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Green Resilient Rameswaram
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S Y N O P S I S
“Blessed is the little squirrel; he is doing his work to the
best of his ability. I simply want to be like the squirrel in
the building of Rama’s bridge, who was quite content
to put on the bridge his little quota of sand-dust. That
is my position”.– Swami Vivekananda
at Shakespeare Club, Pasadena, California 31 January 1900
Rameswaram Goes Green
Dear friends,
“Green Rameswaram Project” is an initiative of Vivekananda Kendra under its
Natural Resources Development Project (NARDEP) activities. As a catalytic
agent, Vivekananda Kendra has brought the stakeholders of the island together
through networking to join hands in the transformation. It reinforces the
belief that true development happens only when it is holistic and sustainable.
Rameswaram is a unique island that has a special place in the hearts of
Indians. It contains within its shores history, mythology, spirituality, religion,
archaeology natural beauty, bio-diversity, etc. It attracts tourists and pilgrims
in equal numbers. To preserve its wonderful gifts of nature, Rameswaram
needs to go Green. It needs intelligent landscaping, green transport, a solid
waste-disposal system, an underground drainage and sewage network,
rainwater harvesting pits and livelihood opportunities for locals through the
sale of special merchandise. Rameswaram needs to combine eco-tourism
with religious tourism to preserve its place on the tourist map of India.
Any developmental activity in Rameswaram should focus on preserving its
historical and archaeological monuments and conserve its ocean bio-diversity
spots even as provisions are made for tourist influx.
With the above perspective Visioning Exercise was organized with stakeholders
of the Island resulting in Nine Verticals and Twenty Seven Goals. Building
on the network made so far at the grass roots, District administration and
at the State level the formal the Island Development Committee is at the
process to realize the vision of conserving the rich heritage and preserving
the ecology of the Island.
Team
Green Rameswaram Project
1 TOWN
9 VERTICALS
27 GOALS
30 ORGANIZATIONS
45 INITIATIVES
15000000 PILGRIMS
1 AIM
GREEN RESILIENT RAMESWARAM
I. Introduction
Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram is one of the four
dhams or sites widely revered by
Hindus. Domestic tourism, particularly
spiritual tourism is on the rise in India
with several centres namely Tirupathi,
Golden Temple, Kumbh, Ambaji,
Rameswaram is experiencing an
avalanche of tourists. Approximately
1.5 crore pilgrims visit this town
annually. The town is situated on the
western part of the Pamban Island
between the Indian Peninsula and
Sri Lanka. The island covers an area
of 53 sq. km and has a population
of 44,856 as in 2011. There are two
village Panchayats – that of Pamban
and Thangatchimadam and one
Municipality of Rameswaram.
2
Rameswaram was initially declared a
Panchayat Union under the Madras
Presidency Panchayat Act of 1885. It
became a township in 1958, and a
Municipality in 2004. This Municipality
covers an area of 10 sq. Km. Though small
in size it was conferred the status of the
Municipality on the basis tourist inflow
and the Panchayat provisions were too
inadequate in terms of basic infrastructure.
Religious tourism and fisheries generate
the maximum employment.
The town is a living model for the
Neithal Thinai mentioned in the ancient
Tamil Literature. Data at the Department
of Tourism, Tamil Nadu, show that
Rameswaram attracts the maximum
number of tourists in the state. Discussions
are on to declare Rameswaram as a
UNESCO heritage site. This only upscale
Rameswaram as an important ecological
and religious tourist destination in the
world.
This would also mean higher tourist inflow
in future. Rameswaram in already bursting
at the seams with the current inflow. The
pilgrims leave behind a huge amount of
non-degradable wastes and untreated
sewage, especially around the temple
area. This not only projects the tourists
badly, but also disturbs the sensitive
ecology of the area. With the result, there
is an informal and unregulated expansion
of the town that adds to the burden of
civic amenities. SWOT analysis of the
status gives the following insights.
