Impact of Eco-Tourism on Koya Tribals in Jayashankar District of Telangana State – a Study
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International Journal of Research in Social Sciences Vol. 7 Issue 8, August 2017, ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 Journal Homepage: http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage as well as in Cabell‟s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A IMPACT OF ECO-TOURISM ON KOYA TRIBALS IN JAYASHANKAR DISTRICT OF TELANGANA STATE – A STUDY Dr. G. Vijay* ABSTRACT Eco-tourism has drawn the attention of the world community as positive contributor towards the preservation of the natural and cultural resources and also towards the development of tourism. Eco-tourism is one type of tourism which provides opportunity to connect the nature‟s lover with the natural environment. The Telangana state has tremendous potentiality for Nature and Ecotourism. The new district Jaya Shankar has been a very important centre for cultural and pilgrimage ever since the beginning of the historical period. This district has great diversity of culture, tradition and natural resources which makes it very attractive tourist destination. There are few rich eco tourist sites in the district, which has been attracting the good number of tourists around the year. The Koya tribal‟s are one of the pre dominant people of the southern region of the country. The present habitat of the Koya‟s comprises the area of Eturnagaram, Mulug taluk of Jaya Shankar district. The impact of ecotourism on host communities can be much more. This research paper analyzes the various impacts of ecotourism on koya tribal community people in the district. Key Words: Eco-Tourism, Natural Environment, Tradition, Eturnagaram, Koya tribals. * Assistant Professor of Tourism Management,Dept. of Business Management,Chaitanya P.G. College (Autonomous),Hanamkonda, Warangal 381 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 INTRODUCTION: Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Tourism is a driving force for Poverty Alleviation and universal Social Harmony. India is one of the few countries of the world with an array of tourism resources from bio cultural diversity to a wealth of histories and antiquities. India, with its rich culture, heritage, ancient monuments, world famous temples, architectural masterpieces, wild animals' sanctuaries and scenic sports, remains a great attraction for the tourists. Today, ecotourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism industry. Its potential for growth is virtually unlimited. Eco-tourism is considered as a distinct form of tourism development by replacing the conventional „mass tourism‟, having strong moorings in sustainable, equitable, and community based efforts for improving the living standards of local, host communities living on the fringes of natural settings. As defined by the Ecotourism Society, it is the responsible travel to natural areas, which conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people. Any tourism program which is: nature – based, ecologically sustainable, where education and interpretation is a major concept and where local people are benefited can be called ecotourism. Ecotourism is a growing niche market within the larger travel industry, with the potential of being an important sustainable development tool. Considering the values of Ecotourism the United Nations declared the year 2002 as the “Year of Mountain and Ecotourism” Telangana state occupies a strategic position in the Indian sub-continent. The state has thick forests, where, the newly formed Jayashankar district is blessed with an enormous variety of flora and fauna. The district is spread over an area of 6,175 square kilometers with Bhoopalpally as its headquarters. The population of district is 7.05,054. The district has tremendous potentiality for Nature and Ecotourism. The natural assets like forests and wildlife remains unexplored and untapped from the tourism point of view. To gain the pleasant experiences, the tourists have been visiting different eco tourist sites in the district. Due to the tourist visits, there is a direct positive impact on the Koya tribals, those are living in and around of Eturu Nagarm forest zone in the district. 382 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 NEED FOR STUDY: 1. To highlight the hidden potential eco tourist sites of Jayashankar district. 2. To access the eco tourism impact on Koya tribals in the district. 3. The Study will benefit policy makers to identify and understand the problems and constraints which cause to attract more tourists to the Jayashankar district, which was newly formed. OBJECTIVES: 1. To study the Concept of Ecotourism. 2. To study the Ecotourism potentials in Telangana state and Jayashankar district. 3. To focus and analyze the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary as study area Ecotourism destination. 4. To showcase the Eco-Tourism impacts on Koya community Tribals. HYPOTHESIS: The study endeavors to test the following hypothesis evolved in the light of the said objectives. H0: There is no impact of eco tourism destinations on tourists. H0: There is no Impact of eco tourism on Koya Tibals and their socio-economic and cultural development. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: The present study based on primary and secondary sources. The relevant data for study has been collected from both the primary and secondary sources. The primary data was collected by using the structured closed questionnaire with the sample size 60 & secondary data was collected from various websites, Journals & Books. The data collected through questionnaire were classified tabulated analyzed through simple percentage method. Further the data was analysis with chi- square test. CONCEPT OF ECO-TOURISM: Ecotourism is a new concept in tourism, which was originally sparked off by the idea of making harmonious co-existence with nature a reality once again. Today, ecotourism is one of 383 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry. Its potential for growth is virtually unlimited. Any tourism program which is: nature – based, ecologically sustainable, where education and interpretation is a major concept and where local people are benefited can be called ecotourism. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as “responsible travel that conserves the environment and sustains the well - being of local people”. Clearly, at a time when traditional conservation through enforced protection of natural areas was being questioned for its effectiveness and social impacts, strategies such as ecotourism offered considerable potential for integrating conservation with development. Ecotourism refers tourists to travel to a particular natural site largely for amenity and recreational purpose. ECO TOURISM ACTIVITIES: The main activities involved in Eco Tourism are non-consumptive like Bird Watching, Trekking, Nature Trails, River Rafting, Rock Climbing and more importantly mere watching of the scenic beauty of Hills, Valleys, Meadows, Water bodies and the natural processes and practicing to Live in Nature. These activities do not have any negative impact on the environment but at the same time the different segments of society like professionals, Businessmen, Politicians, Common men, School Children, etc., who are involved in these activities are exposed to the nature and its intricate linkages in the maintenance of Ecological Balance and it is expected that many of them will inculcate Environmental Consciousness. Table – 1 POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF ECO-TOURISM Directly in the tourism sector and in other support and Local Employment resources management sector Profitable industries area generated such as hotels, Domestic Industries restaurants and transport systems handicrafts etc. Economic Diversifies the local economy especially in rural Diversification areas. Generates foreign exchange from visitors/inbound Foreign Exchange tourists. Improves Improves intercultural understandings. 384 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 Understanding Local Government Encourages local government to provide additional Support resources to promote development Creates recreational facilities which can be utilized by Recreational Facilities local communities well as domestic and international visitors. Promotes conservation by convincing government Promotes authorities and the general public of the importance Conservation and value of natural areas. Source: Ecotourism and Environment Handbook ECO-TOURISM POTENTIALS OF TELANGANA STATE: The newly established state Telangana of South India has tremendous potential to become one of the foremost states in the tourist map of the country. It has an area of 1, 14, 840 km and consisting of the ten north-western districts of Andhra Pradesh with Hyderabad as its capital. The State has approximately 29,162 sq. kms of rich forests and diverse flora & fauna provides ample scope for promoting Eco-Tourism. The natural beauty of the state has not been exposed to the visitors till now. The new districts of Adilabad, Komuram Bheem, Kamareddy, Jayashankar,