Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Ecotourism in the Himalayan Destination A case study of the Seraj Valleys ( Distt. Kullu, Himachal Pradesh) A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO VINAYAKA MISSIONS UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN TOURISM MANAGEMENT 2008-2009
Supervised By: Dr. O P Thakur M.A, PhD 101869 Sr. Lecturer in Geography 604041080001 Government P.G Degree College Kullu
Submitted by: Ankit Sood Roll Number : Regd. Number:
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM MANAGEMENT VINAYAKA MISSIONS UNIVERSITY DIRECTORATE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION SALEM TAMIL NADU
Page 1
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Certificate
This is to certify that the Dissertation entitled “Ecotourism in the
Himalayan Destination A case study of the Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu, HP)” is a bonafide record of independent research work done by Mr. Ankit Sood (Reg. No.: 604041080001) under my supervision during 20082009. The data reported in it is original and this dissertation has not previously formed the basis for the award of any other degree, Diploma, Associateship, Fellowship or other title to any university. The dissertation is worthy of consideration for the award of the Degree of Maters of Philosophy in Tourism Management.
Date
Dr. O P Thakur
Supervisor Place M.A, PhD Sr. Lecturer in Geography P.G Degree College Kullu
Page 2
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Abstract
Ecotourism can be one of the major driving forces in the economic upliftment of backward areas especially surrounding national parks and sanctuaries. It can serve as a tool to address problems like poverty, illiteracy, hygiene, unemployment if implemented properly. The Seraj valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh is an area with tremendous tourism potential. It is bestowed with natures gems like the Great Himalayan National Park , a unique cultural heritage , amazing vistas and tourist friendly people. I have been working for the tourism development of the Seraj Valley since the last five years. This MPhil report is an observational research being an academic (Lecturer of Tourism, GDC Kullu), an ecotourism operator and practitioner (www.sunshineadventure.com) and building tourism capacity of the local people through trainings in Ecotourism by being a consultant to the Great Himalayan National Park. This dissertation is an attempt to define community based ecotourism (Chapter One) based on the incredible tourism products of the Seraj Valley which have been covered in chapters two to six recognizing the stake holders (Chapter seven) along with their SWOT analysis (Chapter Eight) suggesting recommendations for the development of community based ecotourism in the Seraj Valleys which are covered in the subsequent chapters. . By developing the tourism industry in the Seraj Valleys which would only possibly happen by an integrated all round approach one can open up sustainable means of income generation for the people and present the world with a serene pristine area thus creating a win win situation for all .
Page 3
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Acknowledgement
I believe in God, Just spell it nature. The environments of the Great Himalayan National park and the surroundings Seraj Valleys have been the main inspiration for writing this M.Phil thesis. However it would be worthwhile to mention the people who got me introduced to this area. Dr. O P Thakur , my esteemed supervisor and collegue who readily agreed to take me as a student and guide me. Mr. Sanjeeva Pandey, Director GHNP by not only introducing me to the concept of community based Ecotourism but also for giving me unique opportunities to practically help with the ecotourism growth of the area. Mr. Payson Stevens, Friends of GHNP for being my mentor and treating me like his surrogate son and his dedicated efforts in all spheres for the people of the Seraj valleys. Capt Kailash Nath Zadu ,my geography teacher, who inspired and trained me to become an adventure enthusiast. Mr. Ranjiv Bharti, whose comfortable home stay and memories of fishing in the Tirthan rivers were my first childhood interactions with the Seraj valleys. Mr. Avay Shukla, IAS for his deep insights into factors influencing the policy of forest and tourism departments on a higher level. Mr. Yash Pal Sharma, SDM Banjar for his support and spiritual insight. I would also like to thank my patient parents, my younger brother Panki and my wife Deepti for their all out support in supporting the ecotourism initiative. Last but not the least the amazing smiles of people from the ecozone, and the people from BTCA Mr. Gopal , Mr. Ses Ram (head ecotourism.), Ms. Shakti and Ms. Nimo. I owe this observational research to the people of the Seraj valleys. Ankit Sood
Page 4
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
.
Table of Contents S No
9
Name of Chapter Community Based Eco Tourism – An Introduction Searj Valleys – An Introduction Seraj Valley Tourism products Great Himalayan National park Other Tourism Attractions Cultural Attractions Stakeholders and their role Swot Analysis of Seraj Valleys Recommendations
10
Ecotourism by Involving the local people
64
11
Conclusion
77
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
12 13
Annexures ( pics) References
Page 5
Page Number 8
10
16
25
31
38
41
51
58
80
88
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
CHAPTER 1 Community Based Eco Tourism – An Introduction Tourism is now the number one industry in the world. It employ s more people and generates more revenue than any other type of busine ss. Often, in the Himalayas income from agriculture is scarce and m eager due to scarcity of productive land and inadequate access to irrigat ion. On the other hand, tourism is a major economic activity providing live lihoods to poor people. Reviewing the potential for mountain tourism it is found that tourism is one of the largest industries in the world econ omy. It has also created major environmental and socio‐economic prob lems in the process, including pollution of various kinds, deforestatio n, and loss of habitat, overcrowding, economic and cultural dislocation, in flation, and local resource shortages. The nearby tourist destination of Man ali is a classic example of unplanned tourism. In short, it has not bee n sustainable, and has done little to improve local living standa rds or protect the environment “Ecotourism” emerged as a response to these issues. Often misc onstrued as simply taking a holiday in a nature, watching wildlife, or e ngaging in an outdoor sport, it is distingu ished from conventional tourism in that it employs measures to reduce negative impacts on the natural and cultural environment. “Community‐based ecotourism” (CBET) takes the def inition one step further. It ensures that the benefits, both social an d economic, are realized by local communities. As a conservation tool, CBET can be a powerful incentive to protect the environment as well as serve as a tool to counter key issues like poverty, illiteracy, health and hygi ene, unemployment in areas such as the Seraj Valley. . It can reduc e pressure on protected areas such as the Great Himalayan National Park by
Page 6
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
providing nearby commentates with less‐consumptive options for income and employment. If local people receive direct economic benefits from their ar ea, they are more inclined to support management activities. . CBET offer s a sustainable land use that can support the broader goals of fore st, agriculture, and open space preservation. By upgrading local infrastructure to meet the needs of tourists, the living standa rds and resource use practices of local communities can also be improve d, especially in the areas of public health, sanitation, energy, a nd waste management. In this way, CBET can function both as a conservat ion and rural development strategy. More over the development of such t ype of tourism does not require major capital investments hence retain ing the model of “Small is beautiful”. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO) predicts that by the year 2010 international tourism will involve 1 billion visitors and will contribute 11.6 percent to the global gross domestic product (G DP) (WTTC, 1999). Similarly, it is estimated that by 2010 roughly 2 50 million people will be employed in the tourism industry and 10.6 percen t of total capital investments will be made in the tourism sector (WTTC, 1 999). This estimate does not take into account the value of domestic tourism, so the real economic value of global ecotourism is much greater. Although in the light of recent international events such predictions are u nreliable, the significant impacts and implications of global tourism and ecotourism cannot be ignored. WTO suggested that the global turnover of ec otourism in 1997 was US$20 billion (WTO, 1998 as cited by Nepal, S.K. 20 03).
Page 7
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Manu Temple – Sainj Valley
CHAPTER 2 SERAJ VALLEY – AN INTRODUCTION Nature has gifted Seraj valley with its virginity and hidden je wels. The landscapes are marvelous and gorgeous and people are hospitable , peaceful with distinct life style. roaring rivers and streams g ushing down the snowy peaks, huge meadows, where flowers pours out like smi ling lips of love, dense forests and virgin nature, scenic splendor and rich flora and fauna.
Page 8
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Seraj sub divisions of Kullu district lies 58 kms of Kullu and 98 Km south of Manali i.e., Banjar, lying on the Aut –Luhri State High way and 140 km north from Shimla is Nirmand the small Kashi Seraj is mainly composed of five big valleys: ‐ Sainj Tirthan, Banjar (Inner Seraj) Ani and Kurpan. (Outer –Seraj) Some patient person once worked out that Seraj has more than 500 individual valleys. Inf act virtually, every main valley has its own unique style of archit ect, its traditional dress, its own local customs, language varies in ea ch valleys. Discussions with local villagers indicate that community intere st in tourism is very high but they lack the skills, knowledge and su pport to develop it. From a product perspective, the jagged peaks and s teep valleys provide breathtaking mountain scenery, the wildlife vie wing opportunities are good, the forests are expansive and relativel y intact, recreational opportunities are diverse, and local cultures are alive and quite interesting. It is quiet, uncrowned, and unpolluted ‐ in fact it is the only place left in the Kullu Valley that has not been overcome by the rapacious tourist development that has plagued the area as a wh ole, one of India’s major Himalayan tourist destinations. From a conser vation perspective, CBET can engage a wide cross section of people, an d given the other factors mentioned above, it is the most promising str ategy to reduce plant collection and poaching inside the park. Major constraints, however, keep the potential from being reali zed. These include: •
No business/management plan or guiding policy, and the lack of qualified personnel to develop and implement it;
•
limited accommodations and poor local management capacity;
Page 9
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
•
no
environmental
protection
systems,
especially
waste
management, energy conservation measures, and building codes; •
Inadequate visitor information and services (trail maps, list o f accommodations, attractions and natural history information, guides, ecotourism guidelines, etc.)
•
lack of awareness about the positive and negative impacts of tourism,
exposure
to
appropriate
models,
and
structured
participation among stakeholders (e.g. the host communities, GH NP administration, tourists, and the tourism industry) •
Lack of planned Pricing , Publicity , Promotion and Product )
Visitation in Seraj and the surrounding area is low at present; however there are strong indications that it will not stay this way for long. More people are discovering the area as the other destinations in th e region lose their appeal. Thus, it is a crucial time for strategic planning to protect the beauty and environmental quality of the area and to keep the benefits in the hands of the local people. In light of these c ircumstances, I strongly urge administration to focus a significant portion o f its work on CBET development.
