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• ~ Equations " 23/25, 8' Cross, Vi9nan Na9ar, New Thippasandm Post} Batl9a(ore. 5600i5 TeL +91·80-25244988/ 253 44149, rax : 91-80-25J445�17 e-mail: [email protected] www.equitabLCtourism.or9 Our Note ... Dear Reader, We are happy to share with you the Attached to loans from these two institutions DocUPDATE for the period January-September pose a serious threat to national sovereignty and 2004. decision-making capacity in borrowing countries. It is now widely accepted across the January 2004 marks the starting of the World developing world (and by the institutions Social Forum 2004, which is a people's attempt at themselves) that the IMF has failed in its stated' a global citizens forum. It seeks to offer 'open mission of ensuring financial stability, and the spaces' where there is a confluence of values and World Bank has failed in its stated mission of a noncombative ethos. It was a rallying point for alleviating poverty and promoting economic all tourism interventions groups across the development. While local and national world in highlighting the impacts of tourism populations bear the brunt of these failures in development on local communities, exchanging the form of increased debt burdens, job losses, experiences, learning from each other, forging and reduced access to food, natural resources alliances and engaging in global collective and essential services, the IMF and World Bank actfons. As an outcome of these deliberations continue their operations with immunity from and a tourism activists strategy meeting, the national and international laws. "Global Forum of Tourism Activists" was formed to act as a watchdog on tourism practices India is a preferred client of the World Bank and development. In the \VSF, tourism activists group of institutions and the Asian around the world posed the critical question, Development bank (ADB) for financial "Who really benefits from Tourism?" Because of operations and policy advice. The ADB, which is this clarion call by tourism interventions groups a regional, multilateral financial institution, is to the travel trade, governments and consulting formed in the image of the World Bank. The firms, WTO-OMT responded to the world in World Bank group is now poised to increase ITB-Berlin in March 2004 with the slogan lending to the country by US $ 1 billion over the "Tourism Enriches Individuals, Families, next four years, from raising the threshold for Communities, and everybody in the World!" lending now to a whopping US $ 3 billion per Engaging with this kind of response will indeed year. On its part, the ADB has now increased its be a driving force for all tourism interventions lending to India to US $ 6.47 bil1�oo for the period groups in near future with this question: Does 2005-07 with special emphasis on agriculture tourism tnlly enrich? and Their infrastructure in the poor states) operations in India now include attempts to 2004 marks the 60'" year of the existence of the shape fiscal management policy, revenue International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the collection and management, and sectoral World Bank. The wealthiest developed reforms in agriculture, forestry, education, countries and their corporate lobbies back these health, roads/highways, energy, and water such institutions. The financial and economic policies as introduction of privatization. promoted by these institutions have deepened poverty, inequality and economic insecurity in There have been important changes taking place every developing country where they operate. The IMF and World Bank have contributed little, in the arena of international trade negotiations as to national or local development, and the policy well. The Indian Government has in t:Q.e past six conditions months initiated discussions with a wide range of developed and research agencies that have been assigned with developing countries for entering into more the task of carrying out a feasibility study. The bilateral and regional trade agreements. While Indo-Thai FT A was signed by the Indian Prime the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) already in Minister two weeks after entering office in spite force are only three: the Indo-Sri Lanka, Indo­ of the quasi-Government research body, Nepal and recently signed Indo-Thai, the ones in NCAER (National Council for Applied the pipeline include agreements with the Economic Research), warning the government ASEAN (Association of South East Asian against doing so. Many of these agreements have Nations), Singapore, the Gulf Cooperative an explicit services, and within it explicit Council, South African Customs Uni.on, tourism components in them, as these need to be MERCOSUR (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, thoroughly analysed. The services trade Paraguay), CARL COM (Caribbean Community) agreement being negotiated with USA focuses and the USA. The trend holds good for most of on the Business Process Outsourcing sector, but the developing world, as countries are hesitant it is least appreciated that there are too many to make hasty commitments under the GATS other kinds of services in the Indian economy (because of its multilateral framework) and that are not ready to face competition. In the final therefore prefer a bilateral method of analysis, developing countries need to negotiating for gains in trade. Intuitively, this consolidate their internal political and economic method appears safer for a country, after it has carried out impact studies and discussions with structures before being in a position to support the relevant Ministers (in the case of India the and benefit from global trade. Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of External Affairs). Developing The Finance Minister P.Chidambaram countries may sign agreements or commence presented, Union budget of India for 2004 - 05 in discussions with other developing countries and a popular tune. There are proposals for tax satisfy theorists who profess the South-South breaks for farm sector and lower middle class. trade route out of poverty. But there is an equal He is trying to stick with the Common Minimum number of agreements, if not more, between Programme of the coalition government. Mr. developing and developed countries, where the Chidambaram himself described the budget that trade is bound to be unequal and capable of �fullyfaithful to the Common Minimum programme perpetuating such inequalities because of the . (CMP) of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) bargaining power of the developed countries. government. This budget is probably called a ' The NAFTA and the resultant impact in Mexico 'political budget 'targeted primarily at the lower is a significant case in point. It is also worth middle class, farmers and the. left. Despite noting that when a country enters into bilateral political constraints Chidambanim displayed trade with countries in almost every his dexterity by incorporating some elements of very geographical region in the world the reforms like raising Foreign Direct Investment purpose of signing a bilateral agreement is (FDI) caps in telecom, civil aviation and defeated as this only feeds into the process of insurance. UPA's first budget clearly signals a multilateral liberalization. The method through major change of economic and political which any of these agreements is researched into direction. The government has redefined the is not in the least democratic. The non­ rule of the game. From 'India shining', they have consultative nature of decision-making is a moved to 'Bharath shining'. This shift is not just result of the unequal distribution of political in policy emphasiS but also in political economy power within the countries. Political terms. The finance minister has identified motivations behind such associations become tourism sector as his focus area and this shows evident in cases where agreements are signed that tourism is considered an important activity after least negotiations with domestic by the government. The new schemes and and proportions over the last decade. Every day benefits to civil aviation, modernization of children are trafficked across the country and airports and the development of major through out South Asia, with India being the convention centres are supportive steps to the source country as well a transit and destination point. They are being trafficked for prostitution, industry and help to promote tourism. Rs. 500 labour, entertainment and sports, pornography crores has been allocated to the tourism ministry and sex tourism, illegal activities like begging, for the current fiscal (Last year it was Rs.350 organ trade, for and through marriage and crores) adoption. Even though Child Rights is a global concern today among most countries, there is a It may seem that amusement park owners are all continuous and blatant violation of the rights of set to take entertainment- starved Indians, children that goes unrecognized and un literally for a ride. The Indian amusement park addressed in the form of trafficking. Tourism as sector is growing over 100 percentages every an industry is particularly insensitive of local year. Number of new players is ready to take the community needs. Denial of access to resources, land accession, change in land patterns and loss plunge, while existing ones are set to expand. of traditional and sustainable livelihoods are According to the 11th Quarterly Survey of impacts that local communities have to face in Projects Investments (30 June 2003) conducted return for the setting up of a world class resort or by Projects Today, the amusement park industry hotel in their area. The economic vulnerability had 258 projects worth Rs.32, 795 crore in created by the tourism industry makes option various stages of planning and implementation. such as trafficking an option, whichis difficult to The private investments both by the Indian and ignore. foreign companies is high in this industry. Government owned projects would be Eco-tourism is being promoted vigorously by eventually given to the private investors partly the tourism industry and by the central and state governments. The implications of these or wholly. The whole gamut of the investment in activities are reflected in the tourism policies at this sector consists of developing entertainment, international, national and state levels. The focus amusement parks, theme parks, golf courses and of all tourism activity is shifting to eco-tourism. multiplexes. Between 2001-04, the industry is What is happening in the name of eco-tourism is expected to grow three-fold in terms of both a matter of great concern. There are serious number of parks and total investment intake. threats to our physical and s,?cio cultural environment in general and our flora and fauna Health and medical tourism is perceived as one of in particular. There are also growing violations the fastest growing segments in marketing of environmental legislation and norms 'clearly 'Destination India' today. While this area has so far reflect the concern of our governments,. policy been relatively unexplored, we now find that not makers and planners towards protecting our only the ministry of tourism, government of India, but also the various state tourism boards and even biodiversity and environment. However, the the private sector consisting of travel agents, tour picture is not too grim. Supreme Court of India, op erators, hotel companies and other with its various orders has shown that accommodation providers are all eying health and environmental concerns are of prime medical tourism as a segment with tremendous importance. potential for future growth and medical tourism - could earnmore than $1 billion annuall y. Karnataka Governments strategy is only to attract tourists, therefore they are refusing to be Although trafficking of children is not a new confined by the stringent coastal regulations phenomenon, it has taken on alarming forms imposed by the central government, and they are offering 44 locations the hidden treasures of Tamil Nadu and along the coasts for private investors to start promoting those areas. While the government tourist facilities. In these places the tourism looks tourism merely as industry that department has identified the land that is contributes for the state's economic growth it has available for investors with the ownership lying totally ignored the local community and their with itself, revenue or forest departments. In livelihoods. For instance in Mahabalipuram the some places, investors scout for private land, but state as well as the central government has the department has indicated the potential for involved in creating infrastructure facilities has setting up particular type of activities. Now the ignored the people's welfare and their Government is emphasizing on the unexplored participation in the decision making and there and unknown qualities of its beaches, their seems to be a push towards gettingthe investors unspoiled condition making them unique and to undertake tourism projects in Tamil Nadu. there by making them increase in scope of commercial development. Keeping in mind the It seems as though tourism is being replanned to current scenario only promotion of tourism, give itself a new dimension. We in EQUATIONS infrastructure with the help of private public are trying to analyse the trends and debates that partnership with no proper guidelines with are emerging from the tourism and related which the private entrepreneurs must work and development area. This edition covers materials by allowing free hand end up in the lopsided from Newspapers, Weakly, MagaZines, Journals development of tourism with deep adverse and Books. ""'hUe compiling this edition, we impacts. have also looked at informationavailable on the web and that we receive through list serves via e­ Tourism in Tamil Nadu has received a major mail. The selected information is indicative of thrust in the last few years. The systematic and trends in tourism development, especially in comprehensive efforts taken by the state India. Issues are presented under headings government in 2003-2004 has enabled Tamil based on the sections in our classification code. Nadu make its presence strongly felt in the International arena of tourism sector. Apart from tourism issues, some sections deal "Enchanting Tamil Nadu Experience Yourself" with issues related to development in general. campaign, which was launched in 2003-04, has been carried in an aggressive mode. The Tamil At this point, the team would like to Nadu state government has fixed a target to acknowledge the contribtition of Ms. Nina Rao, increase the tourist inflow by 10 to 12% from the Delhi, Bailancho Saad, Goa, CAG (Citizens, present level of 7 to 9%. At the same time there is Consumer and Civic Action Group), Chennai for an increase in the budget allocation for tourism providing us with regional news clippings and as 30.35 crores in 2004-2005 from the earlier statewide reports to understand, �alyse trends budget allocation of Rs 5 crores in2000-2001. The at the state level and to engage with debates. We increase in the tourist's arrival has made the state request feedback from our readers about this government to develop the infrastructure document, its information and features you facilities as well as identifying would like to share with us. EQUATIONS Team Contents ..... A. TOURISM AND TOURISM ALTERNATIVES...... 1

A 00 Tourism, Travel (General) ...... 1

A 10 Tourism and Development ...... 3

A 31 Alternative Development Ideas, sustainable Development ...... 5

A 80 Tourism Research/Education ...... 5

8. TOURISM POLICY AN D TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ...... 6

B 01 Special Tourism Areas ...... 6

B 20 Tourism Legislation, Rules, Regulations, Acts ...... 6

B 30 ITDC...... 6

B 32 Tourism Facilities, Transport, accommodation ...... 6

B 60 International Tourism Issues ...... : ...... 7

B 63 International Network...... 7 C. TOURISM ECONOMY, INDIAN ECONOMY ...... 7

coo Tourism Economy and Tourism Infrastructure ...... 7

C 03 Tourism Finance ...... 8

C 10 Indian Economy ...... 8

C 11 Liberalization Policies ...... 10

C 23 Railways ...... 14

C 23 a Palace on Wheels and Royal Indian ...... 15

C 24 Civil Aviation ...... 15

C 30 Tourism Industry ...... 17

C 41 Labour Policy, Legislation, Laws and Implementation ...... 17

CO Companies ...... 18 D TOURISM PROMOTION AND TYPES OF TOURISM ...... 1.8

D 00 Tourism Volumes and Patterns ...... 18

D 11 Festivals-India ...... 19 D 20 b Recreation and Theme Parks ...... 20 D 20 d Heritage Tourism ...... 20

D 20 e Pilgrimage Tourism ...... 21

D 20 f Health Tourism ...... 21

D 20 g Rural Tourism ...... 22

D 20 h Golf Tourism...... 23

D 20 i Eco Tourism/Wildlife Tourism ...... f...... 23 E TOURISM, SOCIETY AND IMPACTS ...... � ..25 E 01 Environmental Impact of Tourism ...... ;... 25 E 01 a Environmental Laws and Policy ...... 25 E 01 b Environmental Issues ...... :::.26

E 01 d Wildlife ...... 27

E 41 Prostitution and Trafficking (General) ...... 28

E 42 Child Prostitution/ Child Sex Abuse...... 28

E 71 National parks and Sanctuaries (General) ...... , ...... 31 G COASTAL REGIONS ...... : ..... 31.

G 10 CRZ Acts, Rules, Laws, Violations (General) ...... 31

G 101 Kerala ...... :...... 32

.... : ..... 32 G 40 Industries on the Coasts (General) ...... 1 "�I --:\:, G 40 K Karnataka ...... 35 -,:r

G 90 Coastal Tourism...... ·...... 35

H HILL AND MOUNTAIN REGIONS ...... 36 H 00 Hill and Mountain Regions of India ...... 36 H 30 Himalayas (General) ...... 36

K KARNATAKA ...... , ...... 37 K 10 Policy, Economy ...... 37 3 K 12 Infrastructure, Power...... 7 38 K 33 Child Labour ...... 38 K 50 Tourism/Tourism issues in Karnataka......

...... 39 K 51 Coastal Tourism...... 39 K 53 Heritage Tourism ...... K 59 Golf Tourism ...... 40

L KERALA ...... 41 L 00 Kerala-Land and People ...... 41 L 10 Policy, Economy ...... 41 .42 L 12 Infrastructure ...... L 50 Tourism/Tourism issues in Kerala (General) ...... :...... 43 L 56 Wayanad ...... 43 L 58 Special Tourism Area-Bekal ...... 43 M TAMILNADU ...... 44 MIl Planning, Policy ...... 44 M 57 a Ooty ...... 44 .44 M 57 b Kodaikanal ...... N ANDHRA PRADESH ...... 45

N 00 Tourism Related ...... 45 P G OA ...... 46

P 00 Tourism related ...... 46

Q NORTH EASTERN STATES ...... 48

Q 00 Tourism related ...... 48 S OTHER STATES ...... 49 ..+9 S 10 Eastern India-Orissa, West BengaL ......

S 20 North India-UP, Bihar, Uttaranchal ...... � ...... -1-9 S 21 Jammu & Kashmir ...... : .. : ...... 5! , ...... 5 t S 30 Western India-Rajasthan ...... T FOREIGN COUNTRIES ...... :...... 52

...... ,"'...... 52 TOO International Tourism Volumes and Patterns ...... T 10 South Asia ...... 52 T 20 South East Asia ...... 52 T 30 Communist Asia ...... 53 53 T 60 Europe ...... 5-1- T 80 Caribbean/Central and LatinAmerica ......

U INTERNATIONAL ECONOMy...... 55 U 00 International Economy, Globalization ...... 55 U 30 GATT/World Trade Organization (vVTO) ...... , ...... 57

. . . U 40 International Aid (Bilateral) ...... ·...... 58 59 U 41 'vVorld Bank ...... 62 U 42International Monitoring Fund (IMF) ......

U 43 Asian Development Bank (ADB) ...... 62

X CULTURE AND SOCiETY ...... 63 X 11 Social/Political System ...... 63

X 12 Tribes and Development ...... 64

X 22 a Right to Information ...... 67 X 31 Status of Women (General) ...... 68 X 34 Women and Development ...... 68 MISCELLANEOUS Z ...... 69

...... 69 Z 10NGOS .

ANNEXURE ...... 70

Annexure 1: Critique of EQUATIONS on Draft National Environment Policy 2004 ...... 70

...... 70 , Annexure 2: Critique of EQUATIONS on Draft National Tribal policy 2004 . , Annexure 3: President A P J Abdul Kalam's Vision of Developed India ...... 75

1 Annexure 4: Biosphere in peril : Sahara Parivar's Sunderban dreams ...... 83 Annexure 5: An India-US FTA: .Free Trade for America? ...... 86

Annexure 6: Incoming Materials Ganuary September 2004) ...... 92

Annexure 7: EQUATIONS Publications 2004 ...... 94

Indian Tourism: Current Issues...... 95 What we do ...... 96

Sources Index ...... 97

{ (';l �k":,\ ( ,'::;',: 'eO � A TOURIS" "'.TOURISWIALTEfJNATIVES

A 00 Tourism,Travel (General) sales as more. as more visit city, Bloomberg Indian tourist is evolving from the shopping London, BL.C, 17.8.04, A 00) holidays in duty-free Singapore and Dubai, to the package tours of London, Paris and Tourism: The Growth Multiplier: N.K. Singh have been invited to speak at the 40th Annual Switzerland, the Indian globetrotter seems to be Convention of the Federation of Hotel and acquiring a taste for destinations known better Restaurant Associations of India on the broad for art, culture, food and, some adventure. They theme of "India Tourism: The Way Ahead" . This are all hoping to gain from the generous dollar is for the first time that the convention is being spends of the Indian tourist who has emerg�d as held outside India and it was not clear whether amongst the biggest spenders on holiday the young, progressive Vivek Nair, President of the association, abroad. had chosen Dubai as a closest venue to t h e The Spanish tourism board, for instance, has mainland for accommod estimated that the Indian tourist spends up to ating all the delegates in euro 568 (Rs 32,000) on a visit, which was second view of the room only to Japan for the Asian nations. And, while crunch in India, or Indians may not yet be flocking to Spain, one of because this represents a genuine effort to seek global perceptions. In Europe's most popular destinations with 52.4 theold days, religious tourism was popular, but million visitors each year. The Spanish tourism Dubai has now proved that tourism itself can board has identified India as one of its emerging become a religion! There is an old proverb that markets along with Australia, New Zealand, all that glitters is not gold. However, about and the Baltic nations. Last year, 39,000 Indians Dubai it can truly be said that all that glitters is visited Austria, which attracts about 28 million gold looking at the ornate style of its hotels, the dazzling sheenin its jewellery shops, the opulent visitors annually. (Indian tourists turn to new life-styles of the rich and the city becoming a hub destinations, Tunia Cherian George, BL.B, foreconOII'icactivity and tourism. 2.3.04, A 00)

Central London retail sales rose 3.3 per cent in Dubai, as the participants at the convention will July from the same month last year, outpacing realise, has merely offered security and quality growth in the nation as a whole, as more tourists infrastructure to permit freedom in human visited the capital and discounts lured ingenuity to create a 'meaningful hub of customers. The increase reported by the London economic activity. Enticing over six million tourists in a short time with an bitious target Retail Consortium followed an annual drop of ani of 10-15 million over the next few years,creating 0.4 per cent in the previous month. Nationally, a world-class airport hub and buikiing satellite sales growth eased to 1.8 per cent in July, the cities by reclamation I"""""':"_�=:---::"-::-::"_ __ "":-- slowest pace in five months, British Retail of the sea, Consortium data showed last week. Growth in enVironmentally tourism was led' by visitors from Eastern damaging as an elitist activity for the rich Europe, China and the Middle East, the LRC and wealthy tha t said. Beauty products, including fragrances sold might be, speaks well, as did handbags and designer accessories. volumes about an (London retailers boost July innovative L;";';Y<:S"'���.J � '\ economic strategy. * To make a co-ordinated ettort between central There is a lot to be learnt from Dubai. Enticing and state governments. Central government

over 6 mn tourists in a short time, creating a grants tax and other concessions only to be world-class airport hub and building satellite nullified by state governments. The proposal of cities by reclamation of the sea, speaks volumes the tourism ministry to bring tourism under the about an innovative economic strategy Concurrent list in the Constitution and to create

* As a means to foster equity. There are few a National Tourism Promotion Board under the economic activities where the income percolates Prime Minister needs to be actively pursued. so readily to the average man from being * Fiscal policies need to be aligned with the rates engaged in vegetable cultivation, maintaining. prevalent in other competing destinations. A lot food supply chain, carrying out laundry has been done recently but fine-tuning is functions, not to speak of ensuring regular necessary and there is clamour to secure supplies of newspapers and periodicals. This is infrastructure status for the hotel industry. particularly so in smaller and medium cities * Access to affordable credit, particularly by where many of these activities are manually greenfield hotel entrepreneurs, at affordable undertaken. cost and innovative ways for adequate equity to

* Increased tourist activity, however, brings with be raised is a challenge. it new skills, improved practices, technological * Business cycles are part of the ongoing improvements not to mention the diversity of economic activity. Even while the symmetry varied cuisines and hopefully fosters greater between boom-burst cycles is making risk tolerance even in closed societies. management more challenging, the problem of

* Finally, the symbiotic relationship between the travel and tourism industry is more serious. business activity and tourism. Hospitality A small, exogenous event, like bird flu, a SARS facilities attract investors in making business virus, a terrorist attack or a local communal decisions while the converse is also true; the tension can destroy the small and medium Japanese do not favour India as an investment entrepreneurs. Given the special vulnerability of destination in the absence of assured high this sector, consideration needs to be given for an quality sushi and tempura! Insurance Stabilization Fund and arrangement In the end, no tourism can flourish if economic for debt restructuring during the transition for growth remains stagnant. However, if we survival of small entrepreneurs with shallower continue to grow at 7-8%, which we hope to, packets. tourism can be a growth engine and some of the * The proposed privatization of airports obvious steps include: (hopefully on track this time) and easing of restrictions on private airlines, both for domestic * A sustained mindset change in which tourism l is not regarded as an elitist activity for the rich and international destinations, will have a positive impact. So will the exponential and wealthy. It is rather a catalyst with .'- multiplier benefits including gainful expansion of domestic tourism based on up employment, improved income distribution and gradation of national highways, new highway creation of wealth. connectivity, integration of rural economy , , through progressive completion. of rural - * Some mindset change has taken place, but it has to percolate down to many state network roads programme. governments and organisations where * Finally, the young demographic profile of enthusiastic officials still find ingenious ways to India; the shifting patterns of consumption, redistribution of time between work and leisure, tax the .sector further or making availability of creates new opportunities for .e xponential land onerous and unaffordable. expansion of domestic travel. I * The Tourism Policy 2002 remains significantly A 10 Tourism and Development unimplemented. We require a bolder vision of If there's one state on which nature has not aiming at 10 million tourists in 3-4 years time showered her riches, it's Haryana. No lush green yielding an employment potential for 125 mountains; no rolling rivers and streams, and million Indians and a GDP contribution of 10- not even too hot on the religious circuit. But 12%. For these to be realized, the sector needs to undaunted by the lack of nature's bounty, the be treated with priority, continuity and state has been a "front-runner" in developing sensitivity to handle the tourists' psychology. It highway tourism. Some of the well-known has been said, "large part of tourism is an tourist destinations in the state are Sohna, engagement of the ego versus the world. The Surajkund, KamaL Panipat, Gurgaon, Tilyar and world is Hydra-headed as old as the rocks and as Myna (Rohtak), Pinjore, Panchkula, changing as a sea enmeshed in the rocks and the Kurukshetra, Hisar, Ballabgarh. According to a ego wants to be pampered, arrive at places safely PHDCCI paper on Haryana, today the state has and in time". one of the best wayside amenities and highway To realise the more daunting vision of the motels. However, the potential to generate more tourism sector, our policies must aim not only at investments and resultant employment safe and timely arrival but pamper the fragile opportunities still lies untapped. The chamber sees vast scope for developing amusement ego of the tourist, both domestic and foreign. (Here, All That Glitters Is Gold, FE.B, 13.9.04, parks, water sports, golf clubs etc. The state AOO) tourism department needs to identify new sites and should jointly take up new projects with the private sector. India ranks as the third largest country in tourist arrivals into Singapore. And Indians are also the THE HOTTEST STATES FOR BUSINESS: highest spenders, Singapore Tourism Board's THEOVERALL RANKINGS (STB) deputy chairman and chief executive Lim Over All Neo Chian told. According to him, Indonesia State Perceptual Factual Rank Rank Rank and China still retain the top two slot in terms of tourist arrivals, however, India has 'rebounded 1 Maharashtra 1 1 quickly. While information on the socio 2 Andhra 2 4 economic profile of Indian visitors is lacking, Pradesh STB officials indicate that majority of people 3 Karnataka 3 5 traveling to Singapore from India are between 4 Gujarat 4 3 5 Tamil Nadu . 6 2 the age group of 24-34. Most travel for the 6 Punjab purpose of leisure followed by the business 5 7 Haryana traveler. STB officials said "India is one of the 7 8' 11 Madhya fastest growing market for us. In fact, July 2004 8 10-. 8 Pradesh has been the best in our history when we 9 Rajasthan 14 12 recorded a growth of 24% over January July 10 Himachal 11 15 2002. We have had 4,50,000 Indian arrivals this -� Pradesh year as compared to 3 lakh arrivals in 2003. According to STB officials, overall visitor The chamber suggested a fuulti-pronged arrivals for 2004 (until July 2004) were 8,02,283 strategy for tourism promotion: (marking a 12% increase over the last record of July 2001, where the total visitor arrival was • Promote highway tourism:, Build tourist 714,944). (Indian Tourists Among Highest complexes at strategic points along the Spenders In Singapore, FE.D, 17.9.04, A 00) highways passing through the sta teo , ,

• Develop destinations around Delhi taking full • Develop destinations around Delhi taking full advantage of its proximity to the National advantage of its proximity to the National Capital: tourist complexes can be setup Capital: tourist complexes can be setup around around Delhi through promotion of leisure Delhi through promotion of leisure tourism tourism and conferences. and conferences.

• Provide tourist facilities in all districts: Tourist • Provide tourist facilities in all districts: Tourist facilities at the district and sub-divisional facilities at the district and sub-divisional headquarters to cater the needs of the local headquarters to cater the needs of the local people. people. Interview with .Ghulam Naqshband Ghulam Naqshband is an expert on the topography of India's inbound market, having dealt with a variety of clients first as an employee of a leading travel company an<;i then as chairman of his own top-end tour outfit that now has a turnover of Rs 45 crore. The SO-year old youthful innovator talks to Narayani Ganesh about top-endtourism:

Why do you advocate promotion ofniche markets? What's wrong with mass tourism? All tour operat6rsllIrdercut one another. So though you deal with large numbers, returnsare limited. This doesn't happen in the niche market, where you cater to the topend lUXUry segment.

What do luxurytravel lers seek to experience? Once the clients reach India, inland travel is by chartered flights. If a road journey is unavoidable, they are driven in Mercedes cars. Where necessary, escorts accompany them. At every port of arrivaL the tour operator's representative is there to receive them and takes care of local hospitality and sightseeing. And they stay only in Suites. The most popular destinations are Rajas than and Kerala, besides the golden triangle - Delhi Agra-Jaipur. Most are from Europe, especially the aristocracy. They look for gourmet dining with choice wines, luxury hotels, chartered inland flights and luxury vehicles on the road.

How can we increase out share in upmarket tourism? Individual tour operators have to find the right agents abroad. We need to project a good image of the country and engage in promotional activity with the right segments. Tourist arrivals in India are now roughly 2.75 million a year. It is nothing compared to what other, much smaller countries with fewer attractions get tiny Singapore gets nearly seven million visitors. India's share of global tourism has remained static at 0.3%. In ranking, we've slipped from position number 47 to 53 over the last seven years, while our neighbors have gone ahead of us. Thirty years ago, Bangkok had Nst two tours - floating market and temples. Today, there are so many, including new destinations like Phuket and Pattaya. Submarine tours take you to the bottom of the sea. We need to improvise.

How about tourist spending? .... An average tourist's out-of-room expenditure is barely $40a day here. In Singapore, it is $250 and in Thailand, $78.

You think backpackers don't count? I didn't say that. Today's backpacker is tomorrow's luxury traveller. Remember, Kennedy's son came to Delhi as a backpacker and stayed in a Paharganj hotel. If airport modernisation is going to cbst us Rs 5,000 crore, we need both up market tourism and mass tourism. Then yield per tourist will go up. Once we give them a good experience, traffic will grow through word-of mouth publicity. Immigrationofficials need to be more tourist-friendly; tourist police should be trained to help visitors and deter touts. We want 'responsible tourism' - decent taxi services and fair prices. The government should help" create better image through hard promotion, regulation and facilitation. The'rest are in the handsof private operators. I How long does it takefo r a niche destination like Chhattisgarh to capture and sustain a viable tourist market? In two years, since the Chhattisgarh campaign took off, awareness has been created. However, unless there is easy accessibility and adequate infrastructure, you cannot really expect interest to translate to footfalls. Take the Chitrakotewaterfall in Chhattisgarh that is being promoted as India's Niagra. With tented accommodation the only option currently, only a very committed traveller would make the effort to change flights, endure a long road journey and then live in tents to enjoy the beauty of the place. Promotion of a less known place -like Bastar that has great anthropological and environmen1:al value - through ad campaigns and conferences is important,but alongside, infr astructure has to match tourist expectations. We need to go to institutions abroad and tell them that this area - which was inaccessible - is now open to visitors. Orissa, for instance, already has a thriving niche market as far as tribal tourism is concerned.

