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Documenti di Cultura
Whether it's about a nature camping or organizing trekking trips towards the
virgin and inaccessible regions, one should always keep in mind not to create any mishap
or disturbance in the life cycle of nature. With over 500 species of mammal, 2000 types
of Bird and at least 30,000 kinds of insects, India provides an unmatched range and
diversity
that
justifies
several
ecotourism
travel
trips.
India is a rich land in terms of both natural beauty as well as cultural heritage, and
this is what eco tourists actually look for in their trip. Hence, eco tourism has tremendous
scope
in
India.
local
people.
where
local
people
are
benefited."
All this together can be called ecotourism. If a travel does not satisfy any one of these
constituents, then it is not called a real ecotouris
CONTENTS
Topic
Page No.
1. Research Methodology
1.1 Research Methodology
2.
2.2 Concept
2.3 Definition
2.4 Types
13
4. Tourism in India
20
5. Ecotourism
5.1 An Introduction
23
25
6. Ecotourism in India
6.1 An Introduction
29
31
33
35
36
41
43
45
7.2 Objectives
46
7.3 Principles
47
49
50
8. Ecotourism Project
8.1 Ecotourism Project of Kerala
55
9. Eco Hotels
Orchid An Eco Hotel
64
77
Annexure
Chapter I
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The following Flow-chart or schematic representation shows the methodology of study:
INPUT
STUDY TOPIC
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
RELATED LITERATURE
METHOD OF STUDY
SOURCES
ARTICLES
EXAMPLES
PUBLICATIONS
ANALYSIS
CONCLUSION
OUTPUT
1.2.1 Objectives of the Study
To study the concept of travel and tourism and India as a Tourist destination.
Chapter II
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
dissatisfaction and monotony get a conducive nexus for their germination and
development. Hence to control or regulate the process, we allow a change which
influences our decision making behaviour and forces us to welcome a change of place. It
was against this bankground that the tarvelling was transformed into business and of late
is an industry. The process of transformation has witnneesed a number of ups and downs
in almost all areas. Right from the very beginning of culture and civilization, we find
process of change continuing, of course as a pilgrimage. There is no dought in it that the
Roman Empire injected life, strenght and continuity to travelling and therefore, the
credibility for development of tourism industry ultimately goes to them.
During the rule of Alexander the Great, 700,000 tourists visited what is now a part
of Turkey. This was considerably helped by the well built and organized roads, whilst on
the journey groups had the ability to change a team of horses, stay at rest houses, and
refreshments were available along the trip. During this time, the roads were crowded.
Alexander the Great traveled to India and found the road systems and facilities well
arranged. It was during the same period that pleasure travel begun taking place in China
and Japan. The Chinese emperor, Wu Di traveled plenty in the 2nd century. His
adventures were well described in his writing.
During the reign of Elizabeth the 1st tourism reached a high. Coach travel had
become popular because of its style. Young gentlemen who came from wealthy
backgrounds undertook the Grand Tour in this era. They would travel to parts of Great
Britain, France, and Italy, it was considered crucial for the education of the young men.
The tour was used improperly on many occasions, the youngsters would go on
major shopping sprees and a lot of the time they would meet local ladies and generally
behave badly. During the 18th Century, the Industrial revolution changed tourism
considerably. A great deal of the rural folk joined the urban society, which allowed them
more time and money to spend on travel. Thomas Cook was the first person around the
world to begin chartered travel and open travel agents. His first chartered trip was a rail
trip in which he offered two brass bands, a gala, tea and buns, and speeches for the
guests. Thomas cook was of the view that beauty is for the people. The opinion of Mr.
Cook generated new dimensions in the tourism business which paved copious avenues
for the development of tourism as an industry.
The developed, less developed and even the developing countries have assigned
due weight age to the tourism industry in their national development agenda. With
tremendous socio-economic potentials, the tourism industry is considered to be an
economic bonanza which paves avenues for the development of allied industries, such as
hotels, communication banking, and transportation and so on. In addition tourism is a
potential source for making possible world peace through mutual appreciation and
international understanding.
2.2 Concept
Tourism is the act of travel for the purpose of recreation and business, and the
provision of services for this act. Tourists are people who are "travelling to and staying
in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for
leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated
from within the place visited". The distance between these two places is of no
significance.
A more comprehensive definition would be that tourism is a service industry,
comprising a number of tangible and intangible components. The tangible elements
include transport systems air, rail, road, water and now, space; hospitality services
accommodation, foods and beverages, tours, souvenirs; and related services such as
banking, insurance and safety and security. The intangible elements include: rest and
relaxation, culture, escape, adventure, new and different experiences.
10
2.3 Definitions
One of the earliest definitions of Tourism was given by the Austrian economist
Hermann Von Schullard in 1910. He defined it as, "sum total of operators, mainly of an
economic nature, which directly relate to the entry, stay and movement of foreigners
inside and outside a certain country, city or a region."
Hunziker and Krapf, in 1943, defined Tourism as, "Tourism is the totality of the
relationship and phenomenon arising from the travel and stay of strangers, provided that
the stay does not imply the establishment of a permanent residence and is not connected
with a remunerative activities."
In 1976 Tourism Society of England defined it as "Tourism is the temporary,
short-term movement of people to destination outside the places where they normally live
and work and their activities during the stay at each destination. It includes movements
for all purposes."
In 1981 International Association of Scientific Experts in Tourism defined
Tourism in terms of particular activities selected by choice and undertaken outside the
home environment.
11
2.4 Types
Tourism may be classified into the following types:
1. Domestic tourism:This takes place when the residents/citizen of one country travels only within the
country.
Thus the Sharma family from Mumbai making an itinerary that includes the
Golden temple of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra would de considered as domestic tourism. For
India, domestic tourists are the largest- over 100 million and growing fast- and cannot be
ignored in any tourism strategy.Major hotel chains like the Taj group, the Oberois, Days
Inn, the Mahindras with their gateway hotels- all have started catering to this vast market.
2. Inbound tourism: This involves the travel of a non-resident- be he/she a foreigner or a national
resident in the given country in that country, after arrival from another country. Thus a
group of germans coming in on a chater flight of UVI Holidays and having a 23-day
itinerary in india would be inbound tourism.this is growing and at the best of times has
reach a figure of 2.5 million for India.
3. Outbound tourism: This takes place when residents of a country travel to another country or
countries. Thus when Shetty of Banglore take up package tour offer of RAJ for a 20-days
journey to theUSA, they would be classified as outbound tourists.
The three basic types can be combined in various ways to derive the following categories
of tourism, viz.:
12
Agritourism: farm based tourism, helping to support the local agricultural economy.
Ancestry tourism: is the travel with the aim of tracing one's ancestry, visiting the birth
places of these ancestors and sometimes getting to know distant family.
Armchair tourism and virtual tourism: not travelling physically, but exploring the
world through internet, books, TV, etc.
Audio tourism: includes audio walking tours and other audio guided forms of tourism
including museum audio guides and audio travel books.
