Developing a Workplace Health Surveillance System

Developing a Workplace Health Surveillance System Title: A) Identify and describe a suitable health surveillance programme for a generic factory which contains both an engineering workshop and a woodworking shop. b) Suggest the type of analysis, which could be carried out by the occupational hygienist and those which would rely on an occupational physician. c) What are the benefits and limitations of health surveillance in the workplace? The health surveillance programme selected for a generic factory containing an engineering workshop and a woodworking shop is one that takes into account all the potential risks for the factory employees as well as the possibility of factory accidents causing damage to the local environment. Generally the companies that own generic factories, which contain both engineering workshops and woodworking shops are like any other factories in that they have to comply with all the relevant Health and Safety as well as environmental protection legislation, procedures, and also statutory regulations. These legal frameworks and structures are introduced by the British government and also in some cases by the European Union, and have to be implemented.[1] In other words all the owners of factories and workplaces need to take into full account environmental not to mention health and safety issues that could leave their premises shutdown due to accidents, or outbreaks of illness and other environmental as well as health considerations.[2] That is when suitable health surveillance programmes come into the equation for businesses and factory owners as these schemes are intended to prevent environmental damage as well as breeches in workplace health and safety regulations.[3] The concept of the health surveillance programme was basically developed to assist businesses and organisations in meeting legal requirements. Essentially ensuring that all the industrial and retail workplaces or premises that they use to produce goods and deliver services strictly adhere to all the relevant environmental protection measures as well as health and safety regulations and procedures.[4] A generic factory, which contains an engineering workshop and a woodworking shop, should certainly not be the exception to the rule in relation to operating a suitable health surveillance programme. In order to ensure full compliance to environmental regulations as well as health and safety procedures businesses and organisations should frequently review and even alter the health surveillance programme in operation upon their premises, factories, and workplaces. The health surveillance programmes ideally need to reflect the nature of their business operations as well as the size and suitability of the premises they actually use. In any case the actual level of health and safety standards as well as environmental protection measures adhered to will have already been set through legislation, procedures, and also regulations. In many respects the setting up of an health surveillance programme is a highly convenient framework for the co-ordinating of all the organisation’s efforts to meet its legally set health and safety standards as well as environmental protection measures.[5] Arguably the businesses and organisations that operate any generic factory, which contain an engineering workshop and a woodworking shop should be fully aware of the need for a suitable  health surveillance programme for their respective premises. Furthermore due to the actual and also the potential environmental as well as health and safety risks at such a generic factory, which contains an engineering workshop and woodworking shop high standards need to be reached.[6] Therefore the businesses and also the organisations that own generic factories should certainly consider stringent health surveillance programme for their premises. For if such a programme was too relaxed it would pose the risk of being ineffective due to employers and businesses could potentially fail to fully comply with health and safety standards alongside environmental protection measures required under all relevant legislation, procedures, and statutory regulations.[7] To a very large extent stringent measures would arguably be the most effective besides being the most suitable basis for a health surveillance programme at any generic factory. In this case a generic factory, which contains an engineering workshop and a woodworking shop as these facilities put employees at a greater risk of serious industrial injuries and also exposure to potentially dangerous equipment and materials.[8] The employers and businesses in charge of the generic factory should be fully aware and also able to understand their legal obligations as an organisation to their employees, and also to the environment as well. The employers and businesses responsible for establishing the health surveillance programme for the generic factory would take the health and safety standards as well as environmental protection measures fully into account when setting the targets to be achieved over all. After all failure to reach such standards and enforce environmental protection measure c ould result in prosecutions if they are caught by health and safety, or indeed environmental inspection teams failing to reach legal standards.[9] The suitable health surveillance programme developed and implemented at any generic factory containing an engineering workshop and a woodworking shop would also take into account and measure the environmental consequences or impact of the factory and its completed products and delivered goods. Normally it would be sound practice to use the legally defined targets for environmental protection measures as set out in British legislation, as well as procedures, and regulations, some of which originate from the European Union. Therefore the employers and businesses that are the operators of generic factories, which contain an engineering workshop and a woodworking shop would find health surveillance programme unhelpful. Especially the general ones used in warehouses and retail units as simply unsuitable because their premises are more unsuitable because their premises are more likely to have equipment or indeed waste by products that pose a health and safety threat to their respective wor kforces.[10] Depending upon what is actually produced in generic factories the industrial processes used in engineering workshop and a woodworking shop will produce chemically or physically hazardous waste by products. The workers of generic factories, which contain engineering workshop and a woodworking shop, could reasonably expect to have to endure fluctuations in temperatures, gas emissions or fumes, not to mention the potential for the spillage of harmful substances.[11] The greater the potential health and safety risk the more stringent the health surveillance programme to be put into affect should be. Besides monitoring the health and safety levels of machinery and equipment the health surveillance programme put into place should ensure that all waste by products are disposed of responsibly, as well as having all areas cleaned on a regular basis.[12] When drawing up a suitable health surveillance programme it could also be sensible to take the age as well as the construction of each generic factory into account as some buildings could be more dangerous than others are. For instance, older premises might have to be vigorously checked for asbestos. If the generic factory has an engineering workshop that produces chemical reactions, as well as toxic waste products then the health surveillance programme would only be suitable if procedures for the monitoring of and disposal of chemicals are included. Finally to be effective any suitable health surveill ance programme would entail that occupational hygienist and also reliance upon an occupational physician routinely monitored the generic factory.[13] Ideally when monitoring and inspecting the generic factories the occupational hygienist and op would use the most efficient types of analysis available to ensure the health surveillance programme is fully adhered to. For the occupational hygienist and op it would be very useful for the business and organisation in charge of the generic factory to provide detailed accounts of what is produced and used within the engineering workshop and a woodworking shop.[14] The occupational hygienist would need to have a very sound knowledge of the chemicals, waste by products and emissions that could potentially pose a threat to the workers at the generic factory as well as the environment of the surrounding area.[15] To keep the generic factory containing an engineering workshop and a woodworking shop for workers and the environment the occupational hygienist needs to have all the latest information regarding chemical, as well as organic threats. To allow the health surveillance programme to succeed in protecting both the environment and workers the occupational hygienist need to analyse the cleanliness of the generic factory in general and the production areas in particular. The failure to clean the generic factory properly could increase the chances of environmental pollution not to mention raising the risk of unsafe working conditions within the engineering workshop and also a woodworking shop taken as a whole. It is recommended that the oh use a comprehensive system to analyse the waste by products, emissions and discharged water to check for pollutants and bacteria that would contaminate the local environment.