(We need upmarket iiimass tourism., Narayani Ganes",ET. C, 28.8.04.A 10)

A 31 Alternative Development Ideas, A 80 Tourism ResearchfEducation sustainable Development The Gargi College, therefore, is all set to The WTI tourism sho w is being billed as a truly introduce a number of new courses in the international industry event and showcases ongoing academic year in collaboration with exhibits from at least about 25 countries with both the governmentand private organisations, numerous state tourism boards and airlines. based in India and abroad. The college will Qatar Airways is the official airline of the commence courses on chartered Accountancy tourism show. Addressing delegates at the (CA) in association with the Institute of inauguralsession, Maharashtra T 0 uri s m Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and Development Corporation (MTDC) managing company secretariat in collaboration with the director Ashish Kumar Singh said that with the Institute of Company Secretariat of India. The country's tourism showing a definite climb most sought after courses include the certificate upwards, the state of Maharashtra is looking at courses in Travel and Tour Management in doubling its growth figures this year and is association with the Switzerland based Kuoni currently in the process of implementing Academy for Travel and Tour Management and product improvement work, looking at setting a course in media studies and Media Production up Aurangabad as an international airport, in collaboration with the Weighan and Leigh developmental work of the coast line right from University, London. E¥\phasizing on the Mumbai to Goa and several marketing sustainable development, the college would kick initiatives. off a unique course named "Environment and Development" in association with the Centre for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu USA tourism Environment and Education, an "Ahmedabad worldwide head Alex Kyriakidis said that there based NGO. (GargiColl ege to start several new is a huge potential for the Indian tourism market courses, Sonia Sarkar, The Pioneer.D, 14.9.04, A but what is required is to develop proper travel 80) \.;. and tourism infrastructure. He added thatIndia should also strive for sustainable tourism development and also said that by 2020, a new business model will emerge for global traveland , I� tourism, which would entail new customer segments. (WTI Tourism shows opens in I Mumbai, FE.D,6.2.04 , A 31)

.. DEVELOPME� " B. TOURISM POLICY AN D lQU",ISM

B 01 Special Tourism Areas any construction within that limit. Last month, The Reserve Bank of India has allowed foreign the Delhi High Court had asked the government companies to set up branch Offices /units in to review its 1992 notification within six months. Special Economic Zones (SEZ) to undertake It felt that the blanket ban of "no construction manufacturing and service aftivities subject to within 100 metre" of a protected monument conditions. SEZs at different places in the needed to be relaxed or tightened on a case-to­ country enjoy several facilities including case basis. The new DG of ASI, C. Babu Rejeev, freedom to import and export goods, tax said a committee is being formed to review the waivers, zero duty regime, relax labour laws etc. rule. on the lines of such zones functioning �n (Panel to review construction near monuments, countries like China. Thismodel has been a huge Saurabh Sihna, HT. D. 30.8.04, B 20) success and India wants to replicate the same. B30 ITDC However, all these days the government had Tour operators said that they would seek a allowed only the domesticentities to do business meeting with finance minister to suggest in SEZs. But the Reserve Bank in a notification withdrawal of service tax on, their foreign dated January 16 has given "general" permission exchange earnings. Tour operators, led by to foreign companies to set up their units. Indian Association of Tour Operators (lATa), said that they would, however, resort to an RBI has, however, made it clear that the foreign agitation on the issue after 7 -1 0 days, if the tax companies will be allowed to establish only was not withdrawn. Other organisations of those units where the government has allowed travel trade such as TMI, TAPt ITTA, UHF will 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) and also join lATa on the issue, lATa president if they function on a "stand alone" basis". By Subhash Goyal said. stand-alone basis, RBI has said such branch offices would be isolated and restricted to the "The Centre and state governments are already Special Economic Zone alone and no business charging several taxes such as road tax, activity will be allowed outside the Special passenger tax, luxury tax and sales tax from Economic Zones in India, which includes tourists. Addition of another tax will make the branches/ subsidiaries of its parent office in tour packages more costly. As a result India will India. In the event of winding-up of business become less attractive and in competitive tourist and for remittance of winding-up proceeds, the destination," (Tour Operators To Meet FM On foreign unit will need to confirm that all Service Tax Withdra'wal, FE.D, 28. 08.04, B 30) � liabilities in India including arrears of gratuity and other benefits to employees etc. are fully B 32 Tourism Facilities, Transport, met. Further, no income accruing from sources accommodation i outside India including proceeds of exports An Indian Hotels Corporation Ltd (IHCL) c:::.. has remained umepatriated to India. (Foreign official said there has been a tremendous � fi nns allowed to set up SEZ units, DH.B, upsvving in the tourism industry, which has S' 18.01.04, B 01) greatly facilitated the hospitality segment. Room occupancy levels have been increasing and with '" B 20 Tourism Legislation, Rules, Regulations, the season on full swing, there should be good Acts growth expected. The up trend in the sector is \:l ( Good news for people who own properties near mainly due to business and corporate travel, R:\ monuments. The Archaeological Survey of India which has grown by percent due to the upbeat '01 (AS I) has begun the process of reviewing the economic spirit and stable . political . '. lOa-metre rule that prohibits environment, says BTI Sita, I e �$..� COO Vijay Chadda. He feels the growth will milestone economic agreement will be signed sustain, and much depends on the sustain ability duringthe middle of the year which will further of information technology sector and future of strengthen the tourism cooperation between business process outsourcing industry. Coxs & India and Singapore," the Minister said and Kings head (business development) Gopi R Singapore attached great importance to the Iyengar said a growth in air travel is welcome, as Indian market as it figured in thetop 10 visitors increased capacity will mean added business for generating market, he said. The members of the the tourism industry. MAC (India) sought his intervention in further relaxing the visa regulations for Indian travellers Aided by the feel good factor, a lot of domestic and ensuring "hassle- free" travel arrangements and international travellers are arriving in the city. Since Chennai is known as th� gateway of for promoting tourism. (India-Singapore pact to India from Far East, there has been a spurt of promote tourism, T. S.Shankar, TH.D,22.2. 04, B arrivals from this region as well as from the 60) traditional places like the United States and the B 63 InternationalNet work United Kindom. The government needs to India has bid to host the fifth World Travel and increase flights into India, as there is a lot of pent Tourism Council (WITC) summit next year. up demand from overseas tourists, which will India has made the offer to host the event in greatly help the travel & tourism industry as well as the hospitality segment, he added. Delhi at the fourth W1TC summit. The offer to (Tourism Take-OffPilot s, FE.D, 25.02.04, B32) host the event was made by the Indian side led by India Initiative chairman, Mr. Lalit Suri, who B 60 International Tourism Issues is an hotelier and MP. India's Planning Increased air capacity between India and Commission member, Mr. N K Singh, also made Singapore and the twinning of business a presentation at the summit, hosted by Qatar opportunities and tourism promotion would Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority, on form the major components of the proposed "brand India" and sought the support and comprehensive agreement planned to be signed cooperation of WTTC to develop the tourism between the two countries, the Singapore and travel market in the country. (India places Minister for Trade and Industry, George Yeo, said. "We are confidentthat this bidfo r world tourism summit, BL.C, 5.5.04, B 63) C. TOURISM ECONOMY, INDIAN ECONOMY COO Tourism Economy and Tourism and Thekkadi. Thenewly formed King National � Infrastructure Air Charter has sought DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) nod for chopper !op erations In. i ,: � .. After testing waters in the Kerala. Buoyed by the phenomenal 25 per cent :short-lived poll-tourism . � J�f�L " growth in tourist arrivals in the closing season, • . .' " "��! ;: 2J ,j" product, innovation appetite at the operations are slated to start by November , :.;,V� I �'ll .� . Kerala tourism work stables 2004. Kerala tourism has been known to be 1 ••••-,. • .'1/, . >.. . . 'has turned to chopper tourism. receptive to necessities like helicopter taxis to the It'S ot the first time the God's 0w countryh as point of offering to construct helipads at tourism 1.1.·,;:,.' @1( <;;J � . � busmess fl19h ts 0f fancy, but e 1 echon f ever h as spots like Vagamon and Ponmudi. (Chopper the tourism trade going at it ful! throttle. From tourism gaining ground as election fever grips the coming season, a private helicopter service Kerala, FE. C, 07.05.04, COO) has plans to string together hills, backwaters and jungle destinations like Munnar, Kumarakom A nice blend of top-class medical expertise at Finding a way out: {f the move on luxury tax is attractive prices is helping a growing number of unacceptablewh at's the alternativebeing suggested? Indian corporate hospitals lure foreign patients, Raise the service tax on banquets. At present, it's including from developed nations such as the 8 per cent on 70 per cent of the food bill. Make it UK and the US. If livers transplant costs in the 10 per cent likewise, up the sal es tax on food range of Rs 60 lakh-70 lakh in Europe and double served in five-star hotels from 8 to 10 per cent. that in the US, a few Indian hospitals, such as There's a catch, though different departments Global in Hyderabad, have the wherewithal to handle luxury tax and sales tax. (Govt. greets do it in around Rs 15 1akh-20 lakh. Similarly, if a tourists with new luxury tax, Sourish heart surgery in the US costs about Rs 20 lakh, . Bhattacharyya, HT.D, 9.9.04, C 03) the Chennai- headquartered Apollo Hospitals Group does it in roughly Rs 2 lakh. C 10 Indian Economy The World Bank's stem warning to state But, things are going to change drastically in governments that embark on populist measures favour of India, especially in view of the high like offering free power may come as a surprise quality expertise of medical professionals, to those accustomed to the Bank's sty Ie of backed by the fast improving equipment and functioning. Over the years, the World Bank has nursing facilities, and above alt the cost­ learnt (the hard way!) to keep a low profile. effectiveness of the package. In addition to the Given the sensitivities of populations in increasingly top class medical care, a big draw developing cOl;!ntries, many of who resent the for foreign patients is also the very minimal or bank's belt -tightening advice to crises Countries hardly any waitlist as is common in European or and see it as a US agent, Bank officials usually American hospitals. In fact, priority treatment is take care not to ruffle feathers. Which is why its provided today in Indian hospitals. (Indian plain speaking on the issue of free power is eyeing share in medical tourism pie, M. rather unusual. That does not make it any less Somasekhar, BL.B, l1.5.04, COO) timely, however. With the results of the recent C 03 TourismFinance election being interpreted as a vote against reform by the political class, both Andhra To raise luxury tax collections to Rs 125 crore, it Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are bending over has made it mandatory for hotels and inns to backwards to offer freebies. Both chief ministers charge the 12.5 per cent luxury tax, which the '" are perfectly aware that this is not an industry says is the highest in the country; on � published tariffs (or 'rack rates'), and not the economically viable solution. On the contrary, it e actual rates that guests pay. Lalit Suri, member do es incalculable harm to th 'long-term fiscal � of Parliament a11dpresident of Hotel Association health of the state and given the precarious state � f of India, calls this "a very disappointing move". of their finances, is completely unjusti ied. The '"' From September 6, guests are being made to pay additional expenditure on these freebi/i.S has to '-"­ a tax on room rates they were never charged. In come from somewhere - either from increased � !) Haryana, on the other hand, there' s no luxury revenue or from lower expenditure or, when tax; in Raj asthan, the rate is 6 per cent on actual neither is pOSSible, from borrowed funds. rates; in up, it's 5 per cent. It's a standard Raising more revenue is unlikely to go down "­ industry practice to charge discounted rates well with the electorate. Hertce, most ( � from airline crews, corporate customers, governments try to cut down expenditure. And � conferences and groups. The average peak since it is far easier to cut capital rather than V I season room rate in the five-star sector, for revenue expenditure, essenti al capital instance, hovers around Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000, but expenditure is often given the go by: Where this the rack rates could be Rs 10-12,000. has already been pared to the bare I minimum, states have no option but to borrow. reprieve to the industry by reducing luxury tax, Borrowing to finance current expenditure is, Kerala's tax remains substantially high. (Public­

however, an invitation to disaster when no asset Pvt partnership in tourism turning sour, c.]. is being created to service the loan. So far, states Punnathaa, BL.C, 23.8.04, C 10) have been able to muddle along because, given the compulsions of federal politics, the Centre Out of all the south Indian states, Tamil Nadu invariably comes to their rescue at the last (TN) tops the list of states for foreign direct minute. The World Bank, however, has none of investments (FDI). Karnatakafollows TN, which the compulsions of the Centre. It can afford to is a notch below 1N in the pecking order. take a purely commercial view of its lending.But Ironically, Andhra Pradesh (AP) is not in the list will that rein in recl<.less state goverruitents? of top five FDI destinations in the country . (Welcome can dour, World Bank's Plain speak is According to official estimates, for the January timely, ET.B. 20.6.04, C 10) 1991 to March 2004 period, TN accounted for close to 9 per cent of the total FDI, which came The decade-old public/private partnership in into the country. However, of late, there is a Kerala's tourism industry is turning sour. perceptible shift in FDI inflows away from the "Beleaguered by inordinate delays in the manufacturing sector to knowledge-based decision making process, lack of transparency in dustries such as IT business process and a relatively high cost regime, the pioneering outsourcing (BPO) and biotechnology. partnership between the private and public sector tourism industry is fraying at the edges,". According to the numbers published in the These factors have given an inherent advantage Economic Survey 2004, TN has garnered 8.58 per to neighboring states. "The sleeping giant in cent of the total FD I inflow into the country since Tamil Nadu is waking up, Pondicherry is January 1991 up to March 2004. This translates to conjuring up new initiatives and Karnataka has a whopping Rs 25,071.77 crore or $6.52 billion been consistently wooing private sector and new worth of investments. While Maharasthra has entrepreneurs to explore and exploit its new and cornered a 17 per cent share in total FDI during the period, Delhi finished second with a 12 per nascent ferritories/' Mr Jose Dominic, Managing cent share. Gujarat comes fifth with 6.44 per cent Director of the CGH group of hotels said. and Kamataka ranks fourth with a share of 8.26 per cent in the FDI pecking order during the It had been a tremendous decade for Kerala period. In domestic investment too, TN finishes tourism. Revenues had shot up to Rs 6,000 crore third with an 11 per cent s!"tare as of March 2004. annually, employing six lakh people and Maharasthra tops the list with 13 per cent and clocking double-digit growth figures. The Gujarat comes . third with a 9 per cent share. demand side is still strong, but the supply side ' Karnataka ranks fourth with 7.5 per cent and has begun to weaken. Quality rooms are no Andhra Pradesh finishes fifth with'a 7.1 per cent longer coming up at the earlier hectic pace. New share in the domestic investments list. (TNtops properties have not been coming up in yet to be FDI list for southern states, ranks third in the explored virgin regions and the established overall list, P. VinodKumar, FE.B, 23.8.04, C10) destinations are getting overcrowded. "A high tax structure has been wearing down the In its 2004 World Investment Report released resources of the industry and reducing the here, Unctad said world FDI flows have shifted quality of service," the sources said. On the cost from manufacturing to services, cornering front, the appendages for the hospitality nearly 70% of the FOI. The report showed that industry are among the highest in the country. FDI inflows to India grew by 2'1,%' to $4.26 billion I 'WhileKarnatakaand Tamil Nadu have given a in2003 over $3.44 billion in 2002, putting Jn4ia among top 10 FDI (Exim) Policy, heralds a major shift in the destinations among developing economies and Government's thinking on the country's foreign fourth among Asian nations. trade.

As per international norms, FDI should include Over the past few years, efforts were made to fresh inflows, re-investments and borrowing by liberal ize trade policies by removing foreign subsidiaries from their parent quantitative restrictions on imports and companies, whereas India only takes into lowering import tariffs. But the accent remained account new inflows. According to the Unctad mostly on earning foreign exchange for the estimation, the declining trend of FDI flow country. However, the policy has, for the first worldwide will reverse in 2004 as worlq time, tried to integrate the trade policy with the economies have shown some encouraging process of the country's economic development. figures this year. "Global inflows ofFDI declined in 2003 for the third year in a row prompted by a Whileeconomic reforms since 1991 tried to make fall in FDI flows to developed countries. a decisive break from more than four decades of According to a Nasscom report, during the past inward orientation, the economy, even today, is decade the value of exports of software and hardly in the reckoning as significant players oil services jumped from less than$0.5 billion to $12 the world scene. India's share in the world billion in 2003 - 04. (India Among Top Four FDI exports is a meager 0.8 per cent compared to Sites In Asia, FE.B, 23.9.04, ClO) China's 5.1 per cent. Exports accounted for just around 10.3 per. cent of GDP in 2002-03, while C 11 Liberalization Policies imports were valued at 12.8 per cent. The new Coastal Karnataka has enormous potential for policy makes an effort to change the mindset and becoming a great regional hub and a creative view trade as an engine of growth by emulating melting pot and economic powerhouse. the examples ofJapan and China. Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada Objectives and strategies districts hold out immense promise for investments in tourism, agri-business, food The policy is built around two major objectives: processing, IT and IT-enabled services, and • to double India's percentage share of biotechnology sectors. The proposed Export global merchandise trade by 2009; and Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) and special • to act as an effective instrument of economic economic zone (SEZ) will bolster the economy of growth by giving a thrust to employment the region and provide vast opportunities for generation, especially in semi-urban and downstreamindustries. The coastal area should rural areas. not be regarded as a "captive colony" for the use of its resc ·rces. (Infrastructure development Important among the strategies spelt <::JUt to vital fo r costal region growth, BLB, 12.1.04, C 11) achieve these goals are unshackling of coptrols, simplifying procedures, bringing down the The New Foreign Trade Policy aims to double transaction costs,' and facilitating development India's percentage share of global merchandise of India as a global hub for manufacturing, trade by 2009 and spur economic growth with a trading and services. In a major move towards thrust to employment generation. While trying unshackling of controls, all goods and services to integrate trade policy with economic exported, including those from Domestic Tariff development. The first National Foreign Trade Area (DT A), have been exempt from sel-vice tax Policy, unveiled by the Commerce Minister, M. and all exporters with minimum turnoverof Rs 5 Kamal Kath, on August 31, which replaces the crore and good track record have been el(empted 2002-07 Export Import from furnishing bank guarantees I in any of the schemes so as to red uce their duty-free import of trimmings and transaction costs and proced ural delays. embellishments up to five per cent of FOB value of exports, which would also be exempt from The policy also aims at neutralizing the countervailing duty (CVD); and authorisation to incidence of all levies and duties on inputsused the Handicraft Export Promotion Council to in export products, based on the fundamental import trimmings, embellishment samples for principle that duties and levies should not be small manufacturers, who are unable to do this exported along with products and services. on their own. It has also been decided to Thrust areas establish a new Special Economic Zone for The chosen five thrust areas to promote handicrafts. Promotion of handloom and employment-intensive exports are: Agricuiture, handicrafts should help generate more gems and jewellery, leather and footwear, and employment opportunities in semi-urban and handloom and handicrafts. A day after the rural areas. announcement of the policy, the Commerce Minister', indicated that the Governmentwould Servicesexp orts The trade policy has drawn up an ambitious also bring out special packages for textiles, tea and coffee to boost 'their exports. Further, more scheme to provide a major thrust to services exports since they account for over 50 per cent of thrust areas could be identified in the coming days. the country's GDP now. For this purpose, it is proposed to create a ' Served from India' brand, and set up an exclusive export promotion A welcome feature of the package for agriculture under the scheme called "Vishesh Krishi Upag council for services sector along with schemes to Yojana" is the accent on flowers, fruits, assist and promote homegrown service providers. vegetables, minor forest produce and their value-added products and not on food grains. The Council is exported to map opportunities for Exports of these products would qualify for key service in key markets, and develop strategic duty-free credit entitlement equal to five per cent of the FOB value of exports. Moreover, market access prograrn..71es, L.'1 cludL'1g brand building in co-ordination with sect oral capital goods imported under EPCG (Export of Promotion Capital Goods) scheme for players and recognized nodal bodies the agriculture would not attract any duty. service industries. Also, Common Facilitv Centers would be set up for use by home-based service providers, parti):ularly in areas like There is now a growing realization that agri engineering and architectural design multi­ export thrust will be meaningless unless the media operations, software developers etc, to sector's productivity is not enhanced through . I increased investments in irrigation and R&D. d raw a vast multitude of Home- based professionals into service export aJ;ena. Also, a number of studies have emphasized time and again the need to shift from food grains to His expected that the new policy will help broad­ other crops which are more labour absorbina" and which could yield higher incomes. These base services exports from the countrv, which are currently dominated by software exports. include vegetables, floriculture, horticulture, The expectation by that services exports will animal husbandry and fisheries. Similarly, more grow to $150 billion 2009 employment could be created in rural areas by by in which software &65 encouraging post-harvest processing for services will account for about billion. The other highlights a/ the policyinclude: exports. The incentives offered to handloom and • handicrafts, which are the predominant A "Target Plus" scheme to reward exporters achieving a quantum growth in exports; segments ofIndia's cottage industry include • A new scheme to establish Free Trade and Warehousing Zones (FTWZs) to create trade Shortages, have outlived their utility. Though related infrastructure and to make India a many of these schelJles were intended to be global trading hub; transitional, they are still continuing because of • A scheme to set up biotechnology parks strong lobby pressures rather than their enjoying all facilities available to 100 percent economic merit. A case in point is the Export Oriented Units (EOUs); and controversial duty entitlement passbook (DEPB) • Revamping the Board of Trade and scheme, which is being widely misused. The assigning it a dear and dynamic role. various export incentives cost the Government Tasks and challenges about Rs 40,000 crore per year and the DEPB At the outset, the task of doubling the value of scheme alone accounts for about Rs 11,500 crore. merchandise exports by 2009 appears quite daunting. In 2003-04, India's merchandise Clearly, the time has come for India to get away exports Were valued at $63.45 billion, accounting from the traditional concept of trade promotion for 0.8 per cent of world exports. If this share through the plethora of sops and to focus on were to double to around 1.5 per cent by 2009, making the Indian industry globally the country's exports would have to rise to competitive. For this, the industry needs a level around $150 billion by then taking into account playing field, freedom to decide on growth the expect growth rate in the world trade over strategies, adequate infrastructure support in the next five years. To achieve such ambitious the form of modem highways, good roads, export target, there should be massive world-class ports and, above all, good quality investments in infrastructure and far-reaching power supply at reasonable rates. Hopefully, the changes must be effected in the domestic high-powered committee on infrastructure, set policies, including early deregulation of internal up by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh market. Some of the areas that will need early action include removal of 55! reservations in recently, will take a fresh look at the gaps in most products to allow for economies of scale, infrastructure, induding the power sector change in exit policy, and changes in labour reforms. Unfortunately, the countries "Foreign laws. Direct Investment (FDI) policy is mired in needless controversy because of the stand taken There is a need to push ahead with the much­ by the Left parties that are supporting the needed tax reforms to make Indian industry coalition Government from outside. Even after more competitive. These include nearly a decade and a half of launching of the implementation of a full scale countrywide process of liberalization and globalization, India value-added tax (VAT) on all goods and services has not been able to attract FDI on any significant and scrapping of all other indirect tax levies by scale. I the Central and State Governments and moving towards a low single tariff rate on all imports "- A more aggressive push to FDI is needed both instead of charging different rates for different products. This will do away with most for achieving a higher GDP growth and procedural delays and help reduce the rampant increasing exports of industrial and agro corruption. products. For FDI is important not only to increase the rate of investment in the economy Also, the special packages, sectoralsops and the but also for inducting new technologies and plethora of export promotion schemes, tax management practices, and scraping obsolete incentives, import entitlements and so on, which and sub-critical capacities. (Ne'w Foreign Trade were designed in an era of stringent import Policy, Viewing trade as a an engine of growth, controls and recurring foreign exchange S.D.Naik, BL.B, 11.9.04, ell) I e:.,.!!.� .!.,! •:.•• · .�.�.. Though bristling with schemes and plans, the with a large number of outlets covering all Foreign Trade Policy neither offers convincing CUIsmes and pricing levels and a multi-level steps to substantially cut transaction costs nor park to accommodate over' nine thousand spells out international economic strategy. The vehicles." Foreign Trade Policy ,..,-,.___ ...... ,...... ,_---, (FTP) unveiled on August The FTP is not lacking in the prOVISIOn of 31 hopes to double the promotional measures. For instance, the country's percentage Department of Commerce has formulated a share of global scheme called Assistance to States for merchandise trade within InfrastructureDevelopment of Exports (ASIDE). =�=.ili�=�=l.U the next five years, while Funds under ASIDE will be available for States ensuring export-oriented economic growth and to develop export-oriented infrastructure. In employment generation. The easy part of the addition to ASIDE, the Department also Policy is the identification of the special focus provides direct assistance to exporters under the sectors. These are agriculture, handlooms, Market Access Initiative (MAl) scheme and the handicraft, gems and jewellery, and leather. In Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) agriculture, the focus is on fruits, vegetables, scheme. Then there is a scheme for recognition flowers, minor forest produce, and their value­ and promotion of "Towns of Export Excellence," added products. Development of Agri Export and a slew of facilities and privileges for various­ Zones and duty free import of capital goods are grades of "Star Export Houses". part of the package for agriculture.

For promoting services exports, the FTP Handlooms, handicraft, gems and jewellery, envisages the setting up of the "Export and leather have all along been part of the export Promotion Council for Services". Many policy discourse. What, then, is the value exporters of services will be allowed duty credit addition in FTP? In handlooms, for instance, the entitlements under what is called the "Served FTT' says, "New Handicraft SEZs shall be from India Scheme (SIS) ". Similar to the SIS, established, which would procure products there is the Target Plus Scheme (TPS), which from the cottage sector for finishing and allows duty credit entitlement (as a percentage 'U exporting." Duty free imports of select inputs of the incremental growth). Special Agricultural "" such as gold of 18 carat and above are to be Produce Scheme (SAPS) also has duty allowed to promote gems and jewellery exports. � entitlement provisions to promote export of The FTP also notes that cutting and polishing of fruits, vegetables, flowers;minor forest produce, t:: gems and jewellery will be treated as and their value added products. Also, FTP has � manufacturing for the purposes of certain one whole chapter (Chapter on duty � exemptions under the Income- Tax Act. The FTT' 14) exemption and remission scheme and another ;,� is not just commercei there is considerable g.. (Chapter 5) on the Export Promotion Capital ! � linguistic enthusiasm expressed in regard to Goods Scheme. The FTP has special provisions developing Pragati Maidan. It is to be transformed into a "world-class complex (with) for Export Oriented Units, Electronics Hardware '..: Technology Parks, Software Technology Parks brand new, stateof-the-art, environmentally­ : ( � controlled, air-conditioned exhibition areas a and Bio- Technology Parks; and the much­ touted Special Economic Zones. The Chapters . &. large convention center to accommodate ten I � 1 thousand delegates multiple and flexible hall concerned provide the relel{ant rules and spaces, auditoria and meeting rooms with hi­ regulations, notably in regard to their operations tech equipment year-round food and beverage (sales in and purchases from) in the Domestic destination Tariff Area. The Commerce Minister's preamble to the FTP and services, arranging for export oriented outlines a strategy for export growth that foreign investments to produce and export form includes the unshackling of controls, the Indian soil, exploring vibrant free trade simplifying of procedures, neutralizing agreements in goods and services, and lining up incidence of all levies and duties on inputs used domestic investor interest for prod ueing in export products, identifying and nurturing exclusively for export even if those goods are not special focus areas with scope for additional part of I the Indian consumption basket. To employment opportunities, facilitating illustrate the last point, one should note that a technological and infra structural up-gradation, few decades ago Japanese exported nylon saris and "activating our embassies as key players in , to South East Asia and West Asia for sale to our export strategy and linking our Commercial discerning Indian tourists and residents, Wings abroad through an electronic platform for notwithstanding the fact that the Japanese real time trade intelligence and enquiry women never patronized the sari. Early this year dissemination." A close look at the FTP shows I found in the famed Barnes and Noble that the policy is rich in words and one must wait bookshops in the US such classics as. for actions and results. There is bound to be Shakespeare. They are beautiful pocket books considerable success in regard to setting up with gold coating on three sides. They are priced more zones (at times it could mean plunder of low and to sell. They were made in China. valuable land) and spending crores of rupees in the name of facilitation. One is at a loss to The preamble to the FI'P also I speaks about decipher how the FTP will help in unshackling "linking our Commercial Wings abroad through of controls and simplifying procedures. The best an electronic platform for real time trade way to gauge them is by looking at how far the intelligence and enquiry dissemination." If taken interface of exporters with government seriously, this is a very important activity given departments, officials and procedures is that all sorts of non-tariff barriers and other minimized in order to bring down the innovative obstacles to tradewill takeover in the transaction cost. It is difficult to see effective and wake of reduced tariffs under the WTO regime. convincing links between the FTP and We need to know first who is buying what and substantial reduction in transaction costs. from whom and, then, why. For the first, one may need to look no further than the Internet; The FTP indeed identified once again the focus UN data are readily accessible as long electric areas - about the same as on previous occasions power and phone lines cooperate. For the when trade policy announcements were made. second, the Internet will be of limited help and Identification of focus areas, however, is not the needed are dedicated Foreign Service officers , same as articulating an effective international supplying the right information at the right time. economic strategy. The FTP had taken one (F oreign Trade Policy, Long on intent, short on exemplary step insofar as the preamble speaks strategy, Bhanoji Rao, BL.B, 28.9.04, e11, The about "activating our Embassies as key players author, fonnerly with the World Bank and the in our export strategy" and the idea ends with National University of Singapore, is Professor the preamble. Emeritus, GITA,M Institute of Foreign Trade, Visakhapatnam.) Exporting successfully involves at the government level, the articulation of an C 23 Railways internationaleconomic str ategy - comprising the The Indian Railways has op.ened the diplomatic community's efforts on such International Tourist Bureau (ITB) at the station e endeavors as visa-free entry for accredited to help foreign tourists plan their trav l and buy ' representatives of major importers of goods tickets if they have a valid I passport and tourist visa. However, everyday touts do not even let tourists reach this bureau, increase of over Rs. 365 crores in the current which is located on the first floor of the station fiscal. (Model rail stations to be developed building. Miranda, a mid-wife from London, (Model rail stations to be developed, TH.D, who was traveling to Agra, said: "My husband 9. 9. 04, C 23) and I had a harrowing time here. We saw the board directing us to the bureau, so we started Following the commencement of its first going there when a number of people 'Railotel' Project in Kumta - the Konkan Railway approached us and told us that it was closed. We Corporation Limited (KRCL) is on the look out believed them and were about to start for private sector participation from domestic bargaining about the deal when some official and non resident Indian (NRI) hoteliers in order told us that this isjust another ploy. We reached to strike an alliance for future 'Railotel' projects. the bureau only to find it open and working." Industry trends indicate that budget hotels Pierre, a French national who is on his first tripto around railway stations in most cases taste India, was taken aback when he visited the success. It is a great opportunity to the budget station. "I had visited the website and had got a hotelier looking at an expansive target base, SV. clear indication of how I would be able to reach. Ingle, chief commercial officer, KRCL told. But when I carne here I saw a lot of construction 'Purnima Railotel', the first Konkan Railways underway at the station. Then a man told me that 'Railotel' project, was launched in Kumta near the office was closed. I wanted to book a ticket Gokama. (Konkan Railways "Railotel Projects for Jaipur but what the man was offering was Seeks Pvt Alliance, Savio Rodrigues, FED, five times the fare that the hotel had told me 22.9.04, C 23) about. So I decided to explore more. Then I asked at the inquiry counter and was directed to the C 23 a Palace on Wheelsand Royal Indian office which was open." Manager of ITB, 5unita After a lull, foreign tourists are returning to Matta, said:"We are aware of the problem. When Rajasthan in droves. In fact, that the popular some tourists complained to us we realized that luxury train Palace onWheels (POW) has had to it is an organized manner of operation. So we make advance bookings for the next three years. have now put up small boards at places Spurred by this unprecedented rush, Rajasthan informing them not to believe anyone who tells Tourism has decided to hike fares from the them that this bureau is closed. We have current $ 350 per person by 10 percent from the mentioned timings also for the benefit of next fiscal. "We have already got 300 bookings tourists. (Touts stand guard at Rly Station, for 2006-07 and about a 1,000 plus for 200506," Foreigners Almost Never Reach International Usha Punia, state minister for tourism told. Tourist Bureau, Nidhi Sharma,TOI.D, 6.9.04, C (Palace on wheels drives up tourist arrivals in 23) Rajasthan, Sanjay Thapa,FE .D, 7. 9103, C 23 a) C Civil Aviation The Railways have decided to develop 317 24 stations with high passenger traffic, out of a total The Centre has agreed to grant Rs 55 crore for the of 1.8,000, as model stations by March 2005. The construction of the second airstrip at the stations will have special facilities for the Mangalore airport, according to PG R Sindhia, disabled such as ramps, toilets, lowheight taps Karnataka's minister for : industries, and parking lots. So far 33 stations have been infrastructureand development he also said that developed and work is progressing at the others. "this was a long-standing demand by the state An official release said the Railwavs will absorb government as the current airstrip at the the increase in its working expe�es, including Mangalore airport is short and requires a good fuel cost, especially high-speed diesel, which back-up in the form of a second runway." caused an Referring tohis recent deliberations with Union minister for civil aviation Prafu! Patel, Sindhia said that the Centre has agreed to corresponding period previous year. According upgrade the Mysore and Hampi airports. Both to the report, there is a marked decline inaircraft these locations are a major attraction for tourists movement in both domestic and international frem around the world. "The Union minister has airports. Aircraft movement at Indian airports & agreed for upgrading the facilities at these two (international domestic) has declined to 5.6 airports. The ministryhas also agreed to provide lakh in 2003-04 from 6.3 !akh in 2002-03. night landing facilities at the Hubli airport," India has recently signed an air services agreement (ASA) with Thnisia, which adds up to Sindhia said. (Rs 550' gram M'lore airport, Central govt's grant for airport's second 101 countries. The government has already airstrip, BS.B, 1.7.04, C 24) permitted designated airlines of all countries having ASAs with India to operate up to seven The decision to develop the Safdarjung Airport services per week each to any of two of the 12 area hangs in balance. Union Minister for Civil international airports on condition of reciprocity. Aviation Prafu! Patel decided to "scrutinize the high-security zone and proposals made for the Passengers (in Nos) 02-03 03-04 development of the area". Patel had said his ministry was considering various proposals for InternationalAirports 1,66,50,117 1, 48,25,799 developing the non-operational part of Domestic Airports 3,20,41,2132 88,97,525 Safdarjung Airport, which included setting up of a cultural centre. He, however, added that the Source: Ministry of Civil Aviation airport would not be closed for operations. Foreign Tourist Arrivals 2.47m 2.92m (Safdarjung Airport to stay open, Sheila wants a Source: Ministry of Tourism cultural center, IE.D, 27.8.04, C 24)