Cultural tourism: includes urban tourism, visiting historical or interesting cities, such
as Berlin, Kathmandu, Lahore, Lima, Buenos Aires, London, Paris, Delhi, Rome,
Prague, Dubrovnik, Beijing, Istanbul, Kyoto, Warsaw, and experiencing their cultural
heritages. This type of tourism may also include specialized cultural experiences,
such as art museum tourism where the tourist visits many art museums during the
tour, or opera tourism where the tourist sees many operas or concerts during the tour.
13
Dark tourism: is the travel to sites associated with death and suffering. The first
tourist agency to specialise in this kind of tourism started with trips to Lakehurst,
New Jersey, the scene of the Hindenburg airship disaster.
Disaster tourism: travelling to a disaster scene not primarily for helping, but because
it is interesting to see. It can be a problem if it hinders rescue, relief and repair work.
Ecotourism: sustainable tourism which has minimal impact on the environment, such
as safaris (Kenya), Rainforests (Belize) and hiking (Lapland), or national parks.
Gambling tourism, e.g. to Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, California, Macau
or Monte Carlo for the purpose of gambling at the casinos there.
Garden tourism visiting botanical gardens famous places in the history of gardening,
such as Versailles and the Taj Mahal.
Heritage tourism: visiting historical (Rome, Athens, Cracow) or industrial sites, such
as old canals, railways, battlegrounds, etc.
Health tourism: usually to escape from cities or relieve stress, perhaps for some 'fun
in the sun', etc. Often to "health spas".
14
Hobby tourism: tourism alone or with groups to participate in hobby interests, to meet
others with similar interests, or to experience something pertinent to the hobby.
Pop-culture tourism: tourism by those that visit a particular location after reading
about it or seeing it in a film.
Perpetual tourism: wealthy individuals always on vacation; some of them, for tax
purposes, to avoid being resident in any country.
Sport travel: skiing, golf and scuba diving are popular ways to spend a vacation. Also
in this category is vacationing at the winter home of the tourist's favorite baseball
team, and seeing them play everyday.
15
Space tourism: Vacilando is a special kind of wanderer for whom the process of
travelling is more important than the destination.
Chapter III
A PERFECT TOURIST DESTINATION INDIA
16
Culture
Few countries of the world have such an ancient and diverse culture as Indias.
Stretching back in an unbroken sweep over 5000 years, Indias culture has been enriched
by successive waves of migration, which were absorbed into the Indian way of life. It is
this variety that is the hallmark of India. Its physical, religious and racial variety is as
immense as its linguistic diversity. Underneath this diversity lies the continuity of Indian
civilization and social structure from the very earliest times until the present day. Modern
India represents a picture of unity in diversity to which history provides no parallel.
Religion
India probably has the most religious diversity in any country. Its the birthplace
of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. Its among the few places to have a
resident Zoroastrian population. The Syrian Christian Church is well established in
Kerala; the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, old churches in Calcutta and Delhi, synagogues
17
in Kerala, temples from the tiny to the tremendous, stupas, gompas and the Bodhi tree,
the Ajmer Sharif and Kaliya Sharif in Bombay, all reflect the amazing multiplicity of
religious practice in India. Tribal people in the northeast, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat
practice forms of nature worship.
Language
India is the home of many languages. India is the home of many languages. India
is a huge country with lot of cultural and geographical differences. There are a number of
languages spoken in India. The national language of India is Hindi, which in one form or
another is spoken all over the north. In the Deccan (south India), the languages are
completely different. The states were formed on the basis of language so each has its
own. On the whole though, dialects, accents, idioms and linguistic flourishes change
every few miles. There are 18 official languages but over a thousand recognized dialects.
English is widely spoken.
Clothing
To the foreign traveler, one of the most powerful attractions in India is the
colorful and diversified attire of the people. The silk saris, brightly colored mirrored
cholis, colorful lehangas and the traditional salwar-kameez have fascinated many a
traveler over the centuries.
Food
The food available in India is as diverse as its culture, its racial structure, its
geography and its climate. The essence of good Indian cooking revolves around the
appropriate use of aromatic spices. These spices are also used as appetisers and
digestives. Besides spices, the other main ingredients of Indian cooking and Indian meals
are milk products like ghee (used as a cooking medium) and curd or dahi.
Although a number of religions exist in India, the two cultures that have
influenced Indian cooking and food habits are the Hindu and the Muslim traditions. The
Hindu vegetarian tradition is widespread in India, although many Hindus eat meat now.
18
The Muslim tradition is most evident in the cooking of meats.A typical North-Indian
meal would consist of chapatis or rotis or parathas, rice and an assortment of accessories
like dals, fried vegetables, curries, curd, chutney, and pickles. All along the coast and
extensively in the northeast fish is consumed almost as a staple. Both fresh water and sea
fish are popular. For dessert one could choose from the wide array of sweetmeats from
Bengal like rasagulla, sandesh, rasamalai and gulab-jamuns.
South Indian food is largely non-greasy, roasted and steamed. Rice is the staple
diet and forms the basis of every meal. It is usually served with sambhar, rasam, dry and
curried vegetables and a curd preparation called pachadi. Coconut is an important
ingredient in all South Indian food. The South Indian dosa, idli and vada, which is made
of fermented rice and dal, are now popular throughout the country. The popular dishes
from Kerala are appams and thick stews. Desserts from the south include the Mysore pak
and the creamy payasum. Also available are the snacks on the roadside like bhel puri and
paapri chaat. Vegetarians will feel like theyve come home, especially in the south.
Indians love their sweets.. Theres also a huge variety in drinks. Besides chai (tea) and
coffee, sweetened/salty churned yoghurt called lassi, the neemboo-pani or lemon-water,
fruit and aerated drinks are readily available in India. IMFL expands into Indian made
Foreign Liquor and spans the entire range from beer to whiskey. Some examples of local
brews are chaang in Arunachal, today in the South and Goas famous feni.
Festivals
19
The festive celebration of India is woven with the fibers of a galore of traditions,
culture, heritage and rituals storing each region's fragrance in it. The fairs and festivals of
India are nothing but the outburst of this multi-fragrant basket in different times at
different corners of the country. The Indian calendar is one long procession of festivals.
These are as varied in origin as they large in number. There are innumerable national,
regional, local, religious, seasonal and social festivities. This is not surprising considering
the fact that India is the land of gods, goddesses, saints, gurus, and prophets. Colour,
gaiety, enthusiasm, feasts, and a variety of prayers and rituals characterize festivals here.
some festivals such as Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Dussehra, Eid, etc. are celebrated in all
parts of the country with same energy and exuberance.in India every month is signify
different festivals
In India, art is a like an energy booster. It is a mystical force, which gives shape to
the vision of the artist. It speak volumes of the quickness and expertness of
craftsmanship. For the artists these creations are not pulse less objects but full of life,
carrying their passion and exactness. You can experience the variety, vibrancy and
discreetness of traditional Indian art and crafts as there are a myriad number of things in
terms of gems of Indian stone work, metal work, jewelry, woodcrafts, leather work,
carpets, pottery, paintings, textile and furniture.