Page 10
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
HIMACHAL PRADESH
LOCATION OF SERAJ VALLEYS IN DISTT. KULLU OF HIMACHAL PRADESH IN INDIA
Page 11
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Accessibility: By Air You could fly down to Bhuntar Airport, an hour and a half from the Tirthan and Sainj Valleys. There are daily flights being operated by the Indian Airlines, Deccan Airways (1 hour flight from Delhi) and a helicopter (2 hours) by Jagson Airlines. The tariff varies from Rs 3000‐ 7000 depending on the time you book. Once in Bhuntar you can hire a taxi from the union or ring us up to arrange your travel arrangements. By Rail if you’re catching a train from anywhere else in the country you might by pass Delhi and stop over at Ambala (8 hours by road from the Tirthan Valley) or even continue to the Railhead at Kiratpur (7 hours). Taxis and buses are easily available for the remainder of the journey from just outside the railway station at Ambala. We also send local taxi’s to the railway stations from the valley for ease of access. A shatabadi down to Chandigarh and a taxi is a comfortable way to come up. Taxi charges from Chandigarh to Tirthan Valley may vary from 3500 – 5000 depending on capacity. By Road To get to the Tirthan (550 kms from Delhi) one must turn off from Aut, just before the Pandoh Tunnel an hour before Kullu on the Manali highway from Chandigarh. From Aut it is 26 kms of a pleasant drive along the river via Larji bypassing Banjar on the way to Gushaini. The best way is to drive in yourself. The roads are fine all the way. There are two ways to do this. Drive down in One day. An early morning departure at 5 a.m. from Delhi should have you in Chandigarh by 11 a.m., at Aut by 5 p.m. and at the Tirthan Valley by 6.30 p.m. in time to freshen up, stretch your legs on a short walk, and sit around a bonfire before dinner. Another way to do it is to break journey at the Tourist Rest House in Bilaspur / Sawarghat along the way. You could leave Delhi at 11 a.m. to be in Bilaspur by 7 p.m. in time to book in. An early
Page 12
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
departure at 6 a.m. the next morning will have you in the valley by 11 a.m. with most of the day still ahead of you. If you are driving yourself, the points to remember are 1. Leave highway before entering the Aut Tunnel 2. From Larji one road goes to Sainj and other to Banjar. 3. Just 2 km short of Banjar leave the Banjar road and take a u turn to the Tirthan valley after the Khundan Bridge. One of the most popular ways to come to the valley is the air conditioned Volvo bus. this can be caught opposite Imperial Hotel on Janpath at 6 p.m. It stops for dinner enroute at about 9.30 p.m. and reaches Aut about 7 a.m. The overnight journey can be quite painless if you slip into the spirit of things. From there a taxi to the Tirthan Valley. Bus tickets cost approximately Rs. 400 ‐ 500 each (deluxe), 800 (Sleeper) 1000 (Volvo) and the taxi, seating 5 0r 6 from Aut, another Rs. 200per head. One can be in mobile touch as we send taxi’s to pick up guests early morning to reach this amazing valley. Traveling back is much the same with the bus leaving from Aut at about 6 p.m. It hits Delhi at about 7 a.m. the next morning and after a brief rest at home you should be able to take on a day’s work at the office.
Page 13
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
CHAPTER 3 SERAJ VALLEY TOURISM PRODUCTS SITE BASED PRODUCTS Larji: Larji comes to life during fishing season from early March to O ctober end and has been described as an angler’s paradise. The place serv es as a base camp for going as far as Bathad in Tirthan for trout fishing. It is here that angling competition is held annually by the department of Fisheries in September. The credit goes to Wazir Bhagwan Dass, former Ass istant Warden of Fisheries, Kullu that trout were planted by him in the Sainj and Tirthan streams long back in forties with an idea to promote sp ort fishery. The idea worked well, as these streams remain fairly c lear for the sport during the monsoons because of their well forested catchm ent areas. The lake formed by barrage at Larji has vast scope to be developed as a hot spot for water sports. The Tirthan Valley The Tirthan stream , famous for its trout, rises from the icy cold spring of Hanskund peak (4800mts.) and flows down through a lovely and deep forested Rohla terrain rated as one of the finest forest e state in India. Thanks to the commandments of Hanskund deity that killing and m aiming of wild birds and mammals is prohibited but the poachers in the past have ignored this wa rning with impunity. This terrain now forms the core zone of the Great Him alayan National Park. After covering a distance of 70 km. from the sou rce, the Tirthan joins its sister tributary, the Palchan at Gushaini, a place where Goddess Gara‐Durga had acquired divine power by self immolation.
Page 14
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
The Banjar Valley The Banjar valley offers three main landmarks which are worth v isiting. The historically important Bala temple of Markanday Rishi and Durgamata , the Shringa Rishi temple at Bagi, which has a large statue of Rishi Shringi and intricate wood carvings depicting 24 dif ferent births of God (Rama, Krishna, Narsimhan Barah etc.) and Chehali s Fort, in Chehani which is approximately 1000 years old and rises 11 stor ies in to the air. It offers breathtaking views of the mountains and val ley around, although one should use caution as the balcony is not very safe . Additionally, the fort has a 400 meters tunnel (now closed) and a Krishna temple (RaghuNath ji) on one of the upper stories. Please note that it is considered disrespectful for visitors to any temple to not remo ve their shoes before entering. Please show respect by simply leaving yo ur shoes at the door. The key tourism points in the Banjar Valley are: Shoja This village is situated at an a ltitude of 2,680 meters on the Aut‐Luhari road leading to Shimla at a distance of about 40 kms from Aut. More notable here, than perhaps elsewhere in Seraj, is the peculiar style of architecture of many of the older houses. The upper storey of t hese old fashioned dwellings appears to be merely an open work frame so designed for the storage of hay during winter months. The rest house at Shoja is a comfortable bungalow and is located in a setting of marvelous scenic surroundings. During the appropriate season excellent sm all game shooting is available within easy distance of Shoja. From here to the top of Jalori Pass is not a difficult ascent steep, but a good ride able road is bordered in early summer by occasional clumps of purple and oth er flowers. In sheltered ravines near the head of the pass. Even i n the July shallow snow patches may still be in evidence. Northwards, i.e. , towards
Page 15
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Kullu and Lahul are visible several far flung snow‐crowned ranges, visible beyond the intervening trees, and afford frequent excuse for lo oking backward. Jalori Pass The charm of the country around the pass is its semi tropical f orest vegetation. The hill sides are covered with dense fir and spruc e and higher up stand deciduous arboreun, rhododendron and evergreen oakwoods. At the top to the pass , the view on all direction is superb. Raghupur Fort : During the winter, Raghupur welcomes you with snow capped peaks . This picturesque site located at approximately 3540 mts is the locat ion of an old fort built by the king of Kullu. The fort is surrounded by wide trenches and there is a small pond inside. The walls of the for t are marked by bullett holes from sieges. There is a good camping he re as well as fantastic views of the Outer Seraj valley, as well as access to a near by ski point. Seolsar lake : Sareul is a small lake (or a large pond) located at about 3050 meters. The area is extremely beautiful as well as being a sacred spot for worshiping the `Goddess Budhi Nagin`. Budhi Nagin is goddess of Ghee (clarified butter ) and pilgrims come to Sareul to play for good quantity ghee in the coming year. As part of the worship, th e pilgrims walk around the lake pouring an unbroken line ghee. There is g ood camping in the area, as well as s mall caves. Additionally, the area is surrounded by dense forest and fields of wild flowers. Swimmi ng is also possible.
Page 16
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Lambhari Top At 3600 meters , Lambhari offers beautiful views of the Himalay an chain. The peak offers to distinct faces, one of which looks will make you think you are walking on the moon. This is an excellent area for comi ng in solitude of nature. Additionally there is an abundance of effec tive ayurvedic/naturopathic medicines to be found growing in the ar ea including Kauri, Patish, Losar, Talshi, Chunkari, Tangul and Dh upnu. There are also wild animals and birds in the area. Sakiran Top The Skiran dhar ridge leading to Lambhari offers beautiful vie ws of the Himalayan chain at Sakiran. There is a beautiful temple of Rish i Shringi ji. The area offers good camping in the fields and in the many cave s. There are also wild fruits available during the summer month. Srikhand Mahadev Peak : Far off in Kinnar Kailash mountain range, lies in silence the Srikhand peak (5139 mts.) another celestial seat of Lord Shiva. It is approachable on foot from Bathad sizeover Bashl eu Pass 3200 mts. and by the road. From NI rmand both converging at Sarahan and alpine village in Kurpon valley of Outer Seraj. The trek from S arahan to the top of the peak entails a br eath‐taking journey through deep expanse of famous Girchi forests. Seldom visited, the country offers a stunning panorama of fauna and flora. Bhim Dawari is the base to climb u p to Nainsar, a small lake blissfully beautiful and sleepy. The deep semi‐circle rimmed with craggy rocks and towering forests bringing new dim ensions to life.
Page 17
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Bahu: Bahu is the celestial seat of all powerful Bahu Yognees in Sera j. The view all around is capitivting and snow capped mountain can be seen from here. Gadagushaini : Garagushaini is very beautiful area. It is situated at the bord er of district Kullu and Mandi. It remindes one of the Sonmerg area in Kashmi r. There are many temples and fort including Tungasi Dibber and Dalnu. T he road to Garagushaini village breaks off from state highway‐11 just after Jaipur Jibhi
Page 18
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
THE LARJI LAKE – GATEWAY TO THE SERAJ VALLEY View of Chaini Kothi – The highest building of the Seraj Area
Page 19
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
View of the Chaini Village ( all villages of the Seraj are built in Kath Kuni style a mixture of wood and stone and are earthquake resistant. SAINJ VALLEY Of late, the twin valleys of Sainj and Tirthan in Seraj have attracted the attention of the nature lists and trekkers for the Great Himala yan National Park , India which has been carved out in their high ‐ups over and area of 620 Sq Kms combing some of the nature grandest sp ectacles, this park is going to acquire a world heritage status in a time s to come. Protection and preservation of H imalayan species of fauna and flora, to increase population of endangered species, to eliminate factors and research on wild life and to the villagers living within core a nd buffer zones of the park are some of the silent features of this park. The Sainj valley begins from Larji, a small village nestling on Aut‐Luhari State Highway at the confluence of the Beas and its tributarie s, the Sainj and the Tirthan from here for a distance of 14 kms., a good mot or road
Page 20
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
takes a traveler to Sainj a local shopping centre with a forest rest house, overlooking the bazaar. The key tourism points in the Sainj Val ley are: DehuriNahi The two scenic sports approachable by the forest road, is more rewarding to reach Shangarh. There is a small lake on the way at Nahi. D ehuri is a vast meadow surrounding by lush green deodar trees with a temp le at the centre.The terraced corn field add to splender and beauty of the spot. Shangarh This is delightful spot for quiet holiday and for complete com munion with nature. It is Kms from Larji. A comfortable forest R est House is available of the spot. Magnificient view of the surrounding pea ks can be had from hereafter four kms. walk one wonders into the dense g reen forest of pines. Although very much secluded, the place is much liked by the trekkers, sportsman and nature lovers. Shangarh is mini Gulmarg also base point for trekking. Shenshar Base point Neuli by bus, Shenshar is famous for five storeyed a ncient pagoda time temple built around an amazing Deodar tree. It als o boasts of primitive fort at Taliara built by Thakurs in the 7th Centua ry.
