INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED ... by C.O.E.T, Akola. Available Online at INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING AND

Research Article Impact Factor: 4.226 ISSN: 2319-507X Anand Pande, IJPRET, 2016; Volume 4 (8): 352-362 IJPRET

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING AND

TECHNOLOGY A PATH FOR HORIZING YOUR INNOVATIVE WORK

ECO-TOURISM PLAN FOR CHIKHALDARA- AS A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH.

AR. ANAND PANDE

Asstt. Professor. B.Arch., M. Tech. (Urban Planning), School of Arch., C.O.E. & T., Akola.

Accepted Date: 12/03/2016; Published Date: 02/04/2016

Abstract: This paper is about Ecotourism and its importance in today’s context. Ecotourism is inculcating a deeper attraction for

diverse nature and its mysteries through innovative educational means while providing livelihood alternatives to people who depends on that ecosystem for the living. Ecotourism involves various sustainable activities like flora, fauna, hills, lakes and nature walks, etc. by involving locals in tourism activities and sustainable practices can develop the revenue for education and village infrastructure. These types of resources are available in Chikhaldara Town. Through this awareness about forest and wildlife is increased among locals of Chikhaldara and it strengthened the local democracy in village infrastructure. In India most wildlife reserves are surrounded by villages with large number of people dependent on forest resources. In such situation returns from tourism is less due to locals. Who are closers to the forest but this can be achieved through public participation by incorporating JFM. Today tourism has been recognized as the fastest growing industry of our world. A large number of tourists come at Chikhaldar to experience a place and beauty of surrounding nature. Education through literature, history and art giving rebirth to sustainable Tourism. In this paper I tried to address the issues of Chikhaldara related to Sustainability, Socio-Cultural aspects, Joint Forest Management, and awareness to locals and tourist about forest.

Keywords: Ecotourism, Sustainable practices, JFM, Village infrastructure, Eco-Travels.

Corresponding Author: AR. ANAND PANDE

Co Author: -

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INTRODUCTION

The term ecotourism was coined by Hector Cebaiios-Lascurain in 1983 and was initially use to

describe nature based travel with an emphasis on education. The International Ecotourism

Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as: “responsible travel that conserves the environment and

sustains the well - being of local people”. The systematic evolutionary process of conservation

and sustainability was gave rise to

the concept of Ecotourism and this

idea of tourism conservation gives

rise to the concept of National

Park. Ecotourism relates three

major issues, impact of tourism,

growth of tourism on natural

environment and lastly the

principal of sustainability.

• Importance and Impacts of Eco-Tourism Industry:

Today tourism has been recognized as the fastest growing industry of our world. A large

number of tourists come to experience the beauty in areas of nature and surroundings but it

destroys the assets of the tourism industry, and once a natural landscape and the importance

of town get destroyed it never comes. So ecotourism has become an important issue in recent

age.

It requires conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity, through ecosystem

protection and sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous

people by having their participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises. Tourism

generates employment and income opportunities for local people who are engaged in other

activities.

• Types of Tourism:

There are several types of tourism viz; Adventure Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Ecosystem,

Resource Management and Sustainable Tourism. This type of tourism involves nature trips to

enjoy the flora and fauna in an area with the environment to form an ecological unit. It includes

tours organized by Forest department, natural trails, and cultural events with historical

monuments. According to WTO, the resources should be manage in such a way that economic,



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social and aesthetic needs can be fulfill by maintaining cultural integrity, biological diversity and

life support system.

Approach towards Tourism:

Traditional Approach to Tourism is to destroy the original landscape and built new with

suppression of natural rejuvenation through constant maintenance, by replacing original

species with foreign species. But ecologically tourism can be approach by understanding the

relationship between the species, and its conservation with the encouragement of bio-physical

diversity. Preservation and use of flora spontaneously to adapt to local situation.

Accessibility to tourism destination and wayside amenities:

Approach roads would be identified to various tourist destinations. Wayside amenities would

also be planned while developing roads. Entertainment facilities such as children's sports, horse

rides, light and sound shows (based on feasibility) will be arranged at selected destinations. This

will convert day tourists into staying tourists.

Development of heritage site concerning with ASI and government authority, will also produce

greater demands towards tourism. State government identify the artist in states and by

appointing a design agency to develop products based on local crafts and promote it through E-

commerce. Rural tourism, agricultural tourism

will be promoted considering state potential.

