0292-A2

Eco -Tourism - A Case Study

Shailendra Kumar Singh. I.F.S. ¹

Abstract

Success of any scheme concerning conservation and education in relation to wildlife needs people participation. But it is very difficult to achieve it specially when the villagers are uneducated, poor and dependent on forest. They are not sure of constant source of income as their main livelihood is on agriculture, which is rain fed. Considering the above facts it becomes difficult to seek people's cooperation for protection and conservation of forests and wildlife. One has to see the problem in right perspective and make a meeting ground for implementation of any new project.

In this case study the inception of eco-tourism in Barnawapara Sanctuary and its implementation with the help of joint forest management committees is discussed at length, together with an overall assessment of its success in prevailing condition. This paper attempts to present an overview of efforts done by forest department, in implementation of eco-tourism in the sanctuary. The objective of this initiative is not only to enable the local people but also to motivate visitors to learn about the local environment and culture. This process will create employment, improve standards of living, by stimulating the local economy and provide incentive for conservation.

Introduction

Success of any scheme concerning conservation and education in relation to wildlife needs people participation. But it is very difficult to achieve it specially when the villagers are uneducated, poor and dependent on forest. They are not sure of constant source of income as their main livelihood is on agriculture, which is rain fed. Considering the above facts it becomes difficult to seek people's cooperation for protection and conservation of forests and wildlife. One has to see the problem in right perspective and make a meeting ground for implementation of any new project.

In this case study the inception of eco-tourism in Barnawapara Sanctuary and its implementation with the help of joint forest management committees is discussed at length, together with an overall assessment of its success in prevailing condition.

Sanctuary Profile

Barnawapara Sanctuary is situated at mid-northern part of Raipur District. It is 125 kms away from Raipur (The state capital of Chattisgarh, India). The name of the sanctuary is derived from Bar and Nawapara forest village. The sanctuary lies between the parallels of latitudes 21 ^o 18'45" and 21 ^o 30' 0" north and meridians of longitudes 82 ^o 22' 30" and 82 ^o 37' 30" east at an elevation of 213 to 597 meters above mean sea level. It consists of 244.66 Sq. kms. of reserved forest. The sanctuary is under administrative control of Territorial Division, Raipur.

The Sanctuary is one of the oldest forests reserved, which is scientifically managed. The sanctuary has a diverse habitat and it is also very rich in fauna. The area houses Teak (Tectona grandis), Sal (Shorea robusta), Saja (Terminalia tomentosa), Tendu (Diosphyros melanoxylon), Bija (Pterocarpus marsupium) Harra (Terminalia chebula), Baheda (Terminalia belerica), Karra (Cleistanthus collinus), Lendia (Lagerstroemia parviflora), Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus), Haldu (Adina cordifolia), Dhaora (Anogeissus latifolia), Salai (Boswellia serrata) and other miscellaneous species. The major non timber forest produce includes tendu leaves, mahua (Madhuca indica), aonla (Embelica officinalis), char (Buchanania latifolia), honey, medicinal plants, sal seeds, grasses, mahul leaves (Bauhinia vaillai), kulu gums (Sterculia urens) etc. The area is a well known home for wild ungulates, bovids, carnivores and avian fauna. The species found in the sanctuary are

Tiger (Panthera tigris), Panther (Panthera pardus), Gaur (Bos gaurus), Spotted deer (Axis axis), Sambhar (Cervus unicolor), Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Wild-dog (Cuon alpinus), Kobra (Naja naja), Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) etc. The sanctuary has been a most popular resort for wild life viewers in this region this. The area is geographically very conveniently located, and has immense potential for wildlife tourism, conservation and education.

Socio-economic status of forest dwellers

There are 22 forest villages are inside the sanctuary. Villagers residing inside the sanctuary put pressure on the forests though, human pressure is comparatively low. These villages were settled inside the reserve forest (now sanctuary) as there was demand for laborers for forest workings ( extraction of timber). The reserve forest was declared sanctuary in 1976. Today each of the family who was settled has 2.5 hactares of agricultural land. Majorities of people in these forest villages are scheduled tribes (Main tribes are Gond, Bhujia, Binjwar, Kamar, Sawara etc).

People are mainly farmers, they cultivate paddy as main crop, some also grow wheat and vegetables as per their needs. Excess quantity of crop, if any, is sold in the market. The land holding do not suffice their needs, so they work as laborer. Some make basket by bamboo and some make brooms by grasses.

People living inside and outside the periphery of sanctuary are mostly depending on the forest for fuel wood, small timber, fodder etc. Thus the life support system directly revolves round the forest. In lean period people are solely depend on forestry works, Mahua flowers, Tendu leaves, Mahul leaves, Aonla collection etc.

