assessment of ecotourism in palamau tiger reserve: state
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 10: Protected Areas and Sustainable Tourism 69
Proceedings of the FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World
17-20 November 2008, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Assessment of Ecotourism in Palamau Tiger Reserve:
State of Jharkhand, India
D. K. Prasad
Department of Forests and Environment, Ranchi, India
Abstract
India is one of the seven mega biodiverse countries of the
world with a rich and renowned cultural heritage. In 1992,
the fourth World Congress on National Parks and Protected
Areas had recognized that the protected areas cannot exist
unless the interests of local communities are protected.
Ecotourism is a potential strategy for reconciling biodiversity
conservation with local development in ecologically fragile
areas.
India has sought to protect its biodiversity through a network
of Protected Areas. Palamau Tiger Reserve in the State of
Jharkhand is among the country’s first nine Tiger Reserves
notified in 1974 under Project Tiger. Despite having a wide
range of biological diversity and substantial opportunities for
developing eco-tourism, there is clearly some way before
ecotourism is fully integrated into public and private sector
strategies and activities in the Palamau Tiger Reserve.
The paper tries to assess the status of ecotourism in Palamau
Tiger Reserve and investigate the opportunities and
challenges faced in the Reserve based on field investigations,
questionnaire surveys, meetings and discussions with the
stakeholders. Experiences gained through earlier visits and
study of other Protected Areas of India and of Germany and
Czech Republic is also analyzed in the context of the Palamau
Tiger Reserve.
The study concluded that even in the present bad law-and-
order situation in the Palamau Tiger Reserve area, eco-
tourism can prove a powerful method of generating resources
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World70
for conservation and also for local communities. There is a
need to involve all stakeholders in order to evolve a plan of
action that ensures sustainable development and harnesses the
potential of tourism for the economic development of local
communities.
Keywords: ecotourism, local communities, Palamau Tiger
Reserve, analysis, recommendations
Introduction
Tourism is a growing industry all over the world. With the advent of modern
transport facilities and increasing demand for comfort, tourism in modern
times is having many more negative impacts than the tourism that was
carried out by our grandparents. World forums are thus forced to define
terms like ‘sustainable tourism’ and ‘ecotourism’. Ecotourism is one of the
fastest growing sectors of tourism and has been promoted to complement
and/or supplement development opportunities (Hvenegaard, 1994), as it has
been considered to minimize negative impacts, maximize economic benefits
for the local people and the natural environment, and provide a positive
experience to visitors (Wall, 1997)
Ecotourism is a word that was first coined for responsible tourism in natural
areas. However, the concept of ecotourism can be extended to tourism in any
area. Ecotourism is any form of tourism that does not have any detrimental
impact on the environment. The word ‘eco’ is believed to stem from the word
‘ecology’, in the sense that the ecology of an area should not be disturbed as a
result of travel/tourism. Ecotourism is more significant in Protected Areas as
these areas are ecologically fragile. The word ‘eco’ may also stand for
economic. The economic conditions of the people living in and around the
Protected Areas are much lower than those of the people living in cities.
Ecotourism aims at harvesting tourism for the conservation of the area as well
as for the economic benefit of the people. It is ecologically and culturally
friendly tourism.
Ecotourism can be seen as an alternative income earner which is less
destructive than other activities such as logging, resource (ore, oil) extraction,
commercial fishing, cattle grazing or conventional mass tourism (Honey,
1999).
Volume 10: Protected Areas and Sustainable Tourism 71
This paper tries to investigate the opportunities and challenges faced in the
Palamau Tiger Reserve, in the Indian state of Jharkhand, based on field
investigations, questionnaire surveys, meetings and discussions with the
stakeholders. The aim was to find the best practical approach to ecotourism
in the Palamau Tiger Reserve, which would maximize the benefits to the
people while preserving the protected area on a sustainable basis.
Background
India is one of the seven mega-biodiversity countries of the world, and a
country with a rich and renowned cultural heritage having great potential for
ecotourism. India represents a range of climatic, geomorphologic and
geographic formations, harbouring rich biodiversity. Traditionally, India has
sought to protect its biodiversity through a Protected Area (PA) network.
The PA network covers about 20.42% of the forest area of the country, which
amounts to about 4.8% of the geographical area of India (Figure 1).
Figure 1 Protected Areas and conservation by reserve type in India.
