Slice of Himalayas

Though the Great Himalayan National Park, near Kulu, offers various attractions ranging from adventure sports to long treks into the interior, eco tourism has not achieved its potential, writes Jagmeet Y. Ghuman

NOT many have heard of the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP). A piece of 765 sq km area of land offers a vast range of tourism varieties to those seeking a break from their routine work. Far from the busy and noisy life of cities, about 60 km from Kulu, the park is a perfect place for getting a feel of a well-deserved outing.

The GHNP, comprising the area of watersheds of the Jiwa, Sainj and Tirthan rivers, was selected under the eco tourism policy in May, 2001, with five other locations in the state. The policy was launched with much hope but the results have not been satisfactory. Observations showed that eco tourism attraction has not helped much to enhance the tourist influx here. In fact, lack of publicity, and a soft approach in implementing the policy have failed to achieve the desired results. Initially, when the park was made, the major aim was to develop it as a national attraction, and convince the locals to preserve the natural environment.

Eco tourism has not achieved its potential at the GHNP despite the fact that it offers various attractions ranging from adventure sports like rock climbing, rappelling, river crossing and fishing in the eco zone to long treks into the interior of the park for bird watching and wildlife spotting.

Interestingly, tourists can have a feel of the local culture and customs, thanks to a large number of fairs, which are celebrated by villagers with much fanfare and enthusiasm.

No doubt, the park is an ideal location for eco tourism. The 25 trekking guides, who are locals, are professionally trained for the eco zone. All the porters and cooks are also locals. There is a nursery which grows medicinal herbs so that the villagers who depend on the forest resources of the now protected area of the park can actually use the plants from the nursery, and grow their own medicinal plants for sustenance.

In addition to this, entry into the GHNP is permitted only with a local guide. This is done to restrict the number of people entering the region, and also so that the local residents benefit from tourism in that area.

Moreover, home stays, the main feature of eco tourism, is another untapped potential here. Inquires show that many tourists want to experience the local culture, and there is no better way than home stays.

Unfortunately, only a few locals are being benefited from tourism. People of the area should be given an opportunity to sell home-made products like shawls, handicrafts and medicinal products to tourists. Small houses should be constructed and rented out to them. Currently, there is only one house which always remained booked. Eco tourism will be successful in the park if a single governing body is created and given the authority to take decisions.

Divya Sawant and Gautam Bhatia, students of SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, associated with My Himachal, an NGO, are working on a plan to develop a sustainable model for eco tourism in the GHNP. Their immediate plan is develop a marketing strategy for eco tourism.

They say hardly any efforts have been put in by the authorities for the promotion of eco tourism. Accessibility to the region is another issue. The roads are poor due to persistent rain, point out Divya and Gautam, who are doing an extensive field survey and analysis of the situation.`A0

They have met people staying within the eco zone. While disclosing their plans, the students say: "We talked to the villagers living there in order to know whether the local governing bodies had provided employment opportunities to them."

The villagers depended on medicinal plants from the park for their livelihood, but since the park had become a protected area, they now reared goats for living. Most women are part of the saving and credit group.

The villagers’ outlook towards life in the valley is quite defeatist, and they are resigned to the belief that their lives will not improve. They seem to have lost faith in governing bodies. `A0

Judama Devi, a member of the group, was dependent on medicinal plants from the park for her family’s livelihood. Ever since the park has become a protected area, she, along with her unemployed husband, now rear goats. The family has lost faith in the state government.

Another sufferer, Harilal from a Dhar village, is pessimistic over the present initiatives.`A0Government representives have not visited Dhar, which is one of the more accessible villages in the area, he laments. Officials, however, say that despite some of the initiatives taken so far, the time to get approval for each initiative is very long. Most proposals are lost in government offices, and some are never implemented, rues Gopal, panchayat pradhan.

Awareness about the GHNP is another major roadblock. The park is not even listed as a tourist destination on the Himachal tourism website. Being one of the largest national parks in the country, one would think that it would be given the necessary importance to bring tourists to the area.

Providing alternate means of sustenance to locals who previously depended on the forest is an uphill task, especially since most villagers are losing faith in the present system. Handloom, handicrafts and medicinal plants in the eco zone are few of the employment opportunities which are being explored, but some strong decisions need to be taken.

Based on their surveys and study, Divya and Gautam suggest a few measures to improve the situation at the park.`A0 They say improving accessibility to the region is the most crucial one. The state government should look at starting a special bus service for travellers to the park, which would provide convenience and comfort to the tourists. Improving awareness is another point that can help popularise the park, besides developing a comprehensive and extensive website. The need is also there to create a new independent governing body comprising government officials, NGOs and representatives from local villages to act as the decision-makers for the region and help in overall development.

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