BACKGROUND
Ever
since the dawn of civilization, man has co-existed with animals. Though he
has always been a hunter, Indian religions like Jainism, Buddhism and
Hinduism have shown extreme compassion for all types of living beings. This
has been the bedrock upon which wildlife has been preserved in India in the
past and is still being preserved today. Lack of this element in the
cultural heritage has wiped out many rich wildlife areas in the world, for
once a species becomes extinct it cannot be restored. Economic
development combined with population increase has put great pressures on the
protection of wildlife.
Today, we recognize man as a part of a complicated ecosystem. Protecting
wildlife and environment is very important if mankind has to survive. Even
though India is a developing country, it has advanced in many areas, one of
them being tourism. The
spectacular diversity of the Indian subcontinent’s flora and fauna, second
only to East Africa, is in itself a story that needs highlighting. Few
people are aware, for example, that India
is home to nearly 15% of the world’s bird species, even though the country
occupies only about 3% of the world’s land area.
The importance of India in the worldwide effort to save such charismatic
mammals as the tiger, the Asian elephant, and the great one-horned
rhinoceros cannot be overestimated. One of the cardinal advantages of
developing and maintaining a National Park is that it requires comparitively
less investment by the stakeholders involved as compared to any other
man-made attraction like an amusement park, museum, monuments,etc. The
tourism industry is
expected to double in size in the next 10 years. Such development
must be set against steadily increasing environmental awareness so that the
Protected Areas such as National Parks or Reserves are managed to the mutual
benefit of all parties concerned. This is because the quality of the natural
environment plays a predominate role in attracting tourists to specific
destinations. For some visitors environmental quality may actually be a
determinant of demand, rather than a bonus, and this is particularly so for
those ‘wildlife tourists’ seeking an experience which will enable them
to explore a new ecosystem and all its inhabitants. Pressures on wildlife
must be considered within a framework of the development of conservation and
planning legislation. It is imposible to divorce the environmental impacts
of tourism from the need to control population pressure and develop
community involvement in resource managemnet. Successful Protected Areas
management requires co-operation between government, private sector, visitor
and local people but management plans are easier to formulate than to
implement, or to police. REASONS
FOR CHOOSING THE TOPIC
To
establish a National Park or a Wildlife Sanctuary is relatively easy, but to
maintain and manage it is a daunting endeavour.
This is especially true for National Parks and Wildlife Sancturies in India
since it is a third world country i.e. a developing country and with issues
such as education, employment, and poverty given greater importance;
development and maintenance of National Parks often takes a back seat.
Inspite of this, with almost 30% of world’s tiger population in India, the
government and the nation as a whole, cannot ignore the importance of
preservence of this rare species. The
pivotal reason in my taking up this topic is my incessant fascination for
tigers.
Tiger, labelled as the King of the Jungle, truly lives upto its reputation.
It is safe to say that Madhya Pradesh holds an impressive figure of 30% of
total tiger population in India (3000 plus) and upward of 15% of tigers
worldwide. This makes Madhye Pradesh of paramount importance, not only to
the survival of the Indian tiger but to the future of the species on this
planet. This contemplates me to investigate the reasons through which the
tiger population can be preserved in its natural habitat for the future
generations to come. With
the maximum number of National Parks and Wildlife Sancturies, 11 and 35
respectfully, Madhya Pradesh perenially demands skillful and imaginative
management specially due to the shifting interplay of socio-economic
factors, an international tourist profile and the emotionally charged battle
to save the tiger from extinction.
For the purpose of this study, the focus shall be on Kanha National Park which is one the
successful National Parks in India. Kanha National Park has the potential to
grow and become the most successful National Park in the world, given the
right direction, promotion and management. Kanha National Park, being close
to the place of my birth, holds a special place in my heart and in my study
I would like to bring out the lacunas/bottlenecks which it faces in order to
achieve its rightfull status of being the world’s most prefered National
Park and tourist destination. OBJECTIVES Fortunately
India has realized that Kanha is a treasure, a part of its heritage that
must be protected for the future. In my study of National Parks in Madhya
Pradesh with special reference to Kanha MP, I would be tackling questions
such as how did this park come to be what it is today? How has it been able
to deal with problems that beset protected areas throughout the Indian
union? Specifically, what factors have enable Kanha to achieve its current
pre-eminence as the flagship of the Indian system of national parks? How has
Kanha acquired and developed its infrastructure as well as the most credible
records in the protection of highly endangered species? What are the
attitudes of the park’s employees and how do neighbour’s feel about its
mission? The above questions can be categorized into three main headings: 1.