Source: Envis of Wildlife Institute of India
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World72
Although in numerical terms, the PA network in India is reasonably large,
only 22 PAs are larger than 1000 km2, whereas 31% of network is less than 10
km2. However, there is still tremendous potential for wilderness recreation.
The Department of Tourism in 1998 issued operational guidelines for major
stakeholders (tour operators, etc.) for sustainable tourism. The Ministry of
Forests and Environment of India in 2000 recognized ecotourism in PAs and
other forests as one of its 12 major thrust areas. The India Chapter of the
Pacific Asia Travel Association formulated an action plan for a ‘National
Tourism Policy’ which has been subsequently forwarded by the Ministry of
Tourism to the State Government for review. States like Himachal Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh have formulated
their own state-level ecotourism policies.
Jharkhand is one of the 29 states of the Union of India. It is a state, which in
its native language means a state of jungles. A total of 29% of its area is
covered with forests including 12 protected areas. Jharkhand is rich in
biodiversity but lags behind the other states in ecotourism and there is clearly
some way to go before ecotourism is fully integrated into public and private
sector strategies and activities.
Betla National Park, together with the Palamau Wildlife Sanctuary and the
adjoining Reserve Forests, constitute the Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR). It was
one of the first nine tiger reserves notified in India in 1974, with an area of
928 km2 that has now been extended to 1026 km2. PTR has a wide range of
biological diversity, based on a stable ecosystem of diverse types of forests:
Northern India moist deciduous forest; moist and dry peninsular sal forest;
northern dry mixed deciduous forest; eagle forest; and dry bamboo brakes.
These forest types support a significant population of wildlife species,
especially: tiger, Indian elephants, Indian gaur, leopards, mouse deer, python,
pangolin, four horned antelope and the black necked crane, among others.
PTR is the catchment of three rivers: North Koel, Auranga and Burha. More
than 50% of the total population of the area is tribal which substantially
depends on PTR. PTR with its aesthetic value and wilderness has an immense
potential for ecotourism.
Methodology
The study was conducted between January and May 2008. The reason for
choosing the Palamau Tiger Reserve was that this Reserve was one of the first
Volume 10: Protected Areas and Sustainable Tourism 73
nine Tiger Reserves notified in 1974 under ‘Project Tiger’ launched in India.
Along with the focus on tiger conservation, the project also sought to elicit
the support of local stakeholder communities with the development of the
necessary infrastructure for protection and management. In 1934, PTR was
the location for the country’s first census of tigers through a pug mark
identification technique, while in 1978, PTR won an award for its fire
fighting system. The other initial tiger reserves of India and some of the
recently declared ones are doing quite well with respect to ecotourism. The
prominent examples are Jim Corbett National Park (NP), Ranthambore NP,
Periyar NP, Bandipur NP, Mans NP, Dudhwa NP. However, Betla National
Park containing the Palamau Tiger Reserve is missing from this list.
The study was hence carried out to find out the status of ecotourism in the
Palamau Tiger Reserve and investigate the opportunities and challenges faced
in the Reserve based on field investigations, questionnaire surveys, meetings
and discussions with the stakeholders. Local communities, the Forest
Department, the Tourism Department, the private sector, NGOs and
academics were identified as the stakeholders. Visits to the villages in and
around PTR were carried out to investigate the expectations and fears that
the local communities associated with ecotourism. Discussions and interviews
were carried out with the field directors and staff of the reserve (both the
conservator for the core area and the conservator for the buffer area, the
range officers, foresters and the caretakers of the tourist complex, including
the cook among others). The local police administration was also
interviewed. Not many NGOs were working in PTR. An academic who had
carried out research in PTR was interviewed. While there were no large scale
private sector activities in PTR, some small tea shops or hotels were run by
the locals, so discussions were held with them. In the state’s capital city of
Ranchi, the director of tourism, the principal chief conservator of forests for
biodiversity (the chief wildlife warden) and the managing director of the
Jharkhand Forest Development Corporation were interviewed.
Experiences from earlier visits and studies reported on other Protected Areas
of India, Germany and the Czech Republic were also analyzed with regard to
PTR.