[16] It should also be remembered that a lack of hygiene standards and good practices can increase or allow the spread of infections or illnesses through businesses and workplaces with the generic factory being just as prone as any other factory to such bouts of sickness. In the generic factory unhealthy hygiene standards have the capacity given certain conditions to severely restrict the availability as well as the capacity of workers to carry out their normal workplace functions and job roles. Of course some conditions and illnesses that started in the generic factory could spread other people and even animals causing damage to the environment.[17] In many respects the purpose of an occupational physician would involve having to fulfil a very similar task to that of the occupational hygienist, in other words to help protect the local environment, as well as the health and safety of the workers of the generic factory. The objective therefore of an occupational physician is to have the responsibility of checking that all of the machinery as well as the materials used in the generic factory, which contains an engineering workshop and a woodworking shop will not pollute the environment of the surrounding area.[18] As with the occupational hygienist the occupational physician should carry out frequent checks of the equipment, machinery, materials, and waste by products to ensure an accurate analysis of the environmental impact that the generic factory is actually having. An analysis that allows the person taking on the role of an occupational physician to quickly and accurately measure the effectiveness and the environmental impact of all relevant equipment and materials would be very useful.[19] Measuring the impact that the generic factory has upon the environment will demonstrate whether or not the health surveillance programme is fit for purpose in reducing pollution as well as protecting the health and safety of the generic factory’s workers.[20] The generic factory will cause less pollution if its owners use sustainable materials besides using energy and water efficient equipment to make its finished goods. The occupational physician can check the sustainability of all the materials used by verifying were they come from before reaching the generic factory.[21] The equipment or at least the newer machinery within the generic factory should be energy and water efficient to comply with environmental protection procedures and regulations. The occupational physician will also provide the capability to suggest improvements to the materials and equipment used in the generic factory so that it reduces its impact upon the environment and improves health and safety in line with its health surveillance programme.[22] Therefore to be effective in supporting the health surveillance programme the occupational physician should have figures about when equipment, materials, as well as machinery fully comply with the health and safety standards as well as environmental protection measures laid down by the law. Also when items within the generic factory fail to meet the health and safety standards plus the environmental protection measures then the occupational physician should be able to suggest improvements and updates to equipment, materials, and also machinery. The occupational physician are thus having to decide whether or not to analyse if the owners are in fact genuinely interested in meeting health and safety standards as well as environmental protection measures via its health surveillance programme.[23] There are arguably benefits to the use of health surveillance programme in the workplace. Firstly by using the framework of an health surveillance programme there is a great deal of scope for improving health and safety at the workplace. The drawing up of a health surveillance programme has the ability to make employers, employees and trade unions concentrate upon improving health and safety practices and also procedures at the workplace. By identifying areas of concern the introduction of health surveillance programme means that employers, employees and trade unions co-operate with each other to make workplaces safe. It should be briefly mentioned that trade unions usually have strong interests in protecting the health and safety of their membership within workplaces especially those that could be dangerous facilities or premises that will be made safer.[24] Another benefit of introducing health surveillance programmes into workplaces is that these programmes can improve the environmental sustainability of industrial and retail premises. When health surveillance programmes are introduced it provides opportunities for equipment and materials that increase sustainable development, as well as improving health and safety standards. The new machinery and more sustainable materials potentially reduce the health and safety risks from emissions and toxic waste by products.[25] In theory, at least environmentally cleaner workplaces should mean that workers suffer less from illnesses linked to the pollution caused by production processes. For instance reducing airborne pollutants should lower the occurrence of asthma in both the workplace as well as in the surrounding areas. Arguably cleaner places should also be more attractive premises to work within.[26] They are limitations to the impact that health surveillance programme introduced into workplaces can have. Employers might publicly adhere to improving health and safety as well as improving environmental sustainability, yet there are limits to how far they will go to do so. Employers and businesses will only implement health surveillance programme if they actually have to do so, or if they believe that there are benefits for them of enacting such programmes.[27] Basically employers and businesses would regard health surveillance programme as being useful if it increases the efficiency of their operations.[28] The other main limitation of using health surveillance programme in the workplace is that the employers and businesses will not want to improve health and safety standards or indeed environmental protection measures.[29] Employers and businesses will frequently regard health and safety standards as well as environmental protection measures as a legal, procedural, or regulatory necessity rather than a desirable not to mention well-intentioned improvements. For the majority of employers and businesses health and safety standards as well as environmental protection measures under the auspices of their respective health surveillance programme are implemented to avoid breaking the law, plus any subsequent prosecutions for doing so. The drawing up of an health surveillance programme is often a really useful, pragmatic framework for ensuring compliance in full to all relevant pieces of legislation, procedures, and regulations drawn up by the British government and with increasing policy inp ut from the European Union.[30] The drawing up of, and the subsequent operation of health surveillance programmes would be useful if not always unrestrained for employers and businesses. In many respects the employers and businesses have to strictly adhere to health and safety standards as well as environmental protection measures in each and every single workplace covered by the scope of such legislation, procedures, and regulations. After all the main purpose of any health surveillance programme is overwhelming to make sure that the employers and businesses covered by this programmes do exactly what they are supposed to do to fully comply with all of the relevant legislation, procedures, and regulations. However at the end of the day, for most employers and businesses want to do nothing more, or nothing less than what they are required to do legally.[31] Over all the general effectiveness as well as the full extent of the health surveillance programme type of policy framework and implementation can be limited by budgetary constraints affecting the employers and the businesses intending to comply with all relevant legislation, procedures, and statutory regulations. Or to put it in another way the employers and the businesses will seek to introduce the relevant health surveillance programme to them to achieve the meeting of all health and safety standards not to mention the environmental protection procedures to the minimum level of legal acceptability. Employers and businesses will therefore limit their activities in relation to the achievement of the objectives contained within each health surveillance programme to all that they legally have to achieve. Thus from a logical perspective once the minimum legal levels of safety and environmental protection have been achieved the employers and also the businesses involved would only have to change the health surveillance programme on an irregular basis. Basically the health surveillance programme would remain unaltered and would only be amended to reflect any changes to legislation, procedures, and also statutory regulations. After all whenever legislation, procedures, and statutory regulations remain the same as before there is no strong incentive to exceed health and safety standards or indeed environmental protection measures. [32] Bibliography HSE COSHH essentials for machining with metalworking fluids HSE40/2005 Workplace Exposure Limits Miller P, Rossiter P, Nuttal D, Demonstrating the Economic Value of Occupational Health Services 1 Footnotes [1] HSE40/2005 p. 2 [2] Miller, Rossiter, Nuttal, pp. 2-5 [3] HSE, 2004 p. 9 [4] HSE COSHH essentials p.3 [5] HSE40/2005 p. 2 [6] HSE, 2004 p. 9 [7] HSE COSHH essentials p.3 [8] HSE40/2005 p. 2 [9] HSE COSHH essentials p.3 [10] HSE COSHH essentials p.3 [11] HSE, 2004 p. 15 [12] HSE, 2004 p. 9 [13] HSE COSHH and the woodworking industry, pp 2 4 [14] HSE COSHH essentials p.3 [15] HSE40/2005 p. 2 [16] HSE, 2004 p. 9 [17] HSE COSHH and the woodworking industry, pp 2 4 [18] HSE COSHH and the woodworking industry, pp 2 4 [19] HSE, 2004 p. 9 [20] HSE40/2005 p. 2 [21] Miller, Rossiter, Nuttal, pp. 2-5 [22] HSE COSHH essentials p.3 [23] HSE, 2004 p. 12 [24] HSE, 2004 p. 15 [25] HSE COSHH and the woodworking industry, pp 2 4 [26] Miller, Rossiter, Nuttal, pp. 2-5 [27] Miller, Rossiter, Nuttal, pp. 2-5 [28] HSE COSHH essentials p.3 [29] HSE40/2005 p. 2 [30] HSE COSHH and the woodworking industry, pp 2 4 [31] HSE, 2004 p. 18 [32] HSE COSHH essentials p.3