20
Indian Paintings can be broadly classified as the murals & miniatures. Murals are
huge works carried out on the walls of solid structures. Classic examples are the paintings
in Ajanta & Kailasantaha. More recently the opulent paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, the
paintings of M.F. Hussain, Jamini Roy and Ganesh Pyne among others rule the art scene.
Dance
Dance and music are an integral part of Indian life. The Natya Shastra, written by
Baratha between 2 B.C. and 2 A.D., is the source for all forms of Indian classical dance.
It is regarded as the fifth Veda. The legacy of dance in India is tremendous. On temple
walls, on an urban stage, in impromptu bursts by a mellow evening fire, men and women
twinkle their toes in expression of joy. The classical dances of India are numerous.
Characterized by stylized movements and elaborate costumes, these dances communicate
age-old tales of love, longing and rage. Kathakali of Kerala, Bharatnatyam of Tamil
Nadu, Kuchipudi of Andhra Pradesh, Manipuri and Odissi from Orissa are the prominent
dance forms in this country that sways to an altogether novel beat. The robust bhangra of
Punjabi men, the graceful whirling of Rajasthani women, the gentle sway of northeastern
dancers, vigorous tribal dances, every corner has developed its own unique form.
Heritage
The glorious past of India has ensured that the present and subsequent generations
have plenty of historical and cultural heritage to be proud of. The fascinating monuments
21
and heritage sites in the country stand quietly today to retell their story of joy, sorrow,
courage and sacrifice before you. Each of the story is so enchanting and singular that you
will be left asking for more at the end of each narration. Indian history and heritage. At
the end of your trip, you will surely develop a huge respect for the Indian heritage while
craving for more such tour in the near future.
On the whole the Indians are a warm welcoming people. The guest is next only to
God and they are great hosts. But what exactly is it that gets two and a half million
people to pack their bags, book their tickets, and wing their way to India? Given that this
is the land of the Taj, granted too that tea, tobacco, tempestuous democracy and terrific
travel are a great combination but surely that's not reason enough.India has inspired more
than any one place's fair share of travel lore. And, perhaps that's what it is - the legends of
India - that's what inspires people from far and near to travel here, to sort out for
themselves what's true and what's just a whole lot of tourism pamphlet hype.
Pilgrimage
The multi hued country, India is probably the ultimate destination of all kinds of
pilgrims following any faith around the world. The great religions like Hinduism,
Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity and Sikhism are the integral part of Indian culture
and heritage whose values and faiths are mingled with the air, soil and the sky of India
22
A pilgrimage tour in the divine land of India will surely bring all the faces of Indian
devotions and you will be moved by seeing the unconditional faiths and beliefs of the
Indians for the God, who may have any name or identity. Your spirituality and devotion is
sure to attain a new height after a pilgrimage tour in India and who knows, you may
return home with an enlightenment which you have searched for all your life.
Chapter IV
TOURISM IN INDIA
23
TOURISM IN INDIA
The acceptance of 'going away' on holiday, commonly referred to as tourism, as a
part of our lifestyle in contemporary western society may lead us to believe that it has
always been a feature of people's lives. Yet the word 'tourist' is a fairly new addition to
the English language, the word 'tour-ist' (deliberately hyphenated), first appearing in the
early
Over the last 40 years, international arrivals worldwide rose dramatically from 70
million to 710 million. The tourism industry as a whole is currently estimated to earn
over US$ 3.5 trillion worldwide creating a job every 2.4 seconds with every one of those
direct jobs creating another 11 indirect ones. Spending on tourism amounts to 5%-10% of
total consumer spending in a year, worldwide.
India was one of the first countries to become a member of the World Tourism
Organization in 1951. The government of India also took note of the new phenomenon of
international tourism and appointed a committee in 1946 under the chairmanship of Sir
John Sargent, Secretary, and Department of Education. In pursuance of its
recommendation, the government set up a small tourist branch under ministry of transport
in 1949 and in 1951 established four field offices in Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and
Chennai. In 1955, the Estimates Committee recommended the starting up of a separate
Department of tourism, and this was done in 1957. A national apex body, the Tourism
Development council, was set up in 1958.in 1951, there were 17,000 tourists who visited
India; and in 1980, the number has gone up from 80 to150. In 1980, the share of India in
international tourism was 0.39 %.the average length of stay, which determines the
24
volume of tourism and foreign exchanged earned from it, is 25 days for India, one of the
highest in the world. It is estimated that in 1980 tourist spent between Rs. 5,500 and Rs.
6,000 million in foreign exchange in India. This was 0.79 percent of the estimated total
world revenues of US $ 95.3 billion at the 1980 exchange rate.
Indias share of the total market is a pittance at 0.15%. Nevertheless, tourism has
the distinction of being the third largest export industry after gems and jewellery and
readymade garments in India. The significance of tourism in terms of employment
generation is rising too. In 1996-97, direct employment in the sector was estimated at
about 7 to 9.1 million people, accounting for around 2.4% of the total labour force.
The subcontinent of India lies in south Asia, between Pakistan, china, and Nepal.
To the north it is bordered by the worlds highest mountain chain, where foothill valleys
cover the north most of the countries states. Further south, plateaus, tropical rain forests
and the sandy deserts are lined by palm-fringed beaches. Side by side with the countrys
staggering topographical variation is its cultural diversity, the result of the coexistence of
a number of religions as well as local traditions. Thus, the towering temples of south
India, easily identifiable by their ornately sculptured surface, are associated with a great
many crafts and performing arts of the region.
In the desert of kutch, Gujarat, on the other hand, a scattering of villages pit themselves
against the awesome forces of nature, resulting in Spartan lifestyles made vibrant by a
profusion of jewellery and ornamental embroidery. Used to adorn apparel and household
linen. In the extreme north is the high- altitude desert of ladakh. Local culture is visibly
shaped by the faith of Buddhism as well as by the harsh terrain. Yet another facet of
Indian culture is observed in the colourful tribal lifestyles of the North-eastern states of
Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Manipur with their folk culture.
In the central Indian states of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh, tribal village life has
resulted in a variety of artistically executed handicrafts. Indias mountains provide lazy
sunbathing as well as wind-surfing and snorkeling, and its jungles provide shooting
wildlife with a camera.
25
In creative arts, Indias sculpture, architecture and painting have had a rich
history. The cave architecture of Ajanta and cave wall painting of Ajanta and Ellora, the
temples of Khajuraho, the Mughal and Rajasthani paintings and the Taj Mahal are but a
few examples of Indias culture heritage. The history of accomplishments in dance,
drama and music is equally formidable and impressive. The classical dances still thrive in
India, especially in their major forms- Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kathak and Manipuri.
Chapter V
ECO TOURISM
26
ECO TOURISM
5.1 An Introduction
Eco-tourism is derived from two words - 'Ecosystem' & 'Tourism'. Together it is
made Eco-tourism. To understand Eco-tourism we have to understand our Ecosystem
first.
Ecosystem
Ecosystem is the system in which we live - the system which include the earth,
the water, the sky and of course the living and the non-living objects in all these systems.
It is a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their nonliving
environment
interacting
as
functional
unit.