Page 21
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Panihar By bus up to Thatibir, Panihar has a Rest House owned by H.P Fo rest department. It is suitable stay for tourist. The view of the la ndscape is charming. Raktisar : For trekking from Sainj Neuli Impressive view of glaciers wi th colorful layers. OUTER SERAJ VALLEY The road from Sarahan descends t o Bagipul, the place is linked by motor road from Shimla to Rampur Bushahar via Nirmand. Looking up fro m Arsu, a rich prospect of apple orchards and paddy fields down unfolds a most scenic view of Kupan valley. The historic village of Nirma nd, one of the biggest in Kullu nestles prominently lower the central part of the village.
Page 22
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
CHAPTER 4 GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK
Picture 1: Campsite in the Jiwanal valley, GHNP Set admits the northern part of India is the “ Great Himalayan National Park” – an area declared in 1999 as a protected reserve for its diverse components of flora and fauna. . This jewel of the western Hima layas is situated in the Kullu District o f Himachal Pradesh. Sprawling over an area of 765 sq. Kms, the park has been identified as one of the five centers of plant diversity and endemism in India by the World Conservation Monitoring Center. The park is in the final stages of becoming a world heritage site due to its remote and preserved flora and fauna.
Page 23
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Wildlife The varied wildlife habitats of the GHNP support the full range of western Himalayan biodiversity, from subtropical to alpine. These inclu de subtropical chir pine, coniferous, and mixed deciduous woods of the temperate zone with green and white oaks, horse chestnuts, and walnuts amidst tall deodar and blue pines. Around 3,000‐3,500m, these f orests gradually transform into smaller sized birches and rhododendron s with occasional grassy patches of the sub‐alpine zone. Above this le vel are alpine meadows, splashed with a great variety of tiny flowers a nd medicinal herbs. Still higher is the realm of rock, ice, and strong winds. The park supports diverse wildlife. Notable large mammals include: Serow, Himalayan Tahr, Goral, Blue Sheep, Indian Pika, Giant In dian Flying Squirrel, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Brown Bear, Le opard, Snow Leopard, Red Fox, Himalayan Palm Civet, Yellow‐throated Ma rten, and vulnerable Musk Deer. Two hundred and three birds species have been recorded from the Park: the spectacular pheasants are among the most important. GHNP is one of the two National Parks in the world with a population of the en dangered Western Tragopan, now adopted as the symbol of the Park. The Ch ir Pheasant, also endangered, is present on the steep, south‐facin g grassy slopes. Monal and Koklash are abundant in the temperate forests while Kaleej occurs in small numbers below 2,000m
Page 24
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
The Four Valleys of the National Park (1) Tirthan Valley : Gushaini is the roadhead for trekking in this valley : the all‐weather road from Aut to Gushaini is about 34 km; (2) Sainj Valley : The trekking trial begins at Neuli, 30 km from Aut, Tourists are recommended tp check with GHNP officials about acc ess to Neuli by road; (3) Jiwa Nal Valley : This valley is accessible from Siund, about 18 km from Aut, or from Neuli; (4) Parvati Valley: Beyond Aut, continue on NH 21 up to Bhuntar then take the link road to Manikaran, and up to Barshaini/ Pulga vil lages. This is the starting point for the popular treks up to Mantalai, and further up to cross the Pin‐Parvati Pass (5 ,319 m altitude). From Kullu, B huntar and Aut, there are regular taxi and bus services to the Sainj and T irthan valleys. There are no roads in the Park. Access to all valleys is by foot only. Treks within the Park Sainj Valley: A five‐day trek upto Dhel medow (3,737m) through the Sainj valley. Total Distance: 56 km (round trip). SainjTirthan Valleys: An eight day trek crossing two valleys. Moderate to strenuous. Experience the transitions between two magnificen t valleys; about 85 km. Gushaini to Shilt hut : Easy to moderate three‐day hike from Ecozone into Park; 30 km. Jiwa Nala to Parvati River Valley : A very strenuous, dramatic seven‐day hike, crossing the mountain passes at Kandi Galu (3,627m), and Phangchi
Page 25
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Galu (4,636m). Incredible vistas. Must be in excellent physical condition; 110 km. Up to Tirath in Tirthan Valley : Experience the origin of a river; seven days; 76 km. Up to Raktisar in Sainj Valley : Trek within the Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary/ GHNP; seven days, 92 km. Crossing the Pin Parvati Pass: From Pulga to Pin Valley via the Pin Parbati pass (5,319m altitude). A very challenging hike, eight days, 90 km. Other Activities The park and Kullu region offer excellent opportunities for cul tural tours and viewing local handicrafts. There are options of bird watchi ng, rock climbing, river crossing, fishing, attending a village festival , viewing local architecture, sacred groves, etc. Community Based Ecotourism The management of park is involved in a multifaceted way with the training of the locals as well as forest guards, with developin g educational and promotional material, advising on parks managem ent plan. Working hand in hand with the “Friends of GHNP” an intern ational association to raise awareness about the park , private entrepr eneurs such as Sunshine Himalayan Adventures (SHA ) Kullu are involv ed in research and a lot of developmental activities in the park. To address the economic impact of the Park’s creation on their lives, the loca l villagers are organizing themselves through the creation of the NGO, BTCA ( Biodiversity Tourism and Community Advancement ) . Working with the Park management, BTCA members are developing innovative approaches and solutions such as Community Based Ecotourism (CBET) to many of the complex issues associated with nature conservation and vill age livelihoods. The CBET is ecologically sustainable, financially viable, acceptable and beneficial to the village communities and encour ages nature conservation education. BTCA has tied up with Kullu base d
Page 26
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
adventure operators styled Sunshine Himalayan Adventures which is one of the first ecotourism companies of Himachal Pradesh for its m arketing and operations supplying. FAQ,s Getting to GHNP The starting point for any visit to GHNP is Kullu. This region is accessible by road and air. By Air: Daily flights from Delhi‐Kullu (Bhuntar)‐ Air Deccan , Jagson Airlines By Road: From Delhi: Approximately 500 km (14+hours). General route: Delhi to Chandigarh by National Highway 1, then to Aut in Mandi district by NH 21. Chandigarh and Swarghat are suitable overnight haltin g places. From the small town of Aut, a link road from the Larji Project Tunnell crosses the Beas River into the Banjar valley, where the park is located. Approximate distances from GHNP : Air Port: Bhuntar (Kullu), 50 km; Railhead : Joginder Nagar (Mandi), 100 km; Town : Kullu (Distri ct HQ), 60 km.
Page 27
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Picture I Base map of the Great Himalayan National Park Picture II Western Tragopan GHNP is one of the two parks in the world home to this Endangered Species
Unexplored villages of the ecozone – Shangarh in GHNP
Page 28
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
CHAPTER 5 OTHER TOURISM ATTRACTIONS The most popular tourist pastime is simply staying in the local villages of the Seraj Valley and enjoying the peaceful rural surroundings. Day hikes, fishing, visits to Jalori Pass (from the Tirthan area) and to l ocal bazaars comprise the majority of activity for most people. Some touris ts also make excursions into the park, where day hikes, short overnight treks, and extended treks into the interior are possible. There is re portedly one hot springs at Neuli although it is undeveloped at this time. The table below describes the potential for selected outdoor and adventur e sports in the SERAJ area. Outdoor and Adventure Sports in Seraj Area (in order of feasibility) Sport
Comments
1. Trekking
Has excellent potent ial. See detailed charts ahead.
2. Fishing
Tirthan River is best, especially above Bhanjar.
3.Bird Watching
Best area is along the Tirthan River up to Rolla. Bahu,
4.Wildlife Viewing Shoja etc are great. Very good at/near high altitude
pastures inside the GHNP and Lambri.
5.Mountain Biking Excellent possibilities for multiple‐day trips exist in
both the Tirthan and Sainj and Banajar Valleys. Traffic
on paved roads is light, and there are several bridle
paths throughout the EZ that are suitable for off‐road
touring.
6. Paragliding
The devta ground in Shangarh has been used for
beginner classes.
Page 29
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
7. Mountaineering Plenty of potential with numerous unclimbed peaks and Rock‐
and Shrikhand Mahadev being a star attraction .
Climbing
Not commercially feasible due to high level of
8.
Rafting
and difficulty and unreliable flow levels. However WHMI
Kayaking
water sports have cleared a patch in Tirthan for
rafting activity Besides this activities like river crossing, rock climbing, rappelling , swimming and a host of other adventure activities can be done in the GHNP.
SNOW LEOPARD ‐THE STATE ANIMAL OF HIMACHAL PRADESH FOUND IN THE GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK OF THE SERAJ VALLEY Trekking
Page 30
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Several treks of varying length and difficulty are possible in all valleys of Seraj as well as the GHNP. Those that stay in the outskirts of the park tend to be shorter (1‐3 days) and easier, suitable for a person with an average level of fitness. Those that go inside the park are mo re challenging and require at least 10 days to complete. They sho uld be undertaken only by people with the appropriate equipment, skill s and sense of adventure. The use of local guides/porters is required in many areas becau se of the lack of maps and trail signs. The terrain can also be quite st eep and difficult for inexperienced trekkers: several trails have been destroyed in places from past flooding. The Sainj Valley trail above Shakti and between Neuli and Bah, for example, has several landslides and is not suitable for tourists at this time. There are no specific trek king regulations in the park other than the entry permit requirement . Rescue services and reliable communication systems are not available. The most popular trekking areas are the Tirthan Valley and Bash leo Pass. The trails originate mainly in Goshaini or Bhatard. The Sainj area is less known, although it has excellent potential for day hiking and s hort treks in the periphery of the park. Shangarh is the obvious village to stage most excursions here, but until the road is improved, treks in the Sainj or Jiva Nala area will begin in Sainj Village, Ropa or Neuli. Vir tually all people contacted for this assessment felt that the Jivan Nala a rea is too steep and rugged for the average trekker, although there is one trek which has potential: Majhan to Manikaran Valley via Gratipat an d Pulga. There is also a potential route from the nearby Kanawar Wildlif e Sanctuary (Garahan Nala) to GHNP via the head of the Huvla Nala , but it is not well used. Fall is the best season for trekking, however e xcursions in the EZ and lower altitudes of the park can occur year‐round. H igh altitude treks are possible between early summer and fall only.
Page 31
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Several potential treks are described below. Note that the inf ormation presented is based on second‐hand sources and should only be us ed as a general guide. Route
Length
Difficulty Comments
(days) Tirthan Area
Goshaini‐Thari‐
1
moderate
Outside park. Day‐hike to top
Goshaini
of hill with small temple and good views.
Bhatard‐Sarahan
1‐2
moderate
via Bashleo Pass
Outside park. Easy access to alpine zone.
Goshaini‐
1‐3
easy
From EZ to park border. Best
Karongcha‐
birding in the park. Potential
Goshaini
nature/interpretive
trail.
Park accomodations available at Karogncha Goshaini‐Nada
‐ 5‐6
moderate
Goshaini
In EZ and periphery of park. Can be routed through high‐ impact villages and scenic natural areas.
Goshaini‐ Shangarh
7 via
very
Inside
difficult
mountain scenary. Sensitive
Rolla, Shilt and
park.