(The tourists are coming, but not by Air, Rajeev A string of bilaterals, significant air capacity Jayaswai, FE.D, 11.9.04, C24) addition and a buoyant tourism industry failed to shore up the air traffic movement in the country during 2003-04. According to the India has approximately 120-130 aircraft while annual report of the civil aviation ministry, the China has 600. Our business here could grow in passenger traffic at Indian airports '( both multiples of $240 million. We see the number of international and domestic) hp.s dropped by 5 aircraft doubling from 120, but continued easing million or over 10% in 2003-04. Overall of regulatory policy is needed." Ani! Chawla, passenger movement at international and chief executive officer ot GE Commercial domestic airports was 48.69 million in 2002-03 Finance-India and Southeast Asi@, added: � which dropped to 43.72 million in 2003-04. "Look-at what is happening around ilis. The no­ frills carrier growth story has not b�n tapped � On the contrary, foreign tourist arrivals yet. � increased sharply by 18% from 2.47 million in v 2002-03 to 2.92 million in 2003-04, according to Asea of opportunity

figures compiled by the ministry of tourism. • One out oflO planes flyillgl1as GE connection This has been partially reflected in the number of • Operates in60 countries passengers handled by international airports, • Asset base $35bn, $500 m net which decreased 11% to 14.82 millionin2003- • Globally $5 bn invested in corporate aviation 04from 16.65 million in 2002-03. Traffic • In talks with several bidders for India's airport movement in domestic airports too dipped modernisation almost 10 % to 28.89 million in 2003-04 from 32.04 • In talks with Kingfisher Air million in the I Chawla is also betting big on corporate aviation security to labourers in these sectors. The law as well where they have recently done a Falcon will include the agriculture sector as well the Dassault for Taj Air, Navin Jindal's Cessna draft bill may be placed before the Cabinet Citation q 2 and a Gulf stream V for a large committee this year itself. Following the industrial house. GECAS wants' to be an recommendation, the Labour Ministry under the NDA Government had drafted a Bill for integrated financier for the aviation sector. The "umbrella legislation" at the end of 2003. The company is also in a dialogue with several of the Bill, however, failed to receive the Cabinet bidders for India's airport modernisation approval Stating that there were many programme. Liu said: "We will act as a secured differences of opinion among trade unions, debt 'financer for equipment, cargo-related ' entrepreneurs in small and cottage sectors, and Operations securityand sensors et al." (GE eyes the State Governmentsas regards the previOusly Indian aviationdea ls, in talks with airlines to drafted bill, sources said that in its fresh attempt, tap huge growth potential, Sandeep Bamzai, the Ministry was trying to iron out the HT. D, 17.9.04, C24) differences first. (Draft Bill on social securityfo r unorganized sector soon, Pratim Ranjan Bos C 30 Tourism Industry e, BL.B, 10.3.04, C41) Finance minister P Chidambaram on 4.8.04 cleared 46 proposals of foreign direct investment The Supreme Court has field that "employees (FDI) amounting to Rs 408.22 crore. The major performing similar jobs but having different FDI proposals pertain to the sectors of shipping, educational qualifications can be treated tourism, non-banking financial companies and differently" with a higher pay and thedoctrine of software development, according to an official "equal pay for equal work" would not apply. A release. The biggest FDI proposal, worth Rs three-member Bench, comprising the Chief 317.8 crore, is from crore, the Denmark-based Justice V.N. Khare, Justice S.B. Sinha and Justice Maersk for the setting tip of a new joint venture. S.H. Kapadia, said that "the holders of a higher This is for the redevelopment of bulk terminal to educational qualification can be treated as a a container terminal in Mumbai. The second separate class and such classification, it is trite, is largest FDI proposat worth Rs 50cro re, pertains reasonable". The applicability of the doctrine or to the enhancement of equity of Germany-based "equal pay for equal work" on the touchstone of Article 39 (d) read with Article 14 of the BMW Holding from 50 per cent to 100 per cent Constitution would have to be considered on the byway of acquisition. The Indian partner isBirla premise that except disparity in educational Home Finance Ltd. The next substantial FDI, � qualification, the nature of work performed Was proposal amounting Rs 20 is from the Mauritius identical. The Bench gave the ruling while 't:l based Two Seas Holdings Ltd for the dismissing the petition from ; the Madhya development of a deluxe international five star � Pradesh Rural Agriculture Extension Officers ';� hotel in Mumbai. The Indian partner is Juniper Association challenging a decisiorf'<:lfthe State to <:> Hotels. (Govt. Clears 46 FDI Proposals Worth prescribe separate pay scales for graduates and Rs 408 Cr, FE.B, 5.8.04, C 30) nongraduates, though both performed identical jobs. C 41 Labour Policy, Legislation, Laws and Implementation Upholding the Government decision, Mr. Just ce As part of the common minimum programme, � Sinha, writing the judgment for the Bench, s�ld, the Union Government is giving final touches to "Article 14 (right to equality) does n�t forbld a draft umbrella legislation for increasing reasonable classification. It forbIds class productivity in small and unorganized sector legislation but permits reasonable classification and providing social subject to the f

conditions that it is based on an intelligible to get definite trends. The• 20 per cent increase in differentia and that the differentia must have a tourists is common across the industry. Tourists rational relation to the object sought to be from UK, France and US have been the largest achieved." Such a policy decision ex fa cie could markets for EIH Ltd with Japan, South America not be termed to be arbitrary or irrational, and Africa opening up newer markets for the attracting the wrath of Article 14 of the company." (International Clients At Oberoi on Constitution. A valid classification could be The rise post Hilton deal, Mahesh Tharani, made on the basis of their educational FE. B, 29.6.04, CO) qualification despite the fact thatthe employees had been performing similar duties and Taj Group, belonging to India's biggest hotel functions, the Bench said. chain, India Hotels Ltd, has decided to set up (Where equa I payfor equal work does no t apply, TH.B, 8.4.04, C 41) four economy hotels popularly known as Taj Budget Hotels in Uttaranchal shortly, according CO Companies to Uttaranchal Tourism Development Board, There has been an increase in international additional chief executive officer AK Ghosh. clients in the properties of East India Hotels "The Uttaranchal government has already (EIH) Ltd following their strategic alliance with finalized with the Taj Group for setting up tf€se Hilton' International. Rattan Keswani, senior four budget hotels in the state, two of which will vicepresident, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts says, be located in the Garhwal region and the other "We were expecting a raise in clientele with this two in Kumayun regionll • He said that the alliance. Though it is too early to find a trend and U ttaranchal government has' allotted Rs 38 crore get essential data, we have seen an increase in for the development of tourism sector for the customers. The Hilton network has kicked in current financial year of 2004 -05. "The Union and people who prefer staying at the Hilton are government has also committed to provide 1 making their way here (Hilton Towers, Uttaranchal government with Rs 12 crore for the Mumbai). The Trident Hilton Gurgaon has also seen a rise in foreign and domestic clientele due current fiscal, which is much higher than the to industries set up there." The Hilton Towers, amount: provided by it during the last few years. He said that from: 1991 to 2000, Union M umbai is enjoying a 73 per cent occupancy rate, ';.; government's allotment was Rs 6.5 crore, from an increase of 20 per cent over the previous "'" years. The growth however is common to the 2001 to 2004 it was Rs 12 crore. (Taj to Set Up 4 industry and Mr. Keswani says, "We will have to Budget Hotels In Uttaranchal, Sumanta Ray � wait until November Chaudhuri, FE.B, 21.8.04, CO) . D TOURISM PROMOTION AND TYPES OF TOURISM D 00 Tourism Volumes and Patterns already had success with village tburism," � Close on the heels of Haryana launching farm (Go·vt. Plans 'village tourism', Sautabh Sinha, � HT. D, 13.2.04, DOD) tourism, Delhi is soon going to promote some of . '. ry: its villages as a tourist attraction. The concept is part of Union Tourism Minister Jagmohan's In a move to boost tourism in the country, parks decision to allot Rs 50 lakh to states to promote are being renovated and heritage sites spruced up. Even the tour guides and taxi drivers are � villages. "We have identified village Nangli educated on tourism and customer care, which �.. Razapur that's off Mathura Road near Sarai Kale would definitely boost domestic and foreign '<:) 'j Khan ISBT. This village was chosen because of tourism. (Project to boost tourism. Thisforms a its strategic location. "Foreign tourists going to part of an Rs SOO-crore proj ect being Agra can easily stop here and get a glimpse of implemented throughout the country, said rural India. Orissa and West Bengal have Assistant Director of I Tourism, Government of India, V Ezhumalai. D 11 Festivals-India (Projectto boot tourism, IE.C, S.3.04, D 00) So what if the country's broken pearl chain is strewn miles away from the mainland? Sans the Indians may not constitute the largest tourist existing six kinds of aboriginal tribes, the and business traveller community to Singapore inhabited 36 islands out of the total 572 identified islands of Andaman and Nicobar but they definitely represent the highest come together in complete harmony to celebrate spending foreign group at 5$1500 per head for a the Island Tourism Festival, aptly bagging the four to five day spell, compared to the global name 'Mini India' in the islands. These islands average of S$700 for 3.5 days. The expenditure have an amazing mix of race and culture, with ncludes nearly 70% towards shopping, whith is i people of all faiths and languages like Hindi, lower than some years back when the shar� was Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, even higher at around 80 %. and Nicobari living in complete peace. The first half of 2004 has shown 22% growth in (Andamans: not tourism fest but a get together, Indian arrivals, (2,35,000) into Singapore over Paawana Poonacha, ToI.B, 27.1.04, Dll) 2002. The month of July alone has shown a 38% rise in numbers. The drivers this year have been The six-month long Taj Mahotsav, to celebrate MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences the 350th anniversary of the Taj Mahal, got off to and etc) and education traffic. Bangalore is emerging a bad start on Monday, with the President central ministers keeping away from the as a serious contender in the new segments. Its inaugural show and the Uttar Pradesh share of Singapore bound travel was 6% in 2002 government having to carry it off alone. With the (23,341 people) but is expected to grow Supreme Court not allowing night-viewing and significantly this year, especially with more air festivities to be held near the Taj without connections available now. (Desi tourist top clearance from the Archaeological Survey of spender in S'pore, Girish Rao, ET.C,21.8.0 4, D India and security clearance from the Union 00) Home Ministry, the grand festival plans seem to be mired in confusion now. The UP government Foreign Tourist arrival to India has surged over had allocated Rs 5 crare for the Mahotsav, as part I '\:; 22per centin the first eight months of the current of the yearlong celebrations. ,� calendar year to 2.08 million, a significant l� growth over the 13.5 percent growthin the same The reluctance of the authorities to permit large­ period last year. During January-August, 2004 scale celebrations at the Taj is understandable as foreign exchange earnings through tourist the 1995 concert by Greek musician Yanni arrival also registered 35.9 per cent increase at brought in its wake comp1jaints from environmentalists that sound vibrations had Rs. 14163.14 crare over the previous year, says damaged the structure. The Supreriie Court also the latest figures released by the government. In stopped the controversial Rs 175 crore Taj the first half of 2004, the foreign exchange Heritage Corridor project initiated by the earlier earning from tourist has increased by 31.8 UP government, withcomplaints that the project percent at Rs 9,985.99 crore as against Rs 7,576 would have destroyed the marble structure. The crore in the corresponding period in 2003. The guiding principle in all such endeavours growth in tourist arrival has been attributed to connected with the Taj is the Ancient the increased advertisement and popularizing Monuments and Remains ProteCtion Act, 1958, drive by the government in the recent past. which forbids construction within 100 metres of (Tourist arrivals surge 25 percent in first 8 the two world Heritage Site monuments, the T aj I . months, The Statesmem.D, 9.9.04, D 00) Mahal and the Agra Fort, anp. ,

regulates the work within 200 metres radius. the centre to show the way. The IAAPI has been Weathering all onslaughts since its completion constantly approaching the government for a 350 years ago, the Taj Mahal has managed to uniform tax structure. This should help reduce remain unscathed, all these years. Mughal tax and make their parks more viable. That may emperor Shah Jahan got the Taj Mahal finally attract the elusive foreigninvestors. Also, constructed over 22years at a cost of Rs 4.2 crore concerned about the lack of safety regulations' over the tomb of his beloved Mumtaz Mahal. for amusement parks, the association has . One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj submitted draft safety rules to the Bureau of Mahal attracts nearly 14,000 domestic and Indian Standards (BIS). Pending cabinet foreign touristsvisiting the monument annually. approval, the rules will become applicable by A fine balance must be struck between' law. (Roller coaster ride, High taxation, lack of protecting the monument and allowing government Support hasn't stopped the celebrations, which will bring tourists, and in amusement park industryfrom growing rapid ly, turn revenueto the exchequer. (Festival Fiasco, The Taj Mahal is too precious, ShefaliAnand, IE.D, 29.1.04, D 20 b) a heritage site for mindless festivities, DH.B, 29.9.04, D 11) The Survey of India, the country's apex mapping agency without which most of tre scientific and D 20 b Recreation and Theme Parks planned development would not have been A part from the holiness associated with it, possible, is developing a theme park theGarden pilgrimage center Haridwar was recently of the Great Arc -" over 55 acres of wasteland on blessed with a new attraction. An amusement its campus here. The Great Indian Arc grew from park-right next to the temple complex, so, once the baseline measured at St. Thomas' Mount in you've offered your prayers you have an Madras in 1802 and spread across the entire opportunity to unwind! The amusement park at length of the subcontinent to reach its pinnacle in Haridwar is one among the many that constantly the hills of Mussoorie above the Doon Valley keep springing up across the country. Today around 1850. This gigantic task undertaken by nearly everycity boasts of medium to large-scale the Survey of India became the basis for theme or water parks. Estimates about the exact topographical mapping of the Indian size of the industry are vague, but the Indian subcontinent. The garden will have a visitors' '--" Association of Amusement Parks and Industries centre, a restaurant, an amphitheatre, a wetland (IAAPI), formed four years ago, estimates it to be with special plants, herbsand aromatic plants, a "'­ worth over Rs 1,500 crore. It claims that the butterfly garden, a rock garden and deciduous � industry is growing at 40 per cent per annum. trees. Since it will be located next to the National ::: The association puts the number of parks at 100, Institute for the Visually Handicapped,. a section 'N'" excluding the innumerable small parks in will be devoted as a nature study arcil for the resorts and hotels across the country. Rs 1,500 visually challenged persons. (A themepark fo r � ," crore is no mean amount, but the indu stry Dehra Dun, TH.D,9.4. 04, D20b) " remains largely unregulated and subject to high �.:) taxation, thus hampering its growth prospects. D 20 d Heritage Tourism "We feel like orphans," says Ashok Goel, Realizing that the new State of Chhattisgarh was '-.; director, Essel World. We are seeking a "full of surprises" - some three years <,lfter it was regulatory framework that doesn't create carved out of Madhya Pradesh - the State ( t:j impediments, but at the same time, rationalizes Governmenthas started a mo:e to declare it ' as a . � thetaxes we have to pay." Heritage State. A propos al ill this regard was 0 , recently submitted by the Chhattisgarh "While all players agree that the industry may Government to UNESCO. Though there is still a take another five years to mature, they want long way to go because "

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of the 'rigorous and cumbersome' process the Board's establishment and provide financial adopted by UNESCO the Chhattisgarh Tourism assistance to the State. Mr. Jagrnohan made the Board Managing Director, A JayathiIak, observations during a meeting with the claimed that the 'unchartered' heartland of the Governor, Madan Lal Khurana, recommended country had all the features of becoming a that a comprehensive plan be formulated for Heritage State as it was endowed with rich development of pilgrim centres in Rajasthan as cultural heritage and attractive natural the spiritual tourism centres and sent to the biodiversity. Having ensured 'success' of Centre for its approval, the Board in Uttaranchal tourism in Kerala as a lead team member there, was now taking steps for development of the Dr. Jayathilak said the Chhattisgarh four dhaams of Gangotri, Jamnotri, Kedarnath Government was working hard and 'had and Badrinath. (Board fo r spiritual tourism recently taken several initiatives in this regard. mooted, TR. D, 25.2.04, D 20 e)

f Health Tourism Already having an excellent networkof roads as D 20 While Goa is being touted as a medical tourism compared to other parts of the country, he said destination, the land of the sea, sun and sand the Chhattisgarh Government has identified 10 now seems to be pushed one step ahead in this tourism roads. Though less than two per cent of direction - recuperation tourism. Indian the overall budget of the Public Works hospitals are planning to offer quick and cheap Department of Chhattisgarh is demarcated for medical treatment to British patients, combined construction of tourism roads, he said this was with post-operative recreational tours to Goa. sufficient to attract a large number of tourists as The packages are part of a drive by the new world-class tourist facilities, signage's and Medical Tourism Council of Maharashtra to sell public conveniences were also being developed Indian hospitals as a cheaper, quality alternative simultaneously. Besides taking a number of tax to a long-wait on the National Health Service in saving initiatives and giving industry status to Britain. Patients will be able to choose their tourism, the Chhattisgarh Government has doctor and hospital on a website in Britain and initiated public private partnership to not only will be met at the airport on arrival in Mumbai attract tourists, but also preserve and maintain and taken to the hospital of their choice. The the rich cultural biodiversity and heritage of the "U medical tourism council was set up in November 1 State. For instance, the task of excavating an last to market private Indian hospitals in � ancient Buddhist site has been given to a non­ Mumbai. (Goa promoted as medical tourism � governmental organisation. At the same time, destination, Herald. G, 152.04, D 20j) he said measures were being taken to ensure that : � , the large-scale tourist flow had no adverse 'Medical tourism' will account for 3-5 percent of � impact on tribal culture and heritage. "Tourism the total healthcare delivery mar let and could is being developed in close consultation with provide as much as Rs. 5,000;:J.0,OOO crore tribal Panchayat," he informed. (Chhattisgarh to become Heritage State, Lalit K.Jha, m.D, 2.2.04, revenue to hospitals by 2012. These are among D20d,S20) the findings of a study on healthcare carried out by the Confederation of Indian Industry (ClI) " D 20 e Pilgrimage Tourism and the global consultants, McKinsey. The study The Union Tourism Nfinister, Jagrnohan, has says India has immense potential to bring in h � suggested that a Board for promotion of spiritual people to utilize the country's healthcare 1@t tourism be set up in Rajasthan on the lines of a facilities in what is being descrtbed as 'medical similar Board established in Uttaranchal for tourism' even as medical costs skyrocket in the development of four 'dhaams' (pilgrim centres). developed world. The Cn-McKinsey study says The Centre would assist in the existing market for medical tourism in India is small and is mainly limited to patients from the Development Programme (UNDP) to promote Middle Eastern and South Asian economies. tourism in the country.We have initiateda-rural However, it could grow rapidly if the industry tourism scheme and have tied up with UNDP re-orients itself to attract foreign patients. and department of economic affairs to create (Bright scopefo r 'medical tourism', TR.D, 9.4.04, tourism software projects. We plan to identify D20j) the tourism areas and promote those areas," minister of state for tourism Renuka Choudhary India's health care sector has made rapid strides said. The government had identified 31 sites in recent years. This $17 billion industry, under the scheme and, in assistance wi th UNDP, growing at 13 per cent a year, has been attractirtg has allocated Rs 20 lakh per site for tourism patients from all over the world, particularly development works. Other schemes in the from Europe and the US, in addition to those pipeline include awareness camps, from West Asia and neighbouring countries. demonstration projects and green rating Many of these patients have endorsed the high schemes in addition to a plan, to reduce the quality of medical services at a cost considerably pressure of visitors in the popular areas by lower than in the West. In addition, India's creating new tourist attraction spots. (Un backed specialized hospitals have joined hands with the Rural Tourism Scheme, FE.D, 26.8.04, D 2 0 g) tourism industry to offer the benefits of high­ class Medicare, coupled with a stay in soothing Rural India has much to offer to the world. Rich and scenic environs. The country has a growing in traditions of arts, crafts and culture, rural number of scenic spots where a patient can India can emerge as important tourist spots. spend time while undergoing treatment by Those in the developed world who have a craze doctors practicing traditional Indian medicines for knowledge, about traditional ways of life, and therapies, like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani arts and crafts will be attracted to visit rural and Naturopathy. In addition, India is also home India if the concept of rural tourism is marketed to practitioners of Tibetan and Chinese well. It is not that the concept is not workable. In medicines and therapies. In the area of allopathic absence of a..'1y promotional activity for rural medical practices, India has a large supply base tourism, thousands of foreign "tourists visit with super speciality hospital services in major rural areas in Rajasthan, Gujarat and south India '

cities. This supply base is spread across the every year. This itself is the proof of viability of "­ country. India has a large supply base in this the concept of rural tourism. ";;:: area, which is available beyond its borders with such a back-up, many non-resident Indians, and The government, of late, ha�;realized what the ::: even others in the West Asian region, are rural India, can offer to the world. The Tenth ";;:: planning to set up projects here. At present, 15 Plan has identified tourism as one of the major N telemedicine projects are in the pipeline. Some sources for generating employment and � private hospitals, like the Narayana promoting sustainable livelihoods. The Union (,:0: Hrudayalaya in Bangalore, have made ministry of tourism in collaboration with CNDP ..:.J arrangements with hospitals in Malaysia for has launched the Endogenous Tourism Project '" providing the same service from India. (A dose linked to the existing rural tourism scheme of the of Medical Services Can boost Tourism, a government. The UNDP has cominitted $ 2. 5 � healing touch without any cost pangs, FE.B, million for the project. UNDP will help in areas �\ 22.6.04, D 20j) of capacity building, involvement of NGOs, \':)'j local communities and artisans, forge strong 020 g Rural Tourism community-private and public sector The government has initiated a 'rural tourism partnerships. The government has decided to scheme' in association with United Nations I e. . . '., ·· ·· ...... �. . �

develop necessary infrastructure for facilitating wildlife, sanctuaries, the State is under the rural tourism. So far the government has scrutiny of the Supreme Court. Life is traumatic identified 31 villages across the country as for the people in the mining belt with mining tourist spots. This does not mean that India has dust and the related pollution, water, shortages only 31 potential tourist spots in rural areas. and damage to fieldsand water bodies. There are many more. These spots have been selected on pilot basis keeping in view available Need fo r participatory fo restry: Participatory infrastructure. There are many other spots of forestry is the need of the hour. There is a big potential tourist interest where adequate biodiversity of ideas and thoughts on nature infrastructure needs to be developed. The conservation among us. But, who can deny that c central government has pledged assistan e to clean water, clean air and clean surroundings are the states amounting to Rs 0.5 million for essential for any human settlement. developing a site for rural tourism. (Rural (Eco terrorism grips Goa, Herald.G, 18.1.04, D Tourism: It's a Niche That India Can Offer, 20i) Ashok B. Sharma, FE.B, 23.S.04, D 20 g)

D 20 h Golf Tourism Eco-tourism is essentially "nature-based" tourism but it concerns Golf is much more than just a game. It is a multi­ socio-culturaI IITr-(Vj-\\�i faceted industry and its influence spans various environment other industries. For instance, golf is about conservation too. It tourism where the ongoing demand across the follows scientific globe for newer and fresher challenging golf principles and practices courses fuels multi billion golf specific travels. that help avoid or at Of course the US market demands the most golf leas t minimize the holidays although most holidays in the US stay within their country which has so much to offer adverse impact on in every season and of course around 25,000 golf environment. It also courses to choose from. The next biggest market follows an aesthetic and L .. :'I.��"' ..t1S�:.!'::!:��_ for golf tourists is Europe where the cold winter philosophical approach. It is based on small months cause seasonal migration of millions of group-activity module, which could be "golf birds" to southern Spain and Portugal in implemented only by professional or particular. Next is Japan and Korea where the knowledgeable tourism providers andnot by all expense and severe shortage of courses and sundry. It ensures local community generates millions of dollars for the tourism participationand benefits'them economically by industries of Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines employment generation and . sustainable and Indonesia. Of course the 12 million Japanese development. Thus it provides not only golfers have caused courses as far away as enjoyment but also education, 'to ,tourists, who Scotland, Hawaii and New Zealand to put up observe, experience and appreciate the "value" signs inJapanese. (Golf vacations are becoming of Mother Nature and help in nature grand more popular than ever, ET.B, 8.9.04, D 20 h) socio-economic and cultural conservation and sustainable development. There should be D 20 i Eco Tourism/WildlifeTourism rationale in the relation between the resource :-Jature conservation and development have to utilization andtheir renewal possibilities. There sail in the same boat. Goa is tiny but its growth should be innovative employment generation potential is high. We have a fragile coastal belt without any element of enviroilmental conflict and along the Western Ghat range, particularly built in it. These three breakdown components along the periphery of the should be put into force and a scientific analysis and honest data �eed for tourism to be involved with the should be available with us. Only then we can community he talked about the Himalayan say that our tourism practices are well in tune tourist code. The international community, said with the principles of sustainable development. Professor Querini, was extremely conscious of this factor and according to the code asks tourists An effective Environment Management System to help avoid deforestation, keep the water clean (EMS) increases management capacity of the and avoid littering the area. (Protect nature to corporate, protects its basic assets, improves the promote tourism, says Italian professor, IE.D, 11.2.04, D 20 i) corporate image, guarantees customer loyalty and of course saves cost. Such culture of The Sahara Group is mulling using bamboo as practicing EMS should be there in every an alternative to timber at its proposed travelj tourism or hospitality business venture townships across the country. The group is right from its pre-planning stage. Only then eco­ exploring the option of forging an alliance with tourism will be meaningful. bamboo plantation owners to source huge quantitiesof bamboo required for building these But how many tourism promotion projects are townships. The Sahara Group has plans to build cleared after ascertaining their eco-friendliness 217 townships in India including the big ones or socio-cultural responsibility. More like Amby Valley in Maharashtra. The Union importantly, how many so-called eco-tourism government has, of late, identified bamboo as a projects themselves are really worth their title? huge potential market. The world bamboo One of the most vituperative criticisms against congress has underlined the potential for tourism industry worldwide is that it is not bamboos and the country has set a target of doing anything in the area of "mismanaged and expanding the current market of Rs2,000 crore to uncontrolled tourism", which has damaged the Rs 26,000 crore by 2016. Of the 136 bamboo environment and corroded local cultures. Yet species that are available in India, the another censure is against "the darker side of government has identified 12 species to grow tourism" that it tries to mislead tourists to make bamboo wood, which can act as a substitute for short gains by tagging a product "eco-tourism" timber. He also said that bamboo has certain or whatever! Our eco-tourism packages have inherent qualities like soil conservation and drawn more flak than appreciation. (Eco­ water retention properties that make it a good tourism for sustainable development, T. Damu, choice for the growers, Efforts are being made to IE.e, 27.1.03, D 20 i) keep bamboo out of the forthcoming Forest Conservation Act. (Sahara Plims to use bamboo Tourism consumes the environment but there is as substitute to timber for proppsed 217 a strict connection between the two." Professor townships, laidev Majumdar, FE.B, 11.4.04, DO 20 i) Giulio Querini made this observation while ." presenting a lecture at the Italian Institute of Worldwide eco tourism is becoming popular, Culture. Querini, a professor of Economics, said adding to the growth in the global economy and that tourism had a strong cultural impact on boosting the tourism sector. This concept of eco southern Italy and manipulation of cultural tourism includes, rural tourism, ethnic tourism, traditions. "The fastest growing segment in the religious tourism, farm tourism, nature tourism tourism market right now is cultural and natural and adventure tourism. Tourism worldwide heritage. But the natural heritage segment will accounts for 10 per cent of the global GDP completely depend upon whether we are generating 8 per cent of employment. The successful in protecting our environment and multiplier effects of tourism industry adds new ecology," he said. While emphasizing the dimensions I across different sectors directly and indirectly. In India tourism sector has, of late, started gaining invest Rs 1660 billion and generate export prominence and it has emerged as the third revenue of Rs 1270 billion. Vision 2020 for largest foreign exchange earner for the country. tourism in India states that by the year 2020, total With a 14 per cent rise in foreign tourist arrivals number of persons employed in the tourism in 2003, Indian tourism sector earned $3.8 billion sector would be 50 million, contribution of in foreign exchange, marking an increase of 33 tourism to the national GDP will increase to 7 per per cent over the previous year. However, cent and number of foreign tourists will increase India's share of global tourism market is low at to 40 million. 0.38 per cent.

