Thursday, May 20, 2010

Tourism potential in India

India is an upcoming inbound tourism destination. The tourism potential of the country is not realized to the fullest yet. In spite of thousands of splendors that are present all over the country tourism is much wanted in places. The reason for the lack of inbound tourism in many places is purely due to the lack of proper infrastructure and awareness about the destination.

Much needs to be done in order to promote tourism in India. At present tourism is restricted to a few quarters - Rajasthan, Kerala, North India, and Central India for wildlife tourism. Since the rush for tiger safaris Central India or Madhya Pradesh experienced a surge of tourists to tiger reserves like Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench National Park. In North India, tiger tours became popular in Corbett National Park and Ranthambhore in Rajasthan. Similarly, the former and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary are popular birding destinations. 

For historical monument tours Agra especially the Taj Mahal takes the cake. Goa is also a popular travel destination but is more popular for beach tourism. Niche tourism has never been exploited in India. North  East does receive outbound tourists but mainly for Rhino safari and birding in Arunachal Pradesh. 

Kerala accounts for maximum inbound movement and the destination caters to all categories of tourism successfully. In the current scenario, it is recognized as the best destination in India and all over the world.          

The country offers amazing destinations and activities yet to be discovered to tourists from all over the but the infrastructure is wanting. States that wish to cash in on tourism should concentrate to infrastructure development. The development should include lesser-known destinations that can become prime spots for tourists coming to India. 

For accommodation, luxurious and well-located resorts in India are a must. the two most important factors are accommodation and transportation. Where ever possible airports that service small charter jets or helicopters should be set up. Road networks should be extensive and contain well-maintained roads for easy travel. This is much wanted in the country. Public culture is as important such that foreign tourists fell happy to be here.   

The most important facet of the tourism industry in India is tour operator companies that govern tourism. They play a key role in promoting tourism and a new destination. The packages offered by tour operators should conform to costs that are prevalent in other countries.

For increasing tourism not only the home aspects have to be looked after competition from other countries has to be faced. It is crucial that we out-compete other Nations in service and product as well.      

Monday, May 10, 2010

Outnumbered - Noradehi Wildlife

Nauradehi Wilderness

In spite of being one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India, the preserve has no respite. Naurdehi is spread over an area of 1197 sq km. The forest types are Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous  Mix with an average rainfall of 1200mm. This unique ecoregion in India is home to less-seen species (now endangered)  like Indian Wolf, Nilgai, and Chinkara, or Indian Gazelle. Indian mugger or marsh crocodile inhabits Bamner and Byarma River systems. A smooth Indian Otter is reported and so is the Spotted Creeper (bird). Other animals that inhabit this sanctuary are spotted deer, sambar, sloth bear, barking deer, jackal, fox, wild boar, langur, rhesus macaque, and perhaps hyena and wild dog. Night safaris can confirm the existence of other small mammals and reptiles. Unfortunately, the human populace far outnumbers the wildlife here.

The bird life is interesting and one gets a chance to spot interesting birds of forest and wetland ecosystems at one destination. The Chivla Lake is an interesting spot for wetland birds and is surrounded by forests all around. This could be the main birding spot here. I have visited a few more lakes or water bodies in the park which I am sure would be harboring many migrants in winter. The water retention capacity of the ecosystem is high with large water bodies and rivers filled up during extreme heat in summer.  The rivers and water bodies are not the only lifelines of the preserve and its inhabitant the villages depend upon them too. The Mohali Lake is completely surrounded by the village and does not support wildlife.  

"The sanctuary sets an ideal  example of how intact ecosystems benefit all life forms."              

What could have been one of the best tiger heavens in India, Noradehi lies neglected and exploited... entirely at the mercy of humans. The tiger is not seen anymore and the status of the leopard is unknown. Noradehi encompasses three districts of Madhya Pradesh - Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur. It can be best approached from Jabalpur at a distance of eighty-six km. The topography is more or less even with minor variations in flora and fauna at places. No systemic survey has been carried out in the case of avian species. The statistics of mammalian numbers and species present are not available. 

Visiting lesser-known wildlife heavens offers greater insight into the state of forested habitats in Central India and the problems that they face.

Like all ecosystems, Noradehi faces a similar problem -  unchecked Human Habitation. There are more than sixty villages in the sanctuary with varying populations. The bigger villages like Mohli are fast expanding and getting urbanized.  This village with a population of more than two thousand is located right next to Chevla Lake which is inhabited by major mammals and birds. 

Of the sixty or more villages none have been relocated outside the sanctuary though the proposal is on paper for a number of years. Some of the villages are notorious for smuggling precious wood and poaching wild animals of the preserve. The staff is helplessly outnumbered, under stress and fear, and exasperated. The matter is made worse by the ineffectiveness of the legal system. 

As per reports most of the wood smugglers and poachers operate with impunity. The fear of punitive measures is not there. For some villages, a wildlife crime has become a regular activity. Due to fear of violence and at times political interference, the lower staff prefers to avoid any cudgels rather than face the repercussions. Nevertheless, I have found them to be sincere in their task.     

The villages depend upon the wood from the forest and grazing ground for their livestock The movement in the sanctuary is unchecked though efforts are made to prevent intrusion in the core areas. Most of the movement is as a right of the way from one village to another. Jabalpur - Sagar highway is frequented throughout the day and night by vehicles.       