Map of Rameswaram Island
3
SW
TO
• Location of the town is a significant, ecologically sensitive natural precinct surrounded by Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar
• Unique cultural geography, evident with its 64 fresh water Teerthams, spread out in the whole Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ)
• Spiritual significance of the island and its connection to Ramayana and other associated beliefs
• Significant Marine Resources, Rare Species of Coral and Fish are found spotted in this bio region
• Significant destination for adventure Tourism
• Decreasing Population growth rate in the town and increasing floating Population
• Lack of basic and essential infrastructure for the community as well as the tourists and lack of knowledge of the Cultural and Architectural Heritage
• Socioeconomic Condition of the town depends on Tourism only
• Constraints in Development because the island being a part of Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ)
• Pollution due to Tourism related activities and piecemeal Developments in Architecture
• Deep Rooted Knowledge systems associated with the verticals, Significance of the town and the temple can be made available for Research, Analysis, Documentation and Application in Developing
• Accepting the significance and value of conservation today and fusing it with today’s needs can provide a right path for developments in all sectors
• Establishing sensitive infrastructure and devising it as an economic driver in the near future can be an Alternate Development Channel
• Abundant Potential to emerge as a significant Tourist spot through Heritage, Cultural and Ecological Conservation Efforts
• Potential to develop as a Knowledge Centre based on the Spiritual Significance
• Fragile Bio Region prone to disaster and natural calamities
• Any insensitive Socioeconomic Activity can be perceived as a negative factor
• Lack of proper Development Regulations/Bye Laws
• Degradation of Development due to water pollution and ineffective Solid and Liquid Waste Management
• Unchannelized Private Sector participation in tourism related activities and no development in tourism related infrastructure
Strength
Opportunities
Weakness
Threats
II. SWOT Analysis
4
The “Project Green Rameswaram” was
inaugurated by Late President Dr A.P.J.
Abdul Kalam in a grand public function on
28 January, 2014. The Vivekanada Kendra,
Kanyakumari, is involved in championing
this cause and has taken up the task of
reviving several ‘Teerthams’ or historic
water bodies in and around Rameswaram.
Its other initiatives include tree planting
and cleanliness awareness campaigns.
Over the period, despite
the Central and State
schemes, there is an
immense need felt by
all stakeholders for
contextualization of
schemes to promote
Blue Green infrastructure
calling for resilience
strategies and action plan.
The city has tremendous
opportunities for
economic activities
and upliftment through
tourism, sustainable
d e v e l o p m e n t ,
preservation of history
and culture and look and
feel of “clean and green
city.”
Rameswaram town
speaks a lot about Eastern
philosophical tradition which offers a
new approach to development concept.
At the physical level, it guides us to live
in tune with Nature; so that the essential
continuity of both life and Nature is
assured. And at metaphysical level, it raises
human beings to the divine status. Do
not consider developmental model as an
economic model based on quantity but as
Dr. Abdul Kalam inaugurating the Green Rameswaram Project on January 28, 2014
III. Project Green Rameswaram
5
one which calls for a qualitative change
in the levels of the individual, family,
society and environment. At present we
are pursuing the western paradigm, i.e.
fast track economic growth based on
ecological deficit financing. In this system,
precious resources like air, water and soil
fertility have been priced as free goods
and pollution has been written off as an
externality. The need of the hour is to link
environment with economics by evolving
a new accounting system where along
with cash accounting, energy accounting,
environmental accounting, conservation
accounting and social accounting also
will be factored in. Ethical results also
contribute to the economic results, i.e.
instead of Gross National Product – GNP,
our scale of measurement should be QOL
(Quality Of Life) in a broader perspective
on individual, social and environmental
level. Building on this perspective, through
a visioning exercise with stakeholders,
Green Resilient Rameswaram Vision was
evolved with the concrete goals under
each vertical.
The vision envisaged for making
Rameswaram as a Green Resilient Rameswaram is
“Nurture a rich heritage and preserving Ecology”.
Gross Domes)c Product
Gross Environment Product
Global Happiness index
Benefits only 15 % of popula)on
Benefits 85% of popula)on
Benefits all life
6
IV. SynthesisThis vision facilitated in preparing an
integrated development plan by bringing
in ecological conservation of biodiversity,
social capital building, and also sustainable
technologies. This implies a shift from
the traditional sourcing of funds through
Government budget line items, to bringing
in citizen participation at the local level,
and perhaps public private partnerships,
including CSR to ensure financial and
institutional sustainability over the long
term.