Rural Tourism

A BRIEF ANALYSIS ON THE STATUS OF RURAL TOURISM IN INDIA REFERENCE: GIMRM024 Table of Contents Abstract2 Initiatives6 Issues Faced8 Infrastructure10 Finance 11 Impact12 The Way Forward13 Bibligography14 ABSTRACT Tourism is one of the primary catalysts in generating sustainable livelihood in India. India’s vast rural diversity and heritage offers tremendous opportunity for rural tourism. The idea of rural tourism was born out of the need to provide first-hand experience of living in rural areas to the urban population and also as supplementary income for the local population. The Ministry of Tourism in its Outcome Budget for 2011-2012 has emphasized on the need of giving greater focus to rural tourism with the objective of creating employment, with specific emphasis on the upliftment of the status of women and to encourage local arts and handicraft. Rural tourism has the potential of carrying the additional burden of uplifting poverty and reducing migration towards urban areas. This research paper aims at studying the status of rural tourism in India, looking into some initiatives that have already been undertaken, both by the Ministry (The Choti Haldwani Project at the foothills of Nainital) and by organisations (NGO ViaDesh, Delhi and Himalayan Homestays, Ladakh) in different parts of India and the way forward. The paper concentrates on the following major areas: 1) Initiatives undertaken 2) Problems faced while trying to establish such initiatives 3) Infrastructure developed for this purpose ) The finances involved 5) The impact of such initiatives 6) Its co-relation with eco-tourism and agri-tourism 7) Future plans The government of India along with UN Development Programme (UNDP) has drafted policies and implemented some on the same lines by associating and granting funds to NGOs. Rural tourism will go a long way in realising some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) laid out by the UNDP, to be achieved by 2015. â€Å"The air is soft and balmy. The wild flowers are in full bloom, and the butterfly is on the wing. The grasshopper is singing his ceaseless song, and the bees are humming a chorus thereto. † These are excerpts from Ruskin Bond’s novel â€Å"Mussoorie & Landour, Days of Wine and Roses†. Such is the beauty of the Indian landscape. Tourism in India is the biggest service industry contributing 6. 23% to GDP and providing a host of employment opportunities. With 5. 58 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in 2010 and a provisional number of 2. 92 million during the first half of 2011, the tourism industry is pegged to grow at a rate of 9. 4% annually over the next decade. It’s linkages with a myriad of sectors in the economy, like transport, construction, handicrafts, manufacturing, horticulture, agriculture, etc. , makes it a potential economy driver, while also becoming an effective tool for poverty alleviation and ensuring growth with equality. The focus, thus, is now on rural tourism, an avenue that provides immense possibilities and opportunities for inclusive growth and equality in rural India. The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have collaborated in an initiative named the Endogenous Tourism Project – Rural Tourism Scheme (ETP-RTS) on rural tourism. Initiated in 2003, the project identified 36 sites across India, where a number of pilot projects have been initiated to assess the impact of this kind of tourism in these areas. The principal objective of the project is to focus on sustainable livelihoods and at the same time aims at the convergence of issues such as gender equality, empowerment of women, youth and other disadvantaged sections and working towards cultural sensitivity and environmental sustainability. This paper will look into one such government initiative, Choti Haldwani, which is a community based tourism project. Apart from government initiatives, numerous NGOs have been involved in different forms of rural tourism, be it agri-tourism, treks, homestays, workshops with locals etc. In the NGO space, this paper cites the example of ViaDesh, a social enterprise, based out of Delhi that arranges expeditions and treks in Uttarakhand, the Himalayan Belt (Kargil, Leh, Ladakh etc) and Rajasthan. This paper also briefly looks at Himalayan Homestays, an initiative by the Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC), The Mountain Institute, local tour operators and villagers living in important snow leopard areas. Traditional tourism, concentrated in coastal and mountain resorts, urban and cultural centres, has proven that tourism can bring enormous benefits to the economy, society and environment of a certain area. However at the same time there is a realization that certain parts of the country have been left behind in development. Rural tourism could be the harbinger of change in such a scenario. In recent years demands for holidays in small villages and the countryside has increased significantly in many rural regions of the world. The challenge for rural tourism then is to focus on providing sustainable livelihoods in rural areas all while preserving the traditions, cultures and values that exist in these areas, instead of trying to â€Å"urbanise† the area. INITIATIVES Choti Haldwani Choti Haldwani, better known as Jim Corbett’s village, is located in the Nainital District of Uttarakhand. Bought by Corbett in the early 1900s, this was the last village he stayed in before migrating to Kenya after Independence, donating the land to the 40 families residing in Choti Haldwani at that time. The village has now grown in population with 138 families making Choti Haldwani their home, and earning their livelihood mainly from agriculture. In 2001, Choti Haldwani was one of the four villages chosen to implement a community-based tourism (CBT) project. The CBN (Corbett National Park, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nainital) Tourism Initiative was designed to develop a framework for conservation and tourism by making use participatory processes that seek to engage stakeholder groups for planning, to help develop a common vision, build ownership, and buy in from various stakeholder groups for plans and projects. Many consultations and deliberations later, the USP of the village was discovered. This led to the formation of the Corbett Heritage Trail (which included historical sites like Corbett’s house, the historical gun of Tejsingh and Moti’s House to name a few). ViaDesh ViaDesh (established in 2010) is a social enterprise based out of Delhi. Its philosophy is engrained in its name – ViaDesh literally translates to â€Å"by way of country†. Founded by Jamal Mohammad and aimed at promoting village life and providing sustainable livelihood options, Viadesh promotes itself as a unique holiday planner committed to giving a transformative experience to both the tourist and the host. ViaDesh works towards building partnerships with villagers, and forging relationships with them through community interaction. The expeditions and treks give the tourist a first-hand experience of rural living. They are exposed to the unique and rich village culture that every village brings with it. Villagers turn into guides, narrating stories from the village and sharing their own experiences with the tourists. Tourists also bear witness to the different folk songs and dances, gathering together with the village folk. Home-stays are arranged for tourists in some of the houses within the village itself. By doing this, ViaDesh ensures that the tourist is involved, from early morning, in every facet of village life. Starting from collection and preparation of fodder for animals to cooking food, to even plucking apples and apricots from plantations and planting herbs like oregano, tourists get hands-on experience of rural living. Rural locations offer an idealized release from stress and the opportunity to re-engage with a simpler, quieter way of life that offers rest and relaxation. Himalayan Homestays Himalayan Homestays is an Initiative by Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC), The Mountain Institute, local tour operators and villagers living in important snow leopard areas. The need for this initiative was felt due to the rising disparity between the rural and the urban communities due to the fact that the tourism boom in Ladakh offered little opportunities to the rural people. The rural community was also facing the problem of diminishing livestock population due to Snow leopards. Hence they offered tourism as a solution to promote conservation as well as to combat livestock loss. Villagers defined the Himalayan Homestays in the following way: â€Å"A traditional village based Ladakhi Homestay would share their traditional way of life and values with visitors provide traditional food, in an eco-friendly environment that requires little initial investment. (Source – Redefining Tourism: Experiences and Insights from Rural Tourism Projects in India) The project was implemented with various guidelines for selecting locations to setting minimal facilities such as a separate room for tourist to a toilet (with door). Also 10% of the money generated was to be divulged into the conservation fund for village activities. Initially, for setting up, they assessed the demand and preferences of the tourist by conducting a survey for the location choice, food and accommodation option as well. Interestingly, the choice was local food was rated highly. Capacity building measures such as training the youth as nature guides. To avoid hygiene issues, community members were trained on cooking and cuisine as well. The main aim of SLC was community empowerment and hence it was decided that the tourists would be shared on rotation basis. For the homestays, which were far off, and where the tourists were unwilling to go, they were trained for additional services such as Parachute cafes, Guides etc. ISSUES FACED Rural tourism as a whole is a sensitive issue to deal with since it deals with people and also their livelihoods. The rural people are skeptical about the kind of invasion that happens due to rural tourism. While implementing rural tourism many issues have cropped up. It is necessary to understand that the issues faced by the government are different from private and non-governmental entities. a)Finance: It deals with arranging as well as managing finances for any project. This aspect is prevalent in all initiatives from the government. Here the government has struggled to route funds flow whereas private players have found it difficult to arrange funds for the project. If the funds flow issues crops up at the beginning of the project then it becomes difficult to keep the local community engaged as they tend to lose interest as well as trust in the initiative. b)Pace of the Project: It is an important issue that needs to be addressed. It has been observed that private entities have tried to build upon strong finances. This has resulted in very little time for institutions as well as the local community to reflect on their performance and also absorb this transition. In a fast paced project, the players fail to understand that this is a sensitive issue where resources and money are of equal importance. The pace of project should be best decided by the local communities involved as it would be help them adapt to their role. c)Partner Agencies: This issue is predominantly associated with the government where the implementing agencies differ in vision and also their work ethics. The government needs to understand that different agencies behave differently and hence the outcome of the projects would also vary. )Local Community: The basic motto of this project was to eradicate poverty and envisage an empowerment campaign. Many a time it has been observed that the richer community in the village gets all the control while the poorer sections takes a backseat, as they are deprived of minimum requirements for a tourist such as separate homestays or even proper education. Here the government needs to ensure that these people are involved in group activiti es where they could learn and also contribute. Also, conscious measures should be taken to incorporate the marginalized communities into the success story. Government as well as private players should make sure that inclusive growth takes place and hence the beneficiary is the entire village and not select individuals. e)Hygiene: Hygiene is an issue which has made foreign as well as domestic tourists hesitate in turning an eye to rural tourism. Basic facilities such as bathroom and sanitation have been a cause of concern for tourists. The players should make sure that proper training should be given to handle these things so that the village does not lose out. )Issues from Tourists: Tourists, many a time, tend to compare rural tourism with general tourist spots and hence get bogged down by the results. Tourists are not able to connect with the rural theme which results in loss of interest. Also, sometimes issues like food and lifestyle tend to be a hindrance in the project. Sometimes, the traditional and cultural beliefs of the rural people prevent them from catering to the needs of the tourists. g)Cultural and Environmental Pollution: Tourism is a phenomenon which also brings with itself the ill effects. If not implemented properly, it can lead to destruction of the very basic cause of rural tourism i. e. the cultural heritage. Also, with hordes of tourists pouring in, the environment is at risk. Moreover, sometimes there should be strict control at some places because there are traditions and cultural beliefs of people that will prevent them from catering to all that the tourists may require and even the tourist would know that this is what he can expect in a village and accordingly will prepare them before coming to that village. The major issue faced by the Choti Haldwani community was visibility. It gets lost in the mad rush of tourists from Corbett to Nainital. With the Himalayan Homestays initiative gaining popularity, many other institutions have also tried to tap into the market. But in the process, the focus has shifted from community development to profit making. It also did not consider the capacity of the community, hence impacting the social structure. Also, the influx of many tourists eventually led to negative influence on the environment. With the difficult terrain, many of the homestays would not get sufficient number of tourists. This led to disparity between the villagers. INFRASTRUCTURE A key aspect in setting up different facilities was the formation of the Corbett Gram Vikas Samiti that coordinated with the project team (mainly from Forest Department and consultants) and took up implementation of work at the village. This ensured that the inhabitants of the village had a say in the development of the village as a tourist site. Proper footpaths were organised, information signboards were set up, an entry gate set up and renovations at the various heritage sites carried out. To support the Heritage Trail, the following activities were carried out 1)Training of guides: Interested people were asked to register for training as guides, but since not many tourists opted for the walk, the number of guides is dwindling, but there still is hope with a number of women interested in undergoing training as guides. 2)Identifying homestays: Presently only two families provide homestays. Although the concept of homestays is fast catching up with the community, the facilities within the homes is a hurdle, as these houses are installed with the traditional Indian toilets. Unlike ViaDesh, new houses are thus being built with better facilities for the tourist. Homestays rents and dining are very nominal at the rate of Rs 250/- a day with Rs. 60/- per person for 3 meals. 3)Establishing a souvenir shop: The Moti Souvenir Shop, run by the village committee, ran into trouble initially with very little funds and limited knowledge on how to run and what to sell at the shop. Eventually, with the aid of the committee, Haldi (turmeric) was bought from a lady, which was powdered and sold at the shop. The profits are given out to the lady, which has resulted in other items like pulses and spices being sold at the shop. Also, with the help of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), three self-help ladies groups were started, who supply products like jam, jellies and pickles to the shops. In addition to this, handmade hankies , scarves, bed sheets, dupattas and sweaters from Ranikhet were sold at the shop. 4)Information kiosks: In a small section of the souvenir shop, a computer with internet connection has been set up, with a trained person manning it. Although introduced for the tourists, this has benefitted children more, as they are provided computer education with a fee of Rs. 200/-. ViaDesh’s policy is simple – no construction of new structures and the promotion of indigenous lifestyle. In an attempt to preserve the natural environment of the village and to inhibit urbanization of villages, ViaDesh, in partnership with the villagers, arrange for homestays within the village. One room in selected houses is refurbished to cater to the tourist lifestyle, which is taken care of by the residents. ViaDesh has installed eastern-style toilets in all homestays to give tourists the actual feel of rural life. Apart from this, hosts are trained about hygiene and cleanliness standards that need to be adopted. They are also trained to follow hygiene while cutting vegetables and preparing food. ViaDesh has tried to work around the available resources and provide a comfortable experience for the tourist. As such physical infrastructure was not built for the Himalayan Homestays project unlike mud houses in other places. The trust had decided on tourists sharing the rooms with the villagers. Hence, there was a need for virtual infrastructure to attract tourists and spread awareness. The trust tied up with local operators to market Himalayan homestays. It was a conscious effort that the local operators chosen would think as well as work in parallel towards the community. This move also helped in briefing the tourists about the norms to avoid confrontation at the later stages. The trust also developed a website to tap the tourist seeking a similar experience on the internet. To tap walk-in clients, the trust had designed posters and maps as well. It was decided that 10% of the fund would be shared with the conservation fund. Conservation fund was used for various