But, there is no such specific and particular spatial unit or scale to measure an Ecosystem.
Thus, the term "ecosystem" does not, necessarily, agree to the terms "biome" or
"ecological zone", but can refer to any functioning unit at any scale. It could, for
example, be a grain of soil, a pond, a forest, the sea, the river, a biom or the entire
biosphere.
And, tourism means - 'the practice of traveling for pleasure.' Thus, a tourism
which
contains
visit
to
an
Ecosystem
is
known
as
Eco-
tourism.
But, that is not all. Eco-tourism is not only travelling to such Ecosystems, but also
conserving them.
Basically
Eco-tourism
means
conservation
of
the
environment."
28
29
etc.
Ecotourism is considered the fastest growing market in the tourism industry, according to
the World Tourism Organization with an annual growth rate of 5% worldwide and
representing 6% of the world gross domestic product, 11.4% of all consumers spending.
What
to
do
in
ecotourism
Tour?
Carry back all non-degradable litter such as empty bottles, tins, plastic bags etc. These
must not litter the environment or be buried. They must be disposed in municipal
dustbins only.
Observe the sanctity of holy sites, temples and local cultures.
Cut noise pollution. Do not blare aloud radios, tape recorders or other electronic
entertainment equipment in nature resorts, sanctuaries and wildlife parks.
In case temporary toilets are set-up near campsites, after defecation, cover with mud or
sand. Make sure that the spot is at least 30 meters away from the water source.
Respect people's privacy while taking photographs. Ask for prior permission before
30
taking a photograph.
What
you
should
not
do
in
Eco
Tour:
Do not take away flora and fauna in the forms of cuttings, seeds or roots. It is illegal,
especially in the Himalayas. The environment is really delicate in this region and the biodiversity of the region has to be protected at all costs.
Do not use pollutants such as detergent, in streams or springs while washing and
bathing.
Do not use wood as fuel to cook food at the campsite.
Do not leave cigarettes butts or make open fires in the forests.
Do not consume aerated drinks, alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicant and throw bottles
in the wild.
Do not tempt the locals, especially children by offering them foodstuff or sweets.
Respect local traditions.
Polythene and plastics are non bio-degradable and unhealthy for the environment and
must not be used and littered.
31
Chapter VI
ECO TOURISM IN INDIA
32
here
till
eternity.
Unlike Africa, where great herds of beats romp across the Savannah giving photo
opportunities galore to tourists in Zebra-striped buses, wild animal watching in India
takes patience. At any, sanctuary, dress in sensible attires and keep quiet; the creatures are
33
easily spooked. Yet with almost 350 species of mammal, a couple of thousand types of
Bird and at least 30,000 kinds of insects, India provides an unmatched range and diversity
that
justifies
several
ecotourism
travel
trips.
34
The geographical diversity of India has also given it a wealth of eco-systems which
are being protected and preserved. They have also become the major resources for
ecotourism. One specific element is bio-sphere reserves. These are multi-purpose
areas protected in order to preserve the genetic diversity and integrity of plants,
animals and micro-organisms in representative eco-systems. There are seven such
reserves in India at present: Nilgiri; Nanda Devi; Nokrek; Great Nicobar; Gulf of
Mannar; Manas and Sunderbans.
The third element is coral and coral reefs. There are four coral areas identified in
India so far: Gulf of Mannar; Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Lakshadweep Islands;
and Gulf of Kutch.
The fourth element is the great and little deserts in the North-Western region of the
country. This is a distinct eco-system which has attracted the fascination of tourists.
35
The fifth element consists of mountain and forests, including great Himalayas and
other mountain ranges in the country. Along with their forests, rivers and snow, they
have also become great attractions for eco-tourists. The country has an area of about
752 million hectares designated as forests, and of which about 406 million hectares
are classified as reserve forests and 215 million hectares as protected forests.
India's sixth element is the flora and fauna which are very abundant. There are about
45,000 species of plants, including shrubs. The country also has a great variety of
fauna, numbering a little over 65,000 known species, including 1,228 species of birds,
428 species of reptiles, 372 species of mammals, 204 species of amphibians and
2,546 species of fishes.
In order to protect and preserve these genetic resources, India has created 75 national
parks and 421 wildlife sanctuaries in different parts of the country. Some have already
become popular with tourists, such as Kaziranga and Manas in Assam; Jim Corbett Park
in Uttar Pradesh; Bharatpur, Ranthambore and Sariska in Rajasthan; Kanha and
Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh; Bandipur in Karnataka; and Simlipal in Orissa.
36
37
e) Architectural heritage sites and other areas of historic value are to be adequately
protected.
In the initial years of ecotourism development, greater emphasis was given to the
development of tourism in the Himalayas and the deserts. One of the earliest projects was
the Gulmarg Winter Sports Resort. However, the focus has been on the provision of basic
minimum facilities for visits by eco-friendly tourists to the hills, national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries. Forest lodges and viewing towers were provided in some of the
important sanctuaries along with transport facilities in the form of jeeps and elephants.
There are several interesting trek routes of varying difficulty in the Himalayas.
Facilities like camping sites, trekkers' huts, tents and trekking equipment are provided to
encourage the development of a few of these routes and promote trekking tourism.
Several bodies of water including lakes, back waters and seas constitute major
sources of tourist attractions. Facilities like houseboats, water sports equipment, glass
bottom boats, hovercraft, etc. are provided to benefit tourists.
Landscaping and upgrading the environment of parks, gardens and other natural areas has
been another stream of developmental activity associated with ecotourism. Creation of
public conveniences and road side amenities was also given considerable importance in
the development process.
Some recent initiatives in the development of ecotourism include the
establishment of a resort in 1988 with 70 beds at Bangaram Island in Lakshadeep with
private sector participation. The crystal clear sea water, abundant marine life and corals
provide an ideal setting for enjoying nature's beauty.
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The Coconut Grove at Kumarakam and Spice Village at Thekady in Kerala are
some new additions to India's ecotourism resorts. These are private enterprises which
specialize in providing experiences with nature in full measure.
India has also been aware of the importance of preparing master plans for the
sustainable development of tourism. A study on the sustainable development of tourism at
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is now underway with the assistance of UNDP and WTO.
Similar studies are also being considered in other areas identified for resort development.
39
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(i) What to
(ii) how to see it; and (iii) how to behave. This can be by way of brochures, leaflets,
The roles and responsibilities of tourism developers and operators are fundamental to the
achievement of ecotourism and the long-term success of the businesses.
Role and responsibility of tourism developers and operators
1. Respect and follow the planning restrictions, standards and codes provided by the
government and local authorities.
2. Implement sound environment principles through self-regulation.
3. Undertake environmental impact assessment for all new projects and conduct regular
environment audits for all ongoing activities, leading to development of environmental
improvement programs.
4. Be aware of, and sensitive to, protected or threatened areas, species and scenic
amenity; undertake landscape enhancement wherever possible.
5. Ensure that all structures are unobtrusive and do not interfere with the natural
ecosystem to the extent possible.