These changes can be summarised as below –
Parameter From To
Project design Reductionist approach Integrative holistic approach
Management structures Centralisation Decentralisation
Implementation
Perspective
As per budget and
Project time schedules
A learning approach, geared
towards policy advocacy for
sustainable development of
National heritage towns
Implementation
Processes
Departments of
Tamilnadu Government
Public private partnership
(PPPs)
Goal of project Urban area development Enriching Quality of
experience of pilgrims
(spiritual - ecological)
Sourcing of funds Provision of capital
Budgets of the
Government
Bringing in private capital
and CSR funds, as also
building Social capital
through Citizen Engagement
Strategy for
Development
Infrastructure provision In Integrated development
of the island, society and
Economy
7
V. Planned Priorities for Development of “Green Rameswaram”Through a multi-stakeholder vision exercise held in May 2017, in active collaboration
with the district administration, the following nine priority areas were identified and
termed “Verticals” in this pilot plan. The changes in development perspective for these
are planned as under:
Vertical Present Approach Planned For Green Rameswaram
Water
Management
Provision of drinking water
and Drainage through
Sanitation projects
Proactive Groundwater
augmentation, converting black
Water to grey water
Waste
Management
Waste management Zero Waste
Renewable
Energy
Conventional Grid based Interacting Off Grid and On Grid
Renewable sources of energy
New
Merchandise
and Livelihoods
Provision of fisheries
infrastructure, generation
of employment, measured
by mandays and wages
(MGNREGA)
Developing Entrepreneurs
through trading activities
Landscaping and
Beautification
Landscaping Beautification to fit traditional
aesthetic standards of a Hindu
pilgrim heritage town
Green Health Preventive/ Curative/ Tertiary
Health care
Create human Wellbeing
Heritage Preserved in museums Living heritage
Eco Tourism
and Green
Transport
Viewed as a demographic
number of infrastructure
provision
Viewed as a client whose
spiritual experience needs to be
enhanced
Marine
Biodiversity
Ignored or mitigation efforts Actively conserving ecology and
Biodiversity in the Gulf of Mannar
Biosphere
Green Resilient Rameswaram
OveRview Of
Sustainability
Social Capital
Resilience Score
Outcome
9 Verticals Frame
Goals
Rationale
Background
Initiatives Taken
Issues
Proposals
Key Actions
Vision 2025-
Mission- 9 verticals
27 Goals
3 Years Projects
Prioritization
Budget
Green Resilient
Rameswaram
VI. Overview“Green Resilient Rameswaram” plan is a result of visioning exercise where the
stakeholders chalked out the future of Rameswaram after much deliberation on its
present status and strengths and weaknesses of the existing system. each goal has
a rationale which comprises issues, proposals, outcomes and key action along with
a tentative estimate besides contexualising with background and the initiatives taken
under each vertical.
9
VII. Building Resilience Score CardBenefit / impact score card which has scale dimensions (5 = very high, 4 = high,
3 = medium, 2 = low, 1 = very low / no impact) was used to provide a preliminary
assessment of how each project would address the range of resilience dimensions.
(Used by University College, London, in collaboration with ATKINS for preparation of
the Madurai Action plan).
Climate risk Effects of increased temperatures, variability in monsoons,
extreme precipitation events/flooding
Community Needs Reduce vulnerability of communities and reduce multi-
dimensional poverty e.g through provision of basic services,
health improvements, etc.
