Recently, first Tribal Circuit Project under Swadesh Darshan Scheme was inaugurated. How it can contribute in the socio-economic development of tribal region?
Approach:
- Talk about the scheme and circuit.
- Try to highlight the various benefits which tribes will get from the scheme.
- Try also to highlight the concerns in brief.
Development of Tribal Circuit (First in India): Jashpur- Kunkuri- Mainpat- Kamleshpur- Maheshpur- Kurdar-Sarodadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon- Nathiya Nawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh in Chhattisgarh was recently inaugurated under Swadesh Darshan scheme which is one of the flagship schemes of the Ministry of tourism, for development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned and prioritised manner.
Significance of the tribal circuit in the socio-economic development
- Most of the tribes do not have enough job opportunities and are dependent on the forest to survive. This will improve the existing tourist facilities, enhance the overall tourist experience and help in getting more visitors which in return will increase job opportunities in the area.
- Development of tribes and tribal culture is one of the prime areas of focus for the Tourism Ministry. It is carrying out an array of activities for development and promotion of tourism in the tribal region. It will allow the tribes to show their unique culture to the world.
- Better infrastructure: To connect the circuit new roads, railways, buildings will be built which will connect the tribal areas with other areas. Also facilities for tourists like eco log huts, craft haats, souvenir shops, open amphitheatre, tribal interpretation centres, workshop centres, tourist amenities centres, viewpoints, nature trails, solar illuminations etc. will be provided.
- Improvement in standard of living: Other basic amenities like sanitation, piped water, medical facilities will be made available which will benefit the local tribes as well.
- It will help in saving their culture as their language and rituals can be formalized and preserved better using the latest technology.
Concerns
- It will affect the unique culture of the tribes and will disturb their connection with the forests.
- It may offend the tribes as they don’t like the outside interference in their region much as we saw in the recent case of Sentinelese tribe of Andaman and Nicobar.
- It will also disturb the ecological balance of the region as we see unchecked tourism leads to wastage being produced on a large scale, trees are cut to make way for roads, infrastructure etc.
- As in the case of Jarawa tribes, there is a risk of tribal exploitation
The tribal folks living in the thirteen villages included under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme have retained the ancient way of living and subsist on minimal resources which is the most impressive feature of tribal life. Proper planning needs to be done to ensure that it doesn’t result in exploitation of tribes and their ecosystem. With the launch of tribal tourism circuit project, both the tourists and locals are expected to benefit as the implementation of the project is likely to generate new avenues of employment for people belonging to tribal communities and will also enhance the existing facilities to provide a comfortable stay to tourists in the remote tribal regions.
Approach:
- Talk about the scheme and circuit.
- Try to highlight the various benefits which tribes will get from the scheme.
- Try also to highlight the concerns in brief.
Development of Tribal Circuit (First in India): Jashpur- Kunkuri- Mainpat- Kamleshpur- Maheshpur- Kurdar-Sarodadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon- Nathiya Nawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh in Chhattisgarh was recently inaugurated under Swadesh Darshan scheme which is one of the flagship schemes of the Ministry of tourism, for development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned and prioritised manner.
Significance of the tribal circuit in the socio-economic development
- Most of the tribes do not have enough job opportunities and are dependent on the forest to survive. This will improve the existing tourist facilities, enhance the overall tourist experience and help in getting more visitors which in return will increase job opportunities in the area.
- Development of tribes and tribal culture is one of the prime areas of focus for the Tourism Ministry. It is carrying out an array of activities for development and promotion of tourism in the tribal region. It will allow the tribes to show their unique culture to the world.
- Better infrastructure: To connect the circuit new roads, railways, buildings will be built which will connect the tribal areas with other areas. Also facilities for tourists like eco log huts, craft haats, souvenir shops, open amphitheatre, tribal interpretation centres, workshop centres, tourist amenities centres, viewpoints, nature trails, solar illuminations etc. will be provided.
- Improvement in standard of living: Other basic amenities like sanitation, piped water, medical facilities will be made available which will benefit the local tribes as well.
- It will help in saving their culture as their language and rituals can be formalized and preserved better using the latest technology.
Concerns
- It will affect the unique culture of the tribes and will disturb their connection with the forests.
- It may offend the tribes as they don’t like the outside interference in their region much as we saw in the recent case of Sentinelese tribe of Andaman and Nicobar.
- It will also disturb the ecological balance of the region as we see unchecked tourism leads to wastage being produced on a large scale, trees are cut to make way for roads, infrastructure etc.
- As in the case of Jarawa tribes, there is a risk of tribal exploitation
The tribal folks living in the thirteen villages included under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme have retained the ancient way of living and subsist on minimal resources which is the most impressive feature of tribal life. Proper planning needs to be done to ensure that it doesn’t result in exploitation of tribes and their ecosystem. With the launch of tribal tourism circuit project, both the tourists and locals are expected to benefit as the implementation of the project is likely to generate new avenues of employment for people belonging to tribal communities and will also enhance the existing facilities to provide a comfortable stay to tourists in the remote tribal regions.