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6. Recognize the optimal environmental capacity and sociological use-limits of the site in
creating tourist facilities; also take into account the safety and convenience of tourists.
7. Design buildings strictly on functional and environmental considerations and avoid
over-construction.
8.Employ eco-friendly physical planning, architectural design and construction of tourist
facilities, for example use solar energy, capture and utilize rainwater, recycle garbage, use
natural cross-ventilation instead of air conditioning, ensure a high level of selfsufficiency in food through orchards, ecological farms, aquaculture and such.
9. Use local material and designs to the extent possible in construction.
10. Employ energy and water-saving practices to the extent possible; freshwater
management and controlled sewage disposal should also be practiced.
11. Control air emissions, chemical pollutants and noise.
12. Control and reduce environmentally unfriendly products such as asbestos, CFCs,
pesticides and toxic, corrosive, infectious, explosive or flammable material.
13. Respect and support historic or religious objects and sites.
14. Provide information and interpretive services to visitors especially on attractions and
facilities, safety and security, local customs and traditions, prohibitions and regulations
and expected behavior.
15. Ensure adequate opportunities for visitors to commune with nature and native
cultures.
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5. Leave plants to flourish in their natural environment and avoid taking away cuttings,
seeds and roots.
6. Leave campsites clean after use.
7. Help guides and porters to follow conservation measures. Do not allow cooks/porters
to throw garbage in streams or rivers.
8. Respect the natural and cultural heritage of the area and follow local customs.
9. Respect local etiquette and do not wear tight-fitting clothes. Remember that kissing in
public is disapproved of in India.
10. Respect privacy of individuals and ask permission to take photographs of local
inhabitants.
11. Respect holy places; do not touch or remove religious objects.
12. Strictly follow the guidelines for personal safety and security and always take your
own precautions and safety measures.
Finally there is a role for others, such as scientific and research institutions and nongovernment organizations, in promoting ecotourism. The things they can do include:
(i) create awareness, among all concerned, about the importance of sound eco-practices in
tourism development;
(ii) Motivate the local community to increase their involvement in sustainable tourism
activities; and
(iii) Organize training programs to prepare the local people to take up various vocations
related to ecotourism.
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Civil society has also begun to exercise control over the environment. Many nongovernment organizations have been generating awareness about environmentally
destructive practices. Individuals have taken recourse to public interest litigation to stop
environmentally destructive practices. The Indian judicial system has been very liberal in
restraining environmentally hazardous activities. At times, political parties also stop
environmentally harmful practices by agitation and raising issues in democratic forums
such as state legislatures. The print and electronic media have been very active in India in
investigating environmentally injurious activities by highlighting such issues and creating
public opinion for environmentally compatible practices.
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compassion for flora and fauna. Floating accommodation in the form of house boats
prevalent in Dal Lake, Kashmir and the back waters of Aleppy, Kerala are famous
throughout the world. This type of accommodation brings tourists close to nature. This
kind of informal education will go a long way in promoting ecotourism in India, a
country where financial and other resources are limited.
Major sections of the society (urban, rural, students, employees, workers,
employers) are encouraged to undertake tours in different parts of India. The government,
academic institutions and private sector provide funds or concessions for this purpose,
with the objective of better binding the countrys multiethnic, multi linguistic, and
multicultural people together, while helping them understands their country better and
appreciate each others problems.
Chapter VII
ECOTOURISM POLICY OF MADHYA PRADESH
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Madhya Pradesh is endowed with a very rich spectrum of scenic and relatively
undisturbed landscapes, forests, wildlife and cultural diversity. The State has the largest
forest area (94,669 sq km) in the country of which more than 10,000 sq km is under
Protected Areas and the largest tiger population housed in five world famous tiger
reserves. It is also home to several endangered species including the Gangetic Dolphin,
the Ghariyal, the Great Indian Bustard and the Kharmor amongst others. More than 80
per cent of tourism in Madhya Pradesh is centered on nature and wildlife. The State has
long been a premier wildlife destination especially for Tiger viewing. Excessive and
exclusive focus on tigers and tiger reserves however has the potential to lead to problems
including resource degradation, neglect of other areas, erosion of the local culture and
other management problems associated with excessive centralization. Besides, a majority
of tourists are deprived of experiencing other lesser known but equally rich facets of the
States natural heritage, which could also lead to stagnation in the growth of tourist
inflow to the State.
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7.2 OBJECTIVES
The State shall endeavor to promote regulated and meaningful public access to forests,
peripheral areas and other natural landscapes of the State, through:
a)
b)
d)
e)
staff;
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g)
Securing economic benefits for the local communities without adversely affecting
their cultural ethos.
7.3 PRINCIPLES
The development, management and promotion of ecotourism in the State shall be
governed by the following guiding principles:
a. All ecotourism activities are to be in strict conformance with the provisions of the
existing environmental law of the country, especially the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the various directives and guidelines issued by the
Government from time to time.
b. Rules and guidelines regarding technical procedures, stakeholder participation and
impact mitigation to be developed and strictly adhered to.
c.
e.
facilities.
f.
Creation of environmental awareness amongst all sections and age groups, especially
Wherever resources harnessed for ecotourism are traditionally in use by the local
community, activities and facilities shall be developed in consultation with them and
mechanisms to ensure flow of benefits to the community shall be identified and
implemented.
j.
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d)
e)
f)
Generating synergy among the Forest Department, Tourism Department and other
stakeholders.
g)
expeditiously.
7.5 ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES
Ecotourism activities to be identified and developed at any destination shall be
site-specific i.e. dependent upon the potential of the particular site being developed.
Following are the activities and facilities that may be undertaken for promoting an area as
an ecotourism destination within the State.
a. Nature Camps
Camping sites may be identified and provided with basic facilities to enable the
tourists to stay in natural surroundings either solely to experience the wilderness or
additionally for participating in other activities requiring overnight stay in forests.
b. Eco-friendly Accommodation
Adequate facilities for boarding and lodging of tourists may be developed. The
infrastructure must be eco-friendly and strictly in accordance with guidelines laid down
in this regard. Suitable existing buildings, located in picturesque locations, may also be
developed for tourist accommodation. Where feasible, local community members may
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also be encouraged to provide lodging and boarding facilities to the tourists, subject to
prescribed quality standards.
c. Trekking and Nature Walks
Trekking routes of varying distances and guided nature trails through designated
paths may be identified and developed in scenic landscapes rich in biodiversity, causing
minimum disturbance to the natural vegetation and soil. Staff and local persons,
especially youth may be appropriately trained to act as Nature Guides and Naturalists so
as to assist visitors during wildlife viewing and trekking.
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water bodies may be artificially stocked by rearing and releasing fish seed into the rivers
that have been depleted of the target species over time.
g. Herbal Ecotourism
Herbal ecotourism may be made the thrust area at suitable locations having a rich
herbal heritage. Traditional medicinal practices of such locations may be explored and
based on these; authentic herbal inputs having appropriate certifications and recognition
may be made available to the tourists. These activities may be promoted in collaboration
with Madhya Pradesh Minor Forest Produce Federation.
j.