Resource
Efficiency
Water scarcity, food security, natural habitat,
Prioritisation An initial assessment was made for the prioritization which
should be given to each policy to help inform the approach
to phasing and sequencing within the overall strategy
VIII. Verticals and GoalsFollowing Verticals and Goals Emerged out of the Visioning Exercise
Vertical Goals
Water Management Renovation of Traditional Water Bodies
RO Water Plant
Re-use of Grey Water and Black water
Waste Management Primary and Secondary Waste collection
Anaerobic Digestion
Resource Recovery Park
10
Vertical Goals
Renewable Energy Technology Knowledge Park
Solar Online and offline Domestic units
DC Micro Grid
New Merchandise and
Livelihoods
Palm Value-Added Products
Moringa Value-Added Products
Rameswaram Branded Products
Heritage Preservation and conservation of Natural Heritage
Built Heritage Structures in the Rameswaram Pilgrim
Town
Art Heritage Conservation
Cultural Heritage
(Ganga Jal, Preservation of Silver Coin)
Strengthening Cultural Heritage
Green Health Treatment of Anaemia
Nutrition Education
Walkers’ Club
Yoga
Marine Biodiversity Marine Biodiversity Knowledge Park
Alternate Livelihoods
11
Vertical Goals
Landscaping and
Beautification
Building Thematic Parks based on Fauna & Flora
Strengthening Sacred Groves
Building Eco-Friendly Infrastructure
Amphi Theatre
Eco Tourism, and
Green Transport
Eco Tourism/Education
Migratory Bird Watching
Green Transport
IX. Social Capital and Policy AdvocacyBuilding citizens engagement is seen as a potential tool for sustainability of the verticals
promoted under Green Rameswaram. Social engineering is essential for building
ownership and management of Green Rameswaram. There is a lack of commitment,
engagement of the citizens and stakeholders in this regard. Despite the initiatives taken
at Rameswaram for promoting social capital at the grassroots, the pace of promotion
is slow for various reasons. Hence, the need for promoting social capital, based on
development perspective on each vertical.
Despite the initiatives taken at Rameswaram for impacting systems/management/
process/policies at the micro and macro levels, the pace of changes/developments is
not as envisaged for various reasons. Hence, we are advocating its promotion through
the Island Development
Committee (Formal Structure
proposed by Government
wherein Green Rameswaram
representative will be made
as Member Secretary) for
all the development works
at Rameswaram. Proposals
mooted under different areas
of the verticals are given
below:
12
Social Capital Policy Advocacy
Water Management
• Building up Teertha Mitra Committee
• Education of water sources and
hygiene
• Institutionalization of Citizen
Engagement
• Regular Programme and Activities
• Reviving traditional cultural practices
• Framing operational guideline for
Water management
Waste Management
• Preparation of documentaries /
slides/ brochures/ signages and
advertisement for screening in Social
Media and Publicity vans.
• Prepare training kit and manuals on
SWM for different target groups for
effective waste management.
• Exposure visits for Tourist and local
residents on live demonstration of
effective waste management through
Knowledge Centre.
• Establishing a data base on waste to
be proactive in the course of action.
• Promoting public and private
partnership model
• Policy regulation on the
management of waste of commercial
establishments.
• Allocation of resources based on
generation and management of waste
“Teertham Cleaning by College Students in Rameswaram”
13
Social Capital Policy Advocacy
Renewable Energy
• Building up Solar Energy Users Group
• Training and awareness programs on
DC Micro Grid Systems
• Sensitization programme on
Technology Knowledge Park
• Kiosk based user registration and
feedback system in the Energy Park
• Framing Operational Guidelines for
Renewable Energy Management
• Augmenting the technology for
protecting the Energy Sources and
optimizing the usage with minimum
source
• Pilots success/ Documentation/
Scaling Up
Livelihoods
• Exposure visits to successful Producer
Companies
• Trainings on Value Added
Technologies of their products
• Branding Process Training
• Building capacity of the Farmers
Activity Group
• Patenting Products by identifying its
uniqueness
• Value Added products of Palm and
Moringa would be documented as a
contribution to the sector
• Clearing blockages in obtaining FSSAI,
ISI, etc.
“Kitchen Waste Based Bio Gas Plant Installation Process underway in Rameswaram”
14
Social Capital Policy Advocacy
Landscaping and Beautification
• Organizing stakeholder Committees
for generating DPR for landscaping
and Beautification of the temple area
within 5 KM Radius
• Institutionalization of Citizen
Engagement
• Ensuring the public private partnership
for landscaping and beautification
• Follow-up with the Authorities for
approvals, data, details, etc.