community works such as preserving wildlife, tree plantation etc. FINANCE ViaDesh, being a fledgling organisation, is a self-financed enterprise. Initial investment for setting up rooms, toilets etc. was made by Jamal. Participants' project donations also help to ensure that funds are available throughout the year to maintain the work done by the teams. These funds are either channelled through ViaDesh’s own charity, Sustainable Tourism Trust, or partner charities. ViaDesh donates 10% of its profits from travel to community development projects in host areas, with a focus on health and education. The investment involved at Himalayan Homestays was only Rs. 500/- for one home as the people would be thoroughly trained in various aspects of tourism (as guides and drivers). Also, the tour operator charged Rs. 50/- for spreading awareness about the homestays. The villagers would get Rs. 300/- per tourist per night, which would be directly paid to the homestay provider, to avoid clashes with agents or guides. IMPACT The Choti Haldwani project has managed t o keep alive the history and legacy of Corbett. For the tourists visiting the National Park, Choti Haldwani adds another dimension to understanding Corbett. Even though the benefits (economics of it) are limited the motivation is very high. The interest & enthusiasm shown, the coming and working together of the community in a cohesive manner is another critical aspect of this initiative which is a significant reason why the community has been able to sustain this engagement. New jobs and supplementary sources of income have been created, with more opportunities in the offing. There has also been active participation from women in the SHGs that were formed in collaboration with WWF. While ViaDesh is still trying to evaluate its impact on villages, the potential impact of this venture and such ventures like this are enormous. It gives the locals an alternate source of income, from homestays, guides, drivers, porters and trekking activities. This in turn prevents the migration (which is rampant in rural areas for lack of better opportunities) of people to cities. ViaDesh ensures that the money earned from homestays etc. is given to the female member of the household, thus promoting woman empowerment. ViaDesh aims for these communities to build their capacity to make things, from handicrafts to eatables like jams, and for them to be able to sell such quality items in the city market. Initiatives like this also squash the myth that rural community is not open to change. With tourists coming in and staying with the locals, there is mutual benefit from such initiatives. It’s a mutually enriching experience. ViaDesh also aims at setting up quality education and health centres within the area from the funds set aside from profit for such a purpose. Himalayan Homestays has had a positive impact on the villagers. The additional income from the homestays was helpful in buying ration in lean season and even sending children to the school. It also helped villagers in protecting their livestock and build predator-proof pens. The income gave much deprived decision power to the women community of the villages. The tourism activity increased local participation with the fact that many parachute cafes and local businesses propped up. The flow of tourists also instilled a sense of pride in the local people for their culture and lifestyle. In a way, this activity also helped preserve Ladhaki culture as people can now take pride in displaying the distinct Ladhaki decor and cuisine. The community on a whole has had an increased awareness of hygiene. The tourism activity also helped in checking migration of youth towards city. Homestays helped in the overall personality development of the villagers as the interaction with foreign tourists increased. Some of the added benefits for the villagers were the utilization of conservation fund, adoption of waste management practices and tree plantation activities. A change of attitude was seen in the villagers towards the snow leopards as they are now the attractions for the tourists to visit this place. The homestay experience for the tourists helped in learning about Ladakhi cultures through nature treks and its cuisines. THE WAY FORWARD The way ahead for the Samiti at Choti Haldwani is now to work and continue development on the initiatives already undertaken, and also start new programmes like organic farming and bullock cart rides to further expand and provide different sustainable employment opportunities for the locals. ViaDesh intends to move further into different villages and start similar projects like the ones already established. At the same time, ViaDesh aims at phasing its operations out of the existing locations, thus making these villages self-sustainable, with a well-established education and health system running. The idea of converting a livelihood problem into tourism initiative has worked well for the community based around the Himalayan Homestays initiative. Also, this project shows how rural tourism is related to eco-tourism and agri-tourism. This project has helped the community in its economic upliftment through measures such as these, while keeping the local culture intact. This project has also helped in protecting snow leopards and generating an alternative source of income through it. It shows how a balance can be maintained between tourism and ecology. Rural tourism has immense potential in the overall development of the economy, while preserving the rural structure, cultures and keeping traditions intact. Government initiatives should constantly monitor the progress of the projects that have already been initiated, continuously identifying bottlenecks and obstacles, to ensure the smooth functioning of such initiatives. Rural Tourism can help achieve some of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that aims at ending poverty by 2015. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1)Redefining Tourism – Experiences and Insights from Rural Tourism Projects in India ( © Ministry of Tourism, Government of India / UNDP India 2008) 2)www. viadesh. com 3)www. himalayan-homestays. com 4)Performance of Tourism Sector during July 2011, Ministry of Tourism 5)Annual Report 2011 Ministry of Tourism 6)Equations Annual Report, 2009-2010 Rural Tourism A BRIEF ANALYSIS ON THE STATUS OF RURAL TOURISM IN INDIA REFERENCE: GIMRM024 Table of Contents Abstract2 Initiatives6 Issues Faced8 Infrastructure10 Finance 11 Impact12 The Way Forward13 Bibligography14 ABSTRACT Tourism is one of the primary catalysts in generating sustainable livelihood in India. India’s vast rural diversity and heritage offers tremendous opportunity for rural tourism. The idea of rural tourism was born out of the need to provide first-hand experience of living in rural areas to the urban population and also as supplementary income for the local population. The Ministry of Tourism in its Outcome Budget for 2011-2012 has emphasized on the need of giving greater focus to rural tourism with the objective of creating employment, with specific emphasis on the upliftment of the status of women and to encourage local arts and handicraft. Rural tourism has the potential of carrying the additional burden of uplifting poverty and reducing migration towards urban areas. This research paper aims at studying the status of rural tourism in India, looking into some initiatives that have already been undertaken, both by the Ministry (The Choti Haldwani Project at the foothills of Nainital) and by organisations (NGO ViaDesh, Delhi and Himalayan Homestays, Ladakh) in different parts of India and the way forward. The paper concentrates on the following major areas: 1) Initiatives undertaken 2) Problems faced while trying to establish such initiatives 3) Infrastructure developed for this purpose ) The finances involved 5) The impact of such initiatives 6) Its co-relation with eco-tourism and agri-tourism 7) Future plans The government of India along with UN Development Programme (UNDP) has drafted policies and implemented some on the same lines by associating and granting funds to NGOs. Rural tourism will go a long way in realising some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) laid out by the UNDP, to be achieved by 2015. â€Å"The air is soft and balmy. The wild flowers are in full bloom, and the butterfly is on the wing. The grasshopper is singing his ceaseless song, and the bees are humming a chorus thereto. † These are excerpts from Ruskin Bond’s novel â€Å"Mussoorie & Landour, Days of Wine and Roses†. Such is the beauty of the Indian landscape. Tourism in India is the biggest service industry contributing 6. 23% to GDP and providing a host of employment opportunities. With 5. 58 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in 2010 and a provisional number of 2. 92 million during the first half of 2011, the tourism industry is pegged to grow at a rate of 9. 