- Joy of Giving Week: Book give away guidelines
- JoGW Day1: My first national park
- JoGW Day2: Tiger, Tiger
- JoGW Day3: Responsible Tourism
- JoGW Day4: The zoo experience
- JoGW Day 5: Explore every damn corner of the world…
- JoGW Day 6: Sensitise your subconscious
- JoGW Day 7: Booking Wildlife
- JoGW: Is now over. But you can still Rejoice!
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is famous for its tigers. People from all over the world come here to see and photograph the big cat. But Bandhavgarh 1 is bursting at the seams – not with tigers but with Maruti Gypsies. A case of overexposure at its worst. During peak tourism season, the jungle is as chaotic as a mela. It’s disturbing for the animals and depressing for the trees. Last season, the administration restricted the number of cars entering from each of the three gates. The thought behind the action was primarily traffic control – not forest health. But all the exposure has its benefit – the national park or its tigers won’t be disappearing anytime soon.
Abundant information leads to abundant tourism, abundant tourism leads to abundant revenue, which leads to abundant tourism-related infrastructure (guides, literature, hotels, restaurants, etc) which again leads to abundant tourism. Vicious circle.
On the other hand, Narara2, a part of Marine National Park3, suffers in silence. It is one of the rare places in the world where you can see Corals without having to dive underwater. During my last two visits there I saw not one. Muddy deposits have choked them to death. The muddy water is a result of construction activities carried out to lay pipes for a major oil company. Did you know about this place? Then how will you know what is killing it?
Lack of information leads to lack of tourism, lack of tourism leads to lack of revenue, which leads to lack of tourism-related infrastructure (literature, guides, hotels, restaurants, etc) which again leads to lack of tourism. Vicious circle.
The onus of responsible tourism lies on us, the tourist. We should not only ensure that a place is not damaged by our visits, but, we should also ensure that a place does not die because we do not visit it.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Rightly said more exposure, more tourists more problems and even if its otherwise still the danger lurks. Now it rests with the tourists to do justice to their tourism and do minimise the damage by their visit. The motive of the visit if its little more than fun can prevent lot of damage to be done. No tourism or more tourism both are devastating. So we as tourist can decide where to visit and where not to and not just be driven by the craziness of the crowd and not just for the sake of adding a prestigious tourist spot to our list of ‘have visited’. Motive driven tourism may guide us to be good tourists.
Hi Vishal,
Thank you for participating.
You have summed it up very well by saying:
“The motive of the visit if its little more than fun can prevent lot of damage to be done. ”
That is exactly the thought we must get across to ensure that lesser damage is done and at the same time visitors/tourists ‘take back’ something from their visit. Tourist should be informed/educated/reformed just enough so that they help bringing about a change in fellow tourists. This domino effect is what will help change things on a war footing.
Interesting question. I once read about a rich man who is purchasing large tracts of land in the Amazon basin to protect it from being encroached upon. I don’t have that kind of money or friends who do, but taking this to its logical next step would be adopting a place. Either the village around it, or the place itself. What I mean by this is investing time and money and energy in making a place independent, so it didn’t have to pander to the tourists to survive. And I know, that no one will do this. The problem isn’t just the people gawking, the problem is that tourism is an industry, and a very short-sighted one at that. I will do the only thing I can, which is to write about ethical tourism. And then, practise what I preach. To convince others, you need to set a good example.
Hi Ahalya,
Thank you for taking time out and writing in. I know you are buy with your own give away http://www.literaryangels.com and would be hard pressed for time.
The tourism industry being service oriented will produce anything the tourists ask for. Therefore i think, if we can cultivate a better breed of tourist, one which does not make unreasonable demands on natural resources. It will directly affect how the tourism industry drains the natural resources of a place.
When you write that article on ethical tourism do let me know i would like to link to it.
A lot of people visit the same locations year in and out and thereby there is an overdose of people in the so called scenic locales and a dearth of people where nature still has a say in matters. Maybe one of the things we could think about is tourism off the beaten path. Of course that also means that you have to rough it and cannot expect a sauna or a jacuzzi in your bathroom or even perhaps 10 course meals just like you get at home. But then that is the point of visiting new places. People have forgotten what means to be a tourist. It means that you have to accept the people and the places you visit for what they are and not what you want them to be. As a responsible tourist, I would always try to visit a place and not infringe on its beauty and charm.