Excellent
wildlife area.
Dela Deuri‐Shangarh via Valley,
7
difficult
Mostly in EZ. Excellent forest
Kalwari
and mountain scenary. Route
Sirikot
heavily used by local people
and Dela
to collect walnut tree roots and other forest products.
Goshaini‐ Shangarh Nada,
7 via
very
Inside
difficult
mountain scenary. Sensitive
Gumtero,
park.
wildlife area.
Page 32
Excellent
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
and Dela Goshaini‐Tirth (Hans
10
difficult
Kund)‐
Inside park. Route goes up north side of valley and down
Goshaini
the south. Many campsites and
unofficial
Sensitive Popular
shelters.
wildlife
area.
pilgrimage
route.(shrine at Hans Kund.) Bhatard‐Srikund Mahadev
via
Galyard,
Jaun,
Danda
10
difficult
Outside the park. Famous high‐altitude pilgrimage site.
and
Kunsha THE FOREST LEARNING PROGRAM RUN BY SUNSHINE ADVENTURES
Page 33
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Sainj Area Route
days
Difficul
Comments
ty Sainj‐Shangarh
1‐2
easy
In EZ. Follows old bridle path
via Deuri, Nahi
through lovely forests, a holy pond,
and Suchen
and pictureque villages. Several campsites and one rustic lodge (Palogi).
Shangarh‐
1
southern ridge‐
moderat
In EZ. Day hike to the ridge above
e
the village. Spectacular views.
moderat
In EZ and edge of park. Excellent
e‐
scenary
Shangarh Shangarh‐Dela‐ Shangarh Lapah,
7
via Shakti
and
wildlife
viewing
difficult opportunities. (Dela only accessible
and Humkani
in
summer
and
fall.
Sensitive
wildlife area, also.) FOREIGN TREKKERS IN THE TIRTHAN VALLEY
Page 34
LOCAL PORTER
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Banjar Area Route
days
Difficul
Comments
ty Lambri Trek
5
Moderat
Beautiful Vistas around Jibhi, Gyagi
e
areas giving pristine views of all valleys of Seraj
Upper
Seraj 3
Valley Trek
Moderat
Treks taking you from Seri‐Chunar
e
Top‐Raghavpur Fort‐Jalori‐ Seoul Lake‐ Sajuad and Ghyagi
Seraj Pilgrimage 3
Moderat
A trek taking you through religious
Trek
e
sites of Chaini Kothi, Sakiran Dhar to end in Sarti
Outer Seraj Area Route
Days
Difficul
Comments
ty Bashleo
Pass 4
Easy
A
Trek
classic
British
time
trek
connecting Chail valley to Banjar area.
Shrikand
11
Mahadev Trek
Moderat e
This annual pilgrimage to this
to amazing peak is one of the most
Difficult popular treks of Seraj Valley Chail
Valley 5
Easy
A hidden trek from Bathad , Bashleo,
Outer Seraj
Sarahan , Bagipul , Margi , Gugra, Khanag.
Page 35
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCE OF SERAJ – NATI
CHAPTER 6 Cultural Attractions Religion A wide assortment of Hindu temples, tree shrines, and sacred gr ounds is found throughout the EZ. Each v illage also has a local god kno wn as devta. These deities have a fascinating history and play an important role in village affairs. There are at least three important pilgrima ge spots in or near GHNP: Raktisar, at the headwaters of the Sainj River; H anskund, at the headwaters of the Tirthan , and Sirikund Mahadev, a lake just outside the southern border of the park. The latter is part of a famous pilgrimage circuit that includes Kinnaur Kailash and Mt. Kailas h in Tibet. All three sites are regularly visited by locals and non‐locals alike, particularly men, and are only accessible in the summer and fal l months
Page 36
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Hindu custom dictates that no leather articles are allowed anyw here in the immediate vicinity. Festivals Village melas (festivals) occur year‐round. They are colorful, multiple‐ day affairs where gods from different villages are brought toge ther. One can watch the human spokesperson for each god ( gur) go into a trance and tell stories, give advice, and answer questions for local v illagers. Local songs and dances are also performed, and villagers dress in the best traditional costumes. Respectfu l observation by outsiders is welcomed.
A partial list of local melas is included below. Month
Village
January
Phagli Festival at Panihar
February
Phagli Festival all over Seraj , , Faag at Chaini ,Manglore,
April
Patiala
May
Ghyagi ,Tinder, Bhatad, Chipni, Jibhi , Goshaini
June
Banjar , Ani , Sakiran Dhar
July
Shangarh
August
Deogi Festival for all villages, Gada Gushaini
September
Galiyard, Meshiyaar , Gruli ( Diwali)
October
Goshaini, Nahi, Haran Festival all over during Dusshera
Page 37
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
November
Kullu Dusshera ,Deogi
In several high‐impact villages near the edge of the park (Pekr i, Nahi, Tinder, and Phredi) there is a special festival for four days i n February called Fagli. This is a secular festival with masked dances and lots of merry‐making. There is also a month‐long festival starting in mid‐ January which emphasizes visits with relatives and special food s. A yearly fishing competition, sponsored by the Department of Fish eries, is also held along the Tirthan River in the fall. The famous Dush era Festival, held in the town of Kullu during October, is a major event for the whole region. Local Architecture The EZ has some of the best and most extensive traditional arch itecture remaining in the Kullu Valley. The homes, especially, are quit e attractive, built out of local wood with expansive upstairs verandahs, arch ed facades and slate roofs. Many have intricate carvings on the outside. WOODEN CARVINGS AT THE GOSHAINI TEMPLE
Page 38
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
CHAPTER 7 STAKEHOLDERS CBET is a multi‐faceted undertaking that requires expertise and cooperation on many fronts. Since it overlaps the mandates of different government departments and private industries, a concerted effort is needed to include relevant organizations in the planning proces s. Thus, identifying stakeholders and cre ating a sense of partnership among them is a crucial first step towards successful CBET development. I n the Seraj area, at least nine can be distinguished: •
Tourists (domestic and foreign)
•
The host communities in the various valleys
•
Travel agencies and tour operators who conduct business in the area, or wish to
•
Government tourism agencies
•
GHNP Administration
•
Wildlife Institute of India
•
Local NGO’s
•
Seraj District Forestry Office
•
Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Department
•
Nature clubs like WWF , BNHS & ATREE
Page 39
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
STAKEHOLDERS
Page 40
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
STAKEHOLDERS in ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE SERAJ VALLEY OF KULLU DISTRICT IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
Tourists (domestic and Host community
GHNP
foreign)
Administra tion
Stakeholders
Governmen
BNHS, WWF, ATREE NATURE NGOS
t tourism agencies
Travel agencies and Tour operators SUNSHINE ADEVNTUR
Local COMMUNIT Y BASED NGO’s
Page 41
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
TRANSFORMATION OF SERAJ THROUGH SPECIAL TOURISM VEHICLE THROUGH ALL ROUND INVOLVMENT OF THE STAKEHOLDERS MODEL OF ECOTOURISM PROJECT DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE OF SERAJ VALLEY through the SPECIAL TOURISM VEHICLE (STV)
Page 42
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
1. Stakeholders and constraints to sustainable development in Seraj valley Seraj's economy Mountain people in the Seraj valley are generally poor (30% BPL households; mean land holding is around 0.5 of a hectare). Agri cultural productivity is low due to the non‐irrigated hilly terrain, gro wing a single crop. Manufacturing industries are unsustainable because of the cost of transporting raw materials from the plains and urban markets ar e far. Local handicraft industries have declined and many skills are d ying out. Local products can't compete with cheaper factory‐made utensils , garments, packaged food, etc. "Gharats," that used to provide a decent livelihood are idle because fact ory milled flour is cheaper. Traditional building materials have given way to industrial materials such as cement, steel, and bricks. These materials are neither sustainable nor cost‐ effective as local construction workers do not have proper trai ning in their use. Production of fruits and vegetables in small farms i s declining because educated young men and women do not want to work in the fields and want white‐collar jobs instead, preferably governmen t jobs. Even mountain tourism is essentially controlled by urban‐based systems: outsiders own hotels and campsites. Local people have limited involvement in lowly paid services, working as porters, waiters , low‐level managers and drivers, etc. Even the guides come from outside. T he majority of mountain people live on subsistence farming and the poor quality of training keeps them trapped in marginal activities. Role of the Government The thirty nine ministries of the Government of India have hund reds of programmes, for economic development, poverty alleviation, educ ation and mass literacy, promotion of science and technology in rural areas, empowerment of the weaker sections, healthcare, child care, car e of the
Page 43
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
senior
citizens,
and
natural
resource
management
(including
conservation of water, forest, land, and the environment). Thes e programmes target individuals, households, communities, habitat and the environment. In majority of cases, programme funds and other re sources are transferred to the local state governments who in turn, adm inister the programmes through an elaborate network of bureaucracy and frequently through NGOs . Impact assessment studies conducted o ver the last three years reveal that whilst these departments have been consistently achieving physical and financial targets in Himach al Pradesh: i. the number of households below the poverty line is going up; ii. environment degradation has assumed alarming proportion; iii. sanitation and health programmes are generally ineffective evidenced from the high incidence of worm infestation and consequent high incidence of anaemia among women and children; iv. around 12,000 women's self help groups were formed in five districts, but few have succeeded in empowering women; v. People’s empowerment through the three‐tier Panchayats (loca l self government) is non‐functional. With little or no financial powers, the PRIs work as implementing agency of state government departments. In short, government's plans, programmes and projects have not had the desired impact on the quality of life of the people or on the s ustainability of the habitat and the environment. It is unlikely to show any dramatic result in the near future because neither the Panchayats (due t o the absence of skills to manage development projects), nor the stat e government departments, which are organised sectorally and work without
proper
co‐ordination
or
integration
of
inter‐related
activities/programmes, can effectively manage convergence of programmes and achieve syn ergy at community level.