Introduction To Study Area Chikhaldara:

Chikhaldara comes under Amaravati district of

Vidarbha region. The only hill station in the

Vidarbha region offers an abundance of wildlife,

viewpoints, lakes, waterfalls and historic

monuments. Captain Robinson discovered

Chikhaldara as a hill station. Chikhaldara has the

added distinction of being the only coffee-

growing area in Maharashtra. And the locals are

also successful to grow strawberries in this

region.

Regional Map of Chikhaldara



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Korku Dance performing for visitors

• ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT:

Melghat forest is a tropical deciduous forests. However, because of hilly terrain, changes in

basic rock structure, water availability etc. Biodiversity is the variety of life and its process; and

it includes the variety of living organisms. Biodiversity is an

essential part of

our cultural heritage.

• HUMAN POPULATION:

The Korku, Nihal hails the visitors in the sanctuary. These

people offer a window to the traditions and culture of this

tribe. The sanctuary can be developed as an ideal eco-

tourism destination providing income generation

opportunities for the local villagers and enhancing visitor’s

satisfaction

Pre British

period

Gawilgad fort establish in 12th cent.

British Period British ruled on Gawilgad in 1803 & Exploit forest & its resources.

Post

Independence

Chikhaldara tiger Reserve in 1974. Gugamal National park in 1987. State

government declare Melghat sanctuary in 1994

Present

situation

As Gawai king was ruled over, so the percentage of Gaoli is maximum. Do

Cattle grazing & cut trees & it directly affects on Korku population. Because

Korku believe tree as their God. And loss the cultural value of region.

Flora of Melghat

Fauna of Melghat



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• TRIBAL ECO-SYSTEM:

Tribal is community of people which are undeveloped in all

respect. They have in course of time made a long

adjustment to the nature, and derived a traditional and

primitive way of life. The totality of these interactions

within them is known as ecological system. Forests are not

only one of their major sources but are significantly related

to their religion and mythology. Bori tree is of great

importance in marriage ceremony of Korku. They worship

of ‘Dongardeo’ and ‘Mutua’. A substantial part of the tribal folk songs and folk dances reform

the concern of a tribal community for its Eco-system and culture.

• Fairs And Festivals:

The Holi festival is very important festival for these people.

This festival is called PHAGANA in their language. The festival

important part is Khamba Bhajan (Poll Dance). The poll is

constructed at centre and around that poll these peoples are

dance and singing song. These people have traditional heavy

intake of wine made from Moha (Mahua latifolia). Dhol, Imki,

Basuri, etc. are their musical instrument.

• Impacts of Tribals On Forest:

In Chikhaldara region, there are about 95561 human populations well as 154650 cattle heads,

which exert considerable amount of biotic pressure on the forest resources. The villagers

collect small timber, fuel wood, bamboo, minor forest produce, lopping of trees for browse to

heavy use of water bodies for their livestock, forcing wild animals away in deep forest. This

leads to destroy forest sustainability.

• Tourist Attraction In Chikhaldara Region:

The main attraction in the region is the forest having different sanctuaries for tourist. The

Gugamal National park is the main core area of the forest and is offers attraction to tourist with

diverse flora and fauna. The Semadoh Nature Education and Interpretation Center is provides

information of surrounding region Center. The Makhala road offers several scenic view points.



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Kolkaz and surrounding forest and wildlife point. Jawaharkund 5 km. from Semadoh, having a

beautiful waterfall which is 35mt. in height.

• Chikhaldara Festival a Government Initiative:

Every year in the month of December Chikhaldara organises its very own festival, the festival

consists of cultural events, adventure activities such as Para-gliding and rock climbing,

exhibition showing the local arts and artifacts and many other events.

The centre at Gullarghat facilitates tourist. It has emphasis on the medicinal and botanical use

of wild plants.

Plan Of Tourist’s Attraction in Chikhaldara Region:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• Best Season to Visit Chikhaldara:

The tourist season starts after rainy season, as all the wild life sanctuary is closed during the

rainy season from July to September from October entry is open for tourist. Domestic tourist

visit Chikhaldara for one day picnic.