Hi Vandana,
Thank you for participating. I really appreciate it.
Exactly! You have hit the nail on it’s head. But it is a mammoth task to convince hard working individuals who have taken a much deserved break from their work and are spending their well earned money to ENJOY themselves, that — what they are actually doing is destroying the place.
I don’t really travel a lot. Mainly because I don’t have the time. But one other thing that puts me off is the hoardes of people I have to face whenever I am on vacation. Where are the quiet and silent places that I have heard and read of for so long? Tourism is an industry and unfortunately it destroys the very thrill that a place has to offer. On a recent trip to the North I was really disheartened to find that some places look better in photographs. One of the practices every tourist must follow is to respect his surroundings. You don’t need to shout or carve your initials in trees, buildings et al in search of immortality. You also need to realise that all of these places have a history, they have a story which is much older and more beautiful than anything any of us will ever know. I always try to take in the surroundings and be as careful as I would in my own home. Litterbugs– stay home!!
Dear Vivek,
The problem with vacations is that the whole country has them at the same time (Summer, Diwali, Winter, etc.). At these times all places, known and unknown, are packed with visitors. It is almost impossible to enjoy the place in its true colours.
Take Lonavala for example. On a long weekend it teeming with mumbaikars while mid week its a peaceful town. Our national parks and sanctuaries are no different. During vacations they are packed with visitors, in other months they are host to fewer.
The reason people behave irresponsible and litter a place can be attributed to the carefree, do-what-you-want spirit that comes along with vacations. Responsible living is something the masses of India might never understand. Do Not Litter is something they Do Not Understand.
The fact that they do not understand our natural heritage is a direct translation of the fact that they do not understand our history or its importance. A boring history teacher in school can well be the cause of all this. History is not something that catches every ones interest automatically, a certain effort has to be taken to light a spark of interest. This effort being absent, the spark is never lit and history remains undervalued.
I think we cannot convince anybody to be anything – good or bad. For, if someone is actually littering, he is too obtuse to gauge the intensity of his deed. And if he really is that obtuse, then how would a seminar/ pamphlet/ advice on responsible tourism make any difference? At the same time, WE can be the change. I’m not an avid traveler. However, if and when I do get to visit a place of any value (or otherwise), I make it a point to leave it as less affected by me as possible. Perhaps, in a place like Bandhavgarh, restrict the annual flow of tourists. Are the vehicles provided by the park or the visitors arrange it themselves? In either case, get eco-friendly vehicles that exhume less smoke, if such a concept exists. A paid overseer to see least damage is done by tourists? Farfetched but as a tourist if you see an irresponsible act, act. Do something. Explain the gravity of the reckless step to that person. If he still doesn’t behave, push him off the jeep at the sight of the first and the closest tiger. Some people!
Hi Divya,
Thanks for writing in.
The bunch of people you are referring to is perhaps the most problematic lot amongst all.These stubborn individuals cannot be ”convince’. But is there no way of making them understand a rational explanation. I see your point, but if we let them be more follow their footsteps and then the situation gets out of hand.
meethil i feel the question here is not responsible tourism but being ’ responsible’ itself. i am on the roads all the times, driving to various places. i see people with expensive cars driving irresponsibly,parked wrongly. money doesn’t make you responsible. we see highly educated people may be staying and working in states easily littering public places in India. same people wont dare to do so in abroad. so education doesn’t make us responsible. laws are there but with big bypasses and executional innerness. so law and constitution do not make us responsible… ha one thing makes us responsible that is towards our belongings. but how do we get a sense belonging with the nature we have?… we need ‘something’ to make us responsible… what is it? education? may be yes though it has failed drastically. good education can be one way. education, telling us we don’t see nature as natural ‘resources’ or ‘wealth’ but find ourselves as an integrated part of it. we don’t fight nature but live with it. also an awareness which tell us that it is now high time we should take our surrounding seriously which needs attention of every individual. its our job. govt hardly has a play.
Hi Wasim,
Thank you for participating. I really appreciate it.