' It is high time that India should come out with its wro's tourism satellite account (TSA) has predicted by year 2014, Indian tourism industry eco tourism policy, which would not only foster would generate economic activity worth Rs7000 eco tourism but also sustainable means of billion, provide employment to 28 million livelihood. (Policy on eco tourism is the need of people, contribute Rs 2000billion to GDP, the hour, Ashok B Sharma, FE.C, 30. 8.04, D 20 i)

E TOURISM, SOCIETYAND IMPACTS E 01 Environmental Impact of Tourism The Supreme Court Monitoring Committee Management Authority (GCZMA) has issued (SMq on hazardous waste, which asked' the notices for disconnection of power and water Kerala Pollution Control Board to send closure supply against 12 units during the last two, notices to 109 industries in the state, is slated to months. Most of the notices have Initially visit industries and industrial areas in Tamil focused on v:olations along Calangu te Nadu shortly. "We intend to inspect industrial Candolim and Colva-Benaulim belts, action on areas and major industries including the HAL violations in other coastal areas like Anjuna, factory in Kodaikanal, Sterlite Industries in Morjim, Arambo}, Canacona, Palolem, Tuticorin, the leather belt in Ambur Sernabatirnare in the offing.The GCZMA is now jVaniyambadi and the proposed land fill site seeking to move for demolitions of the (for dumping hazardous waste materials), at unauthorized constructions as the next step for Mellakottiyur, just outside Chennai, according clearing. Although the GCZMA had been to Dr G Thyagarajan. He said almost 80 per cent constituted in Goa following the Apex Court of the hazardous waste in the country was being directives, the authority had been powerless and generated in five states - Gujarat, Maharashtra, unable to act against such lllegalities die to lack Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, of cooperation from the Panchayat podies who it Amongthese, Maharashtrahas taken the lead in claims are primarily responsible fd:authorizing reducing waste and adopting cleaner construction in each village Panchayat and in the production technologies. "In our country, even coastal belts. (Coastal zone violirtors 'in the the multinational companies that followed high dark', Herald.G, 10.2.04, E01a) environmental standards in developing As part of efforts to speedily clear projects, the countries did not care to obey such principles", environment and forests ministry is planning to he said. (SlWC on Hazardous Waste to visit have single window clearance, even though Tamil Nadu Soon, Joseph Vackayil, FE.B, these may be linked to other ministries. Replying 03.9.04, E 01) to querie� by members, environment minister A Raja said, "we are thinking of having a si gle E 01 a Environmental Laws and Policy � window clearance for all environmental projects Dark and dry days await Coastal Regulatory even though it �s linked to other ministries and Zone (CRZ),violators as theCoa Costal Zone was causing delay in project implementation" environmental • Identify newer areas for new legislation based clearance for project proposals is granted on better scientific understanding while usually within the mandated time frame of 120 fulfilling needs of economic and social days from the date of receipt of complete development. information from projectauthorities. • Review the existing body of legislation in order to develop synergies among relevant The ministry of environment and forests has statutes and regulations and eliminate undertaken various measures to streamline and obsolescence. simplify the environmental clearance procedure • Ensure accountability of the concerned levels with a view to promoting time-bound and of governmentin undertaking the necessary transparent decision-making, by amending the environmental impact assessment and coastal legislative changes in a defined time frame. regulation zone notifications and making procedural changes. The minister said According to the draft: "the objective is to reduce investment limit for new projects has been delays and levels of decision making, doubled to Rs. 100crore from Rs 50 crore. He said decentralization of environmental functions and a total number of 250 projects in different sectors ensure greater transparency and are pending for environmental clearance as on accountability." It also re-examines the approach June 30 last. to deal with violators of environmental laws and regulations- presently based on criminal Foreign touristarrivals: There has been a spurt in processes and sanctions. It argues that although foreign tourist arrivals in India in the past two criminal sanctions might have a deterrent years along with the foreign exchange earned impact, in reality they are rarely fruitful. Civil from them, the House was informed. While the law, on the other hand, offers flexibility and its foreign tourist arrivalsgrew from 2.47 million in sanctions can be more effectively tailored to a 2002-03 to 2.92 million in 2003-04, the foreign situation. The policy calls for a judicious mix of exchange earnings rose from $3029 million to both civil liability laws for non-compliance, $3833.5 million, minister of state for tourism criminal processes for serious and potentially Renuka Chowdhury said during question hour. provable infringement of laws. The d::aft also Health tourism has caught up in a big way in calls for reforms in the way environment and '" Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which forest clearances are done at the Centre. It says were promoting themselves as major tourism � destinations, she said, adding Kerala had regulatory authorities at the local level should be promoted and marketed ayurveda as its core encouraged so that Environmental Impact � to urism product. (Single window clearance fo r Assessment can be done at the plcuming stage Eco-projects on cards, FE.B, 13.7.04, E 01 a) itself. For critique on the Draft National " Environment Policy prepated by � � A draft of the National Environment Policy EQUATIONS refer Annexure 1 (Green belt may .-'.) Prepared by the Ministry of Environment and see refonns, lE.D, 26.08.04, EOla) Forests, - that was put in the public domain for comments has called for reforms in the E 01 b EnvironmentalIssues � legislative structure that governs environment, The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, laid ( the draft calls for a "holistic and integrated" the foundation stone of the 277 hectares Aravali ® approach by revisiting all the laws, the Biodiversity Park, which will preserve the institutions that govern, penalties and extinct biotic communities found earlier in the management techniques used for forests Aravali Ranges. He said the development of the andwildlife. It seeks to: Biodiversity Park was an I able step in the direction of up gradation of the Buddhadev Bhattacharjee at the state secretariat environment. Hoping that the concept would be here recently; was quite upbeat about the replicated and emulated by the other States, he project, which is estimated to cost around Rs 900 also suggested that a film giving information crore. Besides a floating hotel, the project about the concept and its objective be made and envisages a nature park, boat-ride facilities in the shown to all the visitors who visit the Park so interiors of the island. (Medha set to take on that the awareness regarding the benefits of such Sahara India project, DH.B, 12.09.04, E01b) a project are understood. Averring that thousands of species will be created and The Sethusamudram project, envisaging the nurtured in the Aravali Biodiversity Park, he much-awaited maritime shortcut between the said it would have besides about 30 biotic East and West coasts of the Indian sub continent, communities and 2000 to 3,000 species; it will has invited the wrath of environmentalists, with also have water bodies, a rock garden, a butterfly the Mumbai-based Bombay Natural History park and a safari park. The gathering was also Society (BNHS) coming out strongly against the informed that the Yamuna Biodiversitv Park in project. The society is of the view that the project will have serious impact on the marine Wazirabad, which carne up on an ar�a of 160 environment in the region. Moreover, a project acres, would be further extended to 500 acres in of this scale may not be financially viable either. the near future. (Foundation of Biodiversity Park laid, TR.D,23.02. 04, EOlb) On the environmental side, BNHS pointed out that the project would cause massive migration of fish, mammals and other fauna into deeper Severe environmental threats such as rise in the gulf regions, reduction in the fishing area and sea level and sea surface temperature, and land heavy pollution due to the ballast of water of erosion could render about 30,000 people in the passing vessels. According to the Society, even Sunderbans homeless in the islands of the after the final phase of Sethusamudram Canal is world's largest delta by 2020. The director of the completed within the next 10 years, only ships School of Oceanography, Saugata Hazra, said with maximum 25,000 DWT will be able to pass "About four lakh people are already affected in through it. "T:bi s means even our aircraft carrier the past few years and more than 600 families INS Viraat and many other deep drafted vessels have migrated to other islands due to erosion may not be able to negotiate the canal". Mr and coastal flooding, while crops and properry Unnithan said. worth Rs. 950 million have been damaged." We have done a study based on the GIS model about The worst affected will be local fishermen on the the environmental situation in the Sunderbans. ground that the existing fishing areas of local The sea level is rising there relatively at 3.14 mm fisherfolk would be reduced considerably once per annum and the sea surface temperature is the canal is opened for traffic. The Society also .019 degrees Centigrade. (Sunderbans rising by disputes the employment gene�ation factor under threat, TH.B, 6.06.04, EOlb) pointing out that dredging, marking and buoying being high tech activity, not much The proposed mega project of Sahara India employment generation can be expected. group in the Sunderbans Island, which has been (Sethusamudram project draws flak from approved by the West Bengal government, environmentalists, Sanjeev Kumar, TH.B, might face resistance from environmental 30.09.04, EOlb) groups and Medha Patkar as they fear the project would spoil the fragile ecological system of the E 01 d Wildlife Thestate government will set up the first marine region. Sahara India's CEO Subrata Rov'- ' who d n I met Chief Minister park ofthe country, costing ar u d Rs16 crores, i " at Britona, with an objective to give boost to the issue. Thesehave been brought to a head by the state tourism. The Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar recent High Court order. The court directed that Parrikar has already given the greensignal to the the cubicles used for the sex trade be closed and project conceived by the Goa Tourism rescued commercial sex workers be deported to Development Corporation (GTDC), during the their native State. The meeting clearly brought meeting of the board of directors of the out the feeling shared by the NGOs that the State corporation held in the city. The project would is doing nothingwith regard to the rehabilitation be completed within a period of 2 years. of the commercial sex workers (CSWs), and Although the marine park would be set up on alleged that there have been human rights the lines of such parks existing in Singapore and violations of the CSWs by the State machinery. Middle East countries, it would display a special (NGOs take up cudgels to defend sex workers, character linked to the land. The park would H.G, 14.01.04, E 41) include a number of recreational features such as speed boats, water sports, boats with A National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) entertainment performances and so on. report on 'Trafficking in Women and Children in (Nation's first marine park to beset up at India' has said that the existing system in the Britona, H.G, 01.01.04, E01d) spheres of prevention, protection and prosecution was not adequate to tackle the Twenty conservation groups from across Asia complex problem in a holistic and right manner. have formed a network to combat illegal trade in The report, prepared by the Institute of Social wildlife. "The illegal trade in tigers and turtles, Sciences with the financial support of UNIFEM, as well as the illegal lumbering of tropical wood, recommends that all anti-trafficking are serious in Asia and most of them are interventions should adhere to the human rights exported to Japan, " said Masyuki Sakmoto, paradigm to ensure that the rights of the Chairman of Asian Conservation Alliance Task · traffickedpersons are protected. It is imperative Force. We would like to contribu te to eradicating to understand that this gross violation of human illegal trade through the internationalexchange rights occurs due to many socio-economic of information among conservation groups. To factors that add to the vulnerability of the prevent wildlife such as elephants, tigers and victims. The study suggests a strong link rare bird species from going extinct as a resul ts of between trafficking a.T1d migration with an the trade, the net work hopes to build a regional added dimension in trafficking because of conservation framework such means as unconventional means of commercial sex exchanging information on illegal deforesting exploitation like sex tourism and exploitation in and smuggling, and conducting long-term massage parlours and beer baTs that has created observation surveys. The alliance consists of a great demand for children. Similarly, there is a civic groups from china, India, Indonesia, Japan, clear link between trafficking and those reported N Malaysia, Nepal, The Philippines, Russia, ffilssmg. _ _ "- Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and (W�t�en, child traffic�ing: call for communihj � Vietnam. (Illegal Wildlife Trade, FE, 08.08.04, polzcmg, TH.B,25. 08.04, E 41) --I E01d) E 42 Child Prostitution/ChildSex Abuse E 41 Prostitution and Trafficking (General) How dare they use their position to identify Major social organizations in the State have tourists more commonly called foreigners as jointly formed a Forum for Justice in Baina, potential pedophiles brushing aside all the good which will tackle the problems of commercial work that is done by them like' sponsoring sex workers, including rehabilitation and educational needs, clothing them and feeding human right violations as they feel that the there families, privately run . organization funded purely by tourists etc. governmenthas not defined its stand on the I Perhaps we should sit down and read the papers Public awareness and their co-operation more often. Over the past few weeks there have not a witch-hunt. Anyone can hand out leaflets been several rape cases against minors and one every one can blame others for their failings. particularly shocking story a twenty year old Every day we see children digging up roads, man sexually abused a five month old child, a working on building sites, begging school care taker raped a minor, a gang rape etc. in the markets this is child abuse in any ete. All these crimes were committed by locals do they language. Where are these children 's rights offi cers not also fa ll into the category of paedophile? At the and organizations? You do not need to be a beginning of every tourist season the word detective in finding them, as they are paedophile comes out and beach shacks are in everywhere. As for the tourist police, well we all the words of one owner forced to display posters know what goes on there; if the children can't stating that tourists seen with children are to be pay their fee they get phYSically abused we have reported to the Police. The, shack owner did not all seen this yet it is allowed to continue know what a paedophile was! Perhaps the reporting the officer means that some one else tourist minister should inform all tourists not to benefits from this racket. Abusing children make contact with children as they could be physically or verbally is a diabolical crime; questioned about their intentions relating to pedophiles are a global menace and not paeodphiles. I am certain that the tourist perpetrated by tourists alone as the article economy would come crashing down. Sex indicates. (Tourism and children, why blame, crimes against children are truly hideous and H.G, 23.01.04, E42) Should be stamped out but firstly you need Interview with Asha Ba}pal

We ll-known child rights activist Asha Bajpai was nominated by the Mumbai high court to study the conditions in children ' s remandhomes in Maharashtra. VVhileon the Maharashtra State Monitoring Committee on Juvenile Justice, she probed child sexual abuse cases. Here, she tells Olav Albuquerque about the lacunae in our laws relating to children, and how tofix them. What are the conditions like in children '5 insituations? It is sad that juvenile justice system in India lacks a sense of care. Conditions in children's institutions are appalling. There are children who've never heard a story being told. The punishrnents are barbaric to say the least. It is a matter of concern that many children are in institutions just because their parents are unable to provide them food, clothing, shelter and education. The families of such children should be empowered so that the children can remainin the families. The laws prohibit the police from detaining juveniles. But some children told me whenever there are thefts in trains, children found at railway stations are tortured in the police stations to give information. Children who work as shoeshine boys, vendors, rag pickers and porters have reported how they are forced to pay hafta. For street children, extortion is an integral part of the process. � How eff ective are the provisions relating to child sexual abuse? Whatsort of lega l reforms are ntieded? How do you make courtrooms child-friendly? ,",.- Child sexual abuse can take place anywhere - in the family or neighbourhood, in school or on the street. And the perpetrator can be anyone - a close family member, a neighbour, an uncle, a cousin, a friend, even, a teacher or doctor. The abuser, generally a male, usually violates a relationship of trustwith the child, taking advantage of his power and position. Girls are more vulnerable. We still don't have any comprehensive law on child sexual abuse. Such cases are generally tried under different sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, .which were not enacted with the child in mind.The child has to relive the traumatic experience before the police and the courts. The medical examination is insensitive. Medical reports are vague. The aggressive nature of cross-examination tries to prove the child victim is a 'liar'. The trial drags for years and those who abuse children often get away. The language of the child needs to be understood by the legal system. A child's testimony should be permitted through video recordings. If video conferencing can be used for criminal offences, why:not for the child? Amendments in the Indian Evidence Act and procedural laws are needed. What is the extent of child prostitution in India? Are the provisions of IPC and the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956, adequate in dealing with it? Child prostitution does exist in India, Sexual exploitation of children, especially girls, is a global, multi-billion dollar industry andan organized crime. India has the dubious distinction of being the source, transit and destination country. The child is also a victim of paedophiles who pose as tourists. A significant aspect of child sexual exploitation is Internet pornography. The IPC and the Information Technology Act, 2000, have their uses but they aren't adequate in terms of putting an end to the practice. We must evolve a rehabilitation policy for sexually exploited children and work towards international treaties, which facilitate a sharing of data on paedophiles. Is the new Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, an improvement over its predecessor, the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986? The Act aims to adopt a child friendly approach. Although it has its limitations, it goes some way in addressing issues of inclusion and mainstreaming - by way of group counseling - as well as finding alternativesin{he form offamily and community for these children. A significant feature of the Act is that adoption,foster care and sponsorship are providing as alternativesto institutionalization for children, irrespective of religion. But the Act needs to be implemented in the right spirit. Isn't there a needfo r one comprehensive law to protect children? It's true that in India, the age at which a person ceases to be a child varies under different laws. The lack of uniformity in definitions of the child in different legislatio:Qs and government documents affects interventions and service delivery for marginalized children. Some of these age limits appear to be arbitrary. We have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child and, ideally, anyone under the age of 18 should be regarded a child. We must also work on the implementation side, because that is an extremely weak area. Ironically, those who flout children's rights are also entrustedwith the task of enforcing the laws. Will a National Commissionfo r Children help in any way? The idea has come up from time to time. To be effective, however, such a commission must be conceived as an independent body, a.."1dgiven the task of overseeing the implementation of existing laws for children. It should also review and recast outdated laws for children from a rights perspective. Unlike other commissions, it should not be just an advisory body without any power. It should be vested with investigative powers and be in a position to stop ' violations of the law and provide justice to the child. Uuvenile Justice, ToI.B, 08.03.04, E 42)

Child rights groups have welcomed the from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 1 lakh and or ered the � � Supreme Court's stay on a Bombay High Court release of the couple. The High Court ruling order releasing the Swiss couple, Loshiar and said, commuting the sentence sent out tl}ewrong "- Wilhelm Marty, who were convicted three years message internationally - that in India such � ago by a sessions court in Mumbai of using street abuse could go unchecked. ':"'; children for child pornography. The Bombay

High Court had commuted the seven-year Nishta Desai of the Child Rights Group in Goa, a .� sentence of the couple to three years and three destinationthat is increaSingly being frequented � months - the time they had already spent in jail ­ by paedophiles, said that paedophile was not ( increased the compensation amount for the six specific to Goa but was prevalent in other tourist ® victims spots. In response to campaigns by groups such as hers, the Goa I Government has enacted the Goa Children's Act 2003, which defined sexual offences against South Mumbai, in 1999. (British paedophile children and laid down stringent punishment. extradited, TS.D, 07.09.04,E 42) Unfortunately, rules under the act have still not been notified nor have the institutions, such as a E 71 National parks and Sanctuaries (General) Children's Court, been established to implement The Sunder bans management programme, the law. (Stay on release of Swiss couple hailed, which is being jointly carried out by India and TR.D, 03.04.04, E 42) Bangladesh, under funding by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will A suspected pedophile, booked by Mumbai have global participation. Bangladesh forest police for alleged child sexual abuse in 2001, was officialswill get to learn important aspects from extradited from USA. The US federal authorities the Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve on how to held Allan Iohan Water, facing an international deal with a stray tiger. Another important aspect arrest warrantby the Interpol, some months ago will be training the customs officials about when he was on way to the Pacific island of wildlife artides that are now a thriving trade. Bermuda. An extradition process was initiated It has been a path breaking experience," claimed by India thereafter. Colaba police in south M. Aminul Islam, UNDP sustainable Mumbai will formally place him under arrest development advisor. Nowhere else in the today. Water along with fellow Briton Duncan world have two countries jointly decided to Grant has been accused by Mumbai police of conserve an ecosystem which is the world's sexually abusing street children who had taken largest mangrove forest. (Sunderbans plan will refuse in the children's home, Anchorage go global, TOI.M,20.01.0 4, E71) Shelter, which the duo had set up in Col aba, G COASTAL REGIONS

j G 00 Coast & Ocean (General) (Goot. gets tough on CRZ violations, NT. G, Irregular nesting by the Olive Ridley sea turtles 9.02.04, G10) 1 on the Orissa coast is causing concernto wildlife i I enthusiasts. They fear that the turnout of his The Centre would take a fresh look "on firm ! endangered species may fall this year. The scientific principles" at the entire range of issues 1 'I,; observers monitoring the coast say that the concerning coastal environment management i nesting is much, lower level compared to the and the 1991 coastal regulatory zone notification I� previous season at the Gahirmatha, Devi and that ruffled the feathers of several chief Rushikulya river mouths. A large group of ministers, Union envirollIDent and forests minister A. Raja said. The major task had become l turtles was noticed at Nasi Island in the � Gahirrnatha marine sanctuary area. But turtle necessary also to ensure that the live)ihood of the poor people living in coastal areas�· was not hit , I lovers are keeping their fingers crossed as no � due to the 1991 notification, the minister said, nesting had taken place at the Nasi island in the � Conceding there were "certain difficulties" past two years. The turtles, which have implementing the CRZ notification, particularly congregated since October, are also getting where it impeded certain kinds of development killed in the nets of mechanized fishing boats. ''.i works without improving environmental "At least 3,000 turtles have been killed this conservation, Mr. , Raja said his iministry had season, including 838 at the nesting site near the decided to review the issue "on firm scientific Devi river mouth in Puri district. Not a single principles" and had set up an eXRert committee trawler uses he turtle excluder device. This is a under agriculture scientist M.s. Swaminathan to �, violation of the orders of the Orissa High Court come up 'with "practical recommendations." and more than 1,10,000 turtles were killed the (Review of coastal zone underway, says A. , past 11 years. (Irregular nesting by Raja, AA.B, 9.06.04, G10) G 101 Kerala Did the IIDC disinvestments spree wrap up a businessmen and lawyers too. (Title Deed Ghost sale without a title deed? Top honchos of Indian Haunts Halcyon Castle, M. Sarita Varma, FE.B, banking and corporate landscape like RBI 21.06.04, G10) governor YV Reddy to Tata group chairman G 40 Industries on the Coasts (General) Ratan who checked into Kerala's Kovalam beach would have been unaware of the mystery The Exim Policy of 2000 paved the way for what brewing around their lodgings. VVho owns seems to be an industrial takeover of the Halcyon Castle? For those fragile on fables, a country's coastline. Gujarat, Karnataka and halcyon is a kingfisher that nests on the sea,· Orissa have been working to get the Centre's Halcyon is symbolized as the icon of calm approval for the creation of Special Economic among storm, but nobody can now dispute that · Zones (SEZs) that are seen as a boon to a eggs of a long-running controversy are hatching liberalizing economy. Recently, the Union around the sea-nestled Halcyon Castle. Cabinet approved the proposal for a Central legislation for the establishment of SEZs. The The Castle, visibly inspired by British fairy tale government machinery certainly works with castle illustrations, is part of the 65-acre Ashok speed and efficiencyin some cases. But when it Beach Resort, once owned by ITDC. The castle comes to making changes in the Land used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile AcquiSition Act 1864, and finalizing a national royal family of Travancore. The sale of the resort rehabilitation policy, urgent steps warranting to the Oman based Gulfar group for Rs 48 crore immediate action by development planners, brought the Halcyon there has been practicall y no action.

Castle to the new owner's hands. Ashok Beach These assume great importance as more and doubts Resort is now the 360-bed that Kovalam more tracts of land, primarily in tribal! rural Hotels, managed by Le Meredian Group. "The areas and rich in biodiversity, are converted into sale of the Castle and all its papers are under revenue-garnering faCTories with their detailed examination by government's legal inhabitants pushed to the margins of well being. counsel," says Kerala chief minister AK Antonv. Many areas demarcated for development of If Kerala gdvernment did not make a claim f�r the Castle in 2001, that was only because it could SEZs also happen to be fragile ecosystems. These not produce the Title deed, say state government are the coastal areas, whose dynamic ecological � officials. Gulfar Group, who holds possession of nature and productivity are yet to be fully the Castle, initially had some expansion plans studied and appreciated. for Kovalam Hotels, roping in even its original designer Charles Correa. The Downsizing of The importance of the coasts wa.s legally , these Plans fuelled to the widespread the established when the Coastal RegulatIon Zone , management also did not have the benefit of the Notification (CRZ) was drawn up in 1991 under � title deed. Gulfar director has announced that the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The CRZ notification lays down norms for safe guarding the position and any debate around the title :... document is baseless. True to the unruffled the sensitive coastal ecology, recognizing that water bird it is name after, the castle stands these areas form the livelihood base of ( c:; foursquare and 2-storeyed at the sea of thousands of traditional communities. � 0 discussions around it. For years, the tawn Unfortunately, the notification was amended in : limestone structure on the palm-fringed mid-2002 to allow for the establishm�ntof SEZs, Kovalam sands has caught the eye of geologists defying the very spirit of the law. This was and historians. And now it is the turn of despite the concerns raised by environmentalist I ,�; :�� and social activistgroups including the National and institute, a fashion design centre, a central Fish workers Forum and the Bombay convention centre, and a jewellery exports unit. Environmental Action Group. Looking at the possibilities of growth in tourism State-level policy documents on SEZs may want once the airport comes up, the State also plans to to stimulate more efficient use of local resources; set up a recreation park - a Disneyland in South but can end up affecting the coastal ecosystem. Goa. The State governmenthas not yet acquired State governments too have been quick to land for the proposed airport, the Chief Minister identify coastal areas and layout the red carpet has ordered the administration to 'freeze the for private investors. Investors are promised land' so that the owners do not enter into fresh such support facilities as transport .and deals with builders. communication, which include roads, ports and airstrips as also health, educational and The Positra SEZ in Gujarat will take up 4,600 entertainment facilities. The promotional acres belonging to poor farmers to house textiles, advertisements almost always mention thatthe chemicals, pharma, metallurgy and IT investors will not have to deal withsuch hassles industries. Thearea where the, SEZ is to come up as resistance from locals unwilling to give up is not vacant; it is home to some 18,000 people. their lands; and the livelihood of thelocal people The Court ordered that while all other work and their age-old connections with the related to the SEZ could go on, the villagers were environment take the back seat. not to be displaced until the Resettlement and Rehabilitation scheme was, approved by the For instance, the Industrial Development State. Corporation of Orissa (IDCO), an arm of the State government, declares in its communication In Karnataka, SEZs are planned at Tadri in that its 'experience and expertise makes Uttara Kannada, Padubidri in Udupi, and forestland alienation faster'. It also states that Baikampady in Dakshina Kannada. Padubidri acquisition of land for industrial purpose is was where Cogentrix was to set up its power treated as being for 'public purpose' and thatthe plant. The Barge Mounted Power Plant (BMPP) emergency clause of the Land Acquisition Act is and the expansion of Tadri port have been, and used to speed up this process. If indeed the continue to be, severely criticised by the local 'rights' of the coastal population are to be people for the negative social, economic and upheld, scarce land should not be handed over to private 'external' parties and for purposes environmental impacts they can have. Tadri is other than for residences and the livelihoods of situated on the banks "of the fertile and � traditional fishing and agricultural productive Aghanashini estuary and the , communities. villagers fear the fallout of such 'development' ��� on their rice-fields, saltpans, fisheries, clam � Allowing SEZs here often means land collection and mangrove diversity. Tadri, in fact, acquisition and conversion of land use with no had a ship-breaking unit' in the early 1990s. This commensurate benefits to the affected was shut down under public pressure, on population and a loss of their livelihoods. grounds of ecological damage, and is reflective of what the people of this area consider more The Goa governmentplans to convert the whole important. of Pernem taluk into an SEZ. As part of this, plans for constructingan international airport at The other important issue is that of impact Mopa village in Pernem have been cleared. Also assessment procedures. Only 'Some of the planned in the SEZ are a cyber city, a film city projects proposed in the SEZs may come within

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the purview of Schedule of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification,1994. proposed legislation would cover a number of existing pieces of legislation. Hopefully, the These projects will have to comply with the other ministries will include Environment and conditions of organizing a public hearing and Forests, Rural Development, and Tribal Welfare, allowing local people to voice their objections and they will have something to say during these and suggestions about the project. The State 'consultations' to protect the constituencies' they government assesses projects not falling in this are responsible for. (A takeover of coastal areas, schedule, and the clearance processes does not Manju Menon fromKalpavrisksh BL.B, 20.02.04 mandate a public hearing. Instead of assessing G40) the pollution load and other aspects of " individ ual projects, it would make more sense to Beneath the calm exterior of this Bay of Bengal carry out the environmental and social impact coastline, there is much abuzz. In more than one assessment of SEZ as assessing the cumulative way, Visakhapatnamis living up to its catch line impact is crucial. Further, such an assessment - the city of destiny. After a period of relative should also be juxtaposed with carrying­ stabilization, the city and its suburbs are capacity studies of the area. As per the Orissa readying up new plans, taking on the and West Bengal policy documents on SEZs, the development binge with renewed vigour. The Town and Country Planning Act of an area will blueprint of the new avtaar is readying for a sea have no bearing on the SEZ. These zones are to change of Visakhapatnam, the second largest function as independent industrial township areas and they will not be under the Municipal city of Andhra Pradesh. This first step in this Corporation, the Gram Panchayat or any other sector can be seen in the projects that are being local body. This is against the spirit of the 73rd signed up, especially in the knowledge sector. and 74th Amendments to the Constitution, Companies that are buying land in Hyderabad which give local bodies powers of self­ are being encouraged to take up the second stage governance. These constitutional provisions of investment in cities like Visakhapatnam. were designed to allow the local people tohave control over their socio economic, The coastal corridor of Andhra Pradesh is the \ environmental and political governance. route to what promises to be a boom time for towns located in this belt. The corridor Associated With development of SEZs are golf encompasses vast industrial land between courses and hotels at some places. These too Visakhapatnam and Kakina�a. The area is have been allowed in the sensitive coastal areas endowed with rich natural resources and quality that were protected under the CRZ regulation infrastructure, which includes a natur!'ll major until the amendment of May 2002. The CRZ port providing fast access to the markJts of the amendment of 'May 21, 2002 states that Far East. Andhra Pradesh Industrial "nonpolluting industries in the field of Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has initiated information technology and other service some major projects in Visakhapatnam, which industries in the Coastal Regulation Zone of should hopefully be a catalyst to the future Special Economic Zones, (SEZ)" can be allowed. growth of the area. This includes the development of Gangavaram Port, Pharma city, In "First draft ofSEZ legislation ready" (Business Visakhapatnam Industrial Water Supply Line, August 22, 2002), the Commerce Secretary, Company and Development of IT Park. The IT Mr. Deepak Chatterjee, was quoted as saying Park is under state-private partnership and that his Ministry would hold extensive APIIC has been named as the nodal agency for consultations with other Ministries as the the project. I A Special Economic Zone is being developed on Transition of industrialists who unable to carry 9200 acres of land that stretches from on with the ind ustrial activity; and settingup of a Atchutapuram to Rambilli mandals of coastal environment agency to monitor the Visakhapatnam district. Landacquisition is in its environmental impact assessment of industries final stages. We have already received some in the region. Such an agency should have the encouraging enquiries but a private developer credibility to monitor the environmental impact will do the final plan and marketing. assessment of major industries in the region. The agency should upgrade information on the industries of the region and their environmental The coastal corridor of Andhra Pradesh IS impact. It should give a systematicand objective holding out exciting new opportunities in a . view of the development of industry and range of sectors. The time is now ripe for environmental condition to the public. (Coastal entrepreneurs to draw up their investment plans Agenda Ta sk Force awaits Govt nod submit for the region and offers are up for grabs. The report, A.T. Viunayak, BL.B,29.02.04, G 40 K) sun is just rising on the coastal belt and it is obvious from the ado in the business circuit. G 90 Coastal Tourism (Good days for Coastal Corridor, ET.B, 4.08.04, Establishment of "Coastal Tourism Circuit" is the G40) need of the hour to provide better facilities to the tourists visitingthe region. Mr. A. Srinivasa Rao, G 40 K Karnataka president of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce The Coastal Agenda Task Force (CATF') - an and Industry told though being a major centre of advisory body set up by the Karnataka tourist attraction, there is no tourism officer in Government for the comprehensive Mangalore. The Governmentshould introduce - development of coastal districts of Dakshina exclusive luxury buses to tourists to visit various Kannada and Udupi - is ready with its final destinations in the region. Relaxation of the report, it is waitingfor the Governmentnod for coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) norms is essential submitting the report. The taskforce has for the development of tourism activities in the subcommittees on infrastructure development, district. The relaxation in norms could even help urban development, agriculture and allied in setting up a "marine drive" in Mangalore. sector development, social and human Setting up of a permanent centre for organizing development, information technology "',I trade fair and exhibitions could add to the 'I:i development, industrial and environment, and tourism potential of the district. Mr Rao said that ·1 , ' . tourism development. KCCI will support the free trade market