Nauradehi at best can be defined as a fragmented habitat under serious ecological stress and human intrusion. The wildlife survives because of some inviolate areas - out of reach perhaps.  The big cats are rare of extinct while the keystone specie is Indian Wolf. The exact population of wolves in Nauradehi is not known, though the sightings are said to be frequent..

The management is active in creating a support base. Wildlife monitoring camps have been set up with regular patrolling. The water retention capacity of water bodies is being increased. Fire control measures are in place. The management is understaffed and resources are limited as the sanctuary does not enjoy the same privilege as the tiger reserves of Madhya Pradesh.

The biggest problem that the sanctuary faces is the large human population and livestock. Poaching and wood smuggling is there but the extent is not known. Intrusion for minor forest produce and firewood is also a problem albeit the latter is more serious. The canopy is reduced in many places which adds to habitat degradation. There appears to be no re-plantation program.    

Tourism at Noradehi     

Nuaradehi has great potential for bird-watching tourism, especially for species like a spotted creeper, endangered vultures, sarus cranes,  storks, and raptors - many more to be checked listed  It is a good place for wildlife watching in order to see Indian  Wolf, Nilgai, Fox, and Chinkara. Tourism is limited to Chevala Lake and surrounding forest trails in the Mohli Range. The preserve could be a good trekking country as well.  For naturalists and birders, this is a journey of discovery.

Due to poor infrastructure, tourism is limited to a few picnickers every year. Most of the tourists are locally from Jabalpur town and Sagar nearby. There is no wildlife interpretation center and the foresters guide the tourists around. The accommodation is basic in two rest houses which require prior reservation.       

Friday, May 7, 2010

Endangered species in India

There are plentiful species in India that are threatened or near threatened. The threat level is based upon population statistics, habitat destruction, poaching or hunting by tribal, disease prevalence, and changing land use patterns - expansion of villages around the ecosystem. Weather and climate play a role as well but most of the species are highly adaptable to withstand such changes unless drastic.

Some species may be less in nature or survive only in niche ecosystems by nature's design. Nevertheless, they are always threatened due to the limited population or few remaining niches. One example is Hard Ground Barasingha which survives in the grasslands of Kanha National Park. Birds like Siberian Crane have not become extinct but the stock that used to migrate to India in winter has.   

Species facing extinction or near extinction are:

  • Tiger
  • Wild Dog
  • Indian Wolf
  • Asiatic Lion
  • Leopard
  • Asiatic Black Bear
  • Fishing Cat
  • Desert Cat
  • One Horned Indian Rhino
  • Indian Wild Elephant 
  • Capped Leaf Monkey
  • Ganges River Dolphin
  • Swamp Deer
  • Hispid Hare
  • Indus River Dolphin
  • Hoolock Gibbon
  • Red Panda
  • Snow Leopard
  • Banteng
  • Brown Bear
  • Clouded Leopard
  • Ganges River Dolphin
  • Himalayan Musk Dear
  • Asiatic Golden Cat
  • Nilgiri Tahr
  • Nilgiri Langur
  • Lion Tailed Macaque
  • Golden Langur
  • Wild Goat
  • Wild Yak 
  • Jenkin's Shrew
  • Mouse Deer
  • Malabar Large Spotted Civet
  • India Gazelle
  • Namdapha Flying Squirrel
  • Sarus Crane
  • Black Necked Crane
  • Pygmy Hog
  • Black Necked Stork
  • Salim Ali's Fruit Bat
  • Green Avadavat
  • White Rumped Vulture
  • Sumatran Rhinoceros
  • Long Billed Vulture
  • Wroughton's Free-Tailed Bat

Fragmented habitats are imposing a serious threat of inbreeding among many species especially the tigers in India. Due rampant destruction of trees and grasslands for fuel wood and fodder is another cause of habitat loss. In the case of insects and birds apart from habitat loss, chemicals used by humans are reducing their breeding capacity.    

In the case of many species especially birds the status is unknown due to difficulty in gauging the numbers and migratory behavior. Research is crucial to uncover hidden facts behind decreasing number of species. 

Prevention

The common man can play a crucial role in preventing species extinction and habitat conservation in the country. 
The only solution to prevent extinction is habitat conservation and its expansion. This could be done by allocating abandoned land for habitat regeneration near the ecosystem. Relocation of villages inside wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks in India. 

Conservation of crucial natural resources, encouraging usage of renewable energy. A discouraging industry that depends heavily on wood - use less paper and recycle it. Discourage urbanization and industrial development near fragile ecosystems. 

Preventing wildlife crimes like poaching and illegal logging.  Responsible tourism with profit sharing by the hospitality industry. Fighting for pro-active policies for nature conservation.
Living in an eco-friendly manner in order to conserve natural resources. Love all life forms and throw away any myths and fears that encourage the vermin attitude. 

The diversity that exists in the wildlife of India is amazing and mind-boggling. Indian wildlife is our inheritance, it is crucial for our survival since we are very much dependent on nature. 

Every citizen of India should be concerned about nature and the environment. All life forms are interlinked hence their survival is crucial to us all. As our culture speaks we must respect all life forms on Earth.