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Plan Of Tourist’s spots in Chikhaldara town

Percentage of tourist flow on Chilhaldara tourist spots

• Socio-Cultural and Environmental Impact:

Tourism can bring both benefits and problems to the local society and its cultural patterns.

Socio-cultural impacts are major considerations in developing tourism in many places. Social

Assessment will be carried out to identify feasible areas of interventions and participatory

planning, implementation and monitoring arrangements. The present socio-economic situation

(incomes, livelihood and standard of living) of the population.



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JFM Implementation:

The national forest policy 1988 envisages massive people’s conservation of forest resources

through joint forest management activity. Involve people in protection and conservation of

forest resources. This can be implemented by forming forest protection committee in each

village. JFM is to be implemented with the help of gram panchayat and forest produce available

is to be provided on priority to meet bonafide locals need.

Promotion of art and culture:

Tourist should be given a taste of local identity rather than creating same type of facilities

elsewhere in plains.

Tourism Awareness & Participation of Local People In Eco-Tourism:

Training about tourism should be provided for local communities in active participation of locals

in eco-tourism, interpretation and conservation education activities with a view to develop;

Involve direct stake of local people in the eco-tourism and ensure that the income generated

goes directly to local people. And also to ensure local people for their active participation in

programs like eco-development committee.

Proposals:

The Eco-tourism plan is an integration of Nature tourism, Environmental or sustainable tourism,

and rural tourism. Nature based proposal are framed in a holistic manner to cover all issues

related resources like flora, fauna, water resources, rocks and minerals and other natural

resources. These nature based issues are solved by sustainable methods like infrastructure

development, use of sustainable material, etc. These proposals cannot be successfully

implemented unless and until, educate the stake holders and educational program includes

awareness programs, and heritage walk. But it is not possible to handle all these issues at a

time, because of management and time limit, so I work only on nature based issues.



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Proposed Different Eco-Tourism Programmes And Activities:

NATURE BASED ACTIVITY SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES RURAL BASED COMMUNITY

PARTICIPATION

Botanical garden

Butterfly valley

Coffee and Strawberry

Plantation

Heritage walk

Tourist parking

Waste energy treatment plant

Cultural tribal village

Agro tourism

Cattle farming



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• OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSION:

The NGOs in that region contributing well to Nature as well as Education by forming various

organization like BOKO Mitra and Abhyas Wargas for tribal children to generate awareness

about forest and its resources. Chikhaldara have thick forest due to suitability of soil there is

rich Flora and Fauna. Tribal population has their culture which attracts maximum number of

tourist.

By providing employment opportunity the wildlife in that region are safe and it maintain the

sustainability of chikhaldara. Considering the issues, forest department started the activity like

JFM, Forest Management and sustainable practice and social forestry to conserve forest and

engage tribal in different work. Taking Chikhaldara’s richness and heritage value there is need

for Eco-development and Infrastructure development to generate revenue and conserve the

natural Ecosystem.

REFEREANCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Reading material on Environment & Resource Development

2. Tourism & Sustainable Development, By: Greg Richards and Derek Hall

3. Indian Tourism: Policy, performance and pitfalls, By: Shalini Singh

4. People & Protected Area, By: Ashish Kothari, Neena Singh, Saloni Suri.

5. White Paper on Eco-Tourism Policy, By: Seema P, Jojo T.D, Freeda M.S, Santosh B, Sheetal P,

Gladwin J, Suman R, Samuel T, Sidharth K

6. Tourism, Conservation & Sustainable Development-Volume II, Keoladeo National Park, India

7. Management plan of Keoladeo National Park

8. National forest policy1988

9. National wildlife action plan2002

10. Tourism policy 2006

11. Ecotourism policy 2008

12. India state forest report 2009



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13. Amravati regional plan 1986-2006

14. Development plan Chikhaldara

15. Forest department, Amravati circle, Amravati.

16. Working plan report of east Melghat Volume I and II

17. Varshik samalochan of Amracati District 2006. Page nos. 26, 28, 31, 52, 54, 75, 112, 113,

132, 142, 143-155, 166

18. Survey of India toposheet no. G/2, 3, 5, 6, 7.

19. www.ecotourisminindia.com

20. www. periyartigerreserve.com

21. www.keoladeonationalpark.com

Documents

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED ... by C.O.E.T, Akola. Available Online at INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING AND