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World74
Results and Discussion
Opportunities for Ecotourism in PTR
Ecotourism was an important aspect of management of the Palamau Tiger
Reserve and had an important role in supporting the tiger conservation
program along with wildlife and biodiversity conservation. In the present
Management Plan of PTR (2001-2010), 53.78 km2 has been marked as a
tourism zone, which overlaps with other habitat management and buffer
zones. Some of the important management practices in the tourism zone
were: cleaning and removal of weeds; development and maintenance of
grasslands; maintenance of waterholes; fire protection; and maintenance of
roads and buildings
Tourist Spots
There were various scenic spots in the PTR, where people could go to enjoy
the wilderness. Animal hideouts and watch-towers were being maintained
and improved by the PA management as prescribed in the Management Plan.
Most of the spots had been developed but not maintained, whereas some of
these areas had never been developed and in some areas development was
being hindered due to bad laws and the general situation in the area (Table
1).
Transport and Roads
Access to PTR was by air to Ranchi (165 km), or by rail to Barwadih (15 km)
or Daltonganj (25 km). Road travel was then required from these places to
either of the two entry points at Betla or Baresanr. The general condition of
the roads was not very good. Vehicles of all types were allowed access up to
the tourist lodges. At the time of the study, there were no conducted tours to
the reserve, but the Tourism Department was intending to start these.
Volume 10: Protected Areas and Sustainable Tourism 75
Table 1 The status of tourist sites described in the Management Plan for the
Palamau Tiger Reserve and study recommendations.
Sl. No. Tourist site Present status Proposals of the PA/ Recommendations by this study
1 Betla tourist zone
with govt. cottages,
tree house, elephant
rides, nature trail,
interpretation
centre. Two private
owned hotels.
The Tourist
Complex is well
maintained. It is
main Tourist
centre. There are
4 pilkhanas but
only 2 elephants.
Maintenance of the forest
rest houses, tree house,
the tourist complex and
the interpretation centre
together with the elephant
rides. Plans to create a
children’s corner.
Renovate the infrastructure with
energy-efficient materials such as
solar water heaters and lamps.
Improve the waste disposal system.
Have an efficient system of use of
water. Enforce eco-friendly systems
in the privately owned hotels and
canteens. Involve locals in
maintaining the complex through
partnership and as eco-guides.
Increase the number of elephants to
at least 4. Set up a local handicraft
shop for economic benefit to the
locals.
2 Palamau Fort An
historical fort of
Raja Medini Roy is
just 2km from Betla
The remains of
the fort are not
preserved well
Has intentions to develop
the area
The PA manager, the tourism
manager and the Archaeological
survey of India can work together to
make the fort an attractive tourist
spot.
3 Kehr tourist complex Not in good
shape (burnt).
Maintenance was
given to the local
eco-
development
committee but
was not
successful.
Police/ military
personnel were
staying to control
law and order in
the area.
Maintenance of the forest
rest house.
Develop a nature trail. The site can
be developed as a camping site.
Encourage the villagers to take up
home-stays. Organize occasional
fairs and dances during tribal
festivals for tourist. Involve the local
villagers as partners in the activities.
Gradually develop the area as an
alternative to Betla Tourist Complex.
Have a separate law controlling
station.
4 Maromar forest rest
house, tree house.
The rest house is
burnt and the
tree house is in
bad condition.
Earlier mud huts
were given on
rent to tourists
by Mrs. Anne
Wright
Maintenance of the Forest
rest house and the tree
house
The tree house can be renovated for
night stays. Encourage the tourists &
the tribals to take up home-stays for
cultural exchange. A cluster of mud
huts can be created as a resort.
Nature trail development.
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World76
Table 1 (Cont.)
Sl. No. Tourist site Present status Proposals of the PA/ Recommendations by this study
5 Kechki (confluence
of the rivers
Auranga and North
Koel) It has a
railway station and
forest rest house.
The guest house
is in very bad
shape.
Develop the area as a
tourist spot. Tourism dept.
plans to involve local
people in the development
and maintenance of this
area. Some people are
identified to work as
tourist guides, for cleaning
& maintenance, as musical
groups, provide life saving
facilities, etc
As recommended by the
PA/Tourism manager in the previous
column.
6 Barwadih An
important railway
station, block
headquarter and has
a police station with
a hospital.
No previously
developed tourist
facilities. New
tourist complex
proposed.
Proposed to build a tourist
complex at Barwadih with
a four room tourist lodge
and a 20 bed dormitory.