Green Health
• Promotion of peer groups for co-
learning among the adolescent girls
at school and village and Pregnant
mothers.
• Promotion of associations for
consuming millets in particular for
Diabetics and walkers club.
• From IEC to BCC
• Health Steering Committee to be set
for recognizing the groups formed at
ward level.
• Minor Millets exclusive eatery -
Vendor Licensing – Shop Space
through District Authorities.
• Creation of exclusive Pedestrian
pathways for walkers/Creation of
public parks
“Green Health Siddha Camp conducted at Chambai village by Green Rameswaram”
15
Social Capital Policy Advocacy
Heritage
• Institutionalization of Citizen
Engagement
• Regular programme and Activities
• Reviving traditional cultural practices
• Framing operational guidelines for
conservation and use of heritage
structures which need to be ratified
by local and District administration.
• Ensuring the protection from
encroachment/theft of the heritage
structures and erosion of traditional
social values of national integration, in
cultural heritage
Eco Tourism and Green Transport
• Orientation Programme for Tourist
Guides
• Establishing of Photo Clubs
• Site Maintenance Facilitation –
Educative qualified guide to facilitate
Bird Watching
• Green Bus – Eco Development
Tourism
• Drawing Boundaries for Bird Gathering
Places
• Green Transport Island
“200 years old Mohabeer Dharmasala renovated by Green Rameswaram”
16
Social Capital Policy Advocacy
Marine Biodiversity
• Regular Programme and Activities
• Building up of Fisherwomen Groups
• Framing experiential guidelines for
Marine Bio Diversity management
• Protecting the Marine Bio Diversity
by spotting the wrong practices and
devising suitable alternatives for the
same
“Gulf of Mannar Rare Species of Dugong and Green Turtle”
17
X. Abstract of BudgetThe tentative estimate for all the verticals proposed is given below:
S.No. Verticals Budget `
1 Water Management 6,06,30,000
2 Waste Management 7,16,82,600
3 Renewable Energy 1,33,40,000
4 New merchandise and Livelihoods 1,67,80,000
5 Building Heritage 2,09,96,000
6 Green Health 84,55,000
7 Marine Biodiversity 1,04,55,000
8 Landscaping and Beautification 1,42,75,000
9 Eco Tourism and Green Transport 2,36,10,000
Grand Total 24,02,23,600
The realization of the goals is possible only when sustainable institutional mechanism
and process is at place. In this direction, several meetings were held both at Collectorate
and at Rameswaram Municipality to formalise Island Development Committee under the
chairmanship of the District Collector. The approval of the committee by the State will
pave way to realise the Green Resilient Rameswaram Plan by preparing detailed project
reports (DPRs) for each and every goal envisaged. Preparation of DPR will empower
the city to leverage resources from central, state, corporate social responsibility and
also community for achieving Green Resilient Rameswaram.
18
Achievement in collaboration with Stakeholders ……
water Management• 8.5million litresofwater storagecreated
• 20,000villagers anda lakh tourist arebenefited.
• Kudimaramathu system for protecting the traditional water-
bodies revived
waste Management• 7,30,000 kg waste are recycled in a year
• 1,32,000 man-hours of employment in 1 year
• 25,000 kgs of compost generated in a year
Building Social Capital• Visioning Exercise with stakeholders for Clean and Green
Rameswaram
• Periodic camps for 20000 students of schools and colleges
on Green Rameswaram
• Mobile vans and permanent exhibits for sensitizing the pilgrims
Landscaping and Beautification• 1100 plants in 7 acres with 67 indigenous species have been
planted
• Plants based on Zodiac signs, birth stars and planets are
planted in the Vanam
• 50 medicinal plants have signages carrying their botanical
and local names and medicinal value.