Page 44
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Civil society initiatives Civil society organisations, especially in Himachal Pradesh, ha ve also organized themselves sectorally. Some are engaged in healthcare , others in education, or in the protection of the environment. None has been able to offer a viable "Meso‐structure " (between macro structures of local state government and micro‐structures of the Panchayats) that w ould integrate heterogeneous programmes and create a powerful synerg y at community level. Their failure stems from critical weaknesses: 1. Few have managerial skills and almost none have exposure of the business environment. They seek to compensate for this with ent husiasm and ideological commitment, which is not enough in the present complex and dynamic world. 2. Few are able to oversee a project through its complete life cycle because of dependence on donors. Very few in Himachal Pradesh h ave succeeded in promoting a genuine community based initiative whe re the community has invested capital, howsoever meager, to show its Commitment. The majority of DWCRA and Self Help Groups are cash guzzlers and few are cash‐cows). 3. Whilst India is not short of donors, each donor has its own agenda, focus and limited area of concern that frequently influences pr oject design. These limitations have relegated civil society organisa tions to the level of "contractors of development" or, worse still, implemen ters of external agendas." Consequently, few are able to push through i nnovative solutions to the problem of integrated and sustainable developm ent. The critical dependence on donors has also resulted in the emergenc e of a class of NGOs that thrives on its networking with donor agencie s. These
Page 45
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
NGOs give an impression of being community based when in actual fact they are tightly controlled and managed by family members akin to a private limited company. Government's policy of implementing ma ny initiatives through the NGOs has actually distilled the critical difference between "community based" organisations and family controlled "NGOs". There are an estimated one million NGOs in India, and a majorit y is "family owned". These NGOs have done the greatest harm to the c ivil society initiatives in India. Environmental issues Rural households depend on the NTFP for augmenting income (per household income in target GPs ranges between Rs 10‐20,000 per annum from the NTFP). Their traditiona l rights: grazing, Fuel, fodder, hunting, collection of herbs, access to timber for construction and for making agricultural tools and equipment, and religious rights, have be en extensively recorded under forest settlements, especially Ander son Forest Settlement 1886). These communities also have elaborate rituals and rites, evolved over centuries that protect the forests. It has been observed that forests that are deity forests (dev vans) are in better condition as compared to those that are government controlled "protected forests." The notification Of GHNP in 2001 was broug ht about without the consent of local communities by the Ministry of En vironment and Forestry. 65% of land area of Himachal Pradesh comes under forest land which is controlled from Delhi by the Ministry of Environm ent and Forestry. Local communities have virtually no control over thei r most important natural resource. Over the last many years, active re sistance against the notification has been building up. The target commu nities for this tourism development project are located on the periphery of GHNP: "It is widely acknowledged that successful implementation of conservation programmes can only be guaranteed on long term basis when there is
Page 46
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
consentfor and approval by indigenous peoples among others, because their cultures,knowledge and territories contribute to the building of comprehensive protected areas. There is often commonality of objectives between protected areas and the need of indigenous peoples to protect their
lands,
territories
and
resources
from
external
threats."
(Recommendation 5.24; World Par ks Congress, Durban, 2003). Himachal has four major rivers (Bias, Sutluj, Ravi, and Parbati ), on each of which some of the largest hydro‐electric projects are being established (total estimated Hydel capacity in HP: 20000 MW). Rivers have d ried up because water has been diverted through channels to power stati ons; mountains are collapsing because of pressure of reservoirs on f ragile mountains. Although engineering solutions to these problems exist, they have been ignored by project authorities due to cost. Parbati h ydro‐ electric project is being constructed in the core zones of the National Parks. The same Ministry of Environment that established these forests as parks and excluded local communities from entering these areas, has granted exclusive rights to priv ate and public project authorities for building roads, dams, and administrative facilities. There are around 1500 tributaries of these four rivers, many originating from glaciers, of which around 1200 have been properly surveyed . The estimated discharge at the point where pollution starts, where habitation is located, is around 1500 litres per second per tributary. If even a fraction of this asset were sold as bottled drinking water, thi s would make many mountain communities economically self‐sufficient. Rather the government is making hydro projects which bring their own s et of problems. On the other hand, streams around every tourist cent re have become highly polluted and failure of the Government's sanitati on programme has further compounded the problem.
Page 47
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Politics of Ecotourism tourism Officially, the Ministry of Tour ism has yet to define "rural tourism". The SEDEM team has been in contact with officials of the Ministry o f Tourism since February 2002, but as yet no policy decision has emerged. The Ministry has promoted "heritage tourism," "religious tourism," "eco‐ tourism," etc, without any strategic focus or direction. Taking the cue from the Ministry, the Tourism Department of Himachal Pradesh h as been actively seeking inward investment in large resorts and facilities, without the required strategic consideration of conservation, opening up of remote areas, capacity building and enhancing the stake of mountain communities. In th e name of "heritage tourism", failed former maharajas have received gr ants to maintain their palaces, which ha rdly contributes to tourism development (for example the Paragpur case). In the name of "eco‐tourism", all sorts of people have been given exclusive concessions by the Department of Forestry. In religious centres, the entrenched lobby of priests , local politicians and traders operate Dharamshalas, hotels and resort s and corner grants from the governmen t in the name of "religious tourism". A number of firms claim to be based in the countryside with servi ces provided from converted farms, campsites, hotels and resorts. H owever, bookings, accommodation, food, water, transportation, guide ser vices are all directly or indirectly performed by urban‐based agents who have no stake in training nor skill development of local communities. T here is nothing esoteric or too complex in tourism that people in local communities cannot learn and deliver, as well or better than th ese outside firms. Local communities have the greatest stake in pre servation of mountains. However, the government appears to have abdicated its responsibility to nurture the wealth creation potential of loca l communities.
Page 48
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
CHAPTER 8 SWOT ANALYSIS OF SERAJ AREA
strengths
weaknesses
opportunities threats
Tourism Pristine
Difficult
Untouched
access to the create
Valleys
tourists,
because lack between
Great
Potential of
possibility to arrival of mass linkage
changing
and the local and
es
cultures
gastronomical
to
the Lack
destinations
and situation
of products with
facilities for high
tourist
of tourists
added
value
Shimla and Kullu
possibility to
Manali
Accommodat
create
ion ,
structures
of
The border area
facilities
of the GHNP gives Accessibility
tourists with a
a
strong ,
low
for
impact
attraction for an
(conducted by
elite tourism
families)
Page 49
the
environmental
tourism activities Access
,
the unique
basic ecotourism
for nature based infrastructur
a tourism
social
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
sense
possibility of mig ra ti on of t he
of continuous
populati
great
on
community way of demographic introducing
living at village growth
social
e d u ca te d
and
level
gender
economic
young population
problems
activities
adequate
cast
conducted
nutrition
problems
community
en terpri si ng p e o pl e f r om t h e v i l l a g e s
( y o un g
people)
at c o n ti n u o u s i n crea sin g of th e diffe ren ce s
level
low demographic political
an d
p o l i t i c a l
in p ow e r
discriminatio possibility of be twee n a lot of social n based on introducing p e o pl e of density
the economic new
volunteer widespread
the
phenomenon of strong in
a traditional
all
children
category of the education strong
diffe ren ce s fa mi lie s the w e ste rn i zat i on of un c on t r olle d an d
addictions the drugs)
th e
t h e l i f e ro u t i ne, i rra ti on al ,
linkage (alcohol,
with
i n crea sin g of th e
levels of the n among the be twee n
common to each low rate of population
c o n ti n u o u s
the e c on omi c
the schematisatio
is society
devotion
sc he dule d
c a s t s
corruption is activities
among the young a widespread strengthening people
are
mountain
widespread
environment
among
the
income ge neral casts an d
generation
are status
activities
th e
w i th
i t,
h un ge r
an d, t h e f or
i mme dia te mon ey
the
prevail
on
the
masculine
t r a di ti onal sense
population
of
community
and respect for the environment
Page 50
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
occupati
all the families women
on
have
agricultural
totally
activity
agriculture,
that
demand increase
the
population zoo‐technic
high
human quantity
of
the
are possibility of activities in the
an occupied
activities
introducing
in new activities sector
are and domestic input
possibility of
to the agricultural illegal
creation
sector
new
activities
of work
to opportunities
the use of in
the
forest
transformatio
diffused
n process of
among males
agricultural
high rate of and unemployme nt males, particularly young people
Page 51
forestal
products
among
might
women work
highly connected works
related
agricultural
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
are low rate of stimulate and the
infrastr
schools
ucture
present
Panchayats
the existing activities
sanitary
social
in
structures present
in
all activity
of improve the
the governmental of authorities do
existing not supply the
social services services
are services
all there are no (es.
Panchayats
they should do
Veterinarian
roads
shops are present reaching the services) with in all Panchayats electricity
a stronger link
villages
is the existing to
houses
of
Panchayats
the on
of
services the people, so
are
once
inefficient
people will be
inefficient
involved there
electric net
will
inefficient
better control
telephonic
on
net
efficiency
inefficient
the services
water net difficulty of access to the high grades of education
the
demands
supplied to all the communicati
Page 52
that
the
be
a the of
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
agricult
almost
ure
families
active
all in
the chemical
possibility to competition
are products
introduce new with
the (fertilizers
varieties
agricultural
and
suitable
sector
pesticides)
the
intensive
are
new
products from for Indian
or
external
used mountainous
market dependence of
utilization of the irrationally
environment
land in spite of insufficient
possibility of the agricultural
the
marketing (in production on
topographic differentiati
difficulties low and
on
the
the particular
the
economic destinated to traditional varieties
the market
crops suitable to the
climatic
conditions
markets)
technologic products
demands the
of
income
or generating crops
people species,
hostile are focussing abandoned in substitute the
environment
on
the
quantitative
because
past traditional of crops, create a
and not on their low yield situation possibility of monoculture
qualitative aspects
of increasing the directed
the
value of the agriculture
agricultural
products
products
decreasing the
and
transport costs with the transformatio n in loco
of
Page 53
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
cultural
strong link to the religion as a potential
resourc
local
es
(strong influence social
of the religious discriminatio knowledge in style
sense on all the n
traditions base
activities of the the
for achieving traditional the
life
without
and
to fields
models
of
life
imposed the
western
is zootechnical
of the mountain limited the
the
medical, critical sense
forestal
knowledge world
area
adapt
the agricultural,
external
deep
to
contact veterinarian,
social and family with life)
for tendency
by
media
(overall television) environ
high biodiversity difficult
ment
between flora and climate with agricultural
fauna in the area high
production in pressure
near the villages
a healthy way (building
low
possibility of increasing
seasonality
anthropical difficult
for
human of
the dams,
pressure on the access to the absence
of increasing
almost
villages
to forest products
uncontaminated
the presence pollutions
environment
of
environment
in exposure
of
trade, etc.)
natural (possibility to climatic global
in barriers
have
balance with the
organic changes
cultivations)
traditional economic system
the
of
Page 54
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
develop
women saving and opposition of in the future, a bad
ment credit
groups the
activitie
(WSCGs)
s
cooperation BTCA
population of to the GHNP
with
past
bigger
experience of
participation
disappeared
of
the funds and the
the opposition of population
hunger
for can
WSCGs
the
will
be money
cultivation
population
important
to mislead to
projects
for to BTCA for grant
medicinal
participation of
herbs the choice sustainability
of BTCA
criteria
of of
organic
the
production
beneficiaries projects
a
the people only
the when
development
the
economic benefits
are
projects are ready past cases of to increase the immediate to start in the vanished context
of
the funds caused of
cooperation between
social impact development
mistrust
the activities
of development
BTCA the
related
activities it is BTCA
and the WSCGs
population
important
microplanning
in the NGOs involve
with or
the
to GHNP
can
a create
an
project, financed and in the larger number aversion sense by the GHNP, is development of
regarding
undertaken
development
projects
beneficiaries
projects
Page 55
the
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
CHAPTER 9 RECOMMENDATIONS A CLEAR AND CONCISE DEFENETION – Ecotourism "Rural tourism", "agrotourism", "green tourism" and "eco‐touris m", are terms requiring explanation and give rise to different concepts , the meaning of which is a source of disagreement between those invo lved in tourism development whether they are planners or businessmen, bureaucrats, forestry officials, financiers or political pressu re groups. Literature on the subject, including those from the European Community, gives two main definitions: • Either based on the percentage of tourism revenue which benef its the rural community. A distinction is made between tourism in the countryside, "rural tourism" and "agrotourism" Each of these ca tegories is a derivative of the subsequent one, forming concentric circl es. It is quantified according to the percentage of revenue benefiting th e population as a whole or, in the third case, farmers in particular. • Or it is based on the various constituent elements of supply. Tourism is termed "rural tourism" when rural culture is a key component of the product on offer. Depending on the primary activity component o f this product, the terms used might be "agri‐tourism", "green tourism ", gastronomic, equestrian, religious, hunting, historical, & cult ural tourism and so on. Community based rural tourism in a specifically Indian context should focus on: a. Trusteeship of local communities, b. Use of individual and community owned assets, and c. Expansion in choices of rural livelihoods.