As above.
7 Chhipadohar also
has railway station
and timber depots
with a forest rest
house and a range
headquarter.
Rest house is in
bad shape, The
depots are non
functional,
Tourists not
staying here.
none Traditional carpenters are here who
carve shapes of wild animals found
in the PTR (snake, gaur, tiger, deer,
etc.). They can be encouraged to
prepare souvenirs. Area can be
developed like Barwadih as an
alternative site to Betla.
8 Kujrum Forest rest
house confluence of
rivers Burha and
North Koel
The rest house is
burnt
none This is a village of ethnic tribal
people amidst thick forest, which
can provide an excellent site for
learning about ethnic tribes. Develop
picnic spot.
9
10
11
Mirchaiya Falls,
Sugabandh Fall,
Lodh Falls, all picnic
spot in earlier times.
No facilities
available here
Intends to develop the
area through awareness,
timber board walk,
suspension bridge, paved
pathway without
disturbing natural
surroundings using eco-
friendly materials
The ethnic local tribal can be
engaged to develop and maintain the
facilities on their own.
12 Tatahapani hot
spring
No facilities
available here
none Locals can be encouraged to develop
and maintain the area.
Volume 10: Protected Areas and Sustainable Tourism 77
Table 1 (Cont.)
As only battery-driven vehicles should be allowed inside the Reserve, PTR
needed to acquire a number of such pollution-free vehicles and to make them
easily available to the visitors by charging a fee, which could be included in
the entry fee. Lessons from Kanha National Park could be applied, where
pollution-free, open jeeps under Park management were given to the local
youths who also acted as eco-guides.
Accommodation and Home-Stays
Accommodation was available in the tourist zones of Betla, Kerh and
Maromar. As is evident from Table 1, only the tourist complex at Betla was
used by the visitors, where accommodation was provided both by the Forest
and the Tourist Departments. There were also two private hotels.
On the Betla National Park fringe, local private people were providing
accommodation in huts either to individual tourists or to groups. At the time
of the study, only lower middle class tourists were staying in these huts. With
a little publicity and some incentive to the locals, these huts could be
renovated into a resort and hence increase the income of the local
communities.
Sl. No. Tourist site Present status Proposals of the PA/ Recommendations by by this study
13 Mandal, Kutku dam,
Irrigation guest
house
Guest house is
abandoned since
1989
none PA management can coordinate
with the irrigation department to
develop the area
14 Kamaldah Water
pond
No facilities
available here
Intends to develop the
area.
Boating can be encouraged Locals
can maintain the area and act as eco-
guides.
15
16
17
Baresanr, Scenic
spot Lower
Ghaghris, Scenic
spot Garu range
headquarter
No facilities
available here
Intends to develop the
area.
Encourage locals to maintain the
area and act as eco-guides. Honey
collectors of Garu village can be
given bottles with the brand name of
PTR and encouraged to sell honey in
an organized way.
18 Mahuadahr Wolf
Sanctuary, at the
fringe of the PTR
No tourism
facilities
Intends to develop the
area.
This area can be included in the
interpretation & education center at
Betla so that tourists visit the area
for the area’s benefit.
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World78
At the time of the study, there was no concept of home stays in PTR. With
three villages in the wilderness zone, 35 in the zone of influence and 161 in
the multiple use zone within the PTR, there was scope for home stays. In
some of these villages, promotion would be possible, as recommended in
Table 1. Lessons from the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala in this regard could
be incorporated by the PA management.
Sites of Nature Trails
A short walking trail existed near the Betla tourist lodge but there was no
signage or boards. The existing trail could be improved and new ones could
be developed:
Since the Koel River in winter is almost dry, a trail on its sandy bed
could be allowed during winter.
A trail from Betla to the Fort and back (about 18km) could be very
interesting for long route trekkers.
A nature trail covering the village of Kujrum at the confluence of
the Burha and North Koel rivers and the Mirchaiya falls could also
be developed (Table 1).
Bird Watching Points
Bird watching points at Betla, Kamaldah, Maromar, Sugabandh, Aksi, Rud,
Pandra Valley and Kechki also needed to be identified and developed. These
points could again be left to the locals to manage after receiving training, as
the locals know best about their birds and their behavior.