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staff and visitors in order to maintain and enhance support for ecotourism and
environmental conservation. Various means that may be adopted include media
campaigns, formation of eco-clubs at schools and colleges, exposure visits to
destinations, displays and hoardings, community centers etc. New and innovative
methods shall also be encouraged.
k. Other Facilities
Facilities for any other eco-friendly activities may also be provided based on
specific requirements of a site provided the activity is compatible with the overall
objectives of this policy and in conformance with the various standards and guidelines
laid down in this regard.
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Chapter VIII
ECO TOURISM PROJECT
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59
Day Trekking Programme, Tribal Heritage, Bamboo Grove, Jungle Inn and Wild
adventures.
Ecotourism in Kerala
The state of Kerala, forming part of the Western Ghats, contains a protected area
of 2,324 sq.km in two National Parks and 12 Wildlife Sanctuaries. The Western Ghats of
Kerala, with its tropical forest ecosystem, provides a natural advantage for development
of Ecotourism. The Western Ghats regions of Kerala can be projected as an Ecotourism
Zone in the true sense. It has now become necessary to evolve appropriate location
specific strategies for sanctuaries in Kerala, in the sphere of ecotourism development.
Proper ecotourism product development, its marketing, environmental impact
assessment, monitoring etc. are to be done in a systematic way.
The Tourism Department of Government of Kerala has taken steps to give
focused attention to ecotourism in the State. A separate ecotourism wing has been created
to give policy support for the development of the ecotourism destinations in the State.
Thenmala ecotourism project was established in and around Shenduruney
Wildlife Sanctuary with the co-operation of departments such as Forest, Irrigation and
Tourism. It is considered to be the first planned ecotourism destination in India.
Thekkady is another ecotourism destination, which offers the visitor an unforgettable
experience. Except Thekkady, all other sanctuaries in Kerala are practically unknown to
tourists. What is needed is a more focused strategy which is supply-driven and small
group - oriented. Ecotourism activities, in an ecologically sensitive area need close
monitoring. Tourism in these natural areas should be ecologically sustainable. There
should be provision for the visitor to be educated about the environment. The economic
benefit of such an activity should accrue to the local population to ensure sustainability.
Ecotourism projects the concept of sustainability in tourism, that is, the needs of today's
visitor should not be met at the expense of future generations.
Ecotourism in Periyar Tiger Reserve
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In 1899, the core area of what today is the Periyar Sanctuary was declared a
reserved forest in order to protect the catchment area of the Periyar River. This river had
been dammed in 1895, resulting in several small lakes and a reservoir. In 1934 the area,
including the reservoir, was declared a Sanctuary. The total area of the present Sanctuary
is 777 square kilometers and it is located in the southernmost part of Western Ghats. 70%
of it includes tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. What make Thekkady a
unique destination on the tourism map are its climate, landscape and
possibility of watching wildlife closely on the lakeshore while taking a
boat cruise. The prime attraction of tourists visiting Thekkady is a boat
cruise in the Periyar Lake. This lake is artificially formed, due to the
submergence of low-lying forest areas, following the construction of the
Mullapperiyar Dam in 1895. It offers a variety of opportunities to cater
to the needs of various classes of tourists.
An experiment in forest management called India Eco-development Project at
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady developed an ecotourism component, the
Thekkady Tiger Trail late in 1998. The concept and implementation of the India Ecodevelopment Project made the managers of Periyar Tiger Reserve think seriously in
order to identify sustainable tourism activities that ensure local participation in its fullest
sense.
The Project at Periyar has two basic objectives:
To implement the project initially, local communities living off the forest were
organized into eco-development committees (EDCs).
Two basic objectives for the EDCs were to reduce the negative impact of local
alternatives for them. The project has so far benefited about 40,000 people of 5,540
families.
Ex-Vayana Bark collectors, who were involved in the illegal de-barking of
Cinnamon trees (Vayana) as well as in Sandalwood smuggling and poaching formed an
eco-development committee (EDC) in 1998. 23 smugglers came forward to begin life
anew. They pledged to protect the very forests that they had plundered in the past and in
return, the Forest Department withdrew all the cases against them. The Tribal Trekkers
Eco- Development Committee (a group of 20 tribal youths), and the Periyar Tiger
Samrakshan (PETS) (a group of 70 members who were earlier employed by the Forest
Department as watchers), have an involvement in the tourism. They provide services like
day treks through the forest, arranging nature camps, horse riding and special
programmes for the tourists. The members of all the committees help the Forest There is
also clear evidence for a significant increase in the number of animals in the sanctuary.
Periyar Tiger Trail
It is an adventurous trekking and camping programme in dense forest. It is offered
in two packages, one- night and two-night stays, depending upon the preference and
wallet of guests. Trekking in the Thekkady Tiger Trail is in reality participation in forest
patrols within Periyar Sanctuary and National Park. Trekking with tourists during peak
season is normally limited to two occasions a week. Each trekking is unique in the sense
that different paths are chosen randomly. The physical condition of the trekking tourist
determines to some degree the difficulty of the path chosen. As the terrain is undulating,
every trekking program demands that each participant is in good physical condition.
From the beginning, the trekking follows an easy footpath, but then the team enters
terrain and vegetation of varying difficulty to penetrate, in an untouched landscape
without tracks. There are no facilities within the Sanctuary, so everything needed has to
be carried along. Under the scheme, a maximum number of five tourists will be
accompanied by five guides and one armed forest guard. The guides are very
knowledgeable on every nook and cranny of Thekkady forest, and on wildlife behavior.
During the night, the guests are put up in temporary erected tents right in the interior.
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Guests feel at the lap of Mother Nature and can have a close-up view of wildlife and
observe their behavior. Considering the vulnerability of biodiversity the number of slots
has been limited.
Although much publicity has been given to the project recently and its popularity
is increasing, the number of trekking is limited to not more than a couple of tours per
week. This is typical of ecotourism. An ecotourism project is never meant to be
expanding with increasing popularity - then it ceases to be a true ecotourism project,
which entails a minimum of damage and disturbance of the environment. One very
important result of the project so far, is that the former poachers have been converted to
devoted trackers with a genuine interest in conserving the Sanctuary. Some trackers have
reported that the number of wild animals is already increasing. One national award for
ecotourism was given to this project by The Ministry of Tourism for excellence in
environmental concern in January 2000. A state award (Kerala) was also given recently
for innovation in tourism.
Other Ecotourism products of Periyar Tiger Reserve
Bamboo Rafting:
Ex-Vayana Bark collectors initiated a Bamboo Rafting program for tourists in
November 2002. A full day nature trail package is offered to nature lovers to enjoy the
panoramic beauty of Periyar Lake and undulating surroundings. A maximum of ten
tourists can be accommodated in one slot. They will be accompanied by five guides and
one armed guard. Only one slot will be allotted per day. Under this package the guests
can enjoy two-hour long trekking, one and half hours long rafting upwards, and then after
lunch break the party returns in the same manner. During the trail the party can have a
feeling of pristine forest, see even large mammals, birds and indigenous people fishing in
the lake. The guests will be helped to identify flora and fauna.