Page 56
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
The idea should be to create, preserve, and enhance the stake o f local communities over locations for common good, and not for the benefit of any individual or firm. "Rural tourism shall encompass all the activities that cater to tourists ‐ national and international ‐ through f acilities that are owned, managed, and serviced by members of a gram Panchayat s, and run essentially as a community based initiative" (Shrivastava a nd Singh 2001). 2. Why local communities and hou seholds should run rural touris m? Local communities are the trustees of the mountains and natural resources and have the greatest stake in preserving these resou rces. However, they are the weakest stakeholders when it comes to rev enue generation from these resources. Therefore, in the Himachal con text, rural tourism must seek to strengthen local communities as key stakeholders. Otherwise, urban‐based systems would continue to exploit rural locations and natural resources for the benefit of a smal l group of people. 3. The weaknesses of established tourist centres in Himachal Pr adesh Tourism activities revolving around large holiday home developm ents, big hotels, golf courses or ski resorts are difficult to integr ate into the concept of rural tourism and sustainability. Urban‐based operat ors of rural tourism have caused distorted development through a primi tive acquisitive capitalism, which exploits local people, over‐explo its natural resources, and monopolises control over locations that should b e held in trust by local communities. There is marginalisation and uproot ing of local people. In many religious towns of Himachal Pradesh, this form of conventional tourism has led to unplanned and ugly growth, commercialism, pollution and a sharp escalation in petty crime and harassment.
Page 57
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Urban‐based operators frequently use the state machinery to acq uire large tracts of lands in the name of rural/environmental touris m, when actually it is little more than property speculation. Tourism h as caused immense problems for many local communities. The distinguishing feature of rural tourism should be in its fo cus on giving visitors personalised contact, a taste of the physical a nd human environment of the countryside and, as far as possible, to allo w visitors to participate in the activities, traditions and lifestyles of local people. There is a strong cultural and educational element in this form of leisure tourism. Studies conducted on this subject show that the majori ty of enthusiasts of rural tourism, who are mainly from the middle or upper classes, attach great significance to local values and to the l ocal cultural identity. Economic attraction of rural tourism industry : The powerful economic potential of rural tourism can be found i n both the supply side and the demand side. The few well‐qualified you ng people continue to leave rural areas, resulting in serious economic, s ocial and cultural stagnation. Rural communities are becoming aware that they must develop local resources into income generating activities that are sustainable and offer defendable competitive advantage. Careful planning of a range of tourism products that can be offered to each spec ific segment of the market is essential. On the demand side, demand has in recent years grown among city‐dwellers for recreational and lei sure activities in the countryside, leading to the development of a wide range of tourism products within the Himalayas. Demand is heterogeneo us, with each type of consumer needing to be offered a specific type of tourism, which needs to be identified, developed, packaged, priced and p romoted.
Page 58
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Need for strategic planning Obstacles to strategic planning tend to be operational or admin istrative. They occur where there is over‐centralised planning or control, inadequate delivery, lack of local co‐ordination, irrelevant pr oject content and lack of efficient local structures. Inexperience, l ack of leadership and organisation skills can be major problems. There may be cultural and social barriers. There may be a culture of dependence or of silence, when people are accustomed to leaving decisions and control to local elites or expect governm ent to do things, which should ideally be done by community Self Help Gro ups. Seraj society has been essentially democratic and there is a tr adition of community organisation in the Panchayats. With the 73rd Amendme nt, the PRIs have paved the way for institutionalized local participative planning and micro planni ng. Setting objectives Shrivastava and Singh (2001) have advocated that rural tourism should be community based and participatory. It should be used as an integrative mechanism for strengthening loca l institutions, training people in relevant skills, preserving and maintaining cultural heritage, improving schools, promoting cleanliness, provision of health and sanitat ion facilities, creation of "NO‐WASTE villages, and the development of renewable sources of energy. "The ultimate goal of tourism in S eraj should be to significantly and substantially improve the qualit y of life of the people" (Shrivastava and Singh: 2001). Lessons can be learned from the experiences of tourism developm ent in other mountain areas. In 1994, Myra Shackley writing about Nepa l advocated that a primary objective in any tourism management st rategy should to preserve the uniqueness in such a way that the govern ment and
Page 59
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
local people can derive economic benefit from tourism without t he associated social, cultural and environmental problems. Banskota in 1998 highlighted the need to minimize the leakage of income earned f rom tourism and to increase the welfare of the larger mountain comm unity. Nepalese experience shows that benefits tend to be concentrated only among a small number of people. Studies initiated by ICIMOD indicate that mountain tourism has to be an integral part of local commu nity development. Benefits from tourism should go to the community a s well as individuals who are in direct receipt of tourism revenues. Developments that could benefit the community not only benefit local people, but would benefit tourism development in the area. For example, improvements in education should address concerns raised that l ocal culture is being eroded by teaching children about their local history and customs as part of their standard curriculum. The quality of te aching could be improved by setting up a group of retired businessmen and educationalists to oversee the performance of teachers. The cur riculum should be expanded to include ru ral tourism management and the role of integrated rural tourism services as a key strategy in sustaina ble development.
Adult
literacy,
through
the
Continuing
Education
programme should be made available especially to women who usua lly have much less opportunity for education. Educated women lay gr eat stress on their children's education. With improved education, local people would be in a better position to provide tourism service s rather than having to depend on outsiders providing these services. Be tter health care with more health pos ts and education on hygiene and sanitation, as well as benefiting local people, also directly b enefits tourists. In particular, hygiene is important where services ar e being provided to tourists. Investment in basic infrastructure is nec essary: energy, water, sanitation and health. This not only benefits lo cal communities directly, but also provides benefit to tourists vis iting the region. For example, investment in alternative forms of energy would be needed to meet higher demands from tourism for energy for cooki ng,
Page 60
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
heating and lighting. Street lighting is grossly inadequate in remote villages. It is technologically feasible and economically viabl e to have low capacity hydral sets installed in Gharats to generate sufficien t electricity for heating and lighting. Effective waste disposal could mean t hat the streams that supply pure glacial water could be used for drinki ng and cooking, cutting out the need to import bottled water. Watershe d protection schemes will improve availability of water and creat e conditions to expand asset utilization through nurseries, water bodies, and forests. A well‐managed watershed can restore bio‐diversity , prevent soil erosion and enhance conditions for healthy growth of fauna (Shrivastava 2001a). Nodal agency implementing rural tourism project should seek to integrate the following programmes of the central government: •
Rural roads Prime Minister Grameen Sarak Yojana (PMGSY)
•
Sanitation Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP)
•
Other infrastructure
•
Jawahar Gram Samriddhi Yojana (JGSY)
•
Electricity
•
IREDA for innovative sources of energy
•
Water supply Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP)
•
Healthcare services Revitalisation of Sub‐centres, PHC, CHC, et c.
•
Communication
•
Revitalisation of telecom servic es in the area to make them reliable and improvement of Post and Telegraph services in line with the policy of converting each post office into a hub for value adde d services such as Internet cafés and courier services, properly implemented in designated areas;
Page 61
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
CHAPTER 10 Ecotourism by Involving the local people Arguments for participation are based on efficiency, effectiven ess, selfreliance, coverage, sustainability and equity. There is ext ensive literature on community‐based participation in tourism developm ent planning, as this is key to sustainable tourism development.For example, most recently the World Park Congress 2003, Scheyvens 2002, Hall 1998, Cole 1997, Din 1997, Jannssen, Kiers and Nijkamp 1995, Roo 1991 . Participation is a vital component of sustainable development g enerally and rural tourism specifically. Community participation at the planning stage ensures that local people can identify problems, form att itudes and control and manage tourism development on their own terms, ensu ring its sustainability. For tourism to be accurately described as c ommunity based and sustainable, it must have the support and participati on of local people. Participation provides opportunities for local people t o become educated about the purpose and benefits of development. Where p roject managers (who are often outsiders) are seen to be listening, th is can help to engender trust, confidence and support. Involvement of local people also
legitimises
the
decision‐making
process,
reinforcing
the
accountability of project managers. Women's participation is cr itical. At present women in Seraj work a 16 hour day on the farms, tending to cattle, cooking, cleaning, and looking after children and the e lderly. This can be effectively reduced through more remunerative activities that would provide them with more time for personal development thro ugh community based activities, education and learning. Panchayats need to be strengthened and given legal powers, rights, duties and fund s. They are not given any positive guidance from the centre and often i nterest groups are able to block the implementation of micro plans. Des pite the efforts of individuals to modify the administrative rules and p rocesses, to
Page 62
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
give more importance to panchayati Raj institutions and the use of gramsabha approved micro‐plans for resource allocation, the rul e of government departments continues. Even if the legislative assem bly of the local state amends administrative rules, it has been observ ed that the state
government
bureaucracy
still
will
not
transfer
powers.