I agree when you say, its a question of being responsible and not just about responsible tourism. But, here, i am only focusing on being responsible when one interacts with nature. Your point of not seeing nature as wealth or resource can be an interesting approach for nature educators. I will talk to you and develop the thought further.
First, community involvement is necessary.
Second, we cannot ‘convince’ people to be responsible.
If, to be responsible they need convincing, then it is difficult. But that does not in any way mean that we must not try at all.
What could work would probably be a combination of information, laws, and fines. Also, for the masses — the middle class — it has to be financially feasible, and there have to be alternatives. The poor & middle class are busy trying to make ends meet and probably haven’t had the time to think or work on it, but if someone in a Mercedez-Benz throws out plastic bottles, where are we headed? Today, a rape victim / atheist is readily socially isolated, but no one so much as raises eyebrows at someone who is throwing garbage — slowly killing our earth. As long as this remains, we can be sure that we are on the path to self-destruction. There HAS to be a revolution in the way we think — individually and collectively. There is neither an easier nor a faster way out.
Hi Hetal,
Thank you for participating. I really appreciate it.
I always believed that nature education is not a “one-size-fits-all”. When you point out two cases, one of the middle class and second of the Mercedes-Benz class it becomes so clear that each requires a different approach.
An individual belonging to the middle class believes that he is using minimum resources, just enough for him to survive. If you tell him to recycle and reuse he will frown and suggest we tell these things to those who live in abundance and waste resources.
If you tell the Benz owner to use resources responsibly he will say, he is just one percent of the population, how much can he possible waste, tell the masses they waste more.
Every individual, irrespective of the class or mass will have to change his approach towards the use of natural resources.
I completely and wholeheartedly agree with Divya’s effective suggestion. A few round meals and the tigers will be happy and the tourists will behave. Heck, what tourists, all of them will stay home!
Joking aside.… about places that aren’t visited, that is a problem. This place you are talking about, Narara, why is there no media attention? It’s because the media does not bother. I have seen the media make a difference before, and I think tourists will be more careful when people are watching. We, as citizens, should encourage reporters to ask questions. And as tourists we need to be a bit brazen about confronting tourists who are careless.
Important question.
While the conventional methods like ads, films should be increased, another way could be to have photographs of places like Narara in their earlier state with some information at places like Bandhavgarh, pictures of the delights they can see without diving in.
This will not just help Narara but also diversify the abundant toursists, which will be a help for places like Bandhavgarh too.
(This would also help photographers to let their photographs be screened at a apt location)
Also, the guides could also be of help in spreading the word subtely to the toursits.
Hi Neha,
Thank you for participating. I really appreciate it.
I think your solution should work! I think, if tweaked a bit, it can be very useful in getting people to visit lesser know places.
I’m overwhelmed at the thought process of the truly progressive thinkers, from the above comments.
Like :
A city was developed from a small town to attract, citizens to work, commercilaise and bloom. Later the same city was beautified, as they had tourists to get ogled at. That was tourism.
Similarly :
An idle jungle was developed to a national reserve forest, then tuned to a protected area, and fine tuned down to a zoo. This is wildlife tourism.
The WWF(World wide fund), instead of selling patchy Panda T-shirts, should have declared war, a WWF (world wrestling fed)type, on the poachers, grim hunters, eco-tourism promoters etc.
Thank you all, for participating on the third day!
I will announce the winner today.
Please continue to participate in the give away, you still stand a chance of winning your book!
Spreading the word will make you eligible for the bonus prize at the end of the week!
Also, two of you who participate regularly will receive a book each at the end of the week!
I am not closing the comments to this post so that late comers may discuss the topic or give their inputs. But the winner will be chosen from among those who have participated on 29 September.
Neha has won herself a book!
Congratulations. A book will be shipped to you at the end of the week.
The give away is still going! Comment on todays post and you stand a chance to win a book.
Thanks.
I am glad to hear that it can be a solution which helps. What tweaking do you have in mind?
I am interesting in hearing here, or through email.
Hi Neha,
You are most welcome.
I will write you a mail or better still, i might write a smallish post on this idea of your.
Please keep in touch. You can drop in your suggestions or feedback using the contact page or subscribe to receive updates to JungleBook.
Thanks.
Forgot to mention — the joy of receiving.