular states for foreign tourists. Domestic touristsvisited the states Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and TamilNadu mostfrequently. Chennai, Delhi,Mumbai and Agra have beenthe four most visited cities of India by foreign touristsduring the year 2011. Worldwide, Chennai is ranked 41 bythe number of foreign tourists, while Delhi is ranked at50, Mumbai at 57 and Agra at 65 and Kolkata at 99

• The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report2013 ranks India 65th out of 144 countries overall. Thereport ranks the price competitiveness of India'stourism sector 20th out of 144 countries. It mentionsthat India has quite good air transport (ranked 39th),particularly given the country’s stage of development,and reasonable ground transport infrastructure (ranked42nd). Some other aspects of its tourism infrastructureremain somewhat underdeveloped however. Thenation has very few hotel rooms per capita byinternational comparison andlow ATM penetration.[6] The World TourismOrganization reported that India's receipts fromtourism during 2012 ranked 16th in the world, and 7thamong Asian and Pacific countries

• The Ministry of Tourism designs national policiesfor the development and promotion of tourism.In the process, the Ministry consults andcollaborates with other stakeholders in the sectorincluding various Central Ministries/agencies,state governments, Union Territories and therepresentatives of the private sector. Concertedefforts are being made to promote new forms oftourism such as rural, cruise, medical and eco-tourism.[8] The Ministry also maintainsthe Incredible India campaign.

• India's rich history and its cultural andgeographical diversity make its internationaltourism appeal large and diverse. It presentsheritage and cultural tourism along with medical,business, educational and sports tourism.

• Uttarakhand, the 27th state of the Republic of India, iscalled "the abode of the Gods" or referred as the "Heavenon Earth". It contains glaciers, snow-clad mountains, valleyof flowers, skiing slopes and dense forests, and manyshrines and places of pilgrimage. Char-dhams, the fourmost sacred and revered Hindutemples: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri arenestled in the Himalayas.Haridwar which means Gatewayto God is the only place on the plains.

• It holds the watershed for Gangetic River System spanning300 km from Satluj in the west to Kali river in theeast. Nanda Devi (25640 Ft) is the second highest peak inIndiaafter Kanchenjunga (28160 Ft). Dunagiri, Neelkanth, Chaukhamba, Panchachuli, Trisul are other peaks above 23000 Ft.It is considered the abode of Devtas, Yakashyas, Kinners,Fairies and Sages.[45] It has some old hill-stations developedduring British eralike Mussoorie, Almora, Dwarahat, Ranikhet and Nainital.

ABOUT UTTRAKHAND

• GlaciersPindari Glacier, Milam Glacier, Gangotri Glacier,BunderPunch Glacier, Khatling Glacier, DoonagiriGlacier, Dokrani Glacier, Kaphini Glacier, Ralam Glacier

• Wildlife ReservesCorbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, AsanConservation Reserve, Nanda Devi National Park,Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary (Askot), Valley of Flowers

• Adventure SportsSkiing at Mundali, Auli, Dayara Bagyal andMunsiyari. Paragliding at Yelagiri. Trekking atMussoorie, Uttarkashi, Joshimath, Munsiyari,Chaukori, Pauri, Almora, Nainital

• In Uttarakhand tourism is consider to be an important vehicle foreconomic and social development. The tourism industry has thepotential to generate foreign exchange earnings, createemployment, promote development in various parts of the Region,reduce income and employment disparities among regions,strengthen linkages among many sectors of the national as well asstate economy and help to alleviate poverty. However, this standardview of the tourism industry does not give a complete picture ofthe potential contribution that tourism can provide for parts ofcountry in general and other countries in particular. A morecomplete viewpoint can be provided by the concept of sustainabletourism development, because it can help policy-makers makemore effective policies and plans designed to realize the full socialand economic potential of the tourism industry. Sustainable tourismdevelopment is premised on the responsibility of governments andall stakeholders in the tourism sector to ensure that long-termprosperity and the quality of life of future generations is not placedat risk. With imposing majestic snow clad mountains, deep bluerivers, friendly people, good roads and negligible crime,Uttarakhand should be a tourist’s paradise. One look at its highaltitude meadows should be enough to make one fall in love with it.Yet sadly, even the internationally famous Valley of Flowers lamentsthe virtual absence of tourists, year after year.