Renewable energy• 100 cubic meters of biogas using kitchen based waste for
100 members of the island
• 200 Households’ energy needs of households at Dhanushkodi
are fulfilled using solar lights to facilitate education
• Generation of 25 KW at Mohabeer Dharmasala using solar
energy is showcased for adoption at archaeological sites
Associates
HAND IN HAND INDIA
Supporters
Join
our endeavours
with
For further details write to : Secretary,
Green Rameshwaram Project,
Mahabeer Dharmashala, Rameshwaram - 623526
Tamil Nadu, INDIA.
Ph: 04573-222296
email : [email protected]
website : www.greenrameshwaram.org
Associates
HAND IN HAND INDIA
Supporters
Join
our endeavours
with
For further details write to : Secretary,
Green Rameshwaram Project,
Mahabeer Dharmashala, Rameshwaram - 623526
Tamil Nadu, INDIA.
Ph: 04573-222296
email : [email protected]
website : www.greenrameshwaram.org
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7/27/2017 Modi to unveil blueprint of Green Rameswaram project - Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/modi-to-unveil-blueprint-of-green-rameswaram-project/articleshowprint/59745665.cms 1/2
Modi to unveil blueprint of Green Rameswaram projectTNN | Jul 25, 2017, 11.58 PM IST
Printed from
Chennai: Kanyakumari-based Vivekananda Kendra has prepared a detailed plan to make Rameswaram an environment friendly
and green island. Called Green Rameswaram, the project envisages an action plan involving all stakeholders. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi will release the document during his visit to the island on July 27 at Mandapam Coast Guard Colony.
The total cost of the project is Rs 24.02 crore and out of that Rs 6.06 crore will be spent for water management in the island.
The action plan is a 200-page document, which contains detailed account of what needs to be done to make Rameswaram a
much-sought after island to visit. The Kendra is already involved in discovering lost wells in the island for the past several years.
"The plan is to organise stakeholder committees for generating detailed project report for landscaping and beautification of 5
km radius of the Rameswaram temple area. The work will be taken up with public-private partnership," Vivekananda Kendra
secretary, G Vasudeo told TOI.
Through a multi-stakeholder vision exercise held in May 2017, in active collaboration with the district administration, priority
areas were identified. "Proactive groundwater augmentation, converting black water to grey water and actively conserving
ecology and biodiversity in the Gulf of Mannar biosphere are some of the priority areas which have found place in the
document," said Vasudeo.
The Green Rameswaram project is being funded by corporates as well as the Union culture ministry. An integrated
development plan has been prepared by factoring in ecological conservation of biodiversity, social capital building, and
sustainable technologies.
"This implies a shift from the traditional sourcing of funds through government budget to bringing in citizen participation at the
8/1/2017 Project to conserve rich heritage Rameswaram - The Hindu
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/project/article19391282.ece 1/5
MADURAI
Project to conserve rich heritage Rameswaram
JULY 30, 2017 21:04 ISTUPDATED: JULY 30, 2017 21:20 IST
Special CorrespondentRamanathapuram
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched it on July 27
Joining hands with non-governmental organisations, Vivekanandra Kendra has drawn out ‘Green Resilient Rameswaram’project with nine verticals and 27 goals to conserve the rich heritage of the pilgrim island and preserve its ecology and marinebiodiversity in the Gulf of Mannar region at the total cost of ₹24.02 crore.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the project on July 27 after inaugurating the memorial of former President APJAbdul Kalam. He released the synopsis, handed over to him by Collector S. Natarajan, who is the chairman of the ‘Islanddevelopment Committee’ (IDC) and G Vasudeo, secretary, Vivekananda Kendra.
The Kendra, which was implementing Green Rameswaram project under its Natural Resources Development Project(NARDEP) since 2013 after launching the project on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, hasprepared the ‘Green Resilient Rameswaram’ action plan based on the projects implemented so far and in consultation withstakeholders.
The action plan comprised 11 verticals such as water management, waste management, renewable energy, eco tourism withgreen transport, landscaping and beautification, marine bio-diversity, green health, new merchandise and livelihoods,heritage, social capital and policy advocacy, Mr Vasudeo said.
Mr Kalam had launched the Green Rameswaram initiative and it was strengthened by the IDC. The projects wereimplemented in collaboration with the Central and State governments, district administration, municipality, with