CHAPTER SEVEN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT OF LONAVLA

7.1 Sustainable Tourism Development of Lonavla.

7.2 Ecotourism in Lonavla.

7.3 Heritage Tourism in Lonavla

7.4 Pilgrim Tourism in Lonavla.

7.5 Health Tourism in Lonavla

7.6 Adventure Tourism in Lonavla

7.7 Corporate Tourism in Lonavla

7.8 Infrastructure needed for sustainable Development.

374 7»1 SMstatnable Tourism Development of Lomavla;

7-La) Sustainable Development: The Universal Ideal. All through the stages of the history of civilizations through ages, human beings have never been satisfied with their existing environment. The pursuit of a better home on earth has driven the society to pursue scientific discoveries, inventions, artistic and literary explorations, architectural planning and policy administration. Nowadays some nations in the world have grown so wealthy and advanced and many others are developing in a fast pace. Environmental problems have loomed large. The planet Earth is being driven towards its resource limits. The call is not to focus on economic and urban growth alone. Instead, ‘development’ must be sustainable development. Given the traditional perception that development and environmental conservation are two incompatible goals, ‘sustainable development’ has evolved as a modem utopian concept. It responds to the appeal for a survival solution that would not sacrifice development (at least not completely) but can save the planet Earth from the verge of resource collapse. According to the World Commission on Environment and Development-CWCED (1987) “Sustainable developmenf’ refers to “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the abilit}^ of future generations to meet their own needs.” Central to the concepts of sustainable development is the idea of needs. It encompasses the message of balancing the needs of economic development and conservation of natural resources and also raises concern for inter-generational and intra-generational equities as well as equities between human and other species. Agenda 21 is the document of Rio de Janerio Conference on ‘‘Save the Planet Earth” held from 3’'*^ June to 14* June 1992. It is a document of 27 Articles. The first article proclaims that human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. Not to damage the environmental framework is the second article. The third article asserts that the right to development must be fulfilled so as to meet equitable development and environmental needs of present and future generations. The next article reaffirms that environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the

375 development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it. The task of eradicating poverty is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. Enacting effective environmental legislation is expected. The involvement of local communities, women and youth is solicited for their effective participation in the achievement of sustainable development. It is finally emphasized that peace, development and environmental protection are interdependent and indivisible. The universal ideals of the entire mankind have been determined from the days of the French Revolution to be ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.’ These ideals are now replaced by the twenty-seven Articles of Agenda 21 universally accepted by all the countries of the world. In the Rio de Janeiro summit on the save Planet Earth. The watch word of the 21®‘ centmy is not just the development but the sustainable development, the eco-friendly environment protecting, survival-oriented economic, political, social and cultural development. Gandhi’s dream of Hind Swaraj -the rural reconstruction based on the ideals and practices of self- reliance is implicit in Agenda 21- the universal goal that needs a common pursuit by all the members of the community together with those who are involved in planning and policy- making.

7-1.b) Sustainable Tourism Development; The Global Code of Ethics for tourism was adopted unanimously at Santiago, Chile on October, 1999. The aim of promoting and developing tourism with a view to contributing to economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity and universal respect for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. All the members of WTO (world tourism organization) believed in the rationale of reconciling environmental protection, economic development and the fight against poverty in a sustainable manner as expressed in Agenda 21 adopted in 1992 at the Earth Summit of Rio de Janerio. The member countries affirmed the right to tourism and the firm wishes to promote an equitable, responsible and sustainable world tourism order. For this purpose the member countries resolved solemnly to adopt the principles of Global Code of Ethics for tourism which include tourism’s contribution to mutual imderstanding and respect between peoples and societies, tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfilment, tourism as a factor of sustainable development,