STUDY AREA

• Pauri Garhwal is a district in the Uttarakhand stateof India. Its headquarters is at the town of Pauri. PauriGarhwal district is surrounded bythe Haridwar, Dehradun, TehriGarhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Almora and Nainital districts on three sides. The southern boundary of PauriGarhwal district borders the Bijnor district of UttarPradesh. This district lies partly in the Gangetic plainsand partly in the Himalayan North. The climate of PauriGarhwal is very cold in winter and pleasant in summer.In rainy season the climate is very cool & full ofgreenness. However, in Kotdwar and the adjoiningBhabar area it is quite hot reaching high 40s Celsiusduring the summer.and in winter session it remainedheavy snow fall most part of the pauri district.

Economy

• The main occupation of the population is agriculture.Some large and small industrial units have beenestablished around Kotdwara e.g. SIDCUL. Majorcompanies working in the region are Sidhbali Steels,Wipro, Banjosh, Simpex Pharma and Sr Sri Ayurvedabeside others. Army / para-military forces and teachingare a major source of employment for young people.Due to the lack of required infrastructure and thegeography of the area, there are no major industries inthe hilly part of the district. Banjosh Group has alsocome with first ever integrated Mushroom growingplant in Pauri Garhwal at Sigaddi with an installedcapacity of 700 MT per annum.

Objectives

• To assess the existing and hidden potential for tourism in the study area.

• To examine the available facilities and support infrastructure with regard to all forms of tourism.

• to propose solutions that could help improve tourism.

Tourism in PAURI• Tourism in Pauri Garhwal District includes a number of exploring

options. Pauri Garhwal is considered nature's paradise and attractspeople through its charm and magnificence. The beautiful valleys,snow clad mountain peaks, and amazing features of nature are keycomponents that attract travellers. Moreover,tourism in Pauri willbe considered incomplete without paying a visit to its ancienttemples. Some of the main places of interest in Pauri are as follows.

• Danda Nagraja Temple• The holy shrine of Danda Nagraja is a very popular pilgrimage

among the Garhwali people. Garhwalis from around the countryvisit the shrine everyday. It is located in the Village Lasera, PattiBanelsyun, District Pauri (lap of Mountains). The temple gets itsname from Garhwali word 'Danda', which means peak. Since thelocation of the temple was in a forest, local people started calling itDanda Nagraja - Nagraja on the peak.

• Reaching There• Danda Nagraja can easily be reached by taking a bus either from

Kotdwara or Pauri. Frequency of buses is very limited and there arehardly more than two buses you'll get on this route. The best optionis to hire a taxi. Danda Nagraja Temple is approximately 90 km fromKotdwara, 45 km from Satpuli and 35 km from Pauri.

• Jwalpa Devi Temple• This is a famous shaktipeeth of garhwal dedicated to Goddess Jwalpa. It is

situated on the Right Bank of the Nawalika River(gaadan), 34 km fromPauri, on the main Pauri- Kotdwar road. According to a legend in SkandhaPuraan, Sachi(daughter of the demon king Pulom) wanted to marry devrajIndra so she worshipped The Supreme mother Goddess 'Shakti' here atthis place. The Goddess then appeared in the form of DeeptimaanJwalehwari and her wish was fulfilled. This name then gradually as thetime passed was cut short and moduled to Jwalpa Devi. Adi GuruShankaracharya visited and prayed in this temple and it is said that TheGoddess appeared to him. Every year Navratri fair is held twice, on theoccasion of Chitra and Shardiya Navratri. Anthwals are the traditionalpriests and care-takers of this temple as the present temple wasconstructed by Late Pt Shri Dutta Ram Anthwal(Anthwals being thezameendaar of the area, originally from village Aneth). Every yearthousands of people visit this temple, specially unmarried girls as it is saidthat the girls get fine grooms just like Indraani(sachi) got Lord Indra by thegrace of The Goddess.