4% annually over the next decade. It’s linkages with a myriad of sectors in the economy, like transport, construction, handicrafts, manufacturing, horticulture, agriculture, etc. , makes it a potential economy driver, while also becoming an effective tool for poverty alleviation and ensuring growth with equality. The focus, thus, is now on rural tourism, an avenue that provides immense possibilities and opportunities for inclusive growth and equality in rural India. The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have collaborated in an initiative named the Endogenous Tourism Project – Rural Tourism Scheme (ETP-RTS) on rural tourism. Initiated in 2003, the project identified 36 sites across India, where a number of pilot projects have been initiated to assess the impact of this kind of tourism in these areas. The principal objective of the project is to focus on sustainable livelihoods and at the same time aims at the convergence of issues such as gender equality, empowerment of women, youth and other disadvantaged sections and working towards cultural sensitivity and environmental sustainability. This paper will look into one such government initiative, Choti Haldwani, which is a community based tourism project. Apart from government initiatives, numerous NGOs have been involved in different forms of rural tourism, be it agri-tourism, treks, homestays, workshops with locals etc. In the NGO space, this paper cites the example of ViaDesh, a social enterprise, based out of Delhi that arranges expeditions and treks in Uttarakhand, the Himalayan Belt (Kargil, Leh, Ladakh etc) and Rajasthan. This paper also briefly looks at Himalayan Homestays, an initiative by the Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC), The Mountain Institute, local tour operators and villagers living in important snow leopard areas. Traditional tourism, concentrated in coastal and mountain resorts, urban and cultural centres, has proven that tourism can bring enormous benefits to the economy, society and environment of a certain area. However at the same time there is a realization that certain parts of the country have been left behind in development. Rural tourism could be the harbinger of change in such a scenario. In recent years demands for holidays in small villages and the countryside has increased significantly in many rural regions of the world. The challenge for rural tourism then is to focus on providing sustainable livelihoods in rural areas all while preserving the traditions, cultures and values that exist in these areas, instead of trying to â€Å"urbanise† the area. INITIATIVES Choti Haldwani Choti Haldwani, better known as Jim Corbett’s village, is located in the Nainital District of Uttarakhand. Bought by Corbett in the early 1900s, this was the last village he stayed in before migrating to Kenya after Independence, donating the land to the 40 families residing in Choti Haldwani at that time. The village has now grown in population with 138 families making Choti Haldwani their home, and earning their livelihood mainly from agriculture. In 2001, Choti Haldwani was one of the four villages chosen to implement a community-based tourism (CBT) project. The CBN (Corbett National Park, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nainital) Tourism Initiative was designed to develop a framework for conservation and tourism by making use participatory processes that seek to engage stakeholder groups for planning, to help develop a common vision, build ownership, and buy in from various stakeholder groups for plans and projects. Many consultations and deliberations later, the USP of the village was discovered. This led to the formation of the Corbett Heritage Trail (which included historical sites like Corbett’s house, the historical gun of Tejsingh and Moti’s House to name a few). ViaDesh ViaDesh (established in 2010) is a social enterprise based out of Delhi. Its philosophy is engrained in its name – ViaDesh literally translates to â€Å"by way of country†. Founded by Jamal Mohammad and aimed at promoting village life and providing sustainable livelihood options, Viadesh promotes itself as a unique holiday planner committed to giving a transformative experience to both the tourist and the host. ViaDesh works towards building partnerships with villagers, and forging relationships with them through community interaction. The expeditions and treks give the tourist a first-hand experience of rural living. They are exposed to the unique and rich village culture that every village brings with it. Villagers turn into guides, narrating stories from the village and sharing their own experiences with the tourists. Tourists also bear witness to the different folk songs and dances, gathering together with the village folk. Home-stays are arranged for tourists in some of the houses within the village itself. By doing this, ViaDesh ensures that the tourist is involved, from early morning, in every facet of village life. Starting from collection and preparation of fodder for animals to cooking food, to even plucking apples and apricots from plantations and planting herbs like oregano, tourists get hands-on experience of rural living. Rural locations offer an idealized release from stress and the opportunity to re-engage with a simpler, quieter way of life that offers rest and relaxation. Himalayan Homestays Himalayan Homestays is an Initiative by Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC), The Mountain Institute, local tour operators and villagers living in important snow leopard areas. The need for this initiative was felt due to the rising disparity between the rural and the urban communities due to the fact that the tourism boom in Ladakh offered little opportunities to the rural people. The rural community was also facing the problem of diminishing livestock population due to Snow leopards. Hence they offered tourism as a solution to promote conservation as well as to combat livestock loss. Villagers defined the Himalayan Homestays in the following way: â€Å"A traditional village based Ladakhi Homestay would share their traditional way of life and values with visitors provide traditional food, in an eco-friendly environment that requires little initial investment. (Source – Redefining Tourism: Experiences and Insights from Rural Tourism Projects in India) The project was implemented with various guidelines for selecting locations to setting minimal facilities such as a separate room for tourist to a toilet (with door). Also 10% of the money generated was to be divulged into the conservation fund for village activities. Initially, for setting up, they assessed the demand and preferences of the tourist by conducting a survey for the location choice, food and accommodation option as well. Interestingly, the choice was local food was rated highly. Capacity building measures such as training the youth as nature guides. To avoid hygiene issues, community members were trained on cooking and cuisine as well. The main aim of SLC was community empowerment and hence it was decided that the tourists would be shared on rotation basis. For the homestays, which were far off, and where the tourists were unwilling to go, they were trained for additional services such as Parachute cafes, Guides etc. ISSUES FACED Rural tourism as a whole is a sensitive issue to deal with since it deals with people and also their livelihoods. The rural people are skeptical about the kind of invasion that happens due to rural tourism. While implementing rural tourism many issues have cropped up. It is necessary to understand that the issues faced by the government are different from private and non-governmental entities. a)Finance: It deals with arranging as well as managing finances for any project. This aspect is prevalent in all initiatives from the government. Here the government has struggled to route funds flow whereas private players have found it difficult to arrange funds for the project. If the funds flow issues crops up at the beginning of the project then it becomes difficult to keep the local community engaged as they tend to lose interest as well as trust in the initiative. b)Pace of the Project: It is an important issue that needs to be addressed. It has been observed that private entities have tried to build upon strong finances. This has resulted in very little time for institutions as well as the local community to reflect on their performance and also absorb this transition. In a fast paced project, the players fail to understand that this is a sensitive issue where resources and money are of equal importance. The pace of project should be best decided by the local communities involved as it would be help them adapt to their role. c)Partner Agencies: This issue is predominantly associated with the government where the implementing agencies differ in vision and also their work ethics. The government needs to understand that different agencies behave differently and hence the outcome of the projects would also vary. )Local Community: The basic motto of this project was to eradicate poverty and envisage an empowerment campaign. Many a time it has been observed that the richer community in the village gets all the control while the poorer sections takes a backseat, as they are deprived of minimum requirements for a tourist such as separate homestays or even proper education. Here the government needs to ensure that these people are involved in group activiti es where they could learn and also contribute. Also, conscious measures should be taken to incorporate the marginalized communities into the success story. Government as well as private players should make sure that inclusive growth takes place and hence the beneficiary is the entire village and not select individuals. e)Hygiene: Hygiene is an issue which has made foreign as well as domestic tourists hesitate in turning an eye to rural tourism. Basic facilities such as bathroom and sanitation have been a cause of concern for tourists. The players should make sure that proper training should be given to handle these things so that the village does not lose out. )Issues from Tourists: Tourists, many a time, tend to compare rural tourism with general tourist spots and hence get bogged down by the results. Tourists are not able to connect with