Threats to Protected Area & Wildlife

1. Grazing inside the P.A.
2. Illicit felling of trees and bamboos for sale.
3. Fire (For mahua flower collection).
4. Poaching for sale of skin, bones and meat.

Factors responsible for threats

1. Poor agricultural productivity.
2. Small land holdings.
3. Lack of irrigation facility.
4. Lack of electricity.
5. Practicing inefficient animal husbandry methods.
6. Lac of communication.
7. Lack of income generating activities.
8. Ban on timber, bamboo, firewood harvesting.

Establishment of Eco-tourism Network

As we know that the year 2002 has been declared as the International Year of Eco-tourism (IYE) and tourism being world's largest industry, with nature tourism the fastest growing segment, the idea of nature tourism or Eco-tourism in Barnawapara sanctuary came to our mind. Creation of new Chattisgarh State (In November 2000) gave a lot of opportunity to us. Raipur becoming the capital of Chattisgarh gave more advantage to the sanctuary, as it was the nearest tourist spot, which could be nicely developed.

Taking in account of the status of the P.A. and considering the need of people living inside it along with the demand of the capital we started to talk with the JFM society of Barnawapara for promoting Eco-tourism. This activity could generate revenue, which can benefit the rural communities of the sanctuary for upgrading their livelihood, which in due course help in forest conservation and education. The forest department properly planned the Eco-tourism networking and active involvement of local people was seeked.

First batch of tourists left Raipur on 2 ^nd February 2002 at 10 AM by a 22 seated minibus to Barnawapara sanctuary via Deopur along with a guide. The bus was fully booked. The charges for two day's package tour were Rupees 600 per person. The cost included food (three meals, one breakfast and three tea along with snacks), lodging, sightseeing, park entry fee and transportation fare.

Selection of route : The selection of spots was such that it covered not only the forest areas and wildlife but cultural heritage and archeological sites were also touched. Details of route and sites covered are given below.

Raipur -- Deopur -- Deodhara -- Sheorinarayan -- Barnawapara -- Turturia -- Sirpur -- Raipur.

Description and importance of the places of visit :

Deopur : The village is situated inside natural teak and bamboo forest. Deopur hill is 6kms ahead of this place from one can see Seorinarain temple. It's a good natures trail.

Deodhara : This place is situated admist teak and bamboo forests and has scenic value. A waterfall flows down the hill.

Turturia : Ancient Temple of Lord Shri Ram is situated near a stream named Balbhadri. It is believed that Saint Balmiki gave shelter to Lord Rama at this place. Lav and Kush sons of Lord Rama were born here. A stream of Water falls in a tank making tur tur sound. Thus this place was named Turturia. Sculptures of Buddha, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are also found here. This place is of religious importance.

Sirpur : This archeological site is situated at a distance of 75 kms from Raipur on the bank of river Mahanadi. It was the capital of the kings of Sarabhapura and their successors in dakshina kosala. It was an important center of Buddhism from the 6 ^th - 10 ^th centuries and was visited by Huein Tsang, in the 7 ^th century by Chinese pilgrim-scholar. Excavations have revealed two brick temples of Buddha with an adjoining monastery that had cells arranged around along, open central court. Both temples house enormous images of Buddha in the earth-touching gesture.

Sheorinarayan : This place can be seen from the hilltop of Deopur through telescope. One can have a birds eye view of the type of forest present in the valley. Seorinarayn is situated at a distance of 94 kms from Bilaspur in Janjgir district on the confluence Mahanadi, Sheonath and Jonk rivers. A fair is held every year on magh purnima and is attended by thousands of devotees. 5 kms away in Kharod is an ancient shiva temple of the early medieval period. Kharod was an important education center in ancient times.

Facilities provided to the tourists :

The transportation, the JFM society members took accommodation and camp arrangements. At Deopur Forest department has an eco-center where there is infrastructure for training villagers in forestry and other income generation activities. The facilities available were utilized for sensetizing tourists about forest department's work. The rest house was used for providing in route refreshment. Then the tourists are taken to Deopur hilltop through reserve forest. Way back from the hill top people visit the waterfall and land at Bar village. They make their night halt here. Bar has tourist huts, which are now maintained by the JFM society members. In the evening tourists are taken to different water holes on the tourism route of Barnawapara sanctuary where they have ample chance to see wildlife.

After evening round tourist enjoy discussion on their wildlife sightings with sanctuary authorities, which is followed by a wildlife film show or a slide show on wildlife. After dinner tourists enjoy cultural activities in which they participate in Karma or Sua dance (tribal dance) or Bhajan / Kirtan (Devotional songs in orya language).