To study the existing infrastructure and marketing strategies of
Madhya Pradesh with special focus on Kanha National Park. 2.
To understand the tourist potential of Kanha National Park. 3.
To develop suitable strategies by which Kanha National Park can
become a major tourist destination These
are some of the questions I have set out to answer in this dissertation. The
chapters that follow aim not only at introducing Kanha to the first time
visitor but also at giving a portrait of an Indian National Park in a
fashion, that I believe, has not yet been attempted. According to the
ecosystem principle, a physical environment must be considered in its
totality. A tourist destination such as Madhya Pradesh comprises both an
ecosystem and the human organization involved in administering it. The
remarkable dedication that the people of Kanha continue to extend to make
this place possible is a major part of the report that follows. I have
endeavored through many hours of research & interviews to fill in the
gaps in our knowledge about this very special place in the Central Indian
Highlands. METHODOLOGY
In
my dissertation, I
have used a combination of both primary and secondary data. In order
to accomplish my first objective, I have studied the marketing strategies of
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. This, I have done by interviewing
the Liaison of Marketing Madhya Pradesh, Mrs. Mamta Pandey as well
as some other marketing officials. Also, by interviewing the management
staff at Kanha National Park, I have tried to access the Marketing
strategies of promoting the Park as a tourist destination. In
order to accomplish my second objective of understanding the tourist
potential of the Park, I
have interviewed the WWF personnel, Ministry of Forestry, Field Director of
Kanha National Park, Mr. Rajesh Gopal, Mr. Pradeep Sankhla – Wildlife
Expert and a Travel Agent, Mr. Brija Bhushan – Director of Project Tiger
Trust in India, and many other WWf personnel. I have also
interviewed the villagers to study the tourism product potential as well as
to know the benefits that the villagers derive, directly or indirectly, out
of tourism. I have interviewed
the existing and potential tourists also. As my secondary sources, I have
referred to WWF and Project Tiger Reports on Kanha National Park and on
other national parks in Madhya Pradesh. As
a part of my third objective, that is to develop suitable strategies by
which Kanha can become a successful tourist destination, I
have analyzed the tourism product i.e. Kanha and on the basis of the
analysis of the first and second objectives, I have recommended and devised
suitable strategies which can be implemented by Madhya Pradesh. INTRODUCTION
“Forest
is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no
demand for its sustenance and extends protection to all beings, offering
shade even to the axeman who destroys it……” Gautama
Buddha Tourism
is a form of mobility primarily for leisure. It is a leisurely pursuit,
which is also the world’s fastest growing industry in which both the
developed and the developing societies, the rich and poor in each of these
societies participate. Tourism provides foreign exchange, helps redress
balance of payments, increases national income, creates new employment
opportunities, and substitutes capital which is scarce in developing
countries with labor in abundance.
Tourism
has been defined in many ways, but for the purpose of this study, the
conceptual definition will be given which attempts to elucidate the
essential nature of tourism as an activity. According to Bukart and Medlik: “Tourism denotes the temporary and short-term movement of people to
destinations outside the places where they normally live and work and their
activities at the destinations.”[1] In
the tourism sector, wildlife tourism is one area, which has shown immense
potential for growth in India. Wildlife is a term, components
of which technically encompass both the flora and fauna a natural
environment. However, it is often used to refer just to fauna and
this is the sense utilized here. Wildlife tourist is one who blends a wish
for enjoyment with an actual or at least potential interest in wildlife, and
with the objective of observing, and being in close proximity to wild
animals, plants and ecosystem. This definition leaves out the professional
wildlife researchers, who, though shares with the tourist an interest in
wildlife, does not normally mix this with the objective of ‘having fun.’
Goals of Wildlife Tourism are: 1.
Respect for nature. 2.
Providing enjoyment and relaxation. 3.
Foreign exchange. 4.
Conservation. An
order or certification of State Government establishes a wildlife sanctuary.
Wildlife Sanctuary is ‘an
area constituted by the competent authority in which killing, hunting,
shooting or capturing of any species of bird or animal is prohibited except
by an order or under the control of the highest authority in the department
responsible for the management of the sanctuary.’[2] What is a National Park?