the rural theme which results in loss of interest. Also, sometimes issues like food and lifestyle tend to be a hindrance in the project. Sometimes, the traditional and cultural beliefs of the rural people prevent them from catering to the needs of the tourists. g)Cultural and Environmental Pollution: Tourism is a phenomenon which also brings with itself the ill effects. If not implemented properly, it can lead to destruction of the very basic cause of rural tourism i. e. the cultural heritage. Also, with hordes of tourists pouring in, the environment is at risk. Moreover, sometimes there should be strict control at some places because there are traditions and cultural beliefs of people that will prevent them from catering to all that the tourists may require and even the tourist would know that this is what he can expect in a village and accordingly will prepare them before coming to that village. The major issue faced by the Choti Haldwani community was visibility. It gets lost in the mad rush of tourists from Corbett to Nainital. With the Himalayan Homestays initiative gaining popularity, many other institutions have also tried to tap into the market. But in the process, the focus has shifted from community development to profit making. It also did not consider the capacity of the community, hence impacting the social structure. Also, the influx of many tourists eventually led to negative influence on the environment. With the difficult terrain, many of the homestays would not get sufficient number of tourists. This led to disparity between the villagers. INFRASTRUCTURE A key aspect in setting up different facilities was the formation of the Corbett Gram Vikas Samiti that coordinated with the project team (mainly from Forest Department and consultants) and took up implementation of work at the village. This ensured that the inhabitants of the village had a say in the development of the village as a tourist site. Proper footpaths were organised, information signboards were set up, an entry gate set up and renovations at the various heritage sites carried out. To support the Heritage Trail, the following activities were carried out 1)Training of guides: Interested people were asked to register for training as guides, but since not many tourists opted for the walk, the number of guides is dwindling, but there still is hope with a number of women interested in undergoing training as guides. 2)Identifying homestays: Presently only two families provide homestays. Although the concept of homestays is fast catching up with the community, the facilities within the homes is a hurdle, as these houses are installed with the traditional Indian toilets. Unlike ViaDesh, new houses are thus being built with better facilities for the tourist. Homestays rents and dining are very nominal at the rate of Rs 250/- a day with Rs. 60/- per person for 3 meals. 3)Establishing a souvenir shop: The Moti Souvenir Shop, run by the village committee, ran into trouble initially with very little funds and limited knowledge on how to run and what to sell at the shop. Eventually, with the aid of the committee, Haldi (turmeric) was bought from a lady, which was powdered and sold at the shop. The profits are given out to the lady, which has resulted in other items like pulses and spices being sold at the shop. Also, with the help of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), three self-help ladies groups were started, who supply products like jam, jellies and pickles to the shops. In addition to this, handmade hankies , scarves, bed sheets, dupattas and sweaters from Ranikhet were sold at the shop. 4)Information kiosks: In a small section of the souvenir shop, a computer with internet connection has been set up, with a trained person manning it. Although introduced for the tourists, this has benefitted children more, as they are provided computer education with a fee of Rs. 200/-. ViaDesh’s policy is simple – no construction of new structures and the promotion of indigenous lifestyle. In an attempt to preserve the natural environment of the village and to inhibit urbanization of villages, ViaDesh, in partnership with the villagers, arrange for homestays within the village. One room in selected houses is refurbished to cater to the tourist lifestyle, which is taken care of by the residents. ViaDesh has installed eastern-style toilets in all homestays to give tourists the actual feel of rural life. Apart from this, hosts are trained about hygiene and cleanliness standards that need to be adopted. They are also trained to follow hygiene while cutting vegetables and preparing food. ViaDesh has tried to work around the available resources and provide a comfortable experience for the tourist. As such physical infrastructure was not built for the Himalayan Homestays project unlike mud houses in other places. The trust had decided on tourists sharing the rooms with the villagers. Hence, there was a need for virtual infrastructure to attract tourists and spread awareness. The trust tied up with local operators to market Himalayan homestays. It was a conscious effort that the local operators chosen would think as well as work in parallel towards the community. This move also helped in briefing the tourists about the norms to avoid confrontation at the later stages. The trust also developed a website to tap the tourist seeking a similar experience on the internet. To tap walk-in clients, the trust had designed posters and maps as well. It was decided that 10% of the fund would be shared with the conservation fund. Conservation fund was used for various community works such as preserving wildlife, tree plantation etc. FINANCE ViaDesh, being a fledgling organisation, is a self-financed enterprise. Initial investment for setting up rooms, toilets etc. was made by Jamal. Participants' project donations also help to ensure that funds are available throughout the year to maintain the work done by the teams. These funds are either channelled through ViaDesh’s own charity, Sustainable Tourism Trust, or partner charities. ViaDesh donates 10% of its profits from travel to community development projects in host areas, with a focus on health and education. The investment involved at Himalayan Homestays was only Rs. 500/- for one home as the people would be thoroughly trained in various aspects of tourism (as guides and drivers). Also, the tour operator charged Rs. 50/- for spreading awareness about the homestays. The villagers would get Rs. 300/- per tourist per night, which would be directly paid to the homestay provider, to avoid clashes with agents or guides. IMPACT The Choti Haldwani project has managed t o keep alive the history and legacy of Corbett. For the tourists visiting the National Park, Choti Haldwani adds another dimension to understanding Corbett. Even though the benefits (economics of it) are limited the motivation is very high. The interest & enthusiasm shown, the coming and working together of the community in a cohesive manner is another critical aspect of this initiative which is a significant reason why the community has been able to sustain this engagement. New jobs and supplementary sources of income have been created, with more opportunities in the offing. There has also been active participation from women in the SHGs that were formed in collaboration with WWF. While ViaDesh is still trying to evaluate its impact on villages, the potential impact of this venture and such ventures like this are enormous. It gives the locals an alternate source of income, from homestays, guides, drivers, porters and trekking activities. This in turn prevents the migration (which is rampant in rural areas for lack of better opportunities) of people to cities. ViaDesh ensures that the money earned from homestays etc. is given to the female member of the household, thus promoting woman empowerment. ViaDesh aims for these communities to build their capacity to make things, from handicrafts to eatables like jams, and for them to be able to sell such quality items in the city market. Initiatives like this also squash the myth that rural community is not open to change. With tourists coming in and staying with the locals, there is mutual benefit from such initiatives. It’s a mutually enriching experience. ViaDesh also aims at setting up quality education and health centres within the area from the funds set aside from profit for such a purpose. Himalayan Homestays has had a positive impact on the villagers. The additional income from the homestays was helpful in buying ration in lean season and even sending children to the school. It also helped villagers in protecting their livestock and build predator-proof pens. The income gave much deprived decision power to the women community of the villages. The tourism activity increased local participation with the fact that many parachute cafes and local businesses propped up. The flow of tourists also instilled a sense of pride in the local people for their culture and lifestyle. In a way, this activity also helped preserve Ladhaki culture as people can now take pride in displaying the distinct Ladhaki decor and cuisine. The community on a whole has had an increased awareness of hygiene. The tourism activity also helped in checking migration of youth towards city. Homestays helped in the overall personality development of the villagers as the interaction with foreign tourists increased. Some of the added benefits for the villagers were the utilization of conservation fund, adoption of waste management practices and tree plantation activities. A change of attitude was seen in the villagers towards