Nature Camps
The present Management Plan stressed the need to organize nature camps at
Kechki, Betla and Palamau Fort. These camps should not be permanent
because of the movement of herds of elephants (spots were identified in
Table 1).
Volume 10: Protected Areas and Sustainable Tourism 79
Signboards
Signboards were inadequate in PTR and therefore in the current plan it is
intended to include the latest types of directional, cautioning, orientation and
interpretative signboards.
Elephant Rides
Two elephants were available at Betla for tourists rides in the Reserve to sight
wild animals. The present Management Plan envisaged that as the mahouts
are the only guides for the tourists, they should be conversant in interpreting
bird calls, pug marks, foot prints, behavior of animals, habitat and flora, etc.
Since there are four pilkhanas at Betla, there should be four elephants, so that
most of the tourists can enjoy the Reserve on the ride, as elephant rides were
the most attractive item of the Reserve.
Interpretation and Conservation Education
There was one nature interpretation centre at Betla (NIC). It consisted of a
reception, display models, a museum, library and an auditorium. Recently
Touch Screen information on PTR had been made available at the NIC.
The present Management Plan proposed to: improve the NIC with more
displays that showed implements and art-crafts used by the local people with
proper labelling and descriptions; and update the library.
More of current, advanced technology could be used in the displays, so that
they were more interactive, allowing visitors to touch the objects and
respond to questions. An amphitheatre could also be developed. The staff
should be trained so they are capable of answering the queries of the visitors.
The present plan also envisaged a mobile interpretation centre for education
and extension programs. This would include exhibits of models of: various
animals and their habitat; the unique floral composition of the area; and an
account on key issues of management, such as poaching, fire, grazing and
illicit felling. This could be equipped with audio-visual publicity material to
increase the awareness among the villagers in and around the PTR. This
mobile centre could be displayed at the various tourist centres of the Reserve.
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World80
Year Round Tourist Visits to PTR
As is evident from Table 2, tourism numbers have declined from an average
of 30 000 in the 1980s to 20 000 in the 1990s, to 10 000 in 2000. The reason
cited in the Management Plan was the bad law and order situation in the
area. However, records show that up until the time of the study, there had
been no extreme incident involving tourists. Despite the continually
worsening of law and order, there was a rise in tourism from 10 000 in 2000
to 17 000 in 2006. This suggests that besides insurgency, there are other
reasons, such as deteriorating roads and tourist facilities and a lack of
stakeholder interest at all levels. The facilities at Kehr and Maromar were in
bad shape. Only the Betla tourist complex was maintained by the PA
management.
Table 2 Summary of annual visitors to the Reserve
YearYear Indian Foreigner Total Year Indian Foreigner Total
1982 22 758 54 22 812 1995 25 409 15 25 424
1983 24 037 40 24 077 1996 23 050 57 23 107
1984 22 757 167 22 924 1997 22 347 33 22 380
1985 26 272 330 26 602 1998 16 071 41 16 112
1986 28 893 238 29 131 1999 14 097 90 14 187
1987 32 692 150 32 842 2000 10 861 59 10 920
1988 46 680 106 46 786 2001 13 148 69 13 217
1989 37 968 71 38 039 2002 16 883 8 16 891
1990 28 652 37 28 689 2003 14 979 19 14 998
1991 34 064 32 34 096 2004 12 456 0 12 456
1992 34 649 70 34 709 2005 13 755 50 13 805
1993 52 193 217 52 410 2006 17 821 98 17 919
1994 29 401 25 29 426 2007 16 852 86 16 938
Source: Management Plan of PTR
Volume 10: Protected Areas and Sustainable Tourism 81
Apart from the insurgencies in the area, other problems in the Reserve are
described below.
Challenges for Ecotourism in PTR
Lack of Ecotourism Policy
Despite having substantial opportunities for developing eco-tourism, PTR is
losing out because of the lacunae in the policy and planning framework at the
state level. The state of Jharkhand does not have any policy for ecotourism. In
the management of PTR, the term ecotourism appears for the first time in the
current Management Plan.
There is a need to create a policy framework for eco-tourism. Creating such a
policy will require vision and a long-term perspective at all levels. Similarly,
an eco-tourism policy will have to empower local communities and
stakeholders, while defining the Government's role in eco-tourism. The
policy should be able to adopt a mix of voluntary and legislated regulations of
eco-tourism activities. Eco-tourism planning should adopt sustainable
strategies that are both spatial and sectoral.