Empowerment only occurs when the government is prepared to act on the voice of local communities. This would require sustained advoca cy to treat rural tourism as a distinct set of activities, as an emer ging industry, involving mountain people. Therefore mountain people's institut ions must be strengthened. In Seraj it would be important to enhance the role of gram Panc hayats, to reduce the role of local state and central governments and to e nhance the participation of the private sector within an agreed agenda and shared concerns of the community. Revenues from tourism Currently the sources of revenue of Panchayats and other commun ity‐ based organisations in Seraj are limited to grants and transfer s of programme funds from the state government. The Indian governmen t does not charge any additional visa fee for tourists to the are a, nor does the neither local state nor Panchayats have a share in the reve nue earned from normal visa fee. There are few places that charge fees that reflect the true amo unt that tourists would be prepared to pay. Tourists need to pay for the use of environmental resources, including the full costs associated wi th maintaining the environment. In 1998 ICIMOD (International Cent re for Integrated Mountain Development) highlighted how returns from mountain tourism are low due to this undervaluing of environmen tal resources. Price elasticity is usually high on the tourist's ag enda, but
Page 63
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
tourists seeking alternatives such as "rural tourism" or "natur e" tourism" is usually willing to pay more and their price elasticity tends to be lower. By targeting this segment of the market, a higher price could p ossibly be charged. The quality of resources as valued by tourists frequen tly associated with the degree of crowding, need also to be taken i nto account. The more crowded the resources, the less willing consu mers will be to pay to stay in the area. Conversely, the less crowded an area, the more appeal it can hold for those looking for high quality. In 1996, Shackley argued that the 30% fall in visitor numbers to Nepal d uring 1993‐94 was a result of bad publicity on perceived overcrowding on trekking routes. There are several other ways of earning income from tourism. In come might be earned through concession fees charged to tour compani es who bring in tourists. Royalties could be charged to film in the ar ea and extended to items like guidebooks or souvenirs and T‐shirts. Lo cal taxes could be levied on accommodation, which could then go directly to the community. Admission fees to enter temples, monasteries, and es pecially "dev vans" (deity forests)could be charged. Hiring local guides should be encouraged, or even could be made a pre‐requisite for tour comp anies coming into the region. The hire of horses and ponies for ridin g or as pack animals to carry trekking gear could also form a source of income. Local people in Seraj should be able to run coffee shops, eater ies, pubs, Internet cafés, left luggage depots, lost and found, etc. Guide d tours could start from Banjar, the main market town in the Seraj valley. At present few of these options have been explored and none of the panchay ats have on their agenda how to tax and regulate non‐traditional activit ies of members of the gram sabha.
Page 64
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Tourism development should provide a range of choices open to l ocal people to earn income, rather than continue their dependence on livelihoods, handed down to them by the government through its self‐ employment programmes (SGSY, SHGs, SGRY, etc). It should also a llow gram Panchayats to raise revenue from local income generating a ctivities. There are several ways that local communities would be able to earn income. I) Accommodation and meals Income from providing accommodation and meals to visitors should be a prime source of income, also providing employment. Campsites cu rrently provide the only form of accommodation for tourists in Banjar a nd Bahu. Tour companies bring tents, beds, tables and toilets by trucks and run the camps. There are no campsites beyond Bahu, which is the most be autiful part of Seraj valley and from where GHNP starts. Four lodges wi th a total capacity of around 40 beds are located in Shoja, Gushaini, and Banjar, including one property owned by aEuropean with around 10 beds. In addition, local banks are prepared to finance a 20‐bed hotel. S hrivastava and Singh have suggested that such a hotel should transfer 10% of its revenue to the community's rural tourism fu nd and all campsites should be owned and managed by youth self‐help groups . Outsiders should be prevented from leasing land to run campsite s within the line starting from Bahu onwards and this has been already a ccepted by two Panchayats. Many high‐paying tourists do not like to sta y in tents and campsites. Researchers cite dissatisfaction from tourists with the use of tents due to the rain, cold, wind and heat. There is an emerging trend in Se raj to let out rooms to tourists. "Raju's Cottage" is listed in the "Outlo ok" magazine
Page 65
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
as an "unforgettable experience" and has three rooms to rent, t hough entry is generally by invitation. This service is provided by R aju through his personal interest in green tourism. Others have constructed a few annexes where foreign tourists may stay. Standardization and a system of quality checks would be needed in order to promote the region a s a luxurious destination. Any additional building would need to be planned and controlled very carefully and existing buildings should be used wherever possible. The very character of the villages and their architecture is a USP and would be a major draw to the area, so local people will need to understand the need to preserve the integri ty of their built environment. A process should be set up where authorisati on is needed from a select committee of the Panchayat comprising of p lanners, economists, local leaders, nodal NGOs, and local environmentalists to give permission to build or alter existing buildings. This committee will need to have the authority to act upon transgressors, which would he lp avoid problems of uncontrolled construction that has blighted Manali, Kullu, Shimla, Manikaran and other sites up to Keylong. It should be possible to adapt some of the existing buildings t o provide accommodation for tourists. Most homes in Gada Gushaini and Ser aj are built to Kath‐kuni style, which form large, usually under‐utilised buildings that have value in being preserved. It should not be difficult to improve the quality of spare rooms to a basic level at minimal cost. It is estimated that 70‐100 additional rooms could be sourced by the communities themselves, avoiding the high cost of new construct ion near to the park areas. Nearly every Gram Panchayat has a "Serai" (lodge) for visitors; many have well appointed suites in the inspection bungalows of the P WD and Forest Department. Some of these are heritage buildings but the se assets remain grossly under‐utilised and could be used to good purpose . It has
Page 66
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
been suggested that homestay accommodation is not always highly favored and may remain a minority interest (Harrison 1992). How ever, for some visitors, this can be seen as an interesting experienc e in itself and should be promoted as an alternative to more organized form s of accommodation. Cleanliness will be important and will need to be monitored to ensure standards are maintained, even if the accommodation is very bas ic. Pricing could help to prevent overcrowding during peak seasons (April‐ July and October to January) and limit the number of budget tou rists. To avoid overbooking, bookings should be made in advance through the Int ernet (direct marketing) or through the existing Himachal Pradesh Tou rism Department offices in Delhi and Shimla. Telecommunications in Seraj valley are good and the use of WLL‐ lines ("wireless in local loop") allows the use of mobile telephones within limited areas in mountainous regions. This has been very succes sful in Seraj valley. Tourism could help to promote local farm production and cuisine , enabling farmers to develop an alternative way to generate inco me. Additional income could be earned by supplying food to restaura nts, campsites and lodges. Other than a few dhabas offering tea, ric e, dal and local vegetables, there are no restaurants beyond Bahu. (Here, there is a small tea‐house that serves sandwiches, soft drinks, Chinese fo od and local snacks to budget tourists who stay there primarily for ma rijuana.)
Page 67
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
A well‐planned network of tea/coffee houses, restaurants and p ublic houses (pubs) or bars could be run by local households. The loc al alcoholic drink "lugri" could be sold in bars and pubs. In Sera j, local bakeries produce white bread and a range of items are sold thro ugh tea‐ shops such as cobs, rusks, cakes, sweet bread and a range of he alth food items. Seraj has its own unique local cuisine that can be promo ted. Fruits, vegetables, cereals, milk and milk products are available locally.Many villagers have taken to organic food production and many use vermiculture composting. Such innovative techniques will need t o be more vigorously promoted to produce foods that are not only req uired by local people, but for tourists and for export to urban centres. With an assured diversified market, farmers will have consisten t demand that will allow them to diversify. This should encourage produc tion of a wider range of high priced vegetables such as broccoli, asparag us, iceberg lettuce, etc, in addition to traditional ones like potato, garl ic, ginger, cauliflower, spinach,etc. An experiment is already underway in Seraj. Seraj valley is also famous for its apricots, plums, apples and pears. At present apricots are collected as NTFP and sold to apricot oil producers. Desiccated value items can be produced in Seraj. Plums grow i n such abundance that much is thrown aw ay or wasted. An attempt is being made to produce wine. If successful, full‐scale commercial food proc essing projects such as jam‐making and fruit preserves can be started as community‐based initiatives. Effe ctive management of water and the watershed could increase agricultural, horticulture and fish pr oduction, increasing people's income and most importantly improving peopl e's health with improved water and by integrating health and sanita tion projects with these improvements.
Page 68
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
ii) Products and services Writing about tourism development in the Nepalese Himalayas, Ba nskota (1998)suggested the set up of "mini‐tourism hubs" with a variet y of products and activities developed at some distance, one or two days away from the "hub", from which services would flow could provide a way to increase the number of nights spent at the "hub centre". Follow ing from this idea, Gushaini and Banjar could serve as "the hub" for ta king up mountaineering and trekking in the GHNP. More ambitious wildern ess treks or mountaineering could be offered. There are many mountains in the area have never been climbed nor even have names. As well as providing accommodation and food, a number of touris m services could be developed in the area. These include trekking on foot and by horse, mountaineering and special interest tours. Horses could be hired for excursions to nearby valleys such as Jinjehli and the surrounding areas east of Gada Gushaini. Pony trekking and itin eraries on horseback could include a few da ys' exploration in more remote areas. Tours might follow specific themes. There are temples, ruins an d village pathways scattered throughout the region. Vernacular architecture, festivals and indigenous art could also form interesting subjec ts for special interest tours. Bird watching and nature tours would be possible options. Rural tourism can encompass "cultural tourism" and "re ligious tourism". Seraj is famous for its festivals, temples and deity forests. Clear and precise information is neede d so that tourists are better able to interpret and respect what they are seeing. Religious tourism c an often have positive effects on local people, reviving declining tradi tions and giving people a sense of pride in their heritage.
Page 69
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Local guides, based in the villages, could be trained to give v isitors guided tours of the village and temples, giving tourists an ins ight into local culture and history. Local communities could develop a nu mber of products and services to sell to tourists. These could include local handicrafts; a wide range of items might be produced on a small scale for sale to tourists. A local carpet made of goat hair (called Shel la) forms an exquisite handmade floor covering. Shella is currently only mad e to order; the skill is slowly dying out. Local communities make many different items from the wild marij uana plant including slippers, ropes, massage oil for arthritic pati ents, cooking oil, sauces of various kinds, vegetables, pickles, etc. which c ould be widely marketed. Although Marijuana is rarely used as a psychotropic substance l ocally, careful marketing will need to disassociate the area from this as a reason to visit. Careful pricing should deter the budget traveler who might be more attracted to the area for th is. Other than Rahul Sankrityayan's travelogue, published around early 1950s, there are no serious books or guidebooks on the Seraj region. A few magazines such as "Outloo k", and "India Today" and some newspapers like the "Tribune" and "Divya Himachal" have covered the Seraj valley as an interesting place to visit. Therefore, there is need to prepare a professional guidebook, a nd launch a media campaign to promote the valley.
