India’s eco- friendly tourism hotspots are an example of inclusive tourism. They make optimal use of environmental resources, help conserve natural heritage and provide socio-economic benefits that are fairly distributed.

Nature is at its spectacular best in Wayanad, and so is it in the small village of Thrikkaippatta. People in this village live in close harmony with nature, yet undisturbed by the local agricultural ups and downs. Hospitality is a part of their normal lives and goes beyond language barriers. Tourists who visit here once return again and again, charmed by Thrikkaippatta’s sustainable life-style.

The brains behind this model village are now trying to replicate the Thirkkaippatta experience in other tourism destinations in Kerala and in Tamil Nadu as well. ‘Kabani—The Other Direction’ is a non-profit community-based initiative in Wayanad that advocates “other tourism is possible”.

“River Kabani, unlike other rivers, flows in the ‘other direction,’ so we are facilitating an ‘other direction’ in the present tourism model”, says Sumesh Mangalassery, Secretary Kabani. Started in 2005 at Wayanad as a 7-member outfit, today the team comprises people from different walks of life with a single dream—‘a beautiful world’.

“Wayanad, Kumarakom and Alappuzha are prime tourist destinations in Kerala, but the local people in no way benefit from the tourism- related activities here, which are highly urbanized and bureaucratic”, says Jagadeesan K G, Secretary, Gandhi Smaraka Gramina Seva Kendram (GSGSK), an organization working with Gandhian principles to achieve sustainable rural development.

The village economy in these places is driven by agriculture and the presence of other production systems is negligible. While “responsible tourism” is the current theme of the State tourism department, mandatory regulations are still absent. “The scope for local self-governments to address the problems effectively is being reduced by industry-biased State legislations”, Sumesh says.

To implement their ideas, Kabani had to find ways of linking the locals to the tourism sector. They work with people at the grass root and with self-help groups to keep the ball rolling.

In 2007, when Wayanad was reeling from a severe agriculturalcrisis, Kabani mooted the idea of home-stay tourism to help the farmers. The idea was shared with Uravu, an organisation that promotes indigenous technologies, especially innovations in bamboo cultivation. With Uravu, which is promoting large-scale cultivation of bamboo around Thrikkaippatta and other self-help units engaged in crafts, pickle making, bee-keeping and cow breeding, an integration was made for a unique tourism initiative called the “Bamboo Village Tourism”.

The “Tour MASC” programme they envisaged is an exclusive blend of traditions, people, agriculture, nature, art and crafts. Guests stay with local families, eat local food, use local transport and experience the local culture and art. Through farming, small-scale production, sale of traditional crafts and other ethnic products, native people can earn their livelihood.

To add the charm of sustainability, organic agriculture, waste management techniques and capacity-building among local communities has been effectively managed through Kabini’s research, advocacy, campaigns, networking and training.

Tourist feedbacks now say that they enjoy the experience of being in Thrikkaippatta more thananything else. While the guests spend three days in a village, according to the package they choose, some stays back here mesmerized by the natural beauty. “There is a magnetic power to this village that makes it difficult for guests to leave it”, says Rosalie Geiger from France. This, despite the fact that alcohol is banned in the village.

After all, Kerala tourism is known for its ‘God’s own’ experiences, “so why do we have to create artificial spaces to entertain our guests?”, asks Sumesh. “We are facilitating the experience they want”, he adds, pitching for eco-tourism. “Tour operators abroad are highly receptive and we are getting a number of visitors. In fact, they are aware of responsible tourism concepts and practice them”, he points out.

Alappuzha, the most popular beach and backwater tourism destination in Kerala, is now preparing to meet the weed challenges to the environmentand local economy. Here the tourism industry is working with the GSGSK, which has involved more than 65,000 families in coastal and backwater areas in the hospitality industry.

“Community tourism initiatives offer better experience to visitors and create better benefitsharing mechanisms for the local population”, Jagadeesan K. G. explains. “We ensure that a large part of the income from tourists goes to the local people, and the small and marginal hospitality-sector players”, adds P. P. Daniel, bamboo tourism village convener and homestay provider.

Families suffering from falling farm incomes are happy at the way the tourism industry has come to their aid. About 500 families associated with Uravu were included in the project at Thrikkaippatta, which was launched in 2008. The number of guests at this village shot up from 150 in 2009 to 350 this season. They also ensure that the investments remain around Rs 30,000. Equitable Tourism Options (Equations), a Bangalore-based organisation working for fair practices in tourism at the national level for two decades, has also joins hands with other eco-friendly groups to promote ‘people centric’ approaches to tourism. “Special Tourism Zone (STZ) models, as practiced in Bakel and planned in Munnar, fetches huge revenues to government”, says Rosemary Viswanath, chief functionary of Equations. “STZs calls for ‘enclavisation’ which means exclusive ‘islands of tourism’ for elite tourism, detached from the local environment, culture and economy. Experiences from other countries show that these enclaves have exploited local resources but have given back little to the local economy”, she continues.

She also adds that projects like golf courses may raise a city’s image, attract investors and bring in tourist dollars. “The negative environmental and social impactsassociated with it is our main points of criticism.” Being active in the Global Anti-Golf Movement, Equation has demanded a conversion of the Trivandrum Golf Club into a public bio-diversity park.

Governments now admit that the major tourist destinations in India suffer from a host of serious problems like piling of waste and garbage, water pollution, loss of biodiversity, encroachment, unauthorised constructions and drinking water shortage.

Many locals, predominantly farmers, have lost their livelihoods following the acquisition of land and frantic construction activities by leading brands. The controversial Methran Kayal project at Kumarakom is an example. This 417-acre paddy field is under threat from a megatourism project envisioned by a real estate tycoon and already 90% of the proposed land has been grabbed for the project. Activists point out that several conservation organisations are now opposing the Methran Kayal project with mass support and the governmental decisions have so far been favourable to eco-friendly development.

Kerala Tourism has initiated a “Responsible Tourism (RT)” programme in 2008, but the implementation of guidelines are not mandatory. So it is natural for business people to think ‘Why should I follow this’”, says Sumesh, adding, “Government will not accept criticism. It is so everywhere”.

Despite setbacks, Kabani has continued to consistently promote alternative tourism and Sumesh says, “But we work in our own way, without disturbing anyone”, and manage to get things done.

A decade ago, no one would admit that such a problem exists, but today, people are vigilant and oppose irresponsible activities. “It is a good sign that people and governments are alert to the consequences of irresponsible tourism. Tourism should no longer be alien to local people; local are the direct owners in thebusiness and not just beneficiaries of charity”, activists say.

By Nisary Mahesh