�l• proposed by the Karnataka Government, and �, � vI The sub-committee on, industr and will seek the repeal of Agricultural Produce ) N" y ,I �{ environment of CATF, headed by Mr. Murari, Market Committee Act. Stressing the need for � former CMD of Kudremukh Iron Ore Company the introduction of value-added] tax, he said Ltd, is likely to focus its recommendations on traders should be educated about this aspect. major aspects such as setting up of a single (Set up Coastal Tourism Circuit, BL .B, 30.09.04, ' window exit agency to ensure the smooth G90) H HILL AND MOUNTAIN REGIONS

H 00 Hill and Mountain Regions of India councils governing the development. Zoning New constructions are also under way at regulations of these bodies as well as the Kasumti about 7 km from Shimla, while the regional development authorities be carefully Himachal Housing Board is acquiringland for analysed. Property should be bought only in the development at Wakna Ghat, 30 km from the zone where housing commercial development is state a capital. Shimla's central town The Mall, permitted. Care should be taken to avoid no Lower Bazaar and Ram Bazaar is choc- a-block development zones and ecologically sensitive with old commercial structures and is not a zones for development of the property at hill favoured destination for get- away properties. stations. (Many hill stations in India have their Onthe otherhand, those adventurous enough to environmental management plans (EMP) in risk a brush with the law, can opt for benami place. Development should be done in strict properties where the title in the name of 'local'. A accordance with the suggestions made in those favourite is the small town of Barog, around 60 plans. Hill Stations in India are coming up with km off Shimla near Solan. The Chandigarh­ guidelines to protect built and natural heritage. based Milan Properties had launched full-scale (Buyers must learn to preserve hill stations, cottage and estate project at Barog for investors Gurbir Singh, ET.D, 25.2.04, H 00) and outsider's be fore the state government got H 30 Himalayas (General) wise to the el developer's tactics. In the Deep There is no denying the fact that river Ganges South, Kodaikanal a three-hour drive from forms an integral part of our heritage and Madurai offers some interesting projects. The civilization. Since time immemorial, the Ganges advertising agency Ogilvy some- time ago has been home to hundreds of wild animals and acquired a 55-acre property from Max worth, a birds where they thronged and made India rich subsidiary of Sterling Resorts b in lieu of debt in wildlife. A number of steps were initiated for settlement worth Rs 1.5 crore. This property, 21 its protection, such as declaratiop.5 of national km from the main Kodai town, has now been parks, wildlife sanctuaries in Garhwal and a developed into an 'eco-village' with one-acre forest college in Dehradun. In 1935, Lord Haily properties.The two projects - Ogilvy Eco-Village declared 1,500 square miles of the area around and Ogilvy Tangerine have been priced at Rs 14 river Ram Ganga as a sanctuary; which later on lakh and Rs S.5 lakh each. Seeing the potential was declared the National Corbett Park, the group has also launched a is second 'green' probably one of the best forests in the world. development closer Kodai n dubbed 'Misty Taking the good wishes and, Pl ayers of millions Meadows' (Rs 16 1akh/ acre),'Green Orchard' (Rs of devotees, this mighty river after a journeyof IS lakh/ acre) and 'Kodai Eco Habitat' (Rs 24 around 2,700 kilo meters finally falls into the Bay lakh/ acre). of Bengal forming the biggest" delta of the world. (The Wilder side of Himalayas, the Most of the hill stations in India have urban local Ganges is home hundieds of animals and birds, bodies such as Municipal councils or hill JoeILyall,FE.B, 4.3.04, H30)

I KKAR NATA KA

K 10 Policy, Economy were also under active government Presenting a revenue surplus budget for the first consideration to ensure quality power supply all time in eight years, Karnataka deputy Chief over the state, particularly in rural areas. The Minister Siddharamiah, who also holds the minister promised to take a decision on ensuring finance portfolio said, "this signals the at least 20 hours three-phase power supply to all commitment to reform state finances and to rural feeders soon after ascertaining the ensure that the current expenditure is met by generation and demand position. current revenues." Budget 2004-05 envisages a revenue surplus of Rs 72.84 crore. "Increased While work on the 220 krnMysore- Bantwal state revenue balances in future years will enable highway, costing Rs 226 crore, is expected to creation of additional assets and also ensure that start soon, tenders have been approved for the borrowings are only used for capital taking up the 80 krns Medak-Shahapur road at a expenditure. The fiscal deficit is reined in at Rs cost of Rs 86 crore with Hudco assistance. (Karnataka plans Rs. 1,200 crore-power pump 4246.64 crore compared to Rs 5564 crore in 2003- in, ET.B, 17.08.04, K12) 04," Total receipts are expected to be Rs 320065.99 crore, comprising revenue receipts of The State Government decided to review the Rs 5510.31crore and capital receipts of Rs 6555.68 controversial Bangalore- Mysore Infrastructure crore. Total expenditure for the year is projected Corridor (BMIC) project, meeting midway the to be Rs 31591.88 crore, including a revenue demands and counter-demands of the two outgo of Rs 25437.48 crore and a capital senior political leaders, H.D Deve Gowda and expenditure of Rs 6154.40 crore. The minister S.M. Krishna. After paying a surprise visit to the also announced enhancement in allocations in office of the Bangalore Development Authority key development areas - primary education, here, the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, said primary healthcare, agriculture, rural the Government had asked the Nandi development and drinking water. New levies Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises not to take include a road cess of 10 per cent and up the work on the township projects till the infrastructure cess of 5 per cent. On the Government clearly spelt out its stand on the infrastructure front the budget has allocated Rs 5 project. The Chief Minister said there was a need crore towards the setting up airstrips at Mysore to implement the project to ensure smooth traffic and Gulbarga in north Karnatakafor the current between two cities in future. (Govt. to review fiscal. (Rs. 72.84 Cr Revenue Surplus Budget For BMICproject, TH.B, 18.08.�4, K12) K'taka, FE.B, 20.09.04, K10) , The Karnataka Government will take steps to K 12 Infrastructure, Power strengthen the regional air infrastrufture within Karnataka is embarking on a massiv e the State bv_ developino- airports and air strips at 0 _ investment of Rs 1,200 crore for improvement of Mangalore, Bellary, Hubli and'" Gulbarga, the power supply system by upgrading as many according to the State Industry and as 100 substations this year. The investment Infrastructure Minister, Mr P.G.R. Sindhia. The could go up to Rs 1,400 crore when completed aim, he said, is to get good industrial according to Karnataka's Power and Public investments of Rs 30,000 crore ih the coming works minister H D Revanna. The minister said years. While industrial growth has been the government was considering up gradation concentrated in Bangalore, this growth should of another 100 substations with World Bank be seen in the light of Karnataka's competition assistance as part of the Programme for with Gujarat and Maharashtra as the top dra'.Y improving the power distribution system. Plans for investments. However, it was not true that for installing 6,000 transformers all over the state investors were moving out I of Bangalore, Mr. Sindhia said, along with will help link Bangalore, the fastest growing city industrial growth priority was also being given in the country to other states. The projects, when to rural development and revival of the small­ completed, will give a major boost to the state's scale sector. (Karnataka to strengthen air economy. (Better roads, DH.B, 30.09.04, K12) infrastructure, BL.B, lO.9.04, K12) K 33 Child Labour The Union Government has cleared five road An International Labour Organi�ation (ILO) projects in Karnataka at an estimated cost of Rs study on the cost -benefit analysis of eliminating 2,545 Crore: Some of the roads are four-lane child labour has found that the net benefits far highways and some six-lane. The road? outweigh the net costs over a large period of proposed to come up include a four-lane, 74-km time, with the net financial benefits, worldwide stretch between KundapurSuratkal on �H 17 at being estimated at $4132.5 billion over a 20-year span. as the study admits that costs during Rs 500 crore, the 85-km lane between Bangalore­ Even i Kolar-Mulbagal on NH 4 at Rs 400 crore, the'157- the first decade and half would be high, it km four-lane between Nelamangala-Hassan on emphasizes that the average annual amount I , < NH 48 at Rs 620 crore, Bangalore-Hosur lane on during the first decade pales in comparison with f r NH 7 at Rs 625 crore and the 19.5-km the burdens currently borne to finance debt r t Nelamangala-Bangalore lane on NH 4 at Rs 400 service or the military. , , crore. Another project announced by the Centre is a 9-km elevated superstructure on Hosur road The study entitled 'Investing in Every Child' between Bangalore and Electronics City: says that while the costs might be completed Estimated at Rs. 400 crore, this project is similar over a period of say 20 years, the benefits to the one suggested by Mr. Narayan Murthy, continue for as

Infosys mentor. What must be appreciated is many as 40 r------,;;;:::::::::::::J that IT majors who have been critical of the years past that abominable infrastructure in the city have point The aweed to give 33.33 per cent of the funds for this analysis is the project, while the rest will be met by the NHAI first integrated and the State Government. study of the economic costs Roads constitute an important part of and benefits of infrastructure and despite India having the third eli mina ting L....-______"-- ---' largest road network in the world, the growth of child labour . the road network has not kept pace with the throughout the developing aitd the transitional growth of road traffic. Vehicle population in the world, covering in its ambit, tr,ansitional country has grown almost hundred-fold and countries such as Asia, Latin Am�rica, Sub­ passenger and freight traffic has increased Saharan Africa, North Africa and West Asia. exponentially: The need for adequate road Pointing out that as per estimates made by the infrastructurefor a country that hopes to become ILO in 2002, one out of every six children aged an economic super power has to be taken between 5 and 17 is exploited by child labour seriously by the government which must speed worldwide, the study, conducted under the up projects already on the anvil, including the International Programme on the Elimination of Golden Quadrilateral project. Passenger and Child Labour notes that many of these children freight traffic on roads is growing and moving � are forced to risk their health and their lives and ':: away from the traditional rail route and mortgage their future as productive adults it also substandard and inadequate roads will cost the included within its purview; 10.8 million exchequer and the economy: These projects children in hazardous should be initiated without further delay as they I occupations and between eight and 20 million in the Government for the development some 'unconditional worst forms' such as trafficking, Hoysala temples and tourist places, including, bonded labour and prostitution.Hazards as per Ramanathapura, Shanthigrama, the study could derive from excessive workload Sriramadevarakatte and the Gorur Dam. The and physical work conditions. For the child Department of Tourism will promote direct benefitsare educationand improvements Shravanabelagola as a tourist- destination in health. (ILO offers 'feasible' funding to during Mahamastakabhisheka in 2006. A eliminate child labour, Indrani Dutta, BL.B, proposal for the development of 6.02.04, K33) Shravanabelagola will be sent to the K 50 Tourism/Tourismissues in Karnataka Government soon. A sum of Rs. 60 lakhs was World Tourism Day become an occasion for the released to a private company to prepare a plan. district administration and the Department of However, the proposal did not materialize for Tourism to ponder why the tourism potential of some reasons. (Tourism potential of Hassan yet the district has not been fully tapped. According to be tapped, TH.B, 27.09.04, K50) to an estimate, 2.50 lakh tourists visited the K 51 Coastal Tourism district in 2003. Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd (JLR), eco­ tourism arm of Karnataka, will offer ayurveda Inadequate facilities "Tourists complain of facilities in its latest property Om Beach Resort inadequate facilities in the district, especially at in Karwar in a joint venture with the Delhi-based Belur and Halebeed, which are known for architectural splendour". Lack of direct public Kairali group. This is one of the two projects that transport from Bangalore to Belur is a major JLR has signed with Kairali during the Coastal problem. Investors Meet held at Karwar. Various Apathy The famous monuments are crying for ayurvedic and holistic treatment packages attention. The Channakeshava Temple at Belur inclu ding s pecial .--=�------::::---, and the Hoysaleshwara Temple at Halebeed Panchakarma have become victims of official apathy. treatment for Miscreants have damaged many monuments. arthritis and facial The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which paralysis will be has been entrusted with the responsibility of offered under the preserving the temples at Belur and Halebeed, sup e r vision 0 f L:=..._.....::��..:::!!.L�""--.J has done little in that direction, according to the qualified doctors people of Belur. and trained therapists. The resort will also Rigid rules Officials of Department of Tourism provide different actiyities including visits to blame the rigid rules of the ASI for the poor nearby temples of Gokarna, Mur$feshwar and infrastructure at Halebeed and Belur. A senior Mookambika, water sports such a4 para-sailing official says that thoughthe department has sent and speedboat rides and also sightseeing to many proposals seeking better, infrastructure, nearby tourist places. (Ayurvetfa resort in the ASI ignored them. The officials stressed the Karwarso on, BL.B.. 27.07.04, K5 1) need for a comprehensive plan for the development of Halebeed and Belur K 53 Heritage Tourism Recovering With one of its foot firrrJyestablished in Kerala's The Assistant Director of Tourism, Aadilakshmi, territory, the CGH group of hotels is extending told the tourism industry, which suffered owing its ambit of operations into Karnataka in a big to the Cauvery agitation last year, was way and, Karna::aka is emulating Kerala's recovering with a 20 percent increase in the pioneering public/pri'7ate initiative to harness tourist influx this year. A Rs. 26.34-crore the latent tourism potential lying dormant proposal has been sen t to that State. The CGH group of hotels sign an Mo C with the Karnataka Tourism Department in a bypass and traffic would be hit at the tollgate. Bangalore, for developing a heritage resort The members of the delegation of the World property at world heritage site of Hampi. It will Heritage Committee which visited Hampi last be a joint venture with the Karnataka State June had stipulated that Anegundi bridge Tourism Development Corporation, where the should be used temporarily and demolished State's equity will be in the form of 14 acres of within five or seven years. prime land in the backdrop of the world famous Delay in work: The construction work was taken Hampi site. The Hampi property, which is slated up in May 2004 and was scheduled for to open up in March 2006, will be the second completion by July 21, 2004. But it does seem that property of the group in Karnataka. Work is the construction work will take two more already in progress at the 'Om' beach resort at months for completion. If the bypass road were Gokarna, which is slated to open in March 2005. laid and vehicular traffic allowed, it would not The environmental clearance and coastal only aid in the construction of the hanging regulations zone clearance have already been bridge but would also be a step towards obtained for this project and work is progressing including Hampi into the World Heritage List in full swing. It also plans to extend a tourism again. (Hampi remains on world heritage circuit linking the exotic destinations of endangered list, Sripad Joshi, DH.B, 29.10.04, K 53) Karnataka with the well-trodden paths of Kerala. To provide a rich and vibrant experience K 59 Golf Tourism of history and archaeology to the tou rists, the . It's a concept that fits with Karnataka tourism's spiritual and yoga experience of the 'Om' beach promotion plans to a 'tee' and intends 'put" ting' resort at Gokarna, with the backwaters, the state on the golf lovers' circuit. Golf is now a ayurveda and culinary experiences of Kerala. global lifestyle sport: stress-buster, place-to-be (CGH group to sign MoU with Karnataka seen and, the outdoor boardroom where Tourism, BL.B, 27.0B.04, K53) strategies are planned and deals clinched. With three greens in Bangalore and at least 9 scattered The 28th convention of the World Heritage across the state, Karnataka isattempting to pitch Committee held in Suzou City, China, has itself as the ideal location for golf lovers in the expressed its appreciation at the measures country and abroad. "In addition to the regular initiated by the state government to develop promotions , Karnataka tourism is also trying to Hampi, while deciding to retain Hampi in the pitch its other strengths for nichesegments. We endangered list. The State government's action have noticed that many business travellers to the to postpone the construction of the hanging city prefer golfing as a wee.!< end or leisure bridge between Hampi and Anegundi till a activity to all-else. We are trying to tap this bypass road is constructed has come in for segment and expand it as a package," ltourism special praise. department sources said. Golf tourism, purely as Bridge will do hann: The committee had opined a tourism concept, is yet to pick up. However, we that the construction of the bridge would harm get a lot of guests who come to the city on the monuments in Hampi. The panel had business and want to play golf and the number is suggested the construction of a bypass and stops increasing. There is huge potential for this kind the construction of the bridge until the road is of tourism because Karnataka has a large . laid. If the bridge is constructed without a number of cou rses," says Karnataka Golf bypass, vehIcles moving towards Hampi from Association president D. Pritham Basappa. On Anegundi have to pass through Harishankar the other hand, The Karnataka Tourism Forum tollgate. The committee had objected to this on (KTF) feels small and medium golf tournaments the ground that Hampi's natural beauty would should be held regularly to create interest, before be marred ifthe bridge was constructed without pitching the tourism aspect. I 3 Once the golf circuit is made aware of the Travellers Prefer Golfing As a Weekend or facilities, golf tourism will pick up on its own. Leisure Activity, Anita Rao Kashi, Tol. B, (Golf on tourism palette: Ready to 'putt', 27.9.04, K59) L KERALA L 00 Kerala-Land and People crore to be implemented during the current Water the non-packaged variety - has now financial year. The State Tourism Minister, Mr P. entered the shopping list of the average Sankaran, said the State had submitted project household in Kerala. For the river-rich state, proposals worth Rs 73 crare to the Union which takes for granted its monsoon bounty that Government for its support and has also is three times the national average, the price of presented schemes worth Rs 150 crore to ' water has increased beyond any stretch of Housing and Urban Development Corporation imagination. For initial installation for well­ (HUDCO) for its backing. Bedside's, the State's water (not purified), the cost comes to Rs 300. If tourism department will spend approximately the private water-dealer's well is close by, it Rs 74 crore of its own funds on various tourism costs about Rs 40 for a 20-litre jerry can supply development initiatives, he added. Also on the per day in recurring costs. The price increases if cards is a proposal to create a 'special tourism it is to be transported to faraway places. economic zone' along the coastline -from Poovar Drought cuts across all walks of life. For to Veli in Thiruvananthapuram district. This instance, many eateries in Alapuzha, the project, possibly the fi rst of its kind in India, has heartland of backwater tourism, now charge for been (submitted to the Union Governmentfor its clean washbasins. The lack of water in river approval, the Minister said. Pamba, near the famous hill shrine of Sabarimala, forced the 1,000 year old bathing As part of its efforts to develop tourism in the ritual to be postponed. Even the cremation of an State's Malabar region, Kerala, Tourism will eighty year old woman, who died of fatigue, had organize a 'Mappila arts festival' in Malappuram district in January 2005. Similarly, the tourism I to be put off forthe lack of water. department plans to host the 'Mystiques of

I Malabar' travel mart in Kozhikode every two I The most "Crippling blow came when the state j years, he said. Tourism melas in Wayanad and ,I government approached the central \. Kannur districts are some other new initiatives. government for Rs 1,359-crore emergency " The proposals submitted to the Union ;\1inistry J• drought relief but could get a sanction of just Rs of Tourism focus on areas such as infrastructure � 49 crore. Breaking down its own calamity kitty, I development, quality il11provement, heritage ,... the state has put together only Rs 200 crore for " preservation and eco-tourism, the MirJster said. I operating its crisis management cells. Shift from � The development of a Kochi-Kasa�agod tourism paddy cultivation has driven the priorities away I• circuit, establishment of a crafts village at from conventional water bunds. No study has � Vizhinjam near Thiruvana�thapuram, been made on the long-term consequences of � development of a cultural village at Irinjal in 'j 0 felling of trees and sand mining from riverbeds ! Kozhikode, and creation of a geographical , for construction activities. What is alarming is I information system (GIS) for the Kerala Institute that the state's drought control measures are i \;; of Tourism and Travel Studies (KIn'S), are confined to well-repair and urban water supply. ; I' ( � among the 27 projects submitted to the Union (Trouble In God's Own Country, M. Sarita Government for financial support. Vanna, FE.D, 22.03.04, L 00) !t� Establishment of tented accornrnodation at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary and the L 10 Policy, Economy launch of a luxury yacht are some projects that Kerala has unveiled a portfolio of tourism­ are a part of initiative to develop the Malabar region I related projects worth approximately Rs 297 • " as a tourist destination. Integrated, development cruise passengers, but also to act as a new crew of tourism destinations such as Kovalam, changeover port. Towards this end, the port Kumarakom and Alappuzha, construction of a proposes to set up an exclusive cruise terminaL building for KITTS, creation of parking facilities The port had sought the support of the shipping in Kozhikode, development of tourism and tourism ministries in building a passenger infrastructure in Thiruvananthapuram and so terminal and was also soliciting leading cruise on are some projects for which Kerala has sought liners in the region to associate with it in assistance from HUDCO. (Kerala unveils promotion of cruise tourism through the port. tourism projects worth Rs. 297 cr, BL.B, 18.6.04, Seventeen organizations, including Dubai LlO) Cruise Terminal, British Maritime Technology, have responded to the expression of interest Two Kerala tourism hotspots- Alapuzha and floatedby the port for the consultancy service for Kochi are pitched in a two horse race to emerge setting up the terminaL (Cochin Port Plans India's first marine, one backed by Belgian Exclusive Cruise Terminal, FE.B, 29.05.04, L 12) technology and other by Malaysian know how. The Malaysian firm Trans Resource Corporation The jinx continues for the Rs. 3,OOO-crore (TRC) which had found the Rs. 245 crore international container transhipment terminal Alapuzha marina project too cumbersome for (ICIT) plan with the file pending with the Union its taste, has now turned to pursuing a smaller shipping minister for nearly a month, the last but more highprofile Rs. 60 core marine project hurdle for tins project. According to shipping in Kochi. A feasibility study on Alapuzha sources, all clearances for the project had been marina by Chennai based L & T Rambol received and what is needed is 'Just a nod from bifurcates it as a Rs.142 crore firstphase and Rs. the shipping minister". The contract with the 103 crore-second phase. The Alapuzha marina successful bidder, Dubai Port Authority, ends despite its array of 3 star hotel, clubhouse and 3 on October20. km water promenede should be completed in six months. Much of which venture would make it The Dubai port will have to put in Rs 2,118 crore first would also depend on the energy that the and the Centre and its agencies Rs 932 crore new cabinet in Kerala dedicated to it curiously towards infrastructure development. While Rs enough eve within Kerala Government, the two 33 crore had been sanctioned under the budget projects are pegged to two separate state plan, the funds could lapse if the infrastructure ministers, Tourism and ort, promising more development works, like dredging, rail and road competition in the coming days. (Pitched battle linkages, breakwater activities, etc was not on fo r India's first marina, M. Sarita Varma, undertaken. But port authoritit::s say, this work FE.D, 8.9.04, L 10) could be started only after the terminal proposal got a green signal from the C�ntre. (Kqchi Int'l L 12 Infrastructure Terminal Awaits Ministry Nod to Get Going, To capitalize on the boom in tourism industry, Ajayan, FE.B, 10.08.04, L12) I,� Cochin Port proposes to set up an exclusive cruise terminal of international standards at an Sagara Rani, the refurbished, air-conditioned estimated cost of Rs 60 crore, Cochin Port Trust cruise vessel owned by the Kerala shipping and chairman Dr Jacob Thomas said. Having Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC), is all established major cruise destination in the set to sail through the backwaters this Onam Indian Ocean region by providing seamless season to offer various types of cruises. Sagar a cruise-oriented service integration, the port has Rani is an old vessel taken over by the KSINC now embarked upon the task of addressing the from the State Tourism Department and infrastructure requirements. There was enough renovated to suit the modern trends in potentials at the port to not only cater to the backwater tourism.. KSINC, had invested I --;-- -;(;��[>"" _ : _ -:�;--::�t �-;--'� ,' :"")� " \t "Z., 0 around Rs 2 crore to make the vessel seaworthy through the export of coffee alone, has collapsed The objective is to explore the vast potential of in the wake of the steady crash in the prices of the backwater tourism in the State as the corporation main agricultural produces of Wayanad. As a recently embarked on various tourism-related district that produces mainly cash crops and activities linking waterways. Considering the earns a good share of foreign exchange to the importance of water-linked tourism, KSINC is national exchequer, the state and Union also planning to operate tourist boats, government have a special responsibility to speedboats and luxury yachts. It recently hired a protect the agro ecosystem and economy of luxury yacht from abroad to operate in the Wayanad. (Demand fo r Rs 1000 Crore Special backwaters for a rent of Rs 10,000 per day and Rs Packagefo r Wayanad, FE.B, S.07.04, L56 3,000 per hour. "All these initiatives have been L 58 Special Tourism Area-Bekal taken as part of KSINC's diversification programmes and also to remain competitive in After a long promising date, Leela Hotel Group the changed business environment. The cruises has made an unceremonious exit from the race include breakfast cruise, lunch cruise, sunset for the Bakel chunk of Kerala tourism pie. In an open licensing tender for property licence on and dinner cruise'. On all cruises, food will be provided on board. There are also plans to Bakel beach, two other property giants Bharat include a late night cruise with onboard events, Hotels and UAE-based Holiday Group instantly replaced Leela's claim. With another hotel major food etc. (,Sagara Rani' ready for backwater cruises, V. Sajeev Kumar, BL.B, 19.0B.04, L12) Khanna of Mumbai-based Holiday Inn - signing a MoU with Kerala government last week, the L 50 Tourism(fourismissues in Kerala three groups are committed to pumping in Rs (General) 100 crore investment on theBakel in six months. Aided by an allocation of Rs 74.25 crore in the Bakel Resorts Kerala Ltd (BRKL), an outfit recent State Budget, the tourism industry in sponsored by Kerala government, is the Kerala is expected to sustain its growth during authority to deal out acquired or negotiated the coming year as well. The Budget has also property blocks at Bakel beach to interested made an additional allocation of Rs 10 crore for hotel groups. Taj and Oberoi groups had pretty marketing of Kerala tourism; Rs 3.5 crore for early laid their finger son two blocks in theBRKL conserving the State's heritage and a sum of Rs fold. Bharat Hotels and UAE based Holiday " 47.39 crore has been earmarked for developing Group have agreed to pay licence fee for RS 6 " tourism infrastructure.So far, the State has had a (Resort Site 6) and RS-7 of Bakel on which Leela good tourist season this year. The revenue from Hotel Group had earlier set its eyes. "Despite � tourism is also expected to grow - from Rs 950 getting the fi rst hearing from Kerala crore last year, it is expected to breach the Rs � government, Leela Group could not match the 1,200 crore mark this year. (Kerala tourism licence-bids made by the other jgroups/ KV revenue may top. Rs 1,200 cr, BL.B, 20.02.04, L5D) Mohan Kumar, managing director, BRKL told. The land value fixed for 10.3 hedares of RS-6 L56 Wayanad block and 12.9 hectares of RS-7 block are Rs 4.52 A delegation including senior MPs from Kerala crore and Rs 3.1 crore respectively. (Leela Hotel has met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Group Exits Bakel Fray, Bharat Hotels, Holiday and sought a slew of measures, including an Rs groups enter the race, ,Y1. Saritq Vanna, FE.D, 1000-crore special package to Wayanad, in the 17.02.04, L5B) Kerala gJvernment's Rs 65 crore wake of the "burning socio-economic crisis" Bekal Project which involves constructing and in prevailing the tiny hill district, famous for its running six resort properties in a total land spices and coffee. The economy of the district, spread of 189 acres in Bekal, a beach destination which had earned the country foreign exchange in Kasargod, Kerala, is sef to kick off in L'1 worth Rs 4192.48 crore the last 10 years September 2004. Four of India's leading hotel based Holiday Group are involved in the venture, Oberoi through the Oberoi Kerala development of the project. Of the six resorts, Hotels and Resorts Ltd (OKHRL) and Bharat Khanna Hotels Pvt. Ltd leads the pack and will Hotels and Holiday Group will be developing be developing two while the Taj Group through one each. (Six Bekal Resort Projects to kick off in its Taj Kerala Hotels and Resorts Ltd (TKHRL) September, Savio Rodrigues, FE. B, 3.08.04, L58)

M TAMILNADU

M 11 Planning,Policy the Nilgiris north division forests. Since olden I Defending the draft notification makingCentral days the tribals used to collect minor forest environmental clearance mandatory for· products (MFP) in the above forests and sell construction of projects by states along coastal them to feed their family members. In 1976 areas, former Union Minister T R Baalu said the LAMP society involving tribals was formed for Supreme Court, which was now seized of the collecting and selling the forests products. In

matter, could withdraw the notification onlvJ on 1994, the tribals formed their own organizations a direction. . He explained that the power for in their respective villages, and through them, giving clearance was with the Centre till 1992 they had collected and sold the forest produce. and was given to state governments The testing time started for the tribals in 1997 subsequently. In 1997, the Centre, following when the forest department, Chennai, ordered several complaints, once again took the power Mudumalai sanctuary expansion project and back. "The proposed requirement of under which, the tribal area forests had to be environmental impact assessments for the merged with the Mudumalai Wildlife purposes of adequate town planning is a major Sanctuary, compelling the tribals to go out from step forward," he said, he had cleared 3700 forest inside the forests. The locals have even sold the projects and 669 environmental projects in 1999- cattle as per the advice of the forest officials and 2003. When he was in office. "My predecessors also have not been allowed to collect cow dung had cleared only 6655 forest schemes from 1980 in the forest area also. Earlier, we used to earn a to 1999," he pointed out. These included the Rs profit of Rs 5 lakh through selling MFPs. (Tribals 348 crore 100 mw project in Ramanathapuram, up in. arms against forest officials, lE C, Rs 436 crore 100 mw power project in North 19.03.04, i\t157a) Chennai, Rs 977 crore 460mw project in Tuticorin, Rs 2650 crore 500 mw Neyveli second M 57 b Kodaikanal The reclassification of land, especially of plans mine cut, Rs 5250 crore two units of 660 mw each, on which un-authorized constructions are at Neyveli and Rs 8000 crore LNG project at Vembar. (Draft Coastal Area NotificatioTl Can currently in progress in Kodaikanal, sh�)Uldnot be withdrawn only on SC direction, FE.B, be made until further orders, the Mad:t{as High Court has said and gave the direcJion to 11.02.04, Ml l) " Kodaikanal Municipality authoritieS while M57 a Ooty passing interim orders on a writ petition from More than 6,000 Irula and Kurumba tTibals Kodaikanal Environmental Youth Service. By living in the forests adjoining the Mudumalai virtue of the interim direction, the authorities are Sanctuary forest area are up in arms against the restrained from reclassifying the land, which Nilgiris district forest officers for not allowing would result in legitlmlsing the illegal ongoing them to earn 'income by way of collecting and construction works. Since 1993, 845 selling minor forest produce. Thereare 200 tribal unauthorized constructions had been detected families with a population of 6000 in 13 hamlets, and confirmation orders had been, issued it 802 induding Anaikatti, Sriyur, Singara, cases. (Don't reclassifyland in Kodaikanal: HC, Ma vanallah, Chokkanalli and Vazhaithottam in NlE.C, 19.03.04, M5 7b) I N ANDHRA PRADESH