376 tourism as a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and a contributor to its enforcement and tourism as a beneficial activity for host countries and communities. These include obligations of shareholders in tourism, liberty of tourist movements, rights of the v^orkers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry and implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, These ten Principles have prepared the groundv\^ork of the roadmap of sustainable tourism development in tourist destinations all over the globe. The environmental pledge is taken by all the member countries. The use of recycled paper, the discrimination of the use of polythene bags, the garbage disposal systems, the recycling of water through water treatment sources, use of local ethnic materials, and the schemes of enhancing the economy of the area through the involvement and employment of local communities are some of the measures to be adopted to attain the goal of sustainable tourism development of the area. The conference “Tourism 2000- Building a Sustainable Future for Asia- Pacific” was held at Male, Maldives on 16* February 1997. It was resolved at the Male conference to agree to pledge continuing support for the vision and goals of a sustainable future as conceived and articulated in 1987 Brandtland Commission Report, the 1992 Earth Summit, the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21, which was further extended to the tourism industr}-' through subsequent efforts, of The World Conference on Sustainable Tourism and the 1996 International Conference on Tourism and Heritage Management. The following areas of activities promoting tourism are encompassed in sustainable tourism development in a specific area chosen for the same purpose of development. Fostering awareness of environmental ethics in tourism among communities and consumer conservation and sustainable use of resources and public guardianship of the natural environments are the first three areas connected with the awareness of environmental ethics and its protection and conservation. The next three areas are reducing consumption and waste, natural, social and cultural diversity and integrated tourism plaiming for sustainability which are active stages of implementing the environmental ethics. The local ethnic participation is emphasized in the next five activities such as support for local economies, local community involvement and consulting tourism stakeholders and the public, human resource development and

377 responsible tourism marketing. The measuring and assessing of the last group of three activities such as ongoing inquiry into sustainability issue, measurements to monitor tourism’s impacts on enviromnent, culture and heritage and use of enviromnentai impact assessments in tourism planning. These areas will act as a policy tool to measure progress towards tourism sustainability and to assist in the implementation of sustainable practices.

7-1 C. Sustainable Touiism Development of Lonavla: Lonavla is a tourist spot that is to be developed by applying the principles and strateg)' of sustainable tourist development. The first four core indicators of sustainable tourism are site protection,, stress on account of the tourist numbers visiting the site, use intensity which is related to the peak period of visits by tourists and social impact which involves the ratio of tourists to locals during the peak period. Development controls over development of site and use densities, waste management and plamiing process which means the existence of organized regional plan for tourist destination region are the next three core indicators of sustainable tourism development. The last three core indicators are critical eco-system, number of rare or endangered species, consumer satisfaction and local satisfaction. The sustainable tourism development of Lonavla must be brought out through the channelised implementation on the lines indicated by these core indicators. The sustainable tourism development of Lonavla will have to be planned in the following six categories of tourism. That will be the roadmap of tourist development in Lonavla. The number of tourist visiting Lonavla is increasing year after year but the visiting tourists consume various articles, decompose them, effect the environment negatively through consumption, pollution, waste and garbage. The ecological imbalance caused by the visits from the tourists needs to be put into its proper balance. The six categories of tourism that can be developed in Lonavla will naturally begin with the first category of ecotourism in Lonavla.

378 12 Ecotourism In Lonavlas is a land of rich biodiversity. It is a treasure house of a wealth of ecosystems. The major eight ecosystems in India are biosphere reserves, mangrovers, coral reefs, deserts and mountains and forests, flora and fauna, seas, lakes and rivers and caves. In the case of Lonavla the last four ecosystems are relevant as these four systems exist there. There are the Sahyadri ranges of mountains and hills and thick, flora and fauna, lakes and rivers and caves. In fact the name of the town ‘Lonavla’ means the ‘auli’ or ‘avaii’ that is the series or line of ‘leni’ that is caves. It is the avali (line) of ‘ten” caves that has given the town its name as it is in the vicinity of the caves of Karla, Bhaje and Bedse. The lakes like Lonavla lake, Walwan Lake, Tungarli Lake, and other surrounding lakes are the part of the ecosystem of Lonavla, not to speak of the myriads of waterfalls in its vicinity. The is originated in this area and the other rivers of this area are Pawna and Andhra. It is rich in the flora and fauna particular to the “Mawal” region of district in State. It is close to the Konkan region on one hand and is at the Central location on the road and the rail links of the two metropolitan centres in Western India. This geographical position makes it a unique tourist destination because of its climate. The monsoon season is favoured by most tourists and the rain experience is experienced by thousands and thousands of tourists that flock to Lonavla on the weekends. The eco-tourism in Lonavla will have to be made a part of its sustainable development. Ecotourism in Lonavla will touch the naturally beautiful tourist destinations in the region of Lonavla and towns. The old reversing station which is known as the Amrutanjan point will be the first point of the tour in the Ecotourism category of Lonavla. The scenic beauty of the high hills and thick forests on one hand, the deep valleys in the sylvan surroundings and the view of the township of Khopoli on one hand and the tunnels and trains on another will enchant the tourists by its magic spell. What is necessary is to make it a regular view point with railings, sitouts, standing platforms and accessibility to the spot. The other two points in this area need to be properly approached for access and to be converted appropriately as tourist destinations and the famous Monkey Hill view point and the Chavani valley view point can be duly established without any damage to the ecological balance in the area. The