National Park is an area set aside by a nation’s government to protect
natural beauty, wildlife, or other remarkable features. National Parks also
preserve places of cultural, historical, or scientific interests. The
definition of National Park in India is “an
area dedicated by legislation to conserve the natural or historical objects
of national significance and to conserve wildlife therein, in such a manner,
and by such means, as well leave them unimpaired for enjoyment of future
generations, with such modifications as local conditions may demand.”[3]
National Parks serve an
important purpose: Many
parks allow us to enjoy and appreciate the environment in its natural
beauty. For example, it lets us see fascinating wild animals in their
natural settings. Still others provide opportunity for various recreational
activities such as camping, hiking, boating, etc. As a means of attracting
tourism, National Parks play a pivotal role in the economies of many
nations. In addition, many National Parks foster education by preserving
important buildings, battlegrounds, and other features of a nation’s
cultural, history and heritage. National Parks face numerous
challenges: Many park
managers must deal with pressures to develop park resources. They are
concerned about poaching (illegal hunting), the collection of rare plants,
pollution and overcrowding. Other concerns include the rights of the people
who were the park’s original inhabitants, and the wise management of
natural forces such as fire and wildlife. The world’s first National Park,
Yellowstone National Park, was established in the United States in 1872.
In
India, the concept of Wildlife Tourism has withstood since the beginning of
civilization i.e. 5000 years. Since then, Raja’s and Maharaja’s have
been hunting in the jungles either to appease their hunger or as a sport. At
that time hunting was a necessity, which, gradually became a leisure
activity and now, has been completely banned, making it a social sin. India,
being the seventh largest country in the world has 15% of world’s bird
species, even though the country
occupies only about 3% of the world’s land area [4](see Figure 1). In India,
there are approximately 328 wildlife sanctuaries and 69 national parks.
Among these the popular ones are – Sunderbans National Park and Tiger
Reserves in West Bengal, Jim Corbett National Park in Uttar Pradesh,
Kanchanjunga in Madhya Pradesh, Paramibikulam Sanctuary in Kerela, Sariska
National Park & Tiger
Reserve in Rajasthan, Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, Kanha National
Park in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh,
Billigiri Rangaswamy Sanctuary in Karnataka, Gir National Park in Gujarat,
Kaziranga National Park in Assam etc. The prime reason for a leisure or
wildlife tourist to visit a National Park or a sanctuary is the drive to
look at the tiger, King of the jungle. India has more than 15% of the tiger population worldwide.[5]
(See Figure 2) With
such limited resources, the threat to various wildlife species include
habitat destruction, overexploitation and the effect of introduced exotic
species. In spite of these threats India has survived and developed itself
as an upcoming wildlife tourism destination. For the purpose of this study,
I shall be concentrating on Madhya Pradesh. Since it has the maximum number
of wildlife sanctuaries and National Park in India and about 30% of the
tiger population of India. This makes Madhya Pradesh of paramount
importance, not only to the survival of the Indian Tiger but also to the
future of this specie on this planet. MADHYA PRADESH MADHYA
PRADESH as a state is extremely rich in natural endowments and has an
enviable historical & cultural image.
No other state can boast of such diverse culture, which is a true
representative of our nation. The
magnificent Temples at Khajuraho, which have completed one thousand years of
their existence, and the National Parks such as Kanha National Park &
Bandhavgarh National Park, are located here.
Few regions in India can claim to be more interesting than Madhya
Pradesh, which as its name implies, lies in the heart of India. ‘Madhya
Pradesh is spread over an area of 4, 43, 446 sq.km which has forests in
15,4, 604 sq. km'[6]
(see Figure 3). Madhya Pradesh is a unique state in the country, not only in
terms of its largest geographical area or its largest tribal population but
also in many other ways. Madhya
Pradesh is where the Vindhyachal range of mountains meets the Satpura hills.
It is also where one can still savor the grandeur of unspoiled forests.
This is also the tract of land where the majestic tigers once roamed
unchallenged - the indisputable Kipling country. On the border of Madhya
Pradesh are the states of Maharastra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh. Kipling had long ago made the Mehadeo
Hills famous as tiger country but at present the king of the forest may be
sighted at Kanha national park & Bandhavgarh. The total population of
Madhya Pradesh is 66181 (see Annexure 4). In
Madhya Pradesh there are 35 wildlife sanctuaries and 11 National Parks,
which is more than what can be said for any other state in India.
About 24% forest area of the entire country lies in Madhya Pradesh. Forests
can be classified under 3 categories: - 1)
Reserved forests 2)
Protected forests 3)
Unclassified forests ‘In
Madhya Pradesh during 1979-80 reserved forests was 51.281% of the total
forests area. Protected forests were 47.59% and unclassified forests area
was 1.13%. In the year 1994-95, reserved forests was 53.49%, protected
forest 43.12% and unclassified forest 3.13%’[7]
(see figure 4). The density of forests is not equal in the entire state.