Day Trekking Programme:
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The guest can get acquainted with their traditional life, such as medicinal herbs, weapons,
musical instrument, household articles etc.
Wild Adventures:
This programme involves a close interaction with the nature in the midst of a
typical evergreen forest in Gavi, about 40 Kms. from Thekkady. The full programme is
conducted by the eco-development committees of Meenar, Gavi and Kochupanpa. The
package includes vehicle safari from Thekkady to Gavi and trekking in the forest. Animal
sighting is common and abundant. Night-stay is also facilitated for a limited number of
tourists. Rowing, bird watching, outdoor camping in the forest, tree-top stay and night
safari are also arranged on request.
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welfare fund for the 22 trackers with families, and other improvements remain to be
made. One very important result of the project so far, is that the former poachers have
been converted to devoted trackers with a genuine interest in conserving the Sanctuary. A
major part of the earnings from the bamboo-rafting program goes to the community
development fund from which the members earn a monthly wage of
Rupees 3,500. The earnings from various activities and services also go
into a community development fund.
Conclusion
The success of the Eco-development project in the Periyar Tiger Reserve reflects the
concern for achieving a balance between conservation of the sanctuary and livelihood of
people living in and around it. The involvement of local communities in Ecotourism
activities is a step in the right direction. It provides for alternative sources of income to
local communities, which live in and around protected areas, thus decreasing their
dependence on forest resources and increasing their commitment to keeping the forests
intact. For the vast protected area network in India, the lessons from the Periyar
experience is important, as it legitimately shows the need for communities and
conservation to go hand in hand.
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Chapter VIII
ECO HOTELS
ECO HOTELS
Our environment is the most precious asset that will be passed on to the next
generation. Protecting the environment is the task of all the individuals, governments and
enterprises. The future of the World is in the protection of the environment, therefore the
future of the hotels is in eco-hotels. Hotels use large amounts of water, energy, chemicals,
supplies and disposable items. They also generate lots of waste in form of wastewater and
solid waste. The prevention of polluting the environment with this waste is of great
68
importance not only to stakeholders and the employees of the hotel, but also tourists who
are becoming more concerned for the preservation of the environment.
Eco-hotel or environmental suitable hotel has to follow the basic principles of
good housekeeping - based on maximizing benefits and minimizing costs. Those
principles are at the same time the main principles of the ecology as a scientific approach
and as a global movement aimed at preserving environment and implementing
sustainable development concept. Sustainable development is very important concept in
hospitality industry because it meets the needs of present tourists and host regions and at
the same time protects and enhance the opportunity for the future. Hotels have positive or
negative impact on their local area and host communities. Accordingly, eco-hotels act in
the way that they keep the environment clean and improve their quality, rise up the level
of satisfaction of more sophisticated and ecologically more conscious guests and reduce
costs, which, all together helps promoting the concept of tourism sustainable
development.
Environmental costs are impacts that occur in society, enterprise, or individual.
They result from activities that affect quality of the environment, and can be expressed in
monetary and non-monetary items. They have to be fully integrated into company's
business decisions on long term basis, and only the enterprises that properly account for
the true environmental costs of their businesses will be in a better position to meet
competitive challenges in the future.
An Introduction
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1995, the Management of Kamats Plaza decided to upgrade and reopen the property as a
Five Star Hotel. Accordingly 'THE ORCHID', which is Asia's first Eco-Friendly Five Star
Hotel, was opened.
The Flagship of the Company - KAMAT HOTELS (INDIA) LIMITED is a Public
Listed Company and the group flagship hotel of the company viz., THE KAMAT
PLAZA, a four star hotel near the Santacruz Airport was taken by the Company KAMAT HOTELS (INDIA) LIMITED pursuant to the Management Contract with Plaza
Hotels Private Limited for a period of 30 years with effect from 1st April, 1994.
In the year 1994, the company achieved good results ; reasons being the rising
demand for suitable accommodation in the City of Mumbai due to economic
globalization and at the same time a boom in the real estate market with acute shortage of
hotel rooms in the city of Mumbai.
Hence, the then Management of the Kamat Plaza Hotel undertook to expand the
project immediately after its Public Issue during the year. . Under their able guidance and
after having done a detailed market study/ survey along with a feasibility report, decided
to upgrade the Project to a Five Star Property and hired the services of Mr. D. M. Upasni,
an Architect of repute and an International Designer - Lynn Wilson from USA, (who is
ranked among the top 10 in the world) to design the hotel interiors, keeping in mind the
needs of a Business Traveler along with his luxury and comforts, comparable to
international standards.
Marketing being an important aspect of the Hospitality Industry, positioning of
the property is an important aspect too. Unto them was born a brand, unknown so far in
the continent of Asia - a green hotel - environmentally sensitive - right from brick to
paper and taking care of every little guest need at the same time - In their efforts to
position this brand, it was proved that 87% of international travelers do patronize green
hotels. Thus awakened the need to tie up with an International Firm- HVS ECO
SERVICES of - HVS INTERNATIONAL, NEW YORK who were hired to undertake -
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The Plan Configuration: The building is designed with 72 rooms facing the atrium;
therefore these rooms are not directly exposed to the external elements thus reducing
the heat load.
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Natural Lighting in the Atrium: This has been achieved by skylight as an architectural
element, detailed in a manner of doubly layered domes to reduce heat load and noise
levels yet admitting maximum natural light in the atrium space.
Roof Top: The swimming pool is located on the rooftop with 4 feet of water body,
which acts as an insulator from the heat. KoolDeck is applied around the swimming
pool deck to reduce the glare and the surface temperature so that one can walk
barefooted around the pool.
Civil Work: To start at the very beginning the cement that has gone into making The
Orchid an Eco friendly Hotel is absolutely environment friendly. This cement, PPC
(Portland Pozzalana Cement) contains 15-20% fly ash, as compared to OPC
(Ordinary Portland Cement).
Water Conservation: At The Orchid they believe in the three "R" theory of reduce,
reuse, and recycle. Water being one of the earth's most precious resources and vital to
life they have tried to put this theory in practice by taking special care to conserve this
resource by employing carefully planned techniques enlisted below, which reestablishes our belief in the above theory.
Sewage Treatment Plant: At the Orchid they even recycle our wastewater. With the
latest technology, wastewater is treated and then reused in areas like air conditioning
& gardening.
Drip Irrigation: With the help of drip irrigation provided on site their endeavor to
conserve water will increase two folds!
2. Interiors
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Reused Wood: At their specialty restaurant called the "Vindhyas" the entire interiors
i.e. the woodwork has been made from wood recycled from old buildings! This
concept was specially incorporated keeping our eco-friendly image of the Hotel.
Triple Glazed Windows: This tripled glazed window blocks the heat of the sun from
entering the room and helps in conserving the air-conditioning energy. An added
advantage of this unit is that prevents fabric and furniture colours from fading as the
triple glazed unit prevents the infra red light from the sun to enter the room. These
windows also help in effectively cutting out the noise pollution from India's busiest
airport.