379 expressway and the highway four are built recently and widened but there is an acute need of expanding the road facility almost two or three times of what it is at present. The fourth point of eco-tomism will be the highest point on the road from Lonavla- Khandala to Khopoli. It has some facilities but these need to be upgraded to cater to the needs of the ever-increasing number of tourists both domestic and foreign. Tree plantation is the urgent need of this spot which has lost its fine green cover of the old times. It is also necessary to develop the Waghjai temple into a tourist spot of natui’al splendor. The proposed ropeway from Rajmachi point to the next point across the valley will make it a viable tourist attraction. Beautification of the entire slope from Rajmachi point to the Duke’s Nose corner on the Highway and from the tunnel below Rajmachi point to the entry point in Khandala should be carried out to make it attractive for the visitors to the tourist destinations. The next tourist destination is Duke’s Nose. It is felt that the climbing flat steps be carved out upto the middle of Duke’s Nose which is a unique spot of nature’s own wonder. It has the unique Nose-shaped pointed summit which is a sight to watch and admire. This significant spot is as if reserved for the trekkers and adventure groups and others have just to cast a passing glimpse at the tip of the nose. Kune waterfall is the point that ought to be made accessible to the tourists in general. The facilities like sit-outs, platforms and railings with watch-out arrangements be provided without any disturbance to the environmental beauty of the spot. Beautification of the spot and grooming trees in this spot are essential to make it a viable tourist spot. The Amby valley has a tourist point in it but it needs to be treated as such and the general tourist be allowed to watch the ambience of the modem development in the natural surroundings. Here is a meeting point of tradition and modernity, nature and human habitat, urban and pastoral life-styles and the same needs to be opened to the visitors of Lonavla and Khandala. The next point is Tungarli lake which is another beautiful spot surrounded by nature’s beauty. The accessibility of the spot should be duly developed. It can be developed as a nice picnic spot, but the changes should not diminish even by a particle the nature’s gift from these beauty spots. The beautification of the origin of the Indrayani river needs to be carried out as a spot of nature’s wonder and as such Lonavla Lake ought to be made a central tourist destination of this region. It has almost become a heritage spot now. The serene atmosphere and the

380 beautiful landscape need to be preserved. This point is in the vicinity of Barometer Hill, vi^hich should also be developed into the glory it deserves as a tourist destination. Tiger’s Leap and Bliushi dam are visited but there are no facilities at both the spots. The imiqueness of both the spots should be preserved and the tourist facilities of access, attraction and accommodation be developed to the fullest extent to make them advantageous to all. Sakur Plateau should be developed as a full fledged tourist spot. The Bhanganvadi Hill and Walwan dam need to be re-introduced as distinct tourist spots. It is to be in the company of nature and to enjoy its climate that tourists visit Lonavla. All the natural gifts of Lonavla should be made available to the visitors. The central location of Ryev^ood Park and the Siddeshwar temple should be emphatically asserted in making it a more attractive spot. This is a brief ecologically viewed excursion of the major tourist destinations of Lonavla-Khandala hill stations. It need not be pointed out that the infrastructure in respect of v^ater supply, electricity, roads, accommodation, transport, communication and foreign currency exchange needs to be developed fully. The improvement of tourist destinations must be carried out to make Lonavla a destination of tourist development in a sustainable mamier.

7,3 Heritage Tourism in Lonavlas Heritage cultural tourism is the next category of tourism to be developed on the lines of sustainable tourism development in Lonavla. Lonavla has a combination of ancient heritage sites alongwith the modem technological heritage sites. The ancient heritage sites are the caves of the Buddhist sects. The old bullocks cart track that connected the area from Nala Sopara, Kalyan, Cheul and Vasai on the Arabian coast to the central inland areas of Paithan is also an ancient track as is clear from the series of cave temples on the West coast area to the caves around Lonavla- such as Kondane and Ambavali below the track road and Karla, Bhaje and Bedse caves beyond Lonavla at a distance of ten to fifteen kilometers. The construction of road along the hilly terrain was entrusted with the responsibility of constructing the Khandala road tracks from Khopoli to Khandala and by 1830 the road was constructed and was opened for traffic. The cave temples around Lonavla are the heritage sites of ancient times. There is now sufficient accessibility for Karla caves. The only drawback is that the “Stupa” type

