Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options

Tourism and Rights of Panchayats
An extremely demanding industry in terms of resources, tourism operates in
its own created ambiance mostly unrecognising its responsibilities to the
surrounds to which it belongs. It is with the Panchayats that almost all of the
needs and wants of tourism is held. Below are listed some of the powers with
the Panchayat out of the 29 decision making powers bestowed with it that
has relevance to tourism development.
Bring in systems for conservation and tourism development
It has proven that no single agency could effectively enforce all aspects of
development This is applicable to tourism development also. The primary
agency to democratise and convert tourism planning and implementation is
the central and state tourism ministry and departments. The Department of
Tourism needs to recognise right of the Panchayats and the need to consult
them in tourism development. The primary task involved in making this a
reality is through recognition for consultation with the PRls. This could be
done through the tourism policy documents. The policy document should
recognise actionable strategies to involve local bodies/PRls in the tourism
development process. It should recognise:
the inherent potential and role of Panchayats in planning,
regulating, implementing and mon itoring of local tourism
development projects, Benefit sharing; also seek its participation in
terms of issuing and non-issuing licences to tourism projects.
involve PRls in monitoring tourism sub-sectors and ensure the
enforcement of code of ethics.
include PRls in Tourism Development Authority to be constituted
from time to time for regulating tourism development and any other
authority to be constituted for any other purposes notified in any
policy or law.
allocate 40 per cent of funds stipulated for implementation of any
projects from plan funds.
enable PRls by conducting interactive programmes to transfer
skills, knowledge and attitudes to involve in social/environmental
audit oftourism projects.
ensure the right to access to common property resources of local
community through local bodies, and
empower PRls to impose punitive measures on exploitation of
resources by tourism industry
63 Nilagiris : Fading GIory