Himachal Pradesh developed a ‘Policy on Development of Ecotourism’ in
May 2001. Madhya Pradesh also created an ‘Eco and Adventure Tourism
Policy’ in 2001-2002. In Kerala, there is the Thenmala Ecotourism
Promotional Society to develop a model. Sikkim has come up with a similar
body known as the ‘Ecotourism & Conservation Society of Sikkim’. Lessons
from these states can be taken up by the state of Jharkhand.
Lack of Overall Planning
Ecotourism planning, actions and policies should be developed using an
integrated approach. Stakeholder participation and training of industry
participants must also be included in eco-tourism planning. In the absence of
partnerships between the Forest and the Tourism Departments and other
stakeholders, eco-tourism has been restrictive and largely government-
controlled, with no understanding of the requirements of the modern tourist
and with no linkages with tourism service providers. It is therefore important
to consider the need to ensure cooperation and consultation between the
Tourism and Forest Departments.
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World82
At present, the Director of Tourism in Jharkhand is an Indian Forest Service
Officer who had earlier worked in the Daltonganj district where most part of
PTR is located. Two comprehensive plans are being developed for PTR, with
one at Kechki and the other at the Lodh Falls. The plan is to develop these
two sites with the involvement of the local people. Some people have been
identified who will maintain and clean the sites and perform as musical
groups there. At the Lodh Falls, life saving facilities will be provided by the
locals.
It is recommended that an integrated approach to ecotourism be used,
involving all the stakeholders, especially the police department in case of
PTR.
Lack of Recycling of Tourism Revenue
Eco-tourism is, in fact, a powerful method of generating resources for
conservation and for local stakeholders. However, the present management
system in PTR keeps environmental protection and tourism operating
separately in terms of the economic flow. All partners in ecotourism should
be combined to form a sustainable complex of ecology-society-economy,
where some of the revenue is re-channelled for conservation of the reserve.
Some states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan have
started recycling the entry fees. Lessons from these states can be learned and
applied in PTR.
Lack of Qualified Staff for Ecotourism Development
The current level of competence of both officers and subordinate staff in PTR
makes them unsuitable for their task of the development of ecotourism. The
survey showed that none of them had been trained in ecotourism, eco-
development or wildlife management. Moreover, existing posts for field staff
were about 35% vacant.
It is recommended that training be provided to all the staff. Only trained and
motivated staff can train or provide fruitful incentives to the local
communities to work as eco-guides, hosts to tourists, etc. Since the Reserve is
totally under the Department of Forests and Environment, it is the
responsibility of the State Government to see to it that only trained and
oriented staff are posted in PTR, and also the existing vacancies are filled
Volume 10: Protected Areas and Sustainable Tourism 83
with competent staff. The inability to attract qualified personnel to the
Reserve is due to the remoteness of the area, poor working and living
conditions and the bad law and order situation in the area.
Lack of Involvement of Local Communities in Ecotourism
Human settlements in and around the Reserve have put great pressure on
resources. Under the India Eco-development Project, which aims at
mitigating negative impacts of people on PA and of PA on people, 65 eco-
development committees had been formed by 2001 in PTR. People’s
dependence on the Reserve has reduced to some extent by creating
alternative income generating facilities like pisci-culture, poultry,
horticulture, etc. However, not much emphasis has been given to ecotourism.
In 2001, tourist accommodation at Kehr was given to the eco-development
committees to manage; but it did not work out and presently these
accommodations are in bad shape. This probably failed due to a lack of
training for the members of the eco-development committees and a lack of
interest on part of the Reserve management. In Periyar Reserve, the concept
of Service Eco-Development is working. These committees are not territorial
in nature, rather they form a group of particular service people who may
come from different villages. In Periyar, these committees help the tourists in
meeting their needs such as of dry wood, etc. This has helped in providing
gainful employment to the local people, and has decreased the incidence of
petty robberies.