Page 70
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Training The purpose of training is to: a. Equip people with skills needed to perform defined activitie s and tasks properly; b. Upgrade skills in line with changes that are taking place, p articularly in the technological environment; and c. Provide a basic level of standard skills facilitating benchm arking and quality control. Ongoing training would help to ensure that standards are mainta ined. Language skills will be important, in particular English, as th is tends to be the second language if not first of most tourists. Basic lit eracy skills will be important, along with training in hygiene and catering. Training in computer skills and use of the internet will be essential in or der to maximise the use of this as a medium for informing and booking tourism services directly with local tour companies and accommodation providers. Marketing The right information and image needs to be presented about Ser aj; these are essential prerequisites towards powerful brand building. Th is would be facilitated with a guidebook, making people aware of the are a. Use of the Internet is vital, as at relatively low cost, information about the area and how to visit can be provided. Americans, followed by Germans, Briti sh, Japanese, French and Italians are the biggest spenders on touri sm, (Travel & Tourism Occasional Paper 2000:91), a pattern reflecte d in the
Page 71
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
numbers visiting Himachal Pradesh. This suggests that it is to these countries that marketing would be most productive. Targeting outside special interest an d trekking tour companies would still be necessary, but most important wou ld be the development of local Seraj tour companies set up in Banjar, Ser aj, Gada Gushaini, Bahu, and small villages and towns of the valley. The se should make their services available via the Internet, enabling touris ts to book directly without having to go through urban‐ or foreign‐based middlemen, which can add 20‐30% to the total cost of the trip. Managerial challenge Permission to build or alter existing buildings would need to b e very tightly controlled. Any changes to the outside of buildings wil l need to be authorized by an empowered committee to ensure that indiscrimin ate development does not occur that might be detrimental to longer term tourism development. income earned directly by local people sho uld be subject to a tax on their profits, which would be used for the benefit of the local community and development of village infrastructure. This would enable the individual to gain, but also those people not engaged in direct contact with tourists would also benefit. Income earned from tourism should provide benefit to everyone and not just a small minority. Each village through its Panchayat should add to its corpus inc ome earned directly from tourism, as well as the fines and levies n ormally raised in the community. Grants or other revenues could be allo cated to the village for special projects by Central or State government . Village communities should be given the opportunity to bid for funding on projects that they want to develop. Projects might include improvements to schools, health services, water supplies, and a lternative forms of energy, sanitation, restoration of monasteries and old buildings
Page 72
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
and assistance to the very poor. These will also help to suppor t the further development of tourism, at the same time benefiting local communities. Individual projects would need to be defined and implemented. This would include projects to develop accommodati on, agricultural production and provision of meals, the types of p roducts and services that can be offered to tourists. Training in all aspects of tourism will be needed, including la nguage skills, lodge management, cooking and guiding. Translating th e plan into action will need to be monitored and continuous assessment need ed have how objectives are being met. There needs to be a continuing di alogue with local people to ensure that their needs are being met and where necessary, action taken to improve or amend the plan. The manag erial challenge lies in developing organisational systems and process es that would: a. enable communities to work with each other, with experts and with other organisations; b. help capacity building, especially in coordinating the deman ds of competing households and coalitions for resources and integrati ng activities so as to derive powerful synergy at community level; and c. help develop standards for quality that are enforced by the community This would necessitate cultural change. Just as business organisations can be classified under three generic types (a)
stagnant, (b) question mark, and (c)vigorous, so can the villag es (see Shrivastava:2001b). Researchers have found that villages mimic economic organisations and can move from stagnancy tovigor and vice versa. Stagnant villages become vigorous throu gh the presence of a change agent. Many vigorous villages become stagnant because of failure to adjust to macro‐economic structu ral changes. Not all villages will move from stagnancy to vigour overnight. Therefore, managers (and change gents) will have to
Page 73
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
work on a strategy to enable a culture change through training,capacity building, and demonstration effect. Formation of industry association Rural tourism is flourishing in Europe and North America, altho ugh the content is quite different from the one discussed here. A numbe r of East European countries are vigorously promoting rural tourism as se condary livelihood strategy. Experiments are going on in Nepal. (Tara G urung; email; September 2003). A researcher in the United Kingdom (Her edge 2003) has suggested a number of ideas for generating income in another Himalayan region. Some of these ideas would apply just as well in the Seraj and have been adopted in this paper. The Seraj valley exp eriment has already started and is facing organizational and financing problems. The suggestions made here are applicable in many areas in the H imalayas, but will need substantial change in the approach of governments , banks and other venture capital firms. Typically, the general impression of banks and investors is tha t community based initiatives are amorphous and without direction , with too many people competing for control. Strategic coherence is m issing and just a few people can end up creating a competitive advanta ge. From the government, there can be an impression that community‐based initiatives are treated sometimes with benign disrespect; where “the government funds these because of social obligation, not becaus e of any faith in the people or SHGs, or CBOs." This attitude needs to b e changed through a full‐scale demonstration that rural tourism is a viab le and acceptable strategy for sustainable development in mountain are as. Groups of community‐based rural tourism participants should for m regional, national and eventually global networks to push for p olicy reforms and recognition. This sort of platform will facilitate advocacy, the exchange of ideas and experience, helping to reduce the cos t of leaning and helping to develop capability to compete with large resort operators and hotel chains.
Page 74
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
CHAPTER 11 Conclusion To implement the strategic rural tourism plan in mountain areas , the support of the government is vital. In a conference of top US e xecutives in 1974 to frame the next 25‐year strategy for growth, a question was asked, "What makes America great?" The unanimous answer was "the quali ty of its bureaucracy". Its bureaucracy internalizes technological ch anges, listens and responds to experts on new ways of doing old things , or new ways of doing new things. This has not happened in India. The state government of Himachal Pradesh has kept total control on not only the financial flows from central government, but also has control over the external funds given to NGOs. Local people are exclude d from many major grant‐aided initiatives and are generally marginaliz ed from earning income directly from tourism, which in the long run wil l not be sustainable. Government support will be needed to co‐ordinate e conomic activities, so that demand for resources can be met within the limits of the local environment's capacity. This requires integrated plan ning at not just the local but also regional and national levels. Key to th e success of rural tourism development in Seraj and other mountain areas is the participation of local people based on the use of their assets and diversification of their livelihoods. Local communities need to see benefits from tourism. Therefore, creating a mechanism for part icipation and empowerment of local people are vital. Government support o f this will be needed. Although Seraj is accessible to visitors, very little income ha s been earned from tourism in the region. The state government has no money to
Page 75
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
even pay its employees’ salaries and the state debt stands at R s 5000 per person and growing. The profligacy of the state government and misplaced ambitions of the central government need to be counte racted by a people who can demonstrate that sustainable development an d development of alternative livelihoods are processes that can b e effectively and efficiently be implemented through community ba sed organisations. Agreement is needed on objectives and only then can a high level plan be set up for strategic tourism development in the region. This would include agreement with the government that: • Alternative ways of earning income by local people should be permitted. This could be under the control of village Panchayats; • A variety of tourist accommoda tion should be considered to me et different demand in different locations, including some in sensitive areas; • Careful attention must be given to setting up controls for pl anning permission to authorise further building or extension of existi ng buildings for tourist accommodation and should be controlled by village Panchayats, not remotely by a government department or Ministry in Shimla or Delhi; • Income earned directly by local people should be subject to a tax on their profits, which would be used for the benefit of the local community; powers of state and central governments in these regards need t o be reappraised. For example rural tourism should be Income Tax exe mpt and in this the Finance Ministry will have a major constructive rol e to play. An innovative system can even be introduced: 100% of assessed i ncome
Page 76
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
tax or corporation tax could be directly given to the village P anchayats towards infrastructure development and maintenance. • Village communities need access to financing and should be gi ven the opportunity to bid for funding on projects that they want to de velop. They should be encouraged to seek direct funding from national and international agencies. This would enhance leveraging skills of PRIs; • Individual projects would need to be defined and implemented, including projects to develop accommodation, agricultural produ ction and provision of meals. This would require a comprehensive stra tegic planning for managing various sectors, integration of cross‐sec toral activities, establishing non‐traditional value chains based on new value activities, and achieving synergy from heterogeneous activities , all geared towards improvement in the quality of life; • Types of products and services that are be available to touri sts need agreement and set up: alternative routes and special interest t ours, standardised rates for hire of horses and other services, consi stent standards of service provided; • Training in all aspects of tourism will be needed, including language skills, lodge management , cooking and guiding. Translating the plan into action will need to be monitored and continuous assessment needed to know how objectives are being met. There n eeds to be a continuing dialogue with local people to ensure that their needs are being met and where necessary, action taken to improve or amend the plan.
Page 77
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
ANNEXURE-PICS CAMP SITES IN SERAJ VALLEY – ACCOMODATION
Page 78
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
ALTERNATIVE ACCOMODATION GOVERNMENT FOREST REST HOUSES
Page 79
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
VILLAGE HOME STAYS
Page 80
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
F
FISHING
MOUNTAINEERING
Page 81
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
BIRD WATCHING FISHING ROCK CLIMBING
SOFT ADVENTURE SPORTS
YOGA AND MEDITATION
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Page 82
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
CAMPING
VILLAGE VISITS MOUNTAIN BIKING
Page 83
Village lifestyles
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
DEVTA CULTURE OF THE SERAJ VALLEY
Page 84
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
RAFTING IN THE TIRTHAN RIVER RIVER CROSSING‐ SOFT ADVENTURE SPORTS
Page 85
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
References Anderson; 1886 (Forest settlement, various documents, Himachal Pradesh). K. Banskota "Good, Bad and Balance: Mountain Tourism: New Products Development In Mountain Tourism" Community Based Mountain Touri sm Conference 19 April 1998, Mountain Forum (www.mtnforum.org). Stroma Cole (1997) "Anthropologists, local communities and sust ainable tourism development", M. J. Stabler ed Tourism and Sustainability: Prin ciples to Practice Cab International, Oxon/New York. Kadir H. Din (1997) "Tourism Development: Still in search of a more equitable mode of local involvement", Chris Cooper and Stephen Wanhill To urism Development: Environmental and Community Issues Wiley, Chichest er, pp 153‐ 163. C. Michael Hall (1998) "The policy dimensions of rural tourism and recreation", Richard Butler, C. Michael Hall a nd John Jenkins ed. Tourism and Recreation in Rural Areas Wiley, Chichester, pp 19‐42. Heredge, M (2003) Strategic Development Planning For Sustainabl e Tourism Development In Upper Mustang, Ne pal, University of London MPhil dissertation. Jannssen, Kiers and Nijkamp 1995. Elizabeth Roo (1991) "Making ecotourism sustainable: recommenda tions for planning development and management", Tensie Whelan ed. Nature Tourism Island Press, Washington DC pp 187‐200.
Page 86
Ecotourism –Seraj Valleys (Distt. Kullu)
Regin Scheyvens (2002) Tourism for Development: Empowering Communities Prentice Hall, Harlow. Myra Shackley (1994) "The Land of Lo, Nepal/Tibet", Tourism Management Vol. 15 No. 1 pp 17‐29. Myra Shackley (1996) "Too much room at the inn?" Annals of Tour ism Research Vol. 23 no. 2 pp 447‐462. Recommendation 5.24; World Parks Congress, Durban, 2003. Shrivastava and Singh 2001. Shrivastava 2001a. Shrivastava 2001b (classification of village panchayats). Shrivastava and Singh: 2001 ‐ page 8. Tara Gurung; email; September 2003. Travel & Tourism Analyst (2000) O ccasional Paper "Community based tourism" No. 5 World Park Congress 2003.
Page 87