Electrical: At The Orchid they have not only made efforts to reduce solid waste and
conserve water but also have contributed in saving energy.
3. Electronic
Interactive T.V: These are televisions in the guest rooms by which we can receive our
messages on the TV, order room service through the interactive TV, set top box. The
welcome letter also will be displayed on this and last but not the least you will also be
able to view your room bill on the TV.
4. Zero Garbage
The Orchid in its endeavor to become a "zero garbage" hotel has taken various
measures to reduce the waste being generated. To reinforce this we have undertaken
the project of vermiculture on hotel site. For this purpose they have built 9 bins on
site wherein all the kitchen garbage is diverted for the process. This endeavor of ours
has helped to achieve "zero garbage" mission; the second benefit of this act is that
they are not adding to the waste stream of the city.
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5. Operational Practices
Amenities: In keeping with environment theme in mind at The Orchid use Herbal
products, which are manufactured under an Ayurvedic license; these products are not
tested on animals and do not contain any animal fat.
Laundry: In their strive to reduce waste they have reusable cloth laundry bags
instead of the standard paper or plastic bags as in other hotels, in which the guests
could send the clothes for laundering and the same will be delivered in reusable cane
baskets wrapped in muslin cloth. A laundry button is incorporated in the master
control panel, eliminating the use of laundry pick up tent cards.
Shopping Bags: The Orchid provides you with a specially designed cloth shopping
bag with the environment messages we believe in.
ECO Harvest: As a special give away for all are dear guests we have the "Eco
Harvest" a basket containing an herbal pillow which induces sleep, a bunch of neem
twigs, two aromatic oils & 5 age old herbs.
Pens / Pencil: The Orchid uses eco-friendly pens and pencils. The eco-pens are made
using recycled cardboard, reprocessed plastic and scrap wood.
Recycling Bins: Separate recycling bin with a sticker for guest use is placed in all
rooms.
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Recycled Garbage Bags: The garbage bags used by us are made from recycled plastic
and milk pouches.
Cut Flower vs. Potted Plants: At the Orchid , you'll find cut flowers cut to an absolute
minimum - instead living vibrant plants help bring the beauty of nature indoors
minibar
Water Flask & Glasses: The water flask in the guestrooms are left empty which are
filled after asking the guest for his preference of hot, cold
or
in the
are
away
Team members
At The Orchid, staff is fondly referred to as - TEAM MEMBERS.
Every member of The Orchid team from the Managing Director down to the newest
recruit has a total commitment towards being environmentally responsible. At the
recruitment stage they select those individuals who had the drive in them or showed
concern and care for the environment.
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Environment education, in fact starts from the very first day the team members join The
Orchid. They go through an intensive one week environment training programme,
wherein they are educated to understand the importance of the environment to not only
their livelihood but also to the future of the world. The team members are on six-month
environment training, on successful completion of which only are they confirmed. In
their annual appraisal forms too we have a separate section dedicated towards this.
They have monthly activities for team members in which they can participate. To
mention a few - quizzes, slogan competitions, sketching & drawing competitions, EcoSkits, on the spot surprise quizzes, clean-up drives, etc. In their monthly Antakshari game
they have 1 round out of the 4 wherein the teams are made to sing songs related to the
environment and many more.
The team members actively participate in programmes and activities organized for the
community to spread and create the awareness of being environmentally responsible.
They have a Green Team in the hotel, which act as the Green Eyes of the hotel. It
comprises of 19 members from different departments, who are nominated by their
respective departmental heads. Besides assisting in the various programmes, they
implement and audit the environment practices in their respective departments. They are
also empowered to conduct training classes in their areas and go on inspection to various
departments.
Incentives
Team members participating in any environment activities are given a gift for the efforts
made by them e.g. as an incentive for the clean up drive all those who participated were
given a T-shirt with an environment slogan. For the other ongoing competitions winners
are given mementos and on other such occasion's cash rewards are also given. The
Orchid also gives each of its team members a cloth bag as an alternative to using plastic
bags. The more dedicated the team member, the more chance he has of being included
into the Green Team of the hotel & being made a Green Team member. They are also
given a chance to represent the hotel at various seminars and events organized by the
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hotel and/or in which the hotel is participating. It is not only the team members, but also
the executives and heads of departments who show enthusiasm, involvement and
commitment towards our environmental causes.
The awareness and commitment in our team members for the improving the Environment
has reached such phenomenal levels that even in their spare time, they go out into
localities on a "clean up drive", thereby passing on the message of eco-friendliness and its
benefits, to all and sundry
Guest participation
Guests form an integral part of any hotel in the world. The Orchid, have left no stone
unturned in our quest for a clean environment, to the extent that we have provided
opportunities for our guests to be a part of our environmental programmes.
Guests participation programmes:
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Recycle Bins: Two bins one for wet waste and the other for
dry/recyclable waste is placed in all our guestrooms. This is done so
that the guest voluntarily disposes waste in the respective bins.
Guests are encouraged to participate in our environmental crusades, and they do it with a
lot of enthusiasm and zeal.
Guests participate in:
Eco Floats and Skits
Eco Boat Floats
Eco Days celebrated at The Orchid.
Savings
As a result of all the hard work put in by us, The Orchid has reaped the following
business benefits:
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In terms of monetary savings we have saved a whopping Rs. 33, 28,435/- per year,
which works out to Rs. 9119/- per day only be the use of PL Lamps.
As a direct result of the saving done by The Orchid we have been able to pay
dividends to our shareholders this year also!
Conclusion
Our environment is the most precious asset that will be passed on to the next
generation. Protecting the environment is the task of all the individuals, governments and
enterprises. The future of the World is in the protection of the environment, and all the
enterprises need to adjust their business performance to act in such way to minimize
harmful impact to the environment. Enterprises use large amounts of water, energy,
chemicals, supplies and disposable items. They also generate lots of waste in form of
wastewater and solid waste. The prevention of polluting the environment with this waste
is of great importance to everyone. To become an environmentally friendly enterprise is
the adoption of a new culture that extends through the enterprise, employees, guests,
vendors, suppliers, local community and other elements of environmental management
system (EMS).
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Chapter IX
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
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Suggestions:
Involvement of private sector in tourism related projects in the state to give fillip to
this sector.
Appointing consultants for each state of the country who would study the state
thoroughly, to identify destinations of tourist interest, which would result in
promoting tourism.
Instead of promoting the state as individual, efforts should be taken to promote India
as a whole just like Australia, Malaysia..
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AA-1 Annexure
Earnings from Tourism in Kerala (1999-2003)
Year
1999
416.07
2000
525.30
2001
535.00
2002
705.67
2003
983.39
AA-2 Annexure
Foreign Exchange Earning from Tourism (1996-2003)
Years
Earning(Rs in Cr)
1996
196.38
1997
273.20
1998
302.08
1999
416.07
2000
525.30
2001
535.00
2002
705.67
2003
983.37
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
WEBSITES:
www.ecoindia.com
www.incredibleindia.org
www.ecoclub.com
www.orchidhotel.com
www.mpecotourism.org
www.indidline.com
www.goforindia.com
BOOKS:
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