Recently the Jharkhand Forest Development Corporation invited an
Expression of Interest from the private sector for the ‘Development of
ecotourism through renovation, management and value added services in
Forest Rest Houses in 7 potential tourism sites’. The Betla guesthouses of PTR
were included in this. This example, together with the analysis of the
interviews, shows that the concept of ecotourism and its components are
quite new to the PA manager, and the stakeholders. The current situation of
ecotourism in PTR is basically nature tourism. According to Goodwin, nature
tourism includes mass tourism, adventure tourism, low-impact tourism and
ecotourism (Goodwin, 1996). In his definition, ecotourism is seen as low
impact, nature tourism with contributions to the maintenance of species
through conservation and community development; which is not in practice
in PTR.
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World84
It is therefore necessary to incorporate the principles of eco-development in
ecotourism so that the local communities benefit and they see the Reserve as
an asset and conserve it as source of income generation through tourism.
Ecotourism can be seen as a non-timber product of the reserve, and it can be
managed through the Forest Development Corporation by involving only the
locals.
Little Dissemination of Information and Awareness
Transparency in a system can be ensured only with an effective
dissemination strategy. The local people generally remain oblivious to the
concerns of the PA. Stakeholders are mostly unaware of the value of the
surrounding natural resources. They are ignorant of the impact they have on
the biodiversity of the area. PTR has evolved a dissemination strategy to keep
the different stakeholders informed about the management practices, Do’s
and don’ts, legal provisions, their rights, etc.
There is a need to promote PTR as an attractive ecotourism site through
suitable marketing of the natural and wildlife attractions. For a year or two
there has been advertising of the Reserve by the tourism department. Lessons
from Jim Corbett National Park can be taken into account.
Weak Scientific Research and Monitoring
Very few studies have been carried out. The three on record related to the
ecology of elephants and some studies on grasses. This is because there is a
poor attitude, a lack of research infrastructure, and most of all a lack of co-
ordination among different institutes and universities and the PA
management. The present Management Plan proposes to: establish a research
officer with an office and other supporting infrastructure; establish field
research stations; increase coordination with research institutes, universities,
NGOs, etc. and fund research activities.
Close monitoring of the impacts of management interventions is necessary in
PTR. Presently no monitoring of tourism impacts is carried out; though
monitoring of wild animals through a census occurs. Lessons from Dudhwa
National Park should be considered.
Volume 10: Protected Areas and Sustainable Tourism 85
Conclusions
Table 3 shows a comparative view of the issues associated with ecotourism
development in various Protected Areas on a relative scale.
Table 3 indicates that the management of ecotourism in the Palamau Tiger
Reserve ranks poorly compared to India’s well-known reserves and also to
the Nature Reserves of Germany and the Czech Republic.
The Palamau Tiger Reserve is unique in the sense that the law and order
situation here is the worst of all the Reserves in the country. Many areas of
PTR have become almost inaccessible to the general public and also to the
Reserve manager. Are these areas better conserved? Is there more
biodiversity in these areas? These questions arise because it may be presumed
that there is almost negligible negative impact by people in these areas; and
the anti-social elements preserve these areas for hiding and shelter.
Alternatively, it may be just the opposite, with the biodiversity being
destroyed without any check on adverse interests. A study of the extent and
impact of insurgencies inside the Reserve and their effect on biodiversity
could be a topic for further research.
Despite insurgencies, tourism in the Reserve is gradually improving.
Strategies for operating ecotourism in PTR should coincide with its overall
objectives. Five principal areas for developing ecotourism in PTR could be:
involvement, training, research, development and funding as shown in Figure
2.
The involvement of all stakeholders is necessary for efficient ecotourism in
the PTR. Local communities need to be incorporated into the management of
the reserve. Local youths could serve as eco-guides. The tourist spots could be
managed in partnership with the locals, with local houses and huts used as
home stays. A special program could be organized for local festivals associated
with tribal dances and an ethnic food carnival. Handicrafts could be
marketed in PTR stores, building on the weaving (beautiful palm leaves and
bamboo baskets); carpentry and blacksmithing (souvenirs for the tourists);
and honey and other non-timber products (branded with uniform
packaging); along with other handicrafts and souvenirs.