381 structure of the caves which is unique needs better preservation and security arrangement. The neighbouring caves are still in ruins and are almost neglected. The ancient heritage site has in its front the old Ekvira Goddess temple. The ancient architectural features of the temple are being disfigured as well as defaced with the additions which are carried out in an unauthorized manner. The crowds here need to be disciplined and no “Sacrifice” ritual be allowed either inside or outside of the temple and near the caves of Karla. The other two cave temples of Bhaje and Bedse need urgent accessibility, preservation and tourist destination facilities. Between the ancient heritage sites like the old bullock cart track thorough the hills from the coast to the inland territory and the Buddliist cave temples at Karla, Bhaje and Bedse and the ancient Goddess Ekvira temple and the modern technological heritage sites are the heritage sites of the medieval times. The Siddeshwar temple near Lonavla railway' station is said to be visited by king Shivaji on his sojourns to the coastal cities. It is an old architectural monument of a traditional Shiv temple. There are forts all around this region known as the Maval region, Rajmachi, Shrivardhan, Lohgad, Visapur, Tung and are the heritage sites of the Maratha and Peshwa periods of the history of Maharashtra. All these historical monuments need careful attention. At Lohgad, crowds have started visiting. The other forts are visited by trekkers only. The total neglect towards the conservation of the historical monuments is noticed. On the other hand, those who visit damage the ecological balance by throwing plastic material and pollute the place. Writing graffiti is disfiguring the historically valuable site is not at all understood by the ‘Literate’ visitors. Preservation of these monuments, providing tourist facilities such as accessibility, accommodation, drinking water and food outlets, and thorough guidance will make these monuments true tourist destinations. The modern technological wonders are also more than a century old or almost nearing the centenar}' mark. The Khopoli- Khandala- Lonavla- Kamshet winding road track is about hundred and eighty years old. It is renovated as the Highway Number 4-Pune- Bengaluru- and it is further developed through the construction of the expressway. The old highway should have an adjoining separate pedestrian walk right from Kamshet to Khopoli which will take care of the crowd of about 2 lakh ‘rain walkers’ that come to Lonavla on the twelve to thirteen weekends of the monsoon. Such a facility from

382 Kamshet, Lonavla, Bhushi dam site, the RajmacM point, the slope towards Khopoii for pedestrians alone will prevent the ‘traffic jams’ and “bottlenecks” caused due to the sudden onrush of visitors that come to enjoy the monsoon of the hill-stations. The railway track was completed upto Khopoli from by 1856 and Pune- Khandala by 1858. After the long, epidemic- striken, delayed construction that lasted for more than seven years, the track between Kliopoli and Khandala was completed by 1862 and has thus been a site of a century-and a half old. The “monkey hill” station, the reversing station, the Khandala station, and the tunnels between Karjat and Lonavla are all the heritage sites now. The Hill trains of Ooty, Darjeeling, Simla, have become World Heritage sites and the Khopoli- Khandala track of steep rise needs to be preserved as a heritage site of such significance. The heritage tour of Lonavla should include this significant link of the - one of the richest of “views of natural beauty” on all sides in the world. Similar sights in Scotland and Switzerland have attained the status of tourist destinations and have attracted millions of tourists to the beauty of nature there. The same exercise needs to be canied out in Lonavla. The construction of Lonavla dam started in 1911 and of Walvan dam in 1912. After the completion of these water works, the hydel power project started in 1913 and from Khopoli the supply of electricity started towards the metro-politan center-to-be Mumbai, Shirvata dam and the linking works were completed by 1920.These water works have almost completed their existence of hundred years. It is one of the engineering wonders of the world. The technological excellences of these projects of hundred years ago need to be presented as a proud heritage sight for tourists. Suitable steps need to be taken to ensure these modem scientific achievements by giving them their due status as modem heritage sites and to convert them into “attractive tourist destinations” as is the case with the Vrindavan Gardens on the Krishnarajsagar dam near Mysore and the Dnynashwar Gardens on the near Paithan in Aurangabad district. The trolley rope way could be used for both the “rail-track sight-seeing and “w'ater-works sight-seeing” excursions. The Parsi “Agyari” Fire temple is also a rare heritage site as the “holy fire” has been brought from ‘Eden’ in Oman where a resident of Lonavla constmcted in 1844 a fire temple, and later on constmcted another fire temple in 1898and the “holy fire” from