• Kandoliya DevtaThe main temples of the city are Kandoliya Devta, Laxmi Narayan, Kyunkaleshwar Mahadev and Hanuman mandir. Every year, a ‘Bhandara‘ is organized in the premises of the Temple of the Kandoliya Devta and thousands of people from Pauri and near by villages participate in it.

• The city is blessed with a number of picnic spots surrounded by ‘Deodar‘ forests and filled with natural beauty viz. Ransi, Kandoliya, Nag Dev, Jhandi Dhar etc. Every year ‘Sharadotsav’ is celebrated in the city since 1974.

• Kyunkaleshwar Mahadev• It is an 8th-century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva offering

astonishing views of the snow laden Himalayas.The temple is situated in the suburbs of the main town Pauri.Thepresiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva accompanied by Goddess Parvati,Ganesha and Karthikeyan.

• Chaukhamba View Point• Situated only 4 km from Pauri.Chaukhamba View Point

ridge overlooks the splendid idwal valley and ChaukhambaPeaks.It is one of the prominent places of Pauri because of its mesmerizing scenic vistas.

• Best Time to Visit Pauri

• The best time to travel the destination starts in the month of March and remains till November as the weather remains pleasant during this entire period.

• PAURI TOURIST PLACE

• People all over the world come here for a bird's eye view of the lofty Himalayas. Lying at a height of 3100 above the sea level, Pauriattracts uncountable visitors from across the world.

• Uttarakhand’s tourism policy is unfortunately based primarily on the Char Dham Circuit. Though the number of people undertaking this pilgrimage is mind boggling and it does contribute substantially to Government’s kitty, yet its benefit is limited to the people living in the four towns. Bus loads of pilgrims’ breeze through the State doing all the four Dhams in as little as 4 days. Focusing excessively on the Char Dhams downplays the importance of development of tourism in other parts of the State and prevents more equitable distribution of economic gains. Facilities developed for pilgrims may not be appropriate for general tourists. An indicator to the sad state of affairs is the virtual absence of foreign tourists in Uttarakhand. Barely 0.75% of all foreign tourists visited Uttarakhand in 2006. Growth in absolute numbers was 12.2%, way below the National average of 14.7%. Comparison with Himachal Pradesh reveals an even more sorry state of affairs.

Environmental Issues • What happened in Uttarakhand is truly tragic, and while tourism brings

money and development to the region, it can also do unintentional damage to fragile ecosystems. Here are some of the key issues that face the conservation of natural resources in the state:

• Forest fires: Every summer, hundreds of hectares of forests are affected by such forest fires. Wild fires lead to loss of human lives and wildlife species and also cause damage to the ecosystem. Almost every forest fire is caused by human beings. Some areas are set afire by local communities to reduce grass on the forest floor. Many fires are caused by travellers throwing cigarette butts on roads passing through forests.

• Non-biodegradable waste: Today, even remote hill villages have a ‘Noodle Point’ selling packaged food, soft drinks and water in plastic bottles. A lot of this waste is carelessly strewn across natural trails and campsites. If burnt, they release harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. Counter this with the mantra of ‘reduce, reuse & recycle’. If visitors carried back empty bottles and packaging waste, it would go a long way towards keeping our wilderness pristine.

• Water conservation: Given that some of India’s most important rivers originate here, it is ironic that water conservation remains a burning issue in Uttarakhand. A large number of natural springs that dotted the hillside have been damaged due to the cutting of slopes for road building or other unplanned activities. These have adversely affected the underground water table at many places.