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World86
Pro
tect
ed A
rea
/Iss
ues
Pal
amau
Tig
er R
eser
ve,
Jhar
kh
a-n
d,
Ind
ia
Jim
Co
rbet
tTig
er
Res
erv
e, U
ttar
ak-
han
d,
Ind
ia
Kan
ha
Tig
er
Res
erv
e, M
adh
ya
Pra
des
h,
Ind
ia
Su
mav
a
Pro
tect
ed A
rea,
the
Cze
ch
Sa c
hse
n S
wit
zn
Sw
itze
r-
lan
d P
rote
cted
Are
a, S
axo
ny
,
Jasm
un
d
Nat
ion
al P
ark
,
Ger
ma
rman
y
Ap
pro
ach
an
d T
ran
sport
4
11
11
1
Acc
om
mo
dat
ion
3
11
11
1
hom
e-st
ays
54
33
nn
Nat
ure
Tra
ils,
etc
41
11
11
Nat
ure
Cam
ps
42
31
11
Si
Sig
nb
oar
ds
32
11
11
Ele
ph
ant
rid
es2
11
nn
n
Inte
rpre
tati
on
an
d c
on
serv
atio
n
edu
cati
on
32
11
31
Tou
rist
in
flu
x5
11
11
1
Dev
elop
men
t o
f E
coto
uri
sm
Poli
c y
52
13
33
Co
ord
inat
ion
am
on
g
dep
artm
ents
/sta
keh
old
ers
21
11
11
Rec
ycl
ing
of
Tou
rism
Rev
enu
e5
42
22
2
Qu
alif
ied
Sta
ff5
12
11
1
Inv
olv
emen
t o
f L
oca
l
Co
mm
un
itie
s3
21
nn
n
Dis
sem
inat
ion
of
Info
rmat
ion
/
Aw
aren
ess
& P
ub
lici
ty o
f P
A4
11
11
1
Scie
nti
fic
Res
earc
h &
5
11
11
1
Law
an
d o
rder
52
21
11
Tab
le 3
C
om
par
ativ
e ra
nk
ing
of
issu
es a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith
eco
tou
rism
dev
elop
men
t in
var
iou
s P
rote
cted
Are
as.
(Nu
mb
ers
i
nd
icat
e ra
nk
ing,
1-v
ery
go
od
sit
uat
ion
, 5
-ver
y b
ad s
itu
atio
n,
n-n
ot
req
uir
ed).
Volume 10: Protected Areas and Sustainable Tourism 87
FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World88
avoiding the repetition of the mistakes in the stages of evolvement of
ecotourism in other areas. This would allow staff to absorb the experiences of
best practice including the development of: ecotourism policy, legislation,
management systems and mechanisms, scientific research and monitoring,
management measures, etc. Training courses should be related to biodiversity
management, environment protection, ecotourism planning, interpretation
designing, community participation and development.
The Reserve should be able to meet the demands of tourists for information
about local natural phenomena and ecosystems. Interpretation should be
given in an enjoyable and easily understood manner, combined with local
cultural folklore to illustrate the relationship between humans and nature
locally.
Development of an ecotourism policy, action plan, ecotourism infrastructure,
demonstration sites, roads, etc. constitutes the basis for ecotourism. The
reserve planning should be integrated with the planning of local governments
and other related departments. This development should include all the
stakeholders, to improve the economic conditions of the local people while
conserving the area. The biosphere reserve concept proposed by UNESCO
encourages protected areas to contribute to local economic development by
providing demonstrations of sustainable resource use while ensuring
conservation.
Research by universities and institutes needs to be encouraged, as this
provides an understanding of ecotourism concepts and principles, the
solutions for technical issues and the establishment of models for ecotourism
development. Scientific research should focus on both a long-term strategy
and the urgent problems of management. Multidisciplinary methods should
be emphasized, especially the integration of natural and social sciences.
Funding for the various activities of the PTR is provided both by the state and
by the Centre. Interviews with the managers suggest that funding was not a
problem. There seemed to be a lack of vision. It would be better to: increase
government funding in environmental protection; readjust the current
policies for the distribution of tourism revenue; collect fees to generate
revenue; and explore other funding channels, such as the establishment of
foundation and donation mechanisms. In PTR, a Tiger Foundation Trust was
created but it needs to be made functional.
Volume 10: Protected Areas and Sustainable Tourism 89
Even under
Tiger Reserv
resources for
involve all t
sustainable
economic de
Goodwin, H
5 (3)
Honey, M.
Wash
Hummel, J.
coun
Hvenegaard,
fram
Kumar, D. 2
2010
Lindberg, K.
Man
Nyaupane,
Com
Proje
Singh, M. 2
Rese
Wall, G. 199
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ve area, ecot
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