383 Eden temple was transfenred to the fire temple at Lonavla on 14-11-1976. This is a rare occurrence of such a transfer of “holy fire” from one country to another across the seas. This heritage site needs to be brought into the limelight to foster the national integration and communal harmony that is the part and parcel of the cultural fabric of India that is the land of ancient, medieval and modern heritage sites. The tours of heritage sites of Lonavla need to be conducted to fuse together the confluence of the old and new in the environs of I.onavla-Khandala. The heritage tourism will highlight the significance of cave temples, temples, forts, road and rail tracks and water bodies in Lonavla. One day, two-day, three-day tour packages of heritage tourism in Lonavla can be offered, if the tourist destinations fulfill the necessaiy pre-conditions of tourist facilities at all these heritage sites.

7.4 Pilgrim Tourism in Lonavla; The next categor}' of tourism that can be developed in Lonavla is Pilgrim tourism. Lord Ganesh is the god of learning and god that is to be worshipped before beginning any activity. It is therefore appropriate to begin the pilgrim tourism with the visit to Varad Vinayak temple of Mahad about 10 kms from Khopoli and about 18 kms from Lonavla. It is one of the Asthavinayak temples, of in Khopoli town and the next point is the Gagangiri Ashram at Khopoli. Waghjai temple near the Rajmachi point is the next place of worship. There is a Shiva temple near Duke’s Nose which is at a very attractive natural site. The Siddeshwar temple is the focal point of religious or pilgrim tourism as it is the old Shiv temple. There are other temples in Lonavla, Ram and Maruti Temple in Bhangarwadi, Ram temple in Gawliwada, Fire Temple of Parsi brethren. At Nagargaon there is a beautiful temple of Swami Samarth, which must be visited by devout worshippers. At Karla, there is Goddess Parmeshwari Temple on the highway which is an architectural delight. The old goddess Ekvira temple is the temple of clan of fishermen who seek the blessings of the goddess on all occasions. The cave temples are Buddhist monuments. At Lonavla and Kamshet there are Jain temples. There are mosques and churches too in , each characteristically designed in architectural grandeur and charming glory. The pilgrim tourism in Lonavla has many splendoured aspects and is sure to inculcate the spirit of secularism. The three

384 categories of tourism in Lonavla so far noted are Ecotourism, Heritage tourism and Pilgrim (religious) tourism which are the types which are ordinarily practised though certain modifications with due suggestions have been made to enhance and develop the tourism in Lonavla in a sustainable manner.

7.5 Health Tourism in Lonavla: The next three types of tourism suggested for the sustainable tourism development are comparatively recent additions to the concept of tourism and are of specialized nature. The first category is that of Health tourism. The questionnaires for both the domestic and foreign tourists in Lonavla have been responded by seventy domestic and thirty five foreign tourists. Most of the responses have recorded their long stay in Lonavla is for the purpose of health. Kaivalyadham was founded on 16'*^ October 1924 at a site near Walwan dam. In 1929 the institute started imparting instructions on yoga education and in 1950 G. S. yoga institute was established. In 1959 Therapeutic Research Department was started for research in yoga therapy and a Health care centre is attached to it. The Gupta Yogic Hospital and Health care centre offers a minimum eight- day course on Health and Healing through Yoga and Nature Cure. Most of the tourists excluding tourists from Pune and Mumbai have stated that their intention to visit Lonavla is to take the advantage of the facilities at Kaivalyadhama in Lonavla or Atmasuntalan at Karla. The Health tourism is officially recognized in Kerala as a part of its tourism promotion programme. The Ayurvedic treatment of five purification process, yoga exercises, meditation, massage, and steam bath, application of paste and pouring of oils is carried out in the health tourism resorts there. The same procedure can be followed at the above- mentioned Health Care Centres like Kaivalayadhama and Atmasantulan. The course of one-week, two weeks, three weeks or a month can be offered under the health care packages to visitors to Lonavla. Other institutes can also take up, this activity. There are many sanatorium trusts in Lonavla. These can be converted into Health Care Centres. It is necessary that this conversion of a sanatorium into a health care centre should be carried out on sound scientific principles through the guidance and active involvement of the expertise in the Health Care Management. The tourist facilities in these places need to be upgraded and modernized. This category of