N 00 Tourism Related World Bank. "To safeguard the reputation of the If tourism is the buzzword for all and sundry, government, we resolved to respect the can that 'paan-chewing, rugged' Hyderabadi agreements with the World Bank, though the auto wallah be left behind? Soon, you will see an Bank has reservations on certain areas like free army of auto drivers sporting a smile on their power and privatization and we disagree with faces and 'Tourism-friendly auto driver' badges them." While · explaining the government's on their shirts, driving their vehicles all around. policy on World Bank financing, the finance Not only that, they will talk to you in a pleasant minister said that the new Congress government voice, hold your luggage as you step int9 the would not accept any of the conditions put by vehicle and hold out a tourism map for you. It's the World Bank for extending the loan. "By now not just auto drivers. You will find specially it is clear that the World Bank wants us to trained tourism-friendly tour operators, travel withdraw free power, but the government is agents and customs official when you go on a persistent on it. The World Bank is also in favour trip to tourism spots in the State, thanks to an of privatizing corporations like APSRTC. We are initiative by Union Ministry of Tourism. against these conditions and whenever we go for (Towards a tourism-friendly Hyderabad, K. V. new loans, we will not accept such conditions." Kurmanath, BL.B, 20.05.04, NOO) Further, the finance ministersaid that the World Bank had agreed, in principle, to increase In a move that could slow down Y S Rajasekhara funding for urban development projects from Reddy's gravy train, the World Bank made it the existing $100 million to $300 million. (AP To clear that it has not taken a kind view of some honour ongoing IBRD funded projects, FE.B, freebies announced by the sate government and 1 7. 07.04, NOO) would review some projects in Andhra Pradesh. Largesse such as these cold derails the bank's Austria will provide the Andhra Pradesh reforms process, now on under its structural government with a loan of Rs 3,400 crore for adjustment Programme, World Bank country hydroelectric power plants, lift irrigation director Michael Carter said. "Some of the schemes, and other irrigation projects. Andhra's policies need to be looked at afresh in Andhra minister for maj or irrigation Ponnala Pradesh. We want to make sure the Lakshmaiah, who signed a MoU with the conditionalities for the projects are in Place, Austrian government. The Austrian companies Carter said, He was talking to reporters in the are leaders in hydroelectric power prod uction as national capital. The slow implementation of also irrigation. Sixty per ceirl:of the loan will be in some bank-funded schemes in AP apparently cash and 40 per cent in materials., It would be spurred the bank to take a critical view Carter repayable in seven years after tfte proj ect is had a critical view of the Congress government's completed. It would carry an in1!rest of 4. 9 programme to grant free power to farmers. percent. Austria is prepared to consider "Such a move would lead to tillers pumping out additional aid, the minister said. more ground water, which over the years has already been depleted in several parts of the The minister said Andhra's economic growth country. This would cause severe damage to the had been six per cent but growth of agricultures environment." (World Bank Critical of Andhra sector was only three per cent and that too was freebies, TOLM, 27.06.04, NOO) given to wide variation. Pointirg to another anomaly, while two-thirds of people dependec. The finance minister said that the government on agriculture, it contributed only24 per cent of has decided to honour all the agreements CDP. To achieve sustainable economic growth, entered into by the earlier government with the .. � I it is necessary to give priority of the rural sector Aimed at transforming the Coastal Andhra and empower the poor. That is exactly what his region into a 'strategic growth corridor' that government is doing. Besides, it plans to could attract investments of over Rs 20,000 crore, undertake four new projects and create a 65 1akh the Andhra Pradesh Government has firmed up of new irrigation potential in the next five years major industrial development plans for the besides adding 2000 mw of hydropower. The region that involves connecting the governmenthas allocated Rs.46,000 crore for the Gangavaram Port, the Pharma City and the AP purpose. (AP Signs MoU With Austria For Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) to the National I Funding Hydroelectric Plants, FE.B, 8.08.04, Highway, an estimated infrastructure cost of Rs NOO) 182 crore, the first phase of s 617-crore Visakhapatnam Ind u strial Water Supply I Recognizing, tourism as a major growth engine Project, developed by the Infrastructure Leasing for generating more employment and boosting and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) in alliance r economic, growth, Andhra Pradesh is r with Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and the Andhra � positioning itself as a favoured internationaland Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation domestic destination. The state government is Ltd (APIIC). lA P plans 'strategic growth chalking out long-term strategies for promoting corridor' in coastal region, CoR. Sukumar, BL.B, the state as a favourable destination for both 26.09.04, NOD) domestic and international tourists. By giving priority to rural, temple and heritage tourism, PGOA livelihood of small artisans prod ucing and promoting the exclusive handicrafts the state are P 00 Tourismrelated expected to get a major boost. The government is "There is ample scope for tourism and Central working on strategies outlined in the plan Bank is keen to finance this sector as well in Goa." relating to the development of infrastructure, said General :\1anager M B Khurjekar, he also marketing, human resources management, urged all Goans to avail of the package which investment and ' institutional structures in consists of various schemes such as Cent tourism. Tourism contributes about 6.37 percent Mortgage (personal loan against property), of the state GDP and has been growing steadily CentTrade (business loan against property), with increased tourist arrivals. Cent Rental (advance against rent receivable), Cent Buy (consumer loan) . and the newly The state governmenthas decided to work on a introduced Cent Multipurpose (combination of public private partnership model where by the housing loan, education loan, consumer loan facilitator and the private sector's role would be etc.) (Central Bank to financetourism industry encouraged. Working on a new mantra called in Goa, Gomantak Times.P, 1.1.04, POD). 'Responsible Tourism' the state government is taking responsibility for development and The Minister for Panchayat, Mr. Manohar propagation of tradition and culture, further, the Azgaonkar said, the proposed international Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development airport at Mopa will give boost to the tourism Corporation (APTDC) has suggested to the activities in the Arambol beach areas, which is government of India that it be made the regional nearest to it and urged the local peoples hub for cruise tourism connecting the Andaman representatives to make effort for development Nicobar and Lakshdweep Islands. (Andhra of tourism infrastructure facilities in the area. Pradesh PositionsItself As A Favoured Tourist (Proposed Mopa airport to give ' boost to Destination, FE.B, 19.09.04, NOO) tourism, Navhind Times,P, 7.1.04, P 00) I Goa should look beyond the sun-surfs and We can offer that perfect mix of business and combination and work towards becoming a pleasure at one destination. A Gomes Pereira, r--::=�------, major destination for area manager for the Travel Corporation of India conventions. echoed De Souza's view, "The convention centre Tourism expert is a long dela yed development. Goa has so much /,;.'-"'�)

Q NORTH EASTERN STATES Q 00 Tourismrelated revolve around the mantra, repeated by the Such knowledge makes it impossible for him to younger set, of "when the tourists come". remain hungry in the rugged, heavily forested Unreasonable politics and unreliable hills that rise up from behind his village of infrastructure are not however what worry the Khonoma, in Nagaland 's Kohima district. He Khonoma village elders as much as the likes the taste of chicken, beef, pork and ... feasts unaccustomed attention. India ... all too often, permitting ... mithun meat too, but is otherwise and sadly, referred to as the "mainland" ... has in botanically equipped to spot the edible vine, its effort to get the Nagas to abandon their goals creeper or succulent, bush, fruit, berry, leaf and and ideals used military might and material inducement. Yet Naga society has never been tuber to add to his cooking pot, all of which he held in stasis. From the time of their fierce does regularly. To walk the Naga Hills is to encounter with the British colonial forces in the understand a mind and a community that is 19th Century and until today, they have not been extraordinarily attuned to the environment in passive victims of processes designed to erode which they thrive, and which has as its culture. Rather, their sense of history and tribal fundament, the concept that we know and call as identity has been destroyed and disused." A good bit of that optimism derives from the sustainability. That, when linked to the catchall pragmatic approach of the village youth word "development", the concept is the subject towards the potential that tourism may hold for of innumerable working papers, seminars and , them. It is a perspective sha:ped by the village \, conclaves, and otherwise provides tens of council, which chooses to see tourist revenues as thousands of "development professionals" with onlv one among several streams of communal a livelihood is hugely amusing to Kevin and his inc�me, and certainly not the most important despite the beliefs of distant planne.J;S in New friends. Delhi and opportuI'istbureaucrats in Kohima. It is a step into the unknown for a community that These are resident skills that the village has been the touchstone of the Naga nationalist community of Khonoma ... a settlement of about movement, and which is justifiably proud of its 500 houses cradled by the hills is hoping to provenance. It is also one they are taking with exploit as a tourism winner. Furnished with a the watchful caution that has long characterized ( the Naga soul (HeadfortheNaga Hills-Tourism grant from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture is coming to a remote village cqmmunity in i,!)}<: in New Delhi, and supported by the Nagaland Nagaland and while planners and bureaucrats State Government, which is bent on turning the see it as a perfect enterprise, N,(.lg(l youth are village into a showcase €Co ...tourism model, the illustrating why they will have the final say, Rahul Goswami, TH.B,.28.3.04, Q 00) village is awash with plans and dreams that I S OTH ER STAT ES

510 Eastern India-Orissa, West Bengal state. The master plan incorporates Kolkata has become the country's first city to improvement of Chardham, development ofeco have a floating hotel that arrived here and inturn tourism, development of ski resorts at Dayara joined cities like Moscow, St. Petersberg, Vienna, Bugyat development of water sports resort at Hamburg, Amsterdum, Phnompen, Hong Kong Tehri Darn, improvement of infrastructure where 'Floatels' are the major tourist and facilities on major trek routs, development of the business attractions. The four-storied Floatel in area in and around Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi, Kolkata has been built according to international ChamoH and Dehradun besides development of four-star standards and was under construction two new circuits Pauri-Khirsu. Officials for the past four and half years at the Kidderpore revealed that over 100 proposals from private docks. Mr. Pal said the Floatel, which was being sector have already been mooted. Mr. Prasad given the look of a ship, would be managed by said the prestigious Taj Group of Hotels are Orchid International and had been under the establishing a chain of modest economy hotels in constant scrutiny of the American Bureau of the state, under which the group will set up eight Shipping, an agency affiliated to the UN's hotels on the Haridwar and Badrinath route to International Maritime Commission that attract the middle income group tourist. The certifies, floating structures on the basis of safety Dehradun airport is also being upgraded and and security. (First floating hotel in Kolkata, developed and three airstrips in the hills will be m.B, 18.05.04, 510) operationalised soon.

The West Bengal government signed a Two new tourism circuits have also been Memorandum of Association (MoA) with identified between Pauri-Khirsu and beyond limit internationallimited (BLIL), a joint Pithauragarh Munsiyari to promote lesser­ venture company floated by Salim and Ciputra known destinations, removing tremendous groups of Indonesia, for constructing a mega pressure on popular hill stations such as township in West Howrah at a cost of Rs 3200 Mussoorie and Nanital. The government has crore. The township would be constructed for i also tied up with a France based public relation residential, industrial and commercial purposes, agency to promote Uttaranchal as modest tourist I adding that the foreign company had also destination in Europe and England. agreed to provide housing for weaker sections "Uttaranchal has fast merged as a major tourist within the same premises. Earlier, the state destination, specially because it is richly government invited the Indonesian group to endowed with natural splendour. This state explore the possibility of investing in West provides tourists a breathtaking panoramic

Bengal. The township would also generate view of the Himalavas- besides an;unparalleled ; employment of 3,000 people and the land would world into a rare diversity of flora and fauna. It is be given on 999 years I ease. an ideal destination for the development of eco­ (Indonesian Group To Invest Mega Township tourism projects and activities like jungle safaris, ProjectIn WB,FE.B, 8.07.04, 510) trekking, forest trails, nature walks and angling for Mahaseer. (Rs. 1,187 Cr set aside for S 20 North India-UP, Bihar, Uttaranchal Uttaranchal tourism, AA.B, 21.01�04, S20) This Uttaranchal's unchallenged beauty will now summer, holidayers will have a new destir.ation become even more accessible, thanks to its to choose from the state prison and the holiday tourism secretary N.N. Prasad who has itinerary; being put together by the Ch.1-tattisgarh prepared an exhaustive Rs 1,187 crore master Tourism Board (CTB) with private plan to promote tourism infrastructure in the / \: entrepreneurs, includes staying in the prison West Bengal Co-op Spinning Mills Ltd (Mg Dir), 25, cell, a special dinner of jail ki roti and dal, besides Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Kolkata 700013: For games such as escaping through a specially dug supply of machinery for following departments tunnel. The novel idea is part of the CTB's mega for purpose of modernization: a) Blow-room, b) drive to promote the state's tourism potential. Carding, c) Draw Frame, d) HS Speed Frame, e) The board has already acquired an abandoned Ring Frame, f) Post Spinning I) Auto Conerl ii) state prison in Jagdalpur for the purpose and is Splicer. (M.P. Tourism calls bids fo r backwater in the process of inviting tenders from private cruises boats, BL.B, 3.3.04, S20) hoteliers and hotel chains to operate and manage the premises. The state is also taking several The Government of India has recommended to initiatives to generate interest in both the the United Nations Educationat Scientific and entrepreneur and the tourist in the state. To Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to include the name a few tourism has been granted industry Golden Temple at Amritsar, Punjab, in the status; exemption has been granted on World Heritage list. Prof. Enamul Haque, the entertainment and luxury tax for a period of 10 one-man commission on behalf of the UNESCO, years and the state has cut levy on aviation I will visit the place this month to make his turbne fuel to 4 per cent. (Chhattisgarh jail assessment. He will forward his beckons tourists, Byas Anand, TOI.M, 3.02.04, recommendation, based on historical, cultural 520) and architectural factors, to the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)/ The following are some of the important tenders UNESCO. In July this year, the UNESCO floated by various organizations/institutions: included the Brihadeesvarar temple at Jharkhand State Electricity Board (CE S&P), Engg Gangaikondacholapuram in Perambalur district Bldo, HEe, Dhurwa, Ranchi 4: For ,) supply of type and the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram in 11 / 4 tested KV AI, wound 63 KV AI, CRGSO Thanjavur district, both in Tamil Nadu, in the core transformers. Qty: 600 nos . World Heritage list of monuments and sites. The Government of Jharkhand, Civil Aviation Dept, ' Brihadeesvarar temple in Thanjavur tOvvn was C\ 1PDI Bldg, Kanke Road, Ranchi: For supply of earlier included in the list. All the three temples six to eight (excluding crew member) seater twin are outstanding examples of Chola architecture engine jet, super king air B-200, King Air C-90 and sculpture. (Government wants Golden aircraft on lease as & when required basis. Temple to be in World Heritage List, T. S. Subramani.m, TH.B,3. 8.04, S 20) National Chemical Laboratory (Sr Stores & Purchase Officer), Pune 411008: For development and The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development implementation of an open source Web-based Corporation Ltd (MPTDC) has decid�d to tap integrated enterprise work flow and the huge domestic tourist potentia!,. and is information management portal software eyeing a 70 per cent jump in revenues for the application for National Chemical Laboratory. current fiscal. The corporation is quite clear MP State Tourism Dev Corpn (DGM Wa ter Sports), about its target. "We are mainly targeting Gangotri, 4th floor, TT Nagar, Bhopal 462003: (MF) domestic tourists. We are not looking at Corporation plans to acquire two cruise boats for international tourists, ' said Mr. . Ashwani launching backwater cruise on Narmada river at Lohani, Managing Director, he also s�id that the Baro-eeo Dam near Jabalour.< Cruise boat to be a State had taken up a major infrastructure double decker and twin or mono hull or a development programme. This would connect combination made on GRP. Carrying capacity 50 all the major tourism destinations yvith good persons plus soft load of two tonnes. Speed 10 to roads. (MP Tourism to tap potential, BL.B, & 12knots, which are operational running. 24. 08.04, 520) I 2 . �'�. .. "

We st Bengal Co-op Spinning Mills Ltd (Mg Dir), 25, of militancy in 1989-90. For the first time the Kashmir To urism Department would be S 21 Jammu & Kashmir participating in a big way in the forthcoming The recent detente between India and Pakistan Arabian Travel Mart in Dubai. (Peace big boost has appreciably boosted up the tourist traffic to. to Kashmir tourism, AA.B, 19.02.04, S21) Kashmir. According to the officials, about 500 Express power golf 2004 starts with tow days of tourists are arriving in the Valley daily. For the exciting competitive golf and drives hit down first time the State Tourism Department has the lush green fairways and putts holed on the started winter sports in the mountain resort of scenic Royal springs Golf Course in Srinagar and Pahalgam, some 100 km south of capital the Gulmarg Golf Courses in Gulmarg. Express Srinagar. "A large number of youth are being Power Golf 2004 will host over 90 amateur imparted lessons in skiing," said one of them, golfers, hailing fromthe corporate and business adding that Gulmarg, the famous winter sports arena and professional like Bharat Patel. (Golfin resort in the northwest of the Valley, has already paradise-Express Power Golf tees off in hosted the first part of India's National Winter Kashmir, ShonaA Singh, IE.D, 30.08.04, S21) Garnes. Tourism is an important sector of the S 30 Western India-Rajasthan state's economy and employs a large workforce. After a lull, foreign tourists are returning to The years of militancy after 1990 had seen the Raj asthan in droves. In fact, that the popular closure of almost all tourism-related activities. luxury train Palace on Wheels (POW) has had to "The improving situation is expected to further make advance bookings for the next three years. boost tourism activities during the forthcoming Rajasthan Tourism has decided to hike fares summer season", they also told the Kashmir from the, current $350 per person by 10 per cent Tourism Department would be specially from the next fiscal. The state tourism ministry targeting Gulf travelers, who had been visiting is planning to develop Rajasthan as a 365-year the Valley in large numbers prior to the eruption destination.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals In Rajasthan JAN-JUN 2004

2004 1st Quarter April Mav June Total" Grand total 2003 2,87,661 48/633 27,397 20/953 96,983 I 3,84/644

% Change 1,72,103 29,315 17,688 17,321 64,324 --f1 3 �,""1'- ,117 I 67.14 65.89 54.89 20.97 50.77 62.$9

NOTE: the low value in 2nd quarter is due to seasonal factor

(P alace On wheels Drives up tourist Arriv als in Rajasthan.

5anjay Thapa, FE.B, i. 09. 04/ 530) I' T· FO REIGN COUNTRIES

T 00 International Tourism Vo lumes and traveling to Sri Lanka would be cheaper. (Lanka Patterns has plans for Indian tourists, M. Enosh Sri Lanka is keeping its fingers crossed that the jeremiah, ET.D, 25.2.04, nO) Indian government's open-skies policy, rocked T 20 South East Asia by turbulence at the moment, ultimately takes Booming tourism, neglect and inadequate funds off. This is because India leads the global tourist for protection is nibbling away China's Great pack to Sri Lanka. The island nation is expecting Wall and just one-third of it remains. Only one­ 1,50,000 tourists from India in calendar year 2004 third of the 6,350 km of Great Wall, a world against last year's 93,000. Since an Indian famous landmarkin China, now exists and the traveler to Lanka offloads $85-90 per day against length is still shortening. Surviving for the average $6570 spent by other international centuries, the Great Wall was listed as a world tourists, India is definitely one of the thrust areas cultural heritage site in 1987 by the this year for Sri Lanka Tourism, a board funded UNESCO. by the government Sri Lanka. Emboldened by the prospect of Sahara and Jet launching their Investigation showed that the project was part direct flights to Colombo, the board is also of the planed Hongyu Villa project, expecting India to contribute 25-30% to the $11 unauthorized by the cultural relic department. million global market and has already launched After being fined 100,000 yuan ($12,000) for the promotional activities across various media, damage to the Great Wall, the investor Zhou including the internet, but the travel industry Wen felt he had been wronged. Booming may take heart from the fact that possibly tourism, in itself, has increased the burden on procedural snags are holding up the two private the Great Wall. The Wall has offered popular airlines from launching their regular flights to scenic spots and brought huge profits in recent Lanka. While Jet is yet to decide on the exact years. Statistics show it receives about 10 million sector, the airline is likely to announce the visitors every year all over the country. commencement of a direct flight to Colombo this (Tourism devours China's Great Wall, ToLE, month itself. (Touristy Lanka hopes open skies 27.1.04, T20) take off, Madhumita Mookerji, ET.D, 11.2.04, T 00) Singapore visitors centre (SVC), the first in India, was inaugurated in Chennai by T 10 South Asia Shakthidasan, commissioner of tourism, Tamil Sri Lanka has set a target of wooing one-and-a - Nadu. Set up by Singapore Tourism Board half lakh Indian tourists during the current (STB), the centre will provide customer �ervice II calendar year. It attracted 98,000 tourists from support to Indian travellers to Singapore. India last year; the island nation has become a Indian tourists to Singapore are the tourth fav oured destination for many Indian tourists highest spenders. STB has also set up Marketing from IT and other corporate sector. "And with Advisory Council to suggest to STB the growing disposable incomes in many Indian strategies for growth and development of the middle-class families, we hope a large chunk of Indian market. STB aim is to create a top of the them will choose to visit our beautiful drop mind awareness about Singapore, when it shaped island that offers many attractions comes to tourism, in the minds of the people. within their budget." Sri Lankan Airlines (SLA) The number of visitors in 2003 was 6.1 million as launching its Colombo-Hyderabad Colombo against 7.5 million tourists, who visited the flight on Sunday, said now that Colombo is country in 2002. (Singapore Tourism QpensFirst directly connected with Andhra Pradesh; Vis itors Centre In Chennai, FE.D, 24.2.04, T 20) I In a bid to promote medical tourism, the in Hong Kong, estimates mainland visitor Federation of Indian Export Organizations arrivals to the city will increase by 4 per cent in (FlEa) would lead a team of 12 Indian Hospitals 2004 to hit 12 million. And, these 12 million odd on service exports. The team of hospitals would visitors aren't coming to the city to only to take in visit Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. In this the bright big city lights and sights of Hong Healthcare delegation, the federation would Kong. They are spending. The per capita focus on presenting to these countries the vast spending is pegged at US$625, which adds up to range of specialized hospitals, the state-of-the­ US$ 7.4 billion a year. This is an impressive total. art medical facilities and the high quality of Mainlanders are effectively contributing for as skilled and trained medical personnel manning much as 28 percent of Hong Kong's total retail them. (FlED to promote medical tourism, NEC, sales equivalent to 1.5 per cent of estimated 2004 19.9.04, T20) nominal GOP. Finally, the rise in debit and credit card ownership in China has also changed the First it was Hong Kong Tourism Board and dynamics. The report estimated that 64 per cent Tourism Malaysia vying for a bigger pie in the 'Indian tourism market but the latest to join in of the visitors held at least one debit card and 75 the melee is Singapore Tourism Board (STB) percent at least one credit card. Despite the fact which has not only restructured office but has that usage still continues to be low, this does also moved into more aggressive marketing imply that visitors are no longer cash initiatives and road shows over the weeks. Its constrained. Hong Kong stands to lose little by main aim is to promote Singapore as the premier catering to the mainland. (Mainland Tourists destination important meetings, incentives, Fuel Hong Kong Economy, Gauri Lakhanpal, conventions and, exhibitions (MICE) and has FEB, 19.6.04, T30) invested Singapore $15 million on a campaign T 60 Europe called "Make it Singapore. We have never really According to trade estimates, the per head spend focused on individual areas of tourism before and are now looking at this in a very specific way of Indians is in the region of $2,500-$3,000 in this year. STB is looking at major branding Europe during a holiday, which includes both exercises especially for the MICE market. food and shopping. The result is special According to a trade analyst, as a MICE promotions designed for Indian audiences, destination Singapore I has 'always been very unique discounts, and acceptance for the Indian popular and in 2002, this segment attracted 1.5 rupee even in places as far Glwayas SWitzerland. million visitors and Ingenerated tourism Mr. Fredrick Diveja, seNor vice-president, receipts totalling Singapore $2.2 billion. (S'pore saTC said that even though post lfberalization Tourism Launch es New Promotiona l almost all international brands aret available in ) Campaign, Candida Moraes, FEB, 24.9.04, T20 the country, Indian holiday makel'S and even T 30 Communist Asia business travellers invariably tend to shop Chinese tourists are becoming a sought after abroad. Indians typically look for perfumes, commodity in countries around the world. They chocolates, watches, jewellery and other give­ are to the 21st century what Japanese tourists aways. Tour operators, therefore, tend to put were to the previous one. Hong Kong is no together packages, which have a reasonable exception. It is, of course, technically a part of shopping component in it. For instance, SOTC China but will continue toremain an autonomous European packages spanning 14,18 and 20 days region till 2047. The territory has been offer shopping space up to two--:a.np-a-half days. leveraging this very proximity to the mainland (Shop savvy Indians excite Ellt ourism, Girish to its fullest in its attempts to attract Chinese Rao, ET.C, 29.1.04, T60) -I tourists. A recent report on Chinese tourists T FOREIGN COUNTRIES

T 00 Int ernational Tourism Volumes and traveling to Sri Lanka would be cheaper. (Lanka Patterns has plans for Indian tourists, M. Enosh Sri Lanka is keeping its fingers crossed that the Jeremiah, ET.D,25.2.04, TI0) Indian government's open-skies policy, rocked by turbulence at the moment, ultimately takes T 20 South East Asia Booming tourism, neglect and inadequate funds off. 1bis is because India leads the global tourist for protection is nibbling away China's Great pack to Sri Lanka. The island nation is expecting Wall and just one-third of it remains. Only one­ 1,50,000 tourists from India in calendar year 2004 third of the 6,350 km of Great Wall, a world against last year's 93,000. Since an Indian famous landmark in China, now exists and the travelerto Lanka offloads $85-90 per day against length is still shortening. Surviving for the average $6570 spent by other international centuries, the Great Wall was listed as a world tourists, India is definitely one of the thrustareas cultural heritage site in 1987 by the this year for Sri Lanka Tourism, a board funded UNESCO. by the government Sri Lanka. Emboldened by the prospect of Sahara and Jet launching their Investigation showed that the project was part direct flights to Colombo, the board is also o f the planed Hongyu Villa project, expecting India to contribute 25-30% to the $11 unauthorized by the cultural relic department. million global market and has already launched After being fined 100,000 yuan ($12,000) for the promotional activities across various media, damage to the Great Wall, the investor Zhou including the internet, but the travel industry Wen felt he had been wronged. Booming may take heart from the fact that possibly tourism, in itself, has increased the burden on procedural snags are holding up the two private the Great Wall. The Wall has offered popular airlines from launching their regular flights to scenic spots and brought huge profits in recent LanJ.:a. While Jet is yet to decide on the exact years. Statistics show it receives about 10 million sector, the airline is likely to announce the visitors every year an over the country. commencement of a direct flightto Colombo this (Tourism devours China's Great Wa ll, ToI.B, month itself. (Touristy Lanka hopes open skies 27.1.04, T20) take off, Madhumita Mookerji, ET.D, 11.2.04, T 00) Singapore visitors centre (SVC), the first in India, was inaugurated in Chennai by T 10 South Asia Shakthidasan, commissioner of tourism, Tamil Sri Lanka has set a target of wooingone-and-a ­ Nadu. Set up by Singapore TOUrism Board half lakh Indian tourists during the current (STB), the centre will provide customer se:rvice calendar year. It attracted 98,000 tourists from support to Indian travellers to Singap�re. " India last year; the island nation has become a Indian tourists to Singapore are the fqurth favoured destination for many Indian tourists highest spenders. STB has also set up Marketing from IT and other corporate sector. "And with Advisory Council to suggest to STB the growing disposable incomes in many Indian strategies for growth and development of the middle-class families, we hope a large chunk of Indian market. STB aim is to create a top of the them will choose to visit our beautiful drop mind awareness about Singapore, Vl(hen it shaped island that offers many attractions comes to tourism, in the minds of the people. within their budget." Sri Lankan Airlines (SLA) The number of visitors in 2003 was 6.1 million as launching its Colombo-Hyderabad Colombo against 7.5 million tourists, who visited the flight on Sunday, said now that Colombo is country in 2002. (Singapore Tourism OptmsFirst directly connected with Andhra Pradesh, Visitors Centre In Chennai, FE.D, 24.2.04, T 20) I In a bid to promote medical tourism, the in Hong Kong, estimates mainland visitor Federation of Indian Export Organizations arrivals to the city will increase by 4 per cent in (FlEO) would lead a team of 12 Indian Hospitals 2004 to hit 12 million. And, these 12 million odd on service exports. The team of hospitals would visitors aren't coming to the city to only to take in visit Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. Inthis the bright big city lights and sights of Hong Healthcare delegation, the federation would Kong. They are spending. The per capita focus on presenting to these countries the vast spending is pegged at US$625, which adds up to range of specialized hospitals, the state-of-the­ US$ 7.4 billion a year. Thisis an impressive total. art medical facilities and the high quality of Mainlanders are effectively contributing for as skilled and trained medical personnel manning much as 28 percent of Hong Kong's total retail them. (FlEO to promote medical tourism, NE.C, sales equivalent to 1.5 per cent of estimated 2004 19.9.04, T20) nominal GOP. Finally, the rise in debit and credit card ownership in China has also changed the First it was Hong Kong Tourism Board and Tourism Malaysia vying for a bigger pie in the dynamics. The report estimated that 64 per cent 'Indian tourism market but the latest to join in of the visitors held at least one debit card and 75 the melee is Singapore Tourism Board (STB) percent at least one credit card. Despite the fact which has not only restructured office but has that usage still continues to be low, this does also moved into more aggressive marketing imply that visitors are no longer cash initiatives and road shows over the weeks. Its constrained. Hong Kong stands to lose little by main aim is to promote Singapore as the premier catering to the mainland. (Mainland Tourists destination important meetings, incentives, Fuel Hong Kong Economy, Gauri Lakhanpal, conventions and, exhibitions (MICE) and has FE.B, 19.6.04,T30 ) invested Singapore $15 million on a campaign called Make it Singapore. We have never really T 60 Europe focused on individual areas of tourism before According to trade estimates, the per head spend and are now looking at thisin a very specific way of Indians is in the region of $2,500-$3,000 in this year. STB is looking at major branding Europe during a holiday, which includes both exercises especially for the MICE market. food and shopping. The result is special According to a trade analyst, as a MICE promotions designed for Indian audiences, destination Singapore I has 'always been very unique discounts, and acceptance for the Indian popular and in 2002, this segment attracted 1.5 rupee even in places as far awayas Switzerland. million visitors and Ingenerated tourism Mr. Fredrick Diveja, serlior vice-president, receipts totalling Singapore $2.2 billion. (S'pore SOTC said that even though post l�beralization Tourism Launches New Promotional almost all international brands are (available in Campaign, Candida Moraes, FE.B, 24.9.04, T20) the country, Indian holiday makel1S and even T 30 Communist Asia business travellers invariably tend to shop Chinese tourists are becoming a sought after abroad. Indians typically look for perfumes, commodity in countries around the world. They chocolates, watches, jewellery and other give­ are to the 21st century what Japanese tourists aways. Tour operators, therefore, tend to put . [ were to the previous one. Hong Kong is no together packages, which have a reasonable exception. It is, of course, technically a part of shopping component in it. For instance, SOTC China but willcontinue to remain an autonomous European packages spanning 14,18 and 20 days region till 2047. The territory has been offer shopping space up to two-i:,mq.-a-halfdays. leveraging this very proximity to the mainland (Shop savvy Indians excite EU tourism, Girish to its fullest in its attempts to attract Chinese I tourists. A recent report on Chinese tourists Rao, ET.C,29.1.04, T60) rf Even though Indian arrivals into Spain the further due to this. (Better Scope for Enhancing � second most popular tourist (54.2 million) Tourist Trafficto Russia, Huma Siddiqui, FE.C, destination in the world are like a drop in the 18.8.04, T60) ocean its tourism board is kicking off new T 80 Caribbean/Central and Latin America initiatives in the Indian market to double traffic On his arrival in India, Brazil's President Luiz this year. Indians have moved up the ladder to Inado Lula da Silva will see a vibrant country become the highest Asian spenders in Spain in that has been growingat 6 % a year for a decade ­ recent years, ahead of favourite like China. In which is more than twice Brazil's rate. But Brazil, shopping alone, they spend around £565 per . with one sixth of India's population, has a much head, and with a little marketing persuaslOn, higher per capita income. Currently projected their numbers as well as the length of their stay, growth rates say that India will be the fourt� can be increased. In fact, Spanish tour operators largest economy in the world in 2025 an� BrazIl along with local film commissions are visiting the eighth. The visit has enormous bIlateral the, country with special packages aimed at significance as well. The two nations have h ge facilitating Bollywood productions in Spain. � and unrealized prospects for collaboratmg Thou

U INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY U 00 International Economy, Globalization forum is its strength. The only disqualification On Most Counts the 2004 meeting of the Wodd for participation is a belief in violence as an Social Forum in Mumbai has been a resounding instrument for political and economic change. success. The fourth annual meeting drew 80,000 The WSF began as a meeting place to develop participants and it had representatives from critiques of economic globalization. However, around the world, even if the overwhelming its conference agenda has been broadened and majority came from the host country. The WSF deepened and now covers a range of socio­ was witness to hundreds of seminars and panel political and cultural issues. At Mumbai, the discussions on a variety of issues related to issues discussed included theu.s. occupation of globalization. The meeting brought together Iraq, the Kashmir question, caste in India, and members of some of the most active political and challenges and opportunities in the realm of the social movements in the world and many media and knowledge, including the free leading thinkers in politics, economics and software movement. culture all united by a belief that " another world is possible". There was also some involvement The open agenda of the programme encourages of government representatives such as in truly diverse, some would say inchoate, discussions on WTO issues where senior discussion, and the involvement of some fringe officials from Brazil and India interacted with elements. But this is a small price the forum has activists and independent thinkers. The forum to pay to maintain inclusiveness in participation. has come to bedescribed as a "carnivalof ideas". One criticism from within the anti-globalization movement is that the forum is but a vast talking In just three years, the WSF, a platform for shop from which no concrete programme has discussing alternatives to globalization, has emerged thus far. Yet this complaint ignores the acquired a profile that matches that of the much very phenomenon that gives the WSF its older World Economic Forum, the yearly strength: providing movements and meeting of government policy-makers and organizations from arQund the world a corporate chiefs usually held in Davos, geographic and even temporary political "space" Switzerland. In terms of creating an awareness where they can share experiences,! toss around of alternatives, if not in terms of having a and fertilize new ideas. How successful this concrete impact on national policies, the WSF process will be depends on how thep articipants has been a success story. With the forum moving subsequently build on their WSF experiences . . outside Porto Alegre, Brazil, for the first time, the The other criticism, from the so-called shortcoming of drawing little participation from mainstream, is that all the discussion about Asia was addressed at Mumbai. The WSF opposing globalization is nothing but tilting at provides the space for members of a variety of windmills. This too is an unfair criticism. In a political, social, economic and cultural world where global capital exercises such a organizations to discuss and exchange ideas. It dominant role in national economies and has also become a rallying Point for groups societies, there are few opportuI)itifsavailable tc hoping to formulate alternative agendas. The debate alternatives or air dissent. That the foruIT. I open and loosely networked organization of the is internationally perceived ,to provide a major to do this year after year, drawing in new polemic" on farm subsidies. In more sanguine participants, is heartening from a democratic times, this kind of language at this level was standpoint. (The WSF phenomenon,. TH-B, unthinkable but trade negotiations are no longer 22.01.04, U 00) cricket, alas!. I remember when we once rejected a political "favorite" project in the Planning Buoyed by performance of software services and Commission, bringing out how it leads to tourism sector, India's balance of payments negative value added, the concerned minister (BoP) surplus doubled to $1 .8 billion on the also moralized, saying tell me what happens in current account for third quarter ended ordinary prices. We did bringing out the profitit December 31, 2003 over the same period would make, but simultaneously the tax loss to previous fiscaL The earnings from software the government with its misdeeds. As the services, including BPO, was pegged at $3.47 developing world takes the moral high ground, billion in Q3 compared to $2.92 billion dollars in because we are no longer scared of markets and July-September 2003 quarter, RBI said. Receipts know our strengths in competitive games, the from travel sector more than doubled to $453 arguments on the other side resemble political million vis-a.-vis $223 million dollars in Q2. The kitsch. In India this argument has been going on break-up of various heads that make the forex for some time. reserves of the country reveals that foreign investment including portfolio investment and In 1996, in a published report, the World Bank FDI went up by $10.1 billion during released new estimates. " Accelerating a trend in April/December 2003 compared to rise of $3.1 the mid-1980s, the 1991 economy-wide reforms billion-during the same period last year. According to RBI, there have been significant virtually eliminated the anti-agricultural bias changes in the pattern of flows during the period implicit in the trade and foreign exchange April-December 2003. It said the current account regimes." These are the kind of concepts surplus increased to $3.2 billion during April­ Panitchpakadi has used. As Jagadish Bhagwati December 2003 from $2.9 billion during April­ has been arguing, the WTO does not do much December 2002. Similarly, there has been a sharp study itself and has to rely on the World Bank or rise in the net inflows through the capital OECD kind of organizations for its concepts. The account heads at $17.8 billion during April­ World Bank makes this point somewhat December 2003 as against $9.7 billion in April­ emphatically for India, which we repeat, since December 2002. (The forex reserves as of some commentators deny, this conclusion "The December end has passed the crucial $100 billion estimated mild protection of agrkultural earlier mark, rising by over $25 billion from the April studies which indicated much higher leyels of 2003 levels: IT, tourism drive India's BoP relative price discrimination", There is rio way surplus, DH-B, 2.04.04, U 00) that that issue of subsidy can be avoideq. most certainly not the large ones given by the ED at A stranger event took place on the road from '-' economic prices. Also India will have to Cancun to Geneva. Not commented upon in negotiate its own interests. The EU, the US, New India, it is still important, because the issues Zealand and other countries have been sharply have been the subject of much vexed debate in raising these issues in the discussions on India's this country. European Union Trade Trade Policy Review, and more is sure to come. Commissioner Pascal Lamy, one of the most The debate between Lamy and the, director powerful men in global trade negotiations, general of the WTO will have to be understood lambasted Supachai Panitchpakadi, none other in India. (From Cancun to Geneva, Yogrnder K. than the director general of the World trade AZagh, I.E-D, 7. 04. 04, UOO) Organization, for engaging in "dangerous I Indicating that he was engaged in a "strategic countries than developing countries. The G-20 dialogue" with key countries on trade issues, Mr. has made a submission at the WTO demanding Zoellick downplayed the idea that the U.S. was changes in the draft. The framework agreement trying to zero in on any particular "hold-out expected to be signed at the GC meeting next country". While "first step" had been taken to week will attempt to re-Iaunch the Doha climb back from Cancun, the task of clinching a negotiations which got deadlocked at the multilateral accord is something, by the nature Cancun meet. The group was formed just before the fifth WTO ministerial meet in Cancun, of the WTO that we all have to do together. The Mexico, last September to counter the EU-US Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) alliance in agriculture. (India to stick to G 20 forum in Bangkok took the first step. Alliance on Agri Issue At WTO Meet, Ami ti Sen, FE-B, 26.07.04, U30) The Singapore Trade and Industry Minister, George Yeo, said "it will be very good if we can The country's national parks and sanctuaries put the (Cancun) round back on track by the end will now become accessible to high-end foreign of the year". Mr. Zoellick said that his talks in tourists and Indian travellers. Keen to tap the Beijing showed that "the u.s.' and Chinese potential of structured wildlife tourism positions overlap quite welt actually, in terms of initiative, the Taj group has joined hands with their overall interests". He underlined that he Conservation Corporation Africa (CC Africa) was "really inclined to listen to others, each step and Cigen Corporation, a part of the Chaudhary along the way" in the climb-back from Cancun. group, to expand into yet another segment of the "What all of us (in the multilateral arena) have hospitality industry. All .the three players will recognized is the need to combine working in have an equal shareholding in the joint venture Geneva with working in the capitals". (Zoellick company. CC Africa is a leading eco tourism fo r stra tegic dialogue on global trade, company operating 38 high-end game lodges in P.S.Suryanarayana, m.B, 15.2.04, U 00) South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana. The Nepal-based U30 Gats/World Trade Organisation Chaudhary group has interests in food and beverages, financial services, infrastructure and India has decided to stick to the G-20 alliance of the hospitality sector. The Chaudhary group and developing countries to forward its interests in the Taj group are partners in Taj Asia Ltd, which agriculture at the General Council meeting of the is the vehicle through which the partners own, World Trade Organization (WTO) instead of operate, and plan to expand their hospitality making individual moves. Commerce and interests in the South Asian and Asia-Pacific Industry Minister Kamal Nath said that the G-20 markets. The project would have a strong had a lot of credibility and India was confident community focus wherein the local population that its interests would be fully taken care of by would be given employment and roped into the alliance. "The G-20 representations anti-poaching activities. (Taj groupiforays into harmonize the diverse interests of its members. wildlife tourism, BL.B, 5.08.04, U 30'/ That is whv it has so much credibility." The G-20 alliance co�prises 20 developing co�ntriesfrom India has criticized the draft framework for across the globe including India, Brazil, China, negotiations circulated by the World Trade Egypt and Argentina. The group was formed Organisation (WTO) on the grounds that it did just before the fifth WTO ministerial meet in not provide the required balance, fairness or Cancun, Mexico, last September to counter the equity between the provisions for the developed countries and those of developing countries in EU-US alliance in agriculture. The alliance has the area of agricul ture. In a statement issued the taken a strong exception to the first draft of the commerce ministrv said that mucllwork needed framework agreement brought out by the WTO to be done to mak� the draft accep\able to India. last week on the grounds that it was more The framework for negotiations is dxpected to be representative of the interests of developed I finalized when the General Coun:dlof WTO - meets on July 27. The statement pointed out that India aims to almost double its annual bilateral there was a greater level of specificity on matters trade with Germany to $10 billion by the next of interest to the developed countries and a fiscal, Union Commerce & Industry Minister greater level of generality in respect of the Kamal Nath said while addressing the Indo­ special and differential treatment (S&DT) German Chamber of Commerce and he stressed components of the developing countries. "\Vhat the need to tap latent potential in the small and is disappointing is WTO WATCH the lack of medium enterprises of the two countries to boost appreciation of developing countries bilateral trade, currently valued at $5.5 billion. sensitivities in agriculture especially where the India currently exports merchandise worth $2.5 rural population is dependent on agriculture for billion to Germany, while imports stand at $3 their food and livelihood security;" the billion a year. If this is combined with German statement said. investment, I see tremendous scope for cooperation in infrastructure, roads, ports and India warned that these issues have to be energy. It provides a win-win situation. The very suitably addressed in the next few days during investment increases trade and the result of that the negotiations if there is to be a consensus on investment also increases trade. Germany had the agricultureframework "We shall be working emerged the sixth largest foreign investor for with the G-20 on agriculture and jointly put India with annual approvals worth $2.5 billion forward our concerns in the discussions at and actual inflow of investments of over $1 Geneva," the statement added. In other areas of billion, he observed noting that in terms of NAMA (Non Agricultural Market Access), foreign collaborations approved in India, Singapore issues, implementation issues and Germany was second only to the US. (India special and differential treatment (S&D), India is plans to enhance trade with Germany: With ready to work with other members of WTO in annual approvals worth over $2.5 billion, Germany has emerged as sixth la rgest foreign order to arrive at a consensus. The draft investorfo r India, DH.B, 30.9.04, U30) framework is a first text and underlines the explicit recognition that this would be only a U 40 International Aid (Bilateral) basis for further negotiations in view of the fact The World Bank is supporting the Bangalore that serious divergences in positions of the WTO Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) ;" member countries have emerged as reflected in with an Rs 100 crore loan for a project that would ...... the current status of the negotiations. provide Cauvery waters to seven city municipal Negotiations on the draft started in Geneva councils (CMC) and one town municipal council 't:: (WTO headquarters) on Monday and an (TMC) around Bangalorecity. Thi9 assistance to � amended version of the draft, which will be the water project is part of the Bank's rec�ntly 't:: produced after incorporating the responses sanctioned $39.5 million loan to the Iridian of WTO members, will be considered by the government and comes with a twenty?year , General Council of the WTO next week. maturity period and a five-year grace period. � The project is expected to provide 100 mId � The WTO General Council put forward on July (million liters per day) of water to 1.5 million 16 a draft framework for negotiations in the people. Under the project, around 15 lakh '- WTO in various sectors for the consideration of connections would be provided to residents of � members with a view to making progress on the CMCs and the . TMC. This water project is ( Doha work programme, which was stalled after expected to cost a total of RS 698 crore (with Rs § the Cancun ministerial meeting in September 355 crore for water connections and Rs 343 crore 2003 ended inconclusively. (India Denounces for sewerage). Rs 78 crore would com� fr9m the vVTO Draft For Nego tiations, FE�B, 20.09.04, U state government whileRs 120 crore would from 30) CMCsand TMC.

I � The Karnataka Urban Infrastructure and another $200 from the European Commission. Development Finance Corporation would Ranjit Bannerji,joint secretary in the Ministry of extend Rs. 45 crore towards the water supply Finance, and Michael Carter, country director of project. World Bank's support includes technical the development World Bank, signed the assistance for Karnataka government's sector agreement. ($ 500 M World Bank loan for reform agenda and preparation of follow on elementaryeduca tion, FE.B, 4.6.04, U 41) investment projects as well as physical investments in the three urban local bodies to With a kitty of about $3 billion assistance for Improve' bulk water supplies. India over the 2005-08 period, the World Bank has sharpened its focus on helping to improve Incidentally, the World Bank has also exte�ded the quality of life for some of the world's poorest a. 5152 million loan to sponsor the second citizens and help India move closer to achieving Karnataka rural water supply and sanitation, the Millennium Development Goals. project to increase rural communities' access to Drawing on the Prime Minister, Manrnohan sustainable drinking water and sanitation Singh's address to the nation, the World Bank services. The other World Bank supported Vice-Presidentfor the South Asian region, Praful projects in Karnataka include: 5360 million loan Patel, told media here today that the Bank fully to support Karnataka State Highways agreed with Dr. Singh's contention that equity Improvement Project, aimed at upgrading the and efficiency were not contradictory, that state's highway network; 5100 million credit for reforms meant both freeing private enterprise the Karnataka Watershed Development Proj ect and improving government effectiveness and (aimed at improving the productive potential of that social objectives and fiscal discipline were selected watersheds) and the Karnataka tanks' actually complementary. This finds reflection in community management project with a loan of the new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for $99 million. According to the Bank's website, India, which emphasizes on improving World Bank's baking in the water project would Government effectiveness, investing in people enhance the efficiency, management, and and empowering communities and promoting delivery of water supply and sanitation to private sector-led growth. "All of these reflect Karnataka's urban residents. (World Bank India's own priorities and development goals," Support for Banga lore Water Supply, FE.B, he said. We will use these inputs to refine the 3.05.04, U 40) draft, which would then be finalized and discussed by the Bank's board of director5. U 41 WorldBank (World Bank sharpensat tel1tion on poor, TH.B, The World Bank has agreed to provide a $500- 26.6.04, U 41) , million credit line to India for its $3-5 billion The World Bank has increased its funding universal elementary education programme. commitment to India by $1 billion tQ.s2.5billion Called the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, the ' for 2004-05 from the pr�vious year's $1.5 billion. programme aims to achieve universal enrolment The bank has short listed Maharashtra,Madhva and completion of elementary education - for Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Assam fo r children between six and 14 years of age by 2010. funding various projects ininfrast tucture power It also aims to reduce by at least nine million by and road, agriculture and rural lievelopment, June 2007 the huge number of children who dro p health and water supply. World Bank India ou t of school, narrow the existing gender and director Michael Carter told that as per the social gaps, and enhanc6 the quality of education World Bank's calendar year ended on June 30, its for all students. The government is also commitment to various stal'ies for the expecting a $300-million grant from Britain's implementation of projects from physical and Department for InternationalDevelop ment, and I social infrastructure stood at $1.5 billion. ·· c':__r ' ··· ..t,.

another $200 from the European Commission. "For the calendar year July 1, 2004-June 30, 2005 Ranjit Bannerji, joint secretary in the Ministry of the bank's commitment will be close to $2.5 Finance, and Michael Carter, country director of billion for India. He also said that the World the development World Bank, signed the Bank would finance agricultural project in agreement. ($ 500 M World Bank loan fo r Assam, which aimed at increasing prod uctivity; elementary education, FE.B,4.6.04, U 41) similar project is being considered in Uttar Pradesh. He informed that National With a kitty of about $3 billion assistance for Agricultural Technology project was also being India over the 2005-08 period, the World Bank implemented across India and the bank would has sharpened its focus on helping to improve also provide assistance in the field of irrigation the quality of life for some of the world's poorest sector. citizens and help India move closer to achieving

the Millennium Development Goals. Mr. Carter hailed the United Progressive Drawing on the Prime Minister, Manmohan Alliance (UP A) government's Common Singh's address to the nation, the World Bank Minimum Programme (CMP), which focuses on , Vice-President for the Sou th Asian region, Praful I rural and agricultural development besides its Patel, told media here today that the Bank fully resolve to continue the economic reforms with I agreed with Dr. Singh's contention that equity human face. "Overall the bank's assistance to i and efficiency were not contradictory, that rural development is focused on attacking reforms meant both freeing private enterprise poverty and increasing access to natural and improving government effectiveness and resources in an environmentally sound manner. that social objectives and fiscal discipline were This can only be achieved by engaging actually complementary. This finds reflection in communities and the rural poor in the process, the new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for sharing knowledge, and conveying best India, which emphasizes on improving practices at local level. According to the World Government effectiveness, investing in people Bank's CAS for India for 2004-08, major fiscal and empowering communities and promoting reforms at needed to reduce central state fiscal private sector-led growth. "All of these reflect deficits, to reorient public spending towards India's own priorities and development goals," public investment and non-wage operations and he said. We will use these inputs to refine the maintenance to improve the quality and draft, which would then be finalized and efficiency of government spending, and to discussed by the Bank's board of directors. increase revenue mobilization simplifying tax (World Bank sharpensat tention on poor, TH. B, structure, eliminating exemption, b'ring services 26.6.04, U 41) into the tax net and implementing a \lalue

The World Bank has increased its funding Added Tax. (World Bank Hikes India Funtling, commitment to India by $1 billion to $2.5 billion Sanjay Jog,FE.B, 8.7.04, U 41). .'. for 2004-05 from the previousyear's $1 .5 billion. India among the top 5 The bank has short listedMaharashtra, Madhya First, the good news ranks reformers in the world for the year 2003. Now Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Assam for India ranks 120t.'-l on ease of doing funding various projects in infrastructure power the bad out of a total of 145 countries su{Veyed and road, agriculture and rural development, business AnalysiS and Policy Unit. health and water supply. World Bank India by the Monitoring (MAPU) of World Bank Group. The 'Doing director Michael Carter told that as per tJ:>, e � Business in 2005' reportreleased on September 8 World Bank's calendar year ended on June 30, its in Washington ranks China as.th�42n d commitment to various st ates for the morning attractive destination for business. The implementation of projects from physical and most report analyses the laws and regulations that social infrastructure stood at $1.5 billion. I �.•.

enhance or constrain business investment, In addition to improved level of access to productivity and growth. The survey focuses on education and health facilities and increased seven areas (the last two added this year): investments in other infrastructure, the project starting a business; hiring and firing workers; will also bring opportunities and incentives for enforcing a contract; getting credit; closing farmers to produce higher yields and diversify business; registering property and protecting their crops. Substantial employment will be investors. India is the worst performer among generated in both new construction and South Asian countries- Bangladesh, Bhutan, maintenance of roads. This project is consistent Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - when it comes to with the country strategy for India 'accelerating time taken to start a business (89 days) and time rural growth as a major engine for poverty and cost of registering property. India is second worst in dealing with insolvency and in reduction. (Rural roads get $ 400-m boostfrom enforcing contracts. World Bank, ET.B, 25.9.04, U 41).

It takes 10 years to recover 12.5 cents to a $ in case The World Bank has finally announced its mid­ of a bankruptcy in India against 5 years and 25.8 course correction in its funding policy on India. cents for Nepal, 4 years and 23.2 cents in Inshort, the World Bank has decided to shift its Bangladesh, 2.8 years and 38.1 cents in Pakistan focus from the reform-friendly states like and 2.2 years and 33.1 cents in Sri Lanka. On a Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and decided to more general level, the three key findings of the work with poverty-ridden Bihar, Jharkhand and report are: businesses in poor countries face Orissa, Moreover, it has plans to continue its larger regulatory burdens than rich countries, focus on Uttar Pradesh. The proposed strategy payoffs from reform appear to be large, and was formulated after intense discussions with heavy regulation and weak property rights deter the governmentand ministries. It had also taken women and young people from doing business. into account the suggestions made by different The 'Doing Business' report does not emphasize segments including media and private sector deregulation, it argues for regulatory through a phased cons ultation process, simplification. "Good regulation does not mean according to a World Bank statement. zero regulation," it says. The report indicates it takes a business in a rich nation an average of 6 The new strategicfocus of the Bank includes procedures, 8 per cent of per capita income and • 27 days to get started. On the other hand, in The Bank will ensure that all the 'largest South Asia the averages are 9 procedures, 45 and poorest' states are engaged in a percent of per capita income and 47 days. (Ease dialogu e on cross-clltting reforms; Of Doing Business In India Still A Mirage: • It plans to build productive.development World Bank Report, FE.B, 9.9.04, U 41) relationship with four st�tes - Bihar,

Jharkhand, Orissa and Uttar,"'"" Pradesh - The World Bank has approved a $400-million where poverty is increasingly package of assistance for the development of concentrated; rural roads in India. The main objective of this • It will continue its support for achieving project is to provide increased access to markets the objectives of Millennium and social services by the rural pQPulation. The Development Goals : (MDGs) by loan will support the Pradhan Mantri Gram providing state-level adjustment lending; Sadak Yojana (pMGSY) - aimed at providing • The Bank plans to channel its lending to road infrastructure to rural areas. This is the first assistance from the bank for the national states on the basis of guidelines set out for programme on rural roads and further support the sector-specific conditions, which is expected. necessitated due to p evious experiences. I ; The Bank's board of executive directors of ensuring an adequacy of international extensively discussed the Country Strategy for liquidity. However, this is precisely what the 2005-08 for India before releasing it for public. U.S. is now obliging the IMF to do. Developing The Bank's strategic approach is to help the countries have been less than enthusiastic about country to achieve its development goals and the new tasks handed over to the IMF but, as in indicates the level of assistance that would be other matters, their reservations have been over­ provided. (World Bank Makes Mid-course ruled. (Status quo at the IMF and World Bank, correction In Fundingpolicy, FEB, 28.9.04, U 41) TH.B, 28.4.04, U 42/41) U 42 International Monitoring Fund (IMF) Sounding a note of caution for India's policy This year marks the 60th anniversary of the planners, a study by International Monetary founding of the International Monetary Fund Fund has advised against hasty privatization and the World Bank. While this is as good an and liberalization saying a 7 per cent economic occasion as any for a rethink on how the two growth could still be achieved while avoiding institutions have been functioning, there was no the mistakes of Latin America. Hastily evidence of such a review at their annual Spring embarking on an overly ambitious agenda of Meetings in Washington. If anything the signs economic liberalization and privatization were of the Bretton Woods institutions should be avoided if India wishes to achieve continuing to function on the direction of th e seven per cent growth rate. The paper said that Group of Seven advanced economies and not the kneejerk reaction of many economists to move as 184 countries that are the shareholders. Once quickly and broadly as possible in areas such as more, the search for a new Managing Director of privatization, especially in infrastructure the IMF has been taking place not in an open and sectors, labour market reform and capital­ transparent manner but according to a tradition account liberalization has to be tempered with decided upon by the Cnited States and west serious empirical analysis and an appropriate Europe: the chief of the World Bank would be concern for social an distributional impacts. from the former and of the IMF from the latter. However, it pointed out that reforms in India The numerous calls from the governments of had grown out of the stage from being crisis­ developing countries, academics and driven to success driven, which makes it more independent experts to make the selection likely that they will be sustained and not subject process more transparent have fallen on deaf to major reversals. Economic growth is best ears, the IMF preaches good governance, sustained by keeping the private.!3ector excited transparency, and inclusivene s to the � about investincr{) in the local economy. (L"IF developing countries but is not following the Study Cautions India Against Hasty Ref.onns, same standards in the selection of its chief. FEB, 31.7.04. U 42)· ,. Indeed, the U concern with terrorism has thrust yet another responsibility on the IMF. The U 43 Asian Development Bank (ADB) organization has been looking to augment lend "Tax the rural rich to help the rural poor" This is able resources and has had to close one lending Asian Development Bank's mantra for the facility, yet a decision has been taken to entrust it crovernmentto increase tax collection and widen with the job of tracking money laundering and fhe tax net. 4\DB also suggested that F,in Min to tackle the the financing of terrorism. Both challenges are should focus on debt restructuring According. Dr no doubt important but this is a job more for the ballooning fiscal deficit. to chief economist for U.N. than fo r L1 e IMF. A frequent criticism the Sudipto Mundie, ADB's director, "TheJ.eis no U.s. makes of the IMF is that the organization India and deputy country and moneyed farmers has diluted its mandate by taking on reason why the rich paying tax while small responsibilities far beyond its original charter should be exempted from I traders are required to pay them." Meanwhile, approved. ADB will be offering the loan as ADB pointed out that the direct and indirect tax financial assistance to overcome capacity policy structures have already been simplified bottlenecks, improve operational efficiency and and rationalized with the aim of widening the support implementation of reforms to improve tax base and promoting voluntary compliance. commercial orientation. Delineating social and The ADB has d to India in the pegged its total ai commercial objectives and identification of next four years at $8 billion. (Tax Rural Rich public service obligations, tariff rationalization, ADB, Mahua Venkatesh, FE.B, 2. 7-04, U 43)6 rightsizing staff strength, restructuring production units, re-engineering internal Asian Development Bank (ADB) assistance to the Railways will be coming in three phases. In business processes and customer interface and the first two phases, the quantum of assistance strengthening investment planning were the would be $600 million out of which a loan other areas of reforms. (ADB offers aid to amount of $ 313.6 million, which has been upgrade railways, FE.B, 10.8.04, U 43)

X CULTURE AND SOCIETY X 11 SociaJfPoIitical System The prospect of panchayats getting funds The World Bank, in its report - India: Fiscal directly from the Centre is making states sit and Decentralization to Rural Government - has said pay heed to fixing the lacunae in their that the Panchayats should adopt 'hire and fire' Panchayati Raj systems, efforts are on to policy to enable the local administration to deal complete their activity mapping fixing definite with resource crunch so as to control their roles and responsibilities within the system. At a round table held in Mysore the second on budgets better. "Local governments should have decentralization the ministers and secretaries for power to hire, fire and determine the rural development and Panchayati Raj from 23 compensation level for their employees," the states, besides union Panchayati Raj Minister, report said, adding that without this power, the Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar, states agreed to gram panchayats cannot control their budgets consider allowing Panchayats to lease common and handle the serious resource crunch. land to private parties to set up rural business hubs. (Panchayats May be Allowed to Lease The bank pointed out that though gram Land to Pvt. Parties, Chitra Phadnis, FE.B, panchayats had the constitutional mandate to 6.09.04, XII) perform the role of local self-governments,"t hey do not have enough discretionary resources to The 73rd Amendment to thfiConstitu tion in 1992 do so in a meaningful way". The bank has also mandated a three- tier structure of panchayats suggested that states should "avoid" devolving from the village to district in the w�ole country. responsibilities to panchayats for scheme Article 243G therein expects '. that state panchayats laws will endow pancbayats with designed completely by a higher-level powers and authority to function as institutions government. However, it has asked the states of self- government. This Article further says and higher level of governmentsto 'refrain' from that such law provides for devolutions of unnecessary intervention in the gram powers and responsibilities, first, for panchayats matters except to monitor their preparation of plans for economiC develop pent performance in shared schemes the report and social justice and, 'second, for further states that the gram panchayats should implementation, of schemes ,for economic be allowed to spend public resources according development and social justice . that may be to their priorities. ( (World Bank for Hire & Fire entrusted to them. Schedule XI gives an Power to Local Govts, FE.B, 23.06.04, X1 1) illustrative list of 29 matters for stich devolution. I - r

. , . ,

These exhortations would have produced quick for basic social services and local infrastructure results if the central and state governmentswere be transferred to panchayats, untied to any keen to have panchayats deliver services to the schemes. (Downsize Ministries Dealing with local population, except where, because of the panchayats, Panchayat functionaries are still nature and size of work, it has to be done at a vulnerable to the arbitrariness of officials higher level. But if we remind ourselves of the scrutinizing their functioning; Nirmala Buch, background to this Constitutional Amendment, FE. B, 22.09. 04, Xll) we should not to be surprised at their reluctance X 12 Tribes and Development to make panchayats strong, autonomous and The Supreme Court put brakes on the Centre's self-governing. Autonomy to plan and orders regularizing encroachments in forests implement needs resources and authority. and giving land rights to tribals. If implemented, Immediately after the constitutional the orders issued by the Ministry of amendment, the Centre introduced the MPs' Environment and Forests, aimed Fund of Rs. 1 crore each (now Rs. 2 crare) , States at wooing the tribals, would threaten the forest have similar discretionary fund schemes for cover in over two-Iakh hectares land. (Sc spoils their ministers and MLAs and sometimes even centre's plan to woo triba ls with forestland, for mem bers of other electedbodies. These funds IE.D, 24.02.04, X12) are no longer available for planning by panchayats or by any other planning bodies. The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has clarified that it has yet to finalize the national The panchayats receive two types of funds at policy on tribals and what has been put out on present. First, the funds recommended by the the website was only a draft to elicit the Eleventh Finance Commission, released to them suggestions and vfews of NCOs and others on the basis of their population. The state finance working in the field of tribal welfare. A commissions recommended grants, as accepted spokesperson said the Ministry was open to any by the state governments concerned,which may constructive suggestion for modifications and in appear as large funds when seen as a total sum, this regard had proposed to hold four regional but not too large with the number of gram level seminars. The Mi..'1istry, was highly panchayats (CPs) and the population of their sensitive to the problems of tribals and had taken rural areas. Some of the states and district up their cause with other Ministries. Steps had administrations also find ways of earmarking been taken with regard to the development of these funds for priorities decided by them. The forest villages and conferring ownership of land Constitution's clear mandate for efficient, and minor forest produce to tribals. (Policy on transparent, responsible, accountable to local tribals not yet finalized: mihistry, DH.B, overnmentrequires that central and state funds 28.09.04, X1 2)

Tourism and tribal rights , Tourism has fetched some benefitsto tribal areas, but its overall impact has been negative In Barra Panchayat of Visakhapatnam district, are among the worlds largest. Dating back to the Paleolithic Age, the caves, spread over two square kilometers, have been sacred to the tribal people of the region ever since a shepherd chanced upon a stalagmite in the shape of a Siva 'linga' deep inside the caves several years ago. Now, with the Andhra Pradesh government promoting tourism in the area, the caves themselves have become a major livelihood issue for the tribal people.