the snow leopards as they are now the attractions for the tourists to visit this place. The homestay experience for the tourists helped in learning about Ladakhi cultures through nature treks and its cuisines. THE WAY FORWARD The way ahead for the Samiti at Choti Haldwani is now to work and continue development on the initiatives already undertaken, and also start new programmes like organic farming and bullock cart rides to further expand and provide different sustainable employment opportunities for the locals. ViaDesh intends to move further into different villages and start similar projects like the ones already established. At the same time, ViaDesh aims at phasing its operations out of the existing locations, thus making these villages self-sustainable, with a well-established education and health system running. The idea of converting a livelihood problem into tourism initiative has worked well for the community based around the Himalayan Homestays initiative. Also, this project shows how rural tourism is related to eco-tourism and agri-tourism. This project has helped the community in its economic upliftment through measures such as these, while keeping the local culture intact. This project has also helped in protecting snow leopards and generating an alternative source of income through it. It shows how a balance can be maintained between tourism and ecology. Rural tourism has immense potential in the overall development of the economy, while preserving the rural structure, cultures and keeping traditions intact. Government initiatives should constantly monitor the progress of the projects that have already been initiated, continuously identifying bottlenecks and obstacles, to ensure the smooth functioning of such initiatives. Rural Tourism can help achieve some of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that aims at ending poverty by 2015. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1)Redefining Tourism – Experiences and Insights from Rural Tourism Projects in India ( © Ministry of Tourism, Government of India / UNDP India 2008) 2)www. viadesh. com 3)www. himalayan-homestays. com 4)Performance of Tourism Sector during July 2011, Ministry of Tourism 5)Annual Report 2011 Ministry of Tourism 6)Equations Annual Report, 2009-2010

The Truth About Essay Topics Cather in the Rye

The Truth About Essay Topics Cather in the Rye Although it's not always evident concerning what they are looking for, their subconscious mind drives them to find it. Somebody who is lonely may find it difficult to form relationships because they're unable to socialize. It's debatable whether Holden's attitude has changed by the conclusion of the novel, on the 1 hand, he can have accepted that adolescence is merely a phase, but a lot of critiques of the novel imply he has not matured in any manner. Holden is beginning to witness that a number of things, like innocence, cannot be avoided. There are various critics that view Holden in many various ways. Moreover, Holden's superiors told him several times in the novel he wasn't the very first person to feel an awareness of angst. He feels that children should not be exposed to anything that has a chance of corrupting their innocence. Symbolically, he is accepting that growing up is a part of life, something that cannot be avoided. Definitions of Essay Topics Cather in the Rye If, on the flip side, you feel Catcher in the Rye isn't a sexist novel, find evidence and produce a good argument to substantiate your claim. The entire novel is written in the very first person. Reading is what will be able to help you develop your abilities. Based on your students, a few of these topics may be too controversial or mature. Essay Topics Cather in the Rye Explained The city has to be filmed carefully, because it's not simply a backdrop for the book, but has an important purpose. He's tired of all of the phoniness surround ing him. They're restricted to move about freely because they're in a pond. I wished to make a photo out of it. The New Angle On Essay Topics Cather in the Rye Just Released He's admitting that losing one's innocence is part of growing up and a kid may not be protected from it forever. Biological change from child to adult is the kind of death that Holden is hoping to resist and it is frustrating for him to need to handle this. Holden has been working so hard as a way to conserve these children, he didn't think about that unlike him, they are readier to lose their innocence and accept the simple fact that it's gone once and for all. Learning how to accept the loss of someone's innocence is and to face the truth of it can be challenging for some. As the novel progresses, we begin to observe how Holden is getting more and more unstable. That knocked Holden to the ground. Simple acts similar to this motivated Holden to wish to be Christ-like. The Lost Secret of Essay Topics Cather in the Rye These people all represent different facets of the City, and of urbanization during the start of the Atomic Age. The better part of the book occurs in New York, as before mentioned. A few years back, women did not have the exact same freedoms since they do today. Imagine that you're studying in Holden's school and you would like to persuade him that people around aren't phony. The question might appear silly and naive, but Holden is linked to the ducks in lots of ways. To begin writing your assignment you would want to run into an interesting and promising topic. You have to be proficient in the topic, have an overall idea about the chosen issue and can get the best arguments to demonstrate your thesis. For instance, Holden states, They're nice and all, in addition to I'm not likely to inform you my whole goddam autobiography or anything. As a result of this, it appears that Holden's character doesn't change throughout the novel. A lot of the narration doesn't need to be placed into dialogue because Holden spends an excellent deal of time in his descriptions of what is happening around him. Characters have to be played by actors with a specific similarity to the character itself, whether it's by their physical look, the way that they speak or otherwise. Additionally, it changes the most important character for the better. Introducing Essay Topics Cather in the Rye The date doesn't go well. Don't forget there are textbooks and internet tools you'll be able to utilize to check whether you've put a comma in the appropriate place or used the acceptable article. It's been translated into almost all the world's major languages. You have to practice, improve your skills, and adhere to some basic things to do to compose a great text.

The Painted Bird The Monster that Lives in Us All Essay

Jerzy Kosinski reveals the barbaric acts of civilians in times of war, showing how war changes our sheer humanity. Passed from village to village, he tells the tale of a small gypsy boy wandering without parents during World War II. The horrific tales of the people who took him in, paint a cruel picture of civilization. Was Jerzy Kosinski take on humanity realistic or erroneous? In the first couple weeks of World War II, a six-year-old boy from Eastern Europe was sent to a distant village by his parents. The foster mom that was found for him, died two months after his arrival. He was forced to move from house to house in the villages to survive. No one wanted to take him in because he looked like a gypsy. A man, passing through, was†¦show more content†¦While Olga tended to a fishermen, angry villagers threw him into the river. The boy was carried downstream to another village. Using survival skills Olga had taught him, the boy made his way through the wilderness, trying to seek shelter and find food. He was thrust into the millers home, who never had a name. The miller ignored him, going about his work. As did his wife. They hired a plowboy who apparently had been flirting with his wife. His wife, a pushover, was beat often over the alleged affair. One night, when the miller got drunk, invited the plowboy to dinner. The plowboy stared a little too long at his wife, and after a heated fight, the miller dug the plowboys eyes out with a spoon. The boy watched all of this, thinking it was all a dream. After cleaning up the mess, he went to bed and decided to leave the next morning. I wondered whether the loss of ones sight would deprive a person also of the memory of everything that he had seen before. If so, the man would no longer be able to see even in his dreams. If not, if only the eyeless could still see through their memory, it would not be too bad. The world seemed to be pretty much the same everywhere, and even though people differed from one another, just as animals and trees did, one should know fairly well what they looked like after seeing them for years. I had lived only seven years, but I remembered a lot of things. When I closed my eyes, many details came back still more vividly. WhoShow MoreRelatedThe Egyptian Mummy Mask895 Words   |  4 Pagescertain piece of magnificent art is extremely detailed with intricate designs covering it all around. The Museum of Fine Arts makes it easy to pay attention to, because of its detail and how the mask is displayed. The Mummy Mask has it’s own small alter with a spot light shining down on it creating dramatic shadows in a very dim room. The decorations include inlaid glass eyes, a gold leaf and is hand-painted and gilded glass. This mask is not paper machà © like the masks that were made in this era;Read MoreAdvancements for Women throughout History1125 Words   |  4 Pa gesfrom it. 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