385 Health Tourism has a vast scope in Lonavla on account of the fact that there are limitations on the intake of desirous patients in the above-mentioned Yogic or Ayurvedic institutes. There should be the active participation of the expert yogic or Ayurvedic practitioners in all such centres if those are to be operated. It is at the same time essential to expand the present facilities and additional intake be increased in Kaivaiayadhama.and Atmasantulan Health Centres. Health Tourism due to the climate and medical that is Yogic and Ayurvedic facilities and treatments v^ill be a booster to the tourism industry in Lonavla. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation should make all efforts to make it possible through the co-ordination of the necessary factors on the lines pursued by the Tourism Promotion Schemes in Kerala- which has become a Health Tourist Destination in India. Lonavla in Maharashtra has the same potential and therefore it needs to be properly tapped. The lead of the State Government in this respect is most desirable.

7.6 Adventnre Tourism in Lonavla; The next category of tourism to be promoted in Lonavla is being partially practised in the form of para-gliding from the hills near Kamshet near Lonavla. The category of tourism to be promoted around Lonavla is of Adventure (sports) tourism. The various from of adventure sports such as trekking, hitch-hiking, rock climbing, rappling, para- gliding, bungey jumping, kite-sailing, balloon jumping, v^ater sports, traveling through the ropeways, trolleys, and others can be practised in and around Lonavla. The treks in the hills valleys and forts can be efficiently operated around Lonavla. The five-km, seven-km, ten-km and fifteen-km treks can be arranged. Khopoli-Khandala, Lonavla-Khandala, Lonavla-Shrivardan, Lonavla-Lohgad-Visapur, Lonavla-Bhushi-Dam and Walvan Dam treks will be quite popular if efficiently operated. The hitch-hiking from Lonavla to Khopoli and from Lonavla to Kamshet- Karla will be most beneficial. There are various rocks climbing site in the region from Karla to Khopoli and the forts can provide additional rock-climbing sites to those who are desirous of pursuing this adventure sport. The training in rappling can be given at Rajmachi point, Duke’s Nose, Barometer hill, and hills around Kamshet. Para-sailing and hang-gliding are being practised from the hills near Kamshet. These can be

386 promoted further by making these adventure sports channelised in an efficient manner at the sites near Lonavla. The crags at such sites can be launching pads for para-sailing, hang-gliding, bungey jumping and kite-sailing. Adventure sports competitions can be organized at these sites regularly almost month-wise and season-wise cycling, running, marathon race, bike driving, moto-cross, cross country and driving four wheels should be and will have to be organized as regular events. This will promote adventui-e sports of different types in this area. Balloon sailing and jumping will have to be promoted from these sites. Water sports at different water bodies such as Bhushi, Lonavla Lake, Tungarli Lake, Walvan dam and the different tourist resorts will have to be given full access right from the month of October to the month of March. Adventure tourism is a recent phenomenon but that need to be more scientifically presented, Adventui'e tourism in Lonavla will make the venue more satisfying, more beneficial and more effective. Adventure tourism if duly promoted will develop Lonavla tourism to cater to the needs of the young visitors to Lonavla. Annual competitions like Khopoli-Lonavla Cycling Race and Water sports Competitions, Rainy Football, Volleyball and Basketball Tournaments need to be sponsored and regularly organized which will be a further boost to Adventure Tourism. The Indian games competitions for Wrestling, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho and Yoga Exercises can also be organized. Each hill top near Lonavla and each valley in the surroundings can be tapped for different adventure sports. Strength, Stamina and Survival instincts will be developed through Adventure Tourism. The “'chaotic” crowding of the “rain-walkers” can be duly channelised through the weekend monsoon programmes to be held in Lonavla. The local authorities, educational and social institutions and residents of Lonavla will have to join hands to make Lonavla a centre of Adventure tourism.