What ails Tourism in Uttarakhand?• To encourage tourists, basic changes need to be incorporated into

Uttarakhand’s tourism policy. Building five star hotels in Dehra Dun,airports or helipads will not improve the situation. It may increasethe arrival of very wealthy travelers but the employment it willgenerate for locals only be as porters and dish washers. Also a verysmall percentage of domestic and foreign tourists will travel by airor helicopters in Uttarakhand or stay in 5 star hotels in Dehra Dun.The answer could lie in building a huge number of small butmodern and comfortable 3 - 4 roomed hotels in all villages ofUttarakhand. They could be built by the Government in landbelonging to locals, who could then be employed by theGovernment to run it and once the Government recovers theamount it invested, the hotel should be handed over to the localsand another new hotel built and started in the same village. Thatwould change the face of Uttarakhand and also reverse the massmigration of men to the plains.

• Marketing of these hotels must be done by GMVNL even after thehand over. Almost all villages of Uttarakhand are exceptionallybeautiful and can serve as weekend hangouts for urban people, asa place of relaxation for the stressed out and as places ofinspiration for writers and poets, if properly marketed.

•The existing GMVNL hotels need a major overhaul. At presentthey can best be classified as budget hotels catering to lowermiddle class tourists. Even though they are cheap, middle classand foreign tourists look for quality and don’t mind paying morefor it. Smelly carpets, stained bed sheets, out of order bath roomsare common in all GMVNL guest houses.

• Waste disposal from hotels needs to be looked into. Hotels oftenpollute the area they are in, by simply dumping all the garbagedown the hill. Tourists should be encouraged to report such hotelsto GMVNL which then should forward the information toconcerned authorities.

• Marketing of Uttarakhand as a tourist destination should not be limited to TV advertisements. A 24hrs toll free helpline and a 24hrs live chat at GMVNL Website could be started, with expert personnel ready to woo tourists. Bookings should also be accepted by phone /chat and amount manually charged using a Credit Card Machine. This helpline / chat line should also accept feedback / complaints from tourists. While GMVNL Guest houses can be booked online, online booking of bus tickets should also be started. In places where GMVNL does not have a guest house, it should book with reputed hotels / guest houses on behalf of tourists, instead of just referring them. Forest Rest Houses could also be booked by GMVNL on behalf of tourists, as direct booking is a cumbersome procedure. This will open a much wider and richer area for tourism. Adventure tourism has a great potential in Uttarakhand. At present, it is very difficult for lay tourists to differentiate reliable operators from fly-by-night operators

• Finally, to enable the local youth in villages to gain more meaningful employment other than as porters or dish cleaners, outreach programs should be started to train them as Tourist Guides, with relevant local information. With a certificate in hand, with a hotel nearby ,they will contribute much more to the economic development of Uttarakhand than building 5 star hotels in Dehra Dun.

Uttarakhand is second to none as far as natural beauty is concerned and it would be beneficial if we could attract well spending middle class tourists and foreigners to our State. Increase in the number of pilgrims should not lull us into complacency. We must empower the local population all over the State to benefit from tourism, only then will a new dawn break over Uttarakhand.

SOLUTION• Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic, and

socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitablebalance must be established between these three dimensions toguarantee its long-term sustainability. Thus, sustainable tourismshould:

1. Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a keyelement in tourism development, maintaining essential ecologicalprocesses and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.

2. Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities,conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditionalvalues, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding andtolerance.

3. Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed,including stable employment and income-earning opportunities andsocial services to host communities, and contributing to povertyalleviation

Solutions: • Forest cover has to be expanded, river flows

and ecologies have to be sustained and wildlife has to be protected in a manner that enables livelihoods to grow. For protecting existing forests, village women should receive free cooking gas cylinders at their homes in payment for providing ecological services to the rest of India. Such payments can generate revenues for Himalayan states that pursue green development policies.