Next morning tourists are taken to different areas of sanctuary to see wildlife on the way back to Bar they visit Turturia temple. After breakfast they start for Sirpur visit and then after in the evening next day they return to Raipur. Thus the tour is competed in which people get the feel of states forests, protected areas and cultural heritage sites. They come to know the diverse values of the above and is oriented for its conservation.

Backyard activities

Before initiating tourism there was a need to build infrastructure and seek villager's cooperation. For this first of all tourism route was to be developed. For this money was seeked from Government of India and people of sanctuary were given the work of upgrading roads this generated employment. Then the State government provided funds for repairing and furnishing the tourist huts. Actually the old government buildings was converted into tourist huts. This activity again provided employment to the villagers. Then the Department of Alternate Energy Resource (CREDA) provided solar power in these tourist huts. Funds from District Administration was provided for development of waterholes. In this way money was pooled for development of the sanctuary for tourism.

Employment generation by above activity, activated JFM society members for providing cooperation and taking extra responsibility. They came forward to take responsibility of managing tourists transportation, accommodation and camp arrangements at Bar. Selected members were trained for undertaking above activities at local level. Some local youngsters were trained as tourist guides for sanctuaries. A rotatory fund was generated from the profit of the tourism. After deducting the cost of transport, food, lodging, park entry fee, guide fee, cultural program cost, the net profit was Rs 4000 per month. Today the society has Rs. 20000 as revolving fund, which they have earned in last five months. Out of which they have distributed Rs.8000 on loan for growing vegetables to other farmers.

Achievements

Today tourism has started generating money to the common people, which usually goes to outside people in other Protected Areas. No Government money is going to be wasted in future tourism infrastructure, as the society is going to maintain the building, accomodation facility, food facility without any establishment cost. These funds can be diverted for the development of the sanctuary and peoples residing in it. Villagers get market for sale of handicrafts, honey, bamboo articles, grass articles etc at their doorstep. Local youngster gets employment as guide, driver, cook, caretaker, etc. More funds can be pooled for employment of firewatchers, anti poaching squads, better communication, habitat management etc, which will help in protection and development of the sanctuary.

It has bee seen that incident of fire, timber theft and cases of poaching has come down since the tourism has started. Upgradation of forest roads has aided in frequent movement. Information network and monitoring of waterhole and wildlife has become more effective after introduction of feedback information, which is collected from the visitors. The guides are acting as effective tool in conservation education, littering inside the sanctuary is checked by them. Thus the eco-tourism has started giving fruitful results.

Future Programs

For making the tourism and conservation sustainable there is a need for assessment of present situation and planning for future depending on the need? Some of the future requirements are as follows :

1. Carrying capacity of day tourists and tourists staying at night in the sanctuary should be assessed and controlled. This can be regulated by providing limited entry passes.

2. Guides and caretakers should be educated to tackle international tourists.

3. Accommodation, & other facilities needs to be upgraded for promoting international tourists.

4. Wildlife sightings can be increased by habitat development.

5. An Interpretation Center and a Natures Trail are planned in near future.

6. Marketing of more local handicraft is being insured.

7. Increase in facilities like post office having telephone facility, primary health center with medicines, increase in bus service, more teachers and students educational institution can help in development.

8. Studies on habitat, waterhole utilization are planned.

9. Limiting of unproductive cattle and immunization of all the cattle is also planned. This will reduce grazing pressure in the sanctuary.

10. Villages are still largely dependent on the forest for meeting their basic requirements of fuel wood hence providing alternatives is an urgent requirement.

The beginning is already made, if such management concept is to be successfully adopted as major conservation strategy for the future it is necessary to re orient and train villagers and forest staff in the right direction. This will make the difference between success and failure.

Conclusion

The concept of eco- tourism has taken roots in the sanctuary. It is excepted to give good results. This paper attempts to present an overview of efforts done by forest department, in implementation of eco-tourism in the sanctuary. The objective of this initiative is not only to enable the local people but also to motivate visitors to learn about the local environment and culture. This process will create employment, improve standards of living, by stimulating the local economy and provide incentive for conservation.

Summary

Implementation of any such scheme concerning tourism, education and conservation of forests and wildlife with the people is very difficult. It is necessary to identify right people for this type of specialized work. This paper provides informations that how inception of Eco-tourism in the sanctuary took place. There is need to take cooperation of the people in right prospective and analyze the point of contention between forest management and villagers.

¹ Divisional Forest Officer, Research & Extension Division,
Barnawapara Sanctuary, Raipur - 492001, Chattisgarh, India.