7.7 Corporate Tourism im Lonavla; The next category of tourism is developing fast in recent years. It is ambience of Amby Valley, the five and four star Hotels in Lonavla, the institutes like Kohinoor Hotel Management, Kaivalayadhama and Atmasantulan tourist resorts and other venues that make Lonavla a place ideal for holding conferences. The accommodation, food and

387 other hospitality arrangements need to be provided for the organization of the conferences. Delhi and Goa have emerged as Conference venues. Goa has been chosen as the permanent venue of the Film Festival of India. The humidity and pollution of Mumbai and the growing urbanization of Pune can be avoided if the venue for Conferences in these two metropolitan centres is shifted to Lonavla. The seating arrangements, sound systems, catering and event management facilities in Lonavla need to be updated and upgraded. The Corporate houses can also make their vital meetings shifted to the salubrious climate of Lonavla. Tata have a strong base in Lonavla and all their annual events can take place in Lonavla if so organized systematically. Similar facilities can be established by the corporate offices of Birla Group, Singhania Group, Jindal Group, Ambanis, WIPRO, Infosys, Ranbaxy and Dabur groups and others MTDC as well as ITDC can also erect such facilities in Lonavla for promoting Corporate Tourism. The sectors like Rural development, Social welfare, Forests, Tourism, Urban Development, Floriculture, Horticulture, Internal Security, Education, Co-operation, Banking, Management, Trade and commerce and others can set up their training centres on the lines of Police Training at Khandala and Marine training centre as in INS Shivaji in Lonavla. Adventure sports Museum and Training Institute can be set up in Lonavla. Sericulture, Epiculture, Floriculture and Horticultwe have a vast scope in the development strategies in the regional areas and training in those can be given in a place like Lonavla. NCC, NSS and Scout Movements are the wings which can mould the young minds to social and National Service and they can have a permanent Camping arrangement in advanced and leadership training of these activities of the youth. These measures need the township Developed. Corporate Events, Conference, Seminars, Worships, Training Centres, Permanent Camps and other Corporate activities and Lonavla can be developed on the lines on which the city of Geneva has become the Convention Centre of the World. The future of Lonavla lies on the prospects of developing it as a Convention City so that tourism in Lonavla will have round the year Event Calendar with the hustle and bustle of delegates from all over the state, the country and the world jostling enthusiastically in the' markets and tourist destinations of Lonavla in their spare hours in the busy schedule of the Conferences and other occasions.

388 7.8 Infrastructure needed for sustainable Development: The six Categories of tourism development that will promote Lonavla as a tourist destination are Ecotourism, Heritage tourism. Pilgrim tourism. Health tourism. Adventure Tourism and Corporate Tourism. This will of course need the suitable infrastructure. The development of roads should be given the top priority. The internal roads, Kusgaon and Kamshet roads need widening and modernization. The accessible approach roads to the tourist destinations of Lonavla and surroundings, chiefly all the cave temples, all the forts, all the waterfalls, the hilltops, the water bodies, the valley points, the View points and the other Landmarks must be constructed. Kamshet- Khopoli road-side pedestrian walk and Talegaon to Karjat rail track pedestrian walk should be constructed without any delay. The entire region of Lonavla-Khandala Hill station stretching to Khopoli-Karjat and Talegaon- Kamshet should be islanded for uninterrupted electric supply to cater to the needs of tourists and residents of this region of vital tourist significance. It is the irony of fate that Lonavla that supplies electricity to Mumbai and has the large water bodies is deprived of both uninterrupted non-stop 24- hour water and electric supply. It is ridiculous to find that tankers are required to press in service in this area of high rainfall. Independent water supply arrangements for all the areas of Lonavla need to be made. The floating population of the township is multiplied by three to five times every weekend. Therefore the estimates of water supply need be based on the number of floating population in the hill station. The public transport system needs to be strengthened. Lonavla is a bus station on the highway but Lonavla- Mumbai and Lonavla- Pune both ways schedules need to be introduced. There ought to be regular shuttle bus service between Lonavla-Chakan, Lonavla- , Lonavla- Karjat at an interval of fifteen -twenty minutes to decongest the traffic in the area. Similarly, sightseeing tours be introduced both by public and private transport services, Karjat-Lonavla-Pune -- Lonavla should be introduced as the suburban railway circuit round the clock at the interval of twenty to thirty minutes. The communication network needs to be expanded. After Pune and , Lonavla telephone exchange caters to the needs of largest number of subscribers. The broadband connectivity be made stable and strong. There should be the facility of foreign currency exchange in every hotel, shop and STD booth as is available in many countries of Europe.

389 Accommodation facilities be expanded to the maximum possible limit. Education and health services be updated. In addition to these infrastructural changes, the tourist destinations be improved in respect of accessibility, attractiveness, hygienic facilities and transport systems. The development of Lonavla without bringing any harm to its ecology will ensure Lonavla’s sustainable tourism development.

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