Bastar is considered as the densest forested district of the state, while
Balaghat, Mandla, Shahdol, Sidhi and their eastern districts are some of
dense forested districts. More than half of the forests of the state lie in
this region only. Botanically the forest of Madhya Pradesh are tropical
forests. THE
FOREST CIRCLES: Madhya Pradesh has been divided in to 21 forest circles.
The reserve, protected and unclassified forests areas varies from circle to
circle. ‘Most of the reserve forests are in Khandwa forest circle i .e
9012.38 sq. km. Ujjain least the reserve forests lie i.e. about 1617.16sq.
Km. In respect of protected forest Bilaspur district is on the top. Here
8909.32 sq. km. protected forests is available. The minimum area of
protected forest is in Khandwa forest circle i.e. 239.32 sq. k.m. Most of
the unclassified forests are found in Kankar forest circle i.e. 2805.10 sq.
km.’[8]
The number of unclassified forests is zero in Gwalior, Hosangabad, Indore,
Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol, Sarguja, Shivpuri, Betul, Durg, Balaghat and in Ujjain
forest circle. As far as total forested area is concerned Bilaspur is
the forest circle on the top. ‘14057 sq. km. forests are available in this
district. There is a minimum number of forest i.e. 3412.18 sq. km. in the
Hoshangabad forest circles.’[9]
Madhya Pradesh because of its strategic location has always caught the
imagination of investors. Among the famous national parks in Madhya Pradesh
are Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park, which have a tiger
population of 97 and 46 respectively (1995 census). For the purpose of this
study, I am going to focus on Kanha National Park and the problems it faces
which hinders it growth and prosperity. Area
:
443446 sq. km. Population
:
66135862 Languages
:
Hindi, Urdu, Marathi. Literacy
:
43.45 pc Crops
:
Cotton, Forest Produce, Millets, Oilseeds, Pulses, Rice, Sugarcane, Wheat. Minerals
:
Bauxite, Coal, Diamond, Dolomite, Iron ore, Lime stone, Manganese. Industries
:
Aluminum , Cement, Chemicals, Engineering, Heavy Electronics, Iron
& steel, Paper, Silk,
Sugar, Textile. Roads
:
Surfaced --55483 Km, unsurfaced-51, 834 km. (National Highways
-2,755 km. Railways
:
5,796 kms. Airports
:
Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Rajpur. When
to visit
:
October to April/ May Climate
:
Summer: 48°c
to 22°c
, Winter : 23°c
to 4°
c.
Monsoons : June to September. KANHA NATIONAL PARK - THE PRODUCT ‘The
sun is just up and Kanha Meadow shimmers. It is November. Only a few days
ago, the park has reopened to the public after 4 months of rest, The monsoon
has rejuvenated all. At the start of a new season, Kanha is once again a
meeting place, an intersection of wildlife and humankind. The rains have
renewed Kanha and Kanha will now nourish and renew her guests.’[10]
The above scene describes the sheer magic of being amongst the wild. Kanha
is kipling's jungle. Besides
the tigers for which Kanha is justly famous, the abundance of wildlife is
remarkable - the magnificent gaur; the strikingly beautiful blackbuck, the
hard ground barasingha, the herds of chital & the ever- present langur.
It is without doubt one of the finest wildlife strongholds in Asia and
continuing management plans ensure the park's future. Particularly important
in this respect is the role of Kanha, under Project Tiger, in tiger
conservation - whilst the hard ground barasingha, unique to Kanha, has been
saved from probable extinction by carefully controlled management. Inevitably
tourism to some extent conflicts with the interests of conservation but a
sensible compromise has been reached, always remembering that Kanha belongs
to the animals. So whilst Kanha's popularity as a tourist attraction grows,
effective measures are being carried out to lesson the impact of man on an
unspoilt environment. In
this section, a general overview of Kanha National Park will be given
including its location, history, etc. The aim of this section is to
familiarize the reader with the product, Kanha National Park. LOCATION
AND HABITAT Kanha
National Park, officially known as Kanha Tiger reserve, is located in the
Maikal range, the eastern sector of the Satpura hills of the Central Indian
Highlands.' The park lies 160 km south east of Jabalpur in the city Nagpur (Maharashtra),
which currently furnishes the nearest air link to the park (direct flights
from Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad with connections to other cities). The
exact geographical coordinates of Kanha are as follows: Area Kanha
Tiger Reserve
1945 sq. km. National
Park (Core
zone)
940 sq. km. Buffer
zone
1005 sq. km. Longitude
80°
- 26' -10" to 81°
- 4 - 40" Latitude
22°
- 1 - 5" to 22°
-27' - 45" Altitude Range
450m to 950 m (m.s.l) Temperature Summer
11°
c to 43°
c Winter
-2°
c to 29°
c |