In 2002, the government, in order to "beautifyand maintain" the caves, cemented the floor, lit up the interiors with 74 halogen lamps that bum throughout the day, and stopped giving the\ tribal people their share of the fee collections as it wished to "get back the money invested" , I The entrance fee was raised to Rs.25, and a fee of Rs.IO was collected from tourist using a still camera and Rs. LOO for a video camera. The caves were also "rented out" for film shooting at Rs. I 0,000 a day. Twenty tribal people were "appointed" as guides on a contract, which expires this year, by the

At the entrance to the Borra caves. Tourism Department on a monthly salary of Rs.3, 000, that is, at the rate of Rs. lOO a day. As per the contract, the guides have to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and even a day's absence would entail a Rs. lOO cut from the salary. The tribal people had no choice bu t to accept this offer although it meant a su bstantial drop in their income.

According to Ravi Rebbapragada, executive director of the non-governmental organization Samata, the Tourism Department gets Rs.25 lakhs annually from entry fees. Had it continued the earlier arrangement of giving the guides 25 per cent of the entrance fee collected, they would have got an annual income of Rs.6.25Iakhs. Also, they would have been stakeholders and would not have felt alienated from the development of the area.

According to guide J. Pandu, during peak season (April to December) over tOOO tourists visit the cave every day and some 150 during the lean season January to March). Between mid-November and mid-December, during the Karthigaj festival season, the numbers touch 2,000 a day. According to guide RB. Ramachander, on some day's during the peak season the collection touches Rs. 1 lakh. Says guide P. Anand: "We have made representations to the Tourism Department about giving us a share in the earnings. Our Panchayat has decided to launch a struggle if they do not relent by the year-end, when our contract ends." Says Indore: "Nothing works without a struggle."

The income from tourism seems particularly important to the tribal people, as there income from farming has fallen owing to intense film shooting in the area. According to K Venkat Rao, secretary of Tribal Education Rural Development Society (Terd), one of the 10 community based organizations under Samata, several popular films in Telugu and Tamil were shot in these locales. So much so that film shooting itself has become a major tourist attraction. In fact, the government did not want to dismantle the sets of the popular films hoping to attract tourists. The Tourism Department wanted to convert a 'botanical garden' on 250 acres into a pe�manent structure bu t representations and dharma forced it to give up the idea. ;

According to T. Hari of Panasaputtu village, film shooting 'has spoilt our land". In order to put up massive structures the topsoil, is heavily disturbed. This prevents seepage of water -and affects the water level. Disturbance of the topsoil leads to a substantial full in productivity. According to G. Neelakandan of the village, this is a typical case where the local people are not only alienated from development but are a victim of it. The tribal people are alienated from land directly as well, with the governmentrefusing them land pattas.

Tourism has fetched some benefi ts to tribal areas, but its over all impacts has been�negath'e, Frontline, Asha Krishnakumar, 24.9.04, K 12 _I > T! To describe India as a country of amazing who would derogatorily look down on some of !• contrasts has become a bit of a cliche. Yet, the these countries should think twice, since the � same nation that is admired for its diversity, human development track record of all these plurality, tolerance and adherence to the highest nations is superior to that of ours. norms of democracy is also a land of extreme poverty, deprivation and inequality, not to Pace of human development mention oppressive social structures. The latest At the same time, one is not for a moment Human Development Report (HDR) of the arguing that there has been no progress made in United Nations Development Programme India. It could be contended that the pace of released on July 15 is a case in pOint. The HDR progress has not been fast enough and few has praised many aspects of Indian culture - the would disagree with the view that much theme of the report is "cultural liberty in today's remains to be done to accelerate the pace of diverse world" - while simultaneously painting human development in the country. a pretty pathetic picture of the economic state of the nation. During the decade of the 1990s, the percentage of the Indian population that had "sustainable The bad news first access to improved sanitation" improved Since the HDR is 285 pages long, roughly half of significantly from 16 per cent in 1990 to 28 which comprises detailed tables and charts, one percent in 2000, while the proportion of people would necessarily have to be selective about the with sustainable access to an improved water information chosen to highlight the contrasts source went up from 68 per cent to 84 per cent, and contradictions that are evident in Indian according to the HDR. The country's adult society. Let us start with the bad news first. Over literacy rate rose from just under half in 1990, the last two reports, India's ranking among 177 that is, 49.3 per cent to 61.3 per cent in 2002. Life countries in terms of its Human Development expectancy at birth has gone up from 50.3 in the Index (HDI) has remained unchanged at 127. first half of the 1970s to around 64 per cent at Thecriteria used to devise the index include life present. The percentage of people in the country expectancy at birth, adult literacy, school who were undernourished came down from enrolment and per capita gross domestic roughly 25 per cent in the early-1990s to 21 per product. Even among 95 developing countries, cent towards the end of the decade. However, India is ranked 48 in terms of its human and the magnitude of the problem becomes evident income poverty index. when one considers the proportion of children below the age of five who are underweight; this A glance at a few randomly-chosen countries figure is close to half, to be precise 47 per cent.

(with their HDI ranks) that have a superior I human development ranking in comparison As far as the population below the povertY-line is with India should serve as an eyeopener Chile concerned, betWeen 1990 and 2002, ovet- one­ (43), Uruguay (46), Cuba (52), Mexico (53), third or nearly per cent of Indians subsisted Russia (57), Libya (58), Tonga (63), Albania (65), on less than one dollar a day while almost 80 per Brazil (72), Columbia (73), Thailand (76), cent lived with income of less than $2 per day. Lebanon (80), Peru (85), Turkmenistan (86), Turkey (88), Tunisia (92), China (94), Sri Lanka If one looks at statistics of inequality, in 1999- (96), Ecuador (100), Iran (101), Occupied 2000, the share of the richest one-tenth of the Palestinian Territories (102), Algeria (108), country's population in total consumption was Indonesia (111), Vietnam (112); Mongolia (117), 27.4 per cent while the comparable proportion Nicaragua (118), South Africa (119), Egypt (120), for the poorest 10 per cent of the popuiatlon was Morocco (125) and Namibia (126). Many Indians under 4 per cent Praise in a different context. I Yet, the UNDP's HDR for 2004 has, in a different that India's performance "is particularly context, lavished praise on India. The country impressive when compared with that of other "has managed its diverse cultures with longstanding and wealthier democracies" pluralistic policies and 15 official languages - and made remarkable progress in economic The report also mentions that India and Canada growth and in health and education," the report are two countries which have demonstrated that states while debunking the myth that cultural a proportional representation system in the diversity is an obstacle to development. The polity "does not guarantee successful second page of the main report contains tl;ie accommodation, and a winner-takes-all system following sentence : "Sectarian violence killed can sometimes be compatible with multinational thousands of Muslims and drove thousands and multilingual federations". more from their homes in Cujarat and elsewhere in India, a champion of cultural Both countries use other measures including accommodation". affirmative action programme that include reservation of government jobs for those Despite its long secular tradition, the country belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled has experienced considerable communal Tribes and other backward classes - to ensure violence with rising intensive the report points political representation to various groups. that more than one-third (36.2 per cent) of the casualties due to communal violence since 1954 What has been emphasized is the fact that India took place between 1990 and 2002. \\-'hile has one of the longest histories of any country in pointing out that India has been very cohesive implementing affirmative action policies. despite its diversity, the report observes that Reservations currently cover nearly two-thirds "modem India is facing a grave challenge to its of the India population. The OBCs, the largest constitutional commitment to multiple and and most heterogeneous group, have been able complementary identities with the rise of groups to greatly increase their representation in that seek to impose a singular Hindu identity on legislatures , "through normal processes of the country". competitive politics". The report explains how reservations have changed the nature and It states that these "threats undermine the sense composition of the Indian middle-class. of inclusion and violate the rights of minorities in India today" and adds that recent communal A new political class violence "raises serious concerns for the The beneficiaries of reservation currentlv � ' � prospects for social harmony" that would comprise a "new political class" that has th Congress party's 'er. There is � "undermine the country's earlier achievements". monopoly on p0't also an entire box in the HDR that deals with the � ongoing debate over a Cniform yil Code. It The HDR immediately hastens to point out that q � mentions that the "arguments for women's � these "achievements have been considerable". rights and principles of equality get entangled The design of the Indian Constitution with concerns for minority rights and cultural "recognized and responded to distinct group recognition", (Human Development Report- The claims and enabled the polity to hold together Good news and bad news, Pfl;ranjoy Guha , despite enormous regional, linguistic and Th akurta, BL.B, 27.07.041 X2 2) cultural diversity". The challenge lies in

X22a Right to Information • "reinvigorating" the cotL'1try's "commitment to People are 10si.:1g confidence in obtaining practices of pluralism, institu tional information under the St.at�s Ri3ht to accommodation and conflict resolution through Information Act because of gaping holes in the I democratic means", the report says. It points out law. - " \ r The Lok Ayukta's office has repeatedly which is due to her. (Women's status in Goa requested the state to amend the law so that looks down, GT.G, 2 7.02,04, X31) heads of government departments take timely decision on citizens' complaints against officials X 34 Women and Development who fail to furnish or divulge correct In December 1992, when Parliament passed the information. However, the Act does not provide 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution, for any penalty or action against them if they fail making the panchayats and municipalities to do so. This loophole has allowed the heads of "institutions of self government" and reserving departments to sit endlessly, on these not less than one-third seats for women in these complaints without deciding the appeals within bodies, it was hailed as the beginning of a silent the stipulated 60 days. "Citizens should not get revolution. In 1994, all Indian states passed the the impression that the government is only Conformity Act reshaping their Panchayati Raj paying; lip-service to accountability and (PR) system according to the new amendments. transparency." Under the Act, if the public Today, out of 3,200,000 members elected every information officer of a department does not five years to panchayats and municipalities, more than 1 million are women. Women head furnish details sought by a citizen on time, the one-third of all local bodies. complainant can file an appeal before the appellate authority. The second level of appeal is Of course, there are aspects of PR that we can be thenthe Lok Ayukta's office under the Act. So, legitimately proud of. The last 10 years have seen when the appellate authority fails to decide the a steady inclusion of marginalized sections in case on time, complainants then me their the decision making process from the village to appeals before the final deciding authority, the district level. About 3 million women are which happens to be the Lok -A yukta. (Right to now contesting the elections to panchayats and infonnation Act has loopholes, says Lok municipalities; no mean achievement in a Ayukta, TOI.M, 2S.03.04, X22a) hierarchical and male-dominated society. The myth that only the kith and kin of known leaders X 31 Status of Women (General) or those connected to them in some way will The status of women in Goa is not all that rosy as enter the local bodies has also been proved painted by government machinery. Goan wrong. The common complaint - it is the men women though capable and talented lack folk in the families who control the elected "- opportunities by and large to unleash their women members may be partly true; bu t studies " ',..;. potential. While work conditions for women are show that the situation is rapidly changing. The '.i unfriendly, crimes against them have increased. number of women getting elected �rom general \:.: On the other hand, government pays a lip constituencies (defeating men) is also service to recommendationsmade by Goa State increasing. For instance, in Karnataka, 4j, per � Women's Commission and other NGOs in L"l e cent of those elected to local government� are <.- � interest of women. "If we really want to women. empower women, give them economic � The challenge facing India today is: Can it turn empowerment and freedom from ignorance and ry: the present phase of women becoming victims of knowledge for decision making. Women oppressive structures into one of gender equity '- generally suffer from lack of financial and create a public life of dignity for all? It is empowerment." Highlighting the importance of encouraging that enlightened citizens, NGOs woman in shaping the mindset and attitude of and the media are taking the initiative t9 meet � the younger generation, it is a paradox that on this challenge with some measure of success. one hand the women is worshipped like a (Woman power- Silent Revolution in Lpcql Self goddess in a temple, on the other hand the Government, George Mathew, TOI.B, 29.04.04, society refrainsfrom bestowing the grea tness X34)

I ...... Z MISCELLANEOUS

ZIO NGOS It is best for NGOs devoted to raising the quality Such of those non-government organizations of public life to decline the membership of (NGOs) as are working for clean politics and bodies functioning under the aegis of good governance need to exercise vigilance in governmentor political parties, so as to ward off order to preserve their independence and extraneous influences on their work. Once an faithfulness to the causes they espouse. NGO fighting for, say, electoral reforms, eradication of corruption, and accountability The caution is not as self-evident and simple as it and rectitude of elected representatives, public seems. For the more effective and focussed a reformist NGO is, the more is it likely to ruffle servants and corporate executives, is itself lured entrenched vested interests that are affected or into becoming "embedded" in the power exposed by its activities. They may beanti-social 'structure, it loses all its credibility. (Look at the mischief-makers, corporate bosses, and political fall from grace of the US media once it allowed highfliers, ruling establishments or any coterie its correspondents to get "embedded" in military or cabal with axes to grind. It is important for formations in Iraq. Apart from these traps, the be those running public-spirited NGOs to domestic and foreign funding organizations conscious of these risks and be on guard against themselves may seek to use the NGOs .as cats' overt or covert attempts at softening them, by paws to promote their own agendas by directly exploiting common human weaknesses. One or deviously prescribing particular priorities, such weakness is the desire to be one up on approaches or courses of action. If it is others. Another is the craving for invitations to participate in national or international seminars remembered that some 21,000 NGOs have been with all expenses paid. The third is to covet permitted to receive foreign contributions official recognition by being made part of some amounting to an equivalent of more than Rs 5000 commission, committee, council or delegation. crore, the nature of the care and watchfulness The fourth is to hanker after awards and honors required becomes obvious. Is it not time for a conferred by governments, and national and code of conduct for NGOs to be drawn up and international organizations. adopted? (Code for NGOs, BL.B, 16.7.04, Z 10)

•

I ANNEXURE T

Annexure 1: Critique of EQUATIONS on Draft National Environment Policy 2004

Foreword We were one of the first signatories to the The initiative of the Ministry of Environment & Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Forests to come out with the National 1992 and ratified it in 1994. The outcome has Environment Policy [NEP] is commendable. The been the formulation of the National concluding section [5.7: Review of the Policy] Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP), has made a provision for continuously evolving which the NEP has not taken into account, and the NEP to address both national and found not even worth mentioning. Similarly it is international developments and corresponding disconnected from international environmental environmental issues. This provides a space in covenants like the Commission on Sustainable future for all stakeholders to contribute to the Development l(CSD), UN's Agenda 21 and Man evolution process. & Biosphere Program. Enormous efforts and The premise of environment is overarching and inputs from national and international civil it has cross linkages with many other areas society groups and agencies have been beyond industry/ commerce and local neglected. However, it is noteworthy that the communities issues. Therefore, an environment Ramsar Convention on wetlands has been at policy is comprehensive when it takes into least mentioned elsewhere. account existing policies on other directly related or indirectly related areas. This would be The NEP looks at inward linkages from other applicable to policies both at national & environmental management policies as stated in international levels. The NEP is very inward sec1 para 2. Although it mentions integration of looking and watertight. environmental concerns in economic and social development [3.iv & 4.:-

Discussions on tourism development in a 3. Objectives country like India are to be seen in the context of Environmental governance: how is this going to what attracts tourism. The rich natural heritage be achieved is not clear in the Policy. The main and biodiversity hotspots spread out along components of governance are its various coasts, backwaters, forests and mountain stakeholders. The nuances of understanding " regions are major attractions on which tourism stakeholders is absent and all have been

" industry banks. Protected Areas (PAs), which categorized as public aaencies,o local � hitherto had seen limited tourist activities, are communities, investors and voluntary � targets of intensive tourism development. The organizations. ' 'N industry vouches its ability to boost the 4. Principles ; '" economic potential of these natural resources, , Under sub-section ii. Right to Development, the ,which were otherwise what the industry and decision for agreeina to 0'0 in for d�elopmental � tourism proponents describe as 'idle' resources o c activities needs to be elaborated upon. 8" and the economic potential had remained untapped. With whom does this decision rest is a crucial '- At the same time, these are areas where rural question not answered by the NEP. Many times populations survive on the life supporting tourism plans are created at the state level or resources. While discussing tourism central level and imposed on local communit:es. development, the conflicts with biodiversity The commercialization of environmental conservation, natural resources and wildlife, services in v. Economic Efficiency would cpen up a and the communities who survive on these host of problems, as these are vulnerab;2 to manipulations and distorti s. . I resources arises in this context. Tourism is OI; Assigning a economic value to wildlife for protected areas and/ or areas of significant instance, as has been done in the case of ecological values like wildlife; though the kind indigenous cultural aspects, would mean of tourism being promoted and practiced is very neglecting their roles in the intangible benefits much mainstream tourism; only the locations that they provide and objectifying them for more have become much more fr gile than the tourism purposes. � cultural and resort-tourism destinations that he d�cision rests with local community ! . had been developed in previous decades. mstitutions and they can decide if they do not Although ecotourism has a reference from the want to adopt other developmental activities. If economics of the tourism industry as a form of yes, the kind and intensity of development is nature-based tourism, it has been formulated also decided by them. Such democratic and studied as an instrument for sustainable and principles have not found place in the NEP. equitable tourism by various individuals and organizations. These studies have shown that 5. Strategiesand Actions the impacts are far from conservationist or Under 5.1.1. Revisiting Legislative Framework, sustainable; indigenous communities still face there is a possibility of further dilution of the evictions f.r om within the wildlife sanctuaries CRZ and ErA Notifications under EPA, which and national parks; forest-produce gatherers would open up areas for intense tourism and pastoralists continue to be kept out, development. sometimes leading to conflicts with the Forest Departments. In such a scenario, the The proposal for institutionalizing regional and introduction of tourism in the same protected cumulative EIAs under 5.1.3.1. needs to be areas is, in a way, doing injustice to the whole assessed after clearing existing flaws with the conservation debate. Hence, the connotation to met od in which EIAs are done and public � ecotourism is both conceptual and socio­ hearmgs conducted. Extrapolating it to the next economic. level would mean side-stepping the current Issues. vVhen experiencing nature is redefined as tourism - an industry thatis recognised as capital Under 5.2 Enhancing and Conserving intensive, it also raises serious concerns in the " Environmental Resources absence of precautionary legal guidelines and Deserts have been excluded. � principles. Under such circumstances the 'so 5.2.2 Forest and wildlife areas are being targeted practice of tourism can onlv be termed as mass '.; for promotion of ecotourism. tourism. The recent tenden�y to qualify tourism � in ecologically sensitive regions, like the;forests � The term 'ecotourism' was coined by a and the coast, as 'ecotourism' or 'nature tburism' marketing agency that was promoting Costa is too vague a terminology as it is appliedfor the � Rica as a rainforest destination and since then it convenience of tourism service providers. The�. has been seen as a niche market by agencies like very reason why tourism industry opted for this v the World Tourism Organisation, as it uses terminology was because wherever tourism is resources that are linked to biodiversity and practiced it proved disastrous to the cultural pluralism of third world cou�tries, environment, social fabric and promoted \j which have been forced into tourism as a core ( dehumanising situations like displacement, , competency area by inter-governmental marginalisation of local communities, siphoning § agencies for development. Ecotourism has come of natural resources and violation of basic to be mistaken synonymously with tourism in human rights. I tourism providers today define ecotourism to their convenience and advantage. A solar The NEP needs to draw policy guidelines from heating system, water recycling unit or use of international environmental covenants for paper bags is good enough for a hotelier to lay infusing sustainability and involvement of local claim to the ecotourism label. However they communities in tourism development. The would evade putting into practice certain Biodiversity and Tourism sub-chapter of th e broadly evolved and accepted norms of CBD, the CSD & WSSD 's guidelines, UN's sustainable tourism. This contradiction would Agenda 21, Draft Declaration on Rights of continue aslong as governments see tourism as a Indigenous Peoples and WTO-OMT 's Global means to economic development and thereby Code of Ethics for Tourism. necessarily ignoring its impacts. Sustainable

tourism is based on principles of participation; " Endnotes for Framework of values for sustainable consultation and sharing of benefits among all tourism development stakeholders especially the local community on whose resources ecotourism thrives. The Conventionon BiologicalDiversity (CBD) The CBD recognizes the need to eosme that tourism is developed and 5.2.6 managed in a manner that is consistent with, and supportive of. the Islands A&N and Lakshadweep have been objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity with regard to the made to miss the bus. These islands are being conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its targeted for large scale tourism development, components, as well the basic concepts underlying the implementation of the Convention, such as the ecosystem approach and the sustainable thus throwing them in peril. use of biological resources, as well as guidelines concern ing the respect, preservation and maintenance of knowledge, innovations and practices . 5.2.7. (iii) a) mentions use of incinerators for toxic of indigenous and :ocal communitiesfor their well-being and survival. The CBD affinns the need for benefits of tourism to be shared in afair and and hazardous wastes. It has failed to take into equitable manner with indigenous and local communitiesinvolved in, or account the carcinogeniC effects of incinerator affected by, tourism development, and which therefore share in the costs of such development. emissions. The UN'sAgenda 21 5.2.7. (iii) c) refers the onus of solid waste The relev ant chapters of the Agenda 21 that describe the Participatory Approach are Cha?ter 26 that deals with recognizing and strengthening management to local bodies. What about the role of indigenous people and their comm unities and Chapter 34 industries and agencies facilitating large scale outlines the proceduraJ steps for transfer of environ..'11entally sound infiltration of the wastes? Progressive measures technology, cooperation and capacity-building. The Chapter 3 afthe Agenda 21 -combating poverty: enabling the ,0001'to like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to achieve sustainable livelihoods expresses lh e importance of ber:ef:: tackle the menace of plastics and other sharingwith local cmnmunities. packaging wastes, especially in tourism TIle UN!s Commission on Sustainable Development's (CSD) sustainable destinations like Mahabalipuram where the tourism guidelines � problem is of gigantic proportions, find no - In 5(a), it states "Io promote sustaina ble tourism development in orde" to '::: mention. And so do initiatives like Ooty increase thebenefits from the tourism resources for the popu!ation in tr:e host cOJnmunit�es and maintain the ;:ultural and envi;,o nen l Municipal Corporation to impose fines on � r integ::ity � of the host community; to encourage cooperation of major groups at al! plastic carry-bag users. . levels with a view to facilitating Local Agenda 21 initi�ves and � promoting linkages within the local economy 1I1 order that her.elits m.1Y � Biosphere Reserves have not found mention in be more Wldely shared; to this end, greaterefforts should be um:ertak2r. ,� any part of the NEP. This shows a careless for the employment of the ioeal workforce, and the use of local :Jroducts J and skills." attitude to our international environmental

commitments. Further, areas like the Gulf of And in "10. The Conunission invites the United Nations Secretariat ar..ci '"' Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, which are the World Tourism Organization, in consultation with major groups and other relevant international orgar.izations, to jointly facilitate �!ie f � unique in the country. establishment of an ad hoc infonnal open-ended working group on �. tourism to assess financial leakages and determine how to :na;

Enhance international cooperation, foreign direct investment and and resources, and to the return of land taken without their consent. partnerships with both private and public sectors, at all levels; Their environment and their cultural and intellectual property must be protected. Indigenous peoples have the right to control development of I Develop programmes, induding education and training programmes, theirland. I that encourage people to participate in ceo-tourism, enable indigenous TheWTO-QMTsGIQbaICode of Et� I and local communities to develop and benefit from eco-tourism, and enhance stakeholder cooperation in tourism development and heritage The Preamble of the Global Code of Ethics in Tourism considers that preservation, in order to improve the protection of the environment, with an approach to sustainable tourism. all the stakeholders in tuurism I natural resources and cultural heritage; development - nationat regional and local administrations, enterprises, business associations, workers in the se�tor, non-governmental Provide technical assistance to developing countries and countries with organizations and bodies of all kinds belonging to the tourism industry, I economies in transition to support sustainable tourism business as well as host communities, the media and the tourists themselves, have development and investment and tourism awareness programmes, to different albeit interdependent responsibilities in the individua; and ! societal development of tourism and that the formulation of their improve domestic tourism, and to stimulate entrepreneurial ! development; individual rights and duties will contribute to meeting this aim. ,\.r ticle 3 dealing w:th Tourism as a factor of sustainable development Assist host communities in managing visits to their tourism attractions states (in point 2) All fonns of tourism development that are conducive to saving rare and precious resources, particular water and energy, as for their maximum benefit, while ensuring the least negative impacts or. in $0 and risks for their traditions, culture and environment, with the support wel l as avoiding far as possible waste production, shou:d be given of the Wor;d Tourism Organization and other relevant organizations; priority and encouraged bv r, ational. regional and local public authorities, Promote the diversification of economic activitjes, including through the facilitation of access to markets and commercial information, and The Global Code of Ethics in Tourism, Article Tourism, a beneficial participation of emerging ;ocal enterprises, especially small and 5: medium-sized enterprises, activity for hos t countries and communities states that: 1. Local popu lations should be associated with tourism activities ar,d share 44, (b) Promote the ongoing work under the Convention on Biological equitably in the economic, social and cultural benefits they generate, and D1versity on the sustainable use on biologicaJ diversity, particularly in the creation of direct and indirect jobs resulting from them. At the national level, the NEP needs incorporate Recommendations for any form of tourism recommendations of the sub-thematic paper on development should be on the basis� of careful BiodiverSity and Tourism from the NBSAP. evaluation and participation. i

The NEP needs to give see tor specific guidelines for The NEP needs give guidelines fd; tourism regulation and development of activities like tourism development in areas under protection of law instead of opting for sub-components like ecotourism as the panacea for negatively impacting fa ctors. and other regions not protected by law - healthy, fragile, vulnerable or sensitive ecosystems, as in including on sustai�able tourism, -�s a cross-cutting issue relev� the case of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 's different ecosystems, sectors and thematic areas. provision in section 28(i) d. that generally The sustainable tourism guidelines in the World Summit on Sustainable permits tourism in protected areas, Development in its Fir.al Plan of Implementation (point 43) states to promote sustainable tourism development and capacity building in order to contribute tothe strengtherungoi rural and local commur.!ties. The NEP needs to be outward looking and In the Final Plan of Implementation, the sustainable tourism guideEnes should address and link to existir;g social and in World Summit on Sustainable Development. it outlines the need to I' ofIndia. (point 43) Promote sustainable tourism development, including non- economic policies , i ! Ii Annexure 2: Critique of EQUATIONS on Draft National Tribal policy 200482

Foreword However, it should develop specific Policy 1. A Draft National Policy for tribals is indeed framework for those of the Sixth Schedule and overdue. But it would be a huge mistake if the the Fifth Schedule. At the moment, the Draft Central Government seeks to "assimilate" and Policy is confusing and unclear in its basic "mainstream" ST communities. This is a clear approach for it lumps all these groups together. contradiction: you cannot assimilate groups (in As a start therefore, the National Policy must this case a larger group is seeking to "bring STs divide the "tribal groups" into the Fifth and into the mainstream" without destroying their Sixth Schedule communities and make specific distinct culture. recommendations for each group. The work of the National Commission to Review the 2. The reason is simple: there are huge Working of the Constitution (Consultation differences between tribal groups within a Paper on Empowering and Strengthening of region as much as in different regions, not Panchayat Raj Institutions/Autonomous merely in their demeanour and attitudes but also District Councils/Traditional tribal governing in their culture, traditions and religion. institutions in North East India) would be helpful in this exercise. 3. The tribes of Central and Western India are completely different from tribal communities in OveralL the Draft Paper should avoid the North East, where there is better education nomenclature which is cliched and which and other facilities and indeed, where tribal "tribal" groups would find'offensive and which political elites have been in power for nearly 50 are also not politically correct. Phrases and years as in the case of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo words such as "mainstream", primitive" and Hills, which became Meghalaya in 1972. One others of a similar lexicon should be abjured could remark that the so-called primitiveness of because they give the impression that the tribes is more in the Fifth Schedule states government regards such groups as outside the where education, political awareness and pale of civilized society. It raises questions empowerment as well as health facilities are about the so-called "mainstream" of other parts extremely poor and income levels at the bottom. of India. What is this "mainstream" what The "mainstreaming" of these groups, where language does it speak, what faith does it "­ their lands have been taken over by plains espouse, what history does it hold, what is its , settlers and others, has not really helped them politics. To regard groups as "outside the '-::: very IlJ.uch. Indeed, it has devastated their mainstream" is, in my view, quite incorrect. � culture, their environment and their social Those who see themselves in thJ? supposed '-,:, standing as well as economic status. There have ",maInstream " may regar dht emse' I ves as � become politically influentially in real terms "better" than others: this is a wrong approach, � only in the past few years with the formation of which should be rejected forthwith. � states such as Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. r::---.: Others have benefited at their expense. It should be noted that many "tribal" are as /Iadva nced and developed" as the so-called 4. Thus, a national policy for tribal can make /I mainstream"; they find such' definitions - general observations for the main, which would offensive as also descriptions of them as PTCf -::: include "feel good factors" such as better (Primitive Tribal Groups this is how others se �, education, non-interference in their essential them and not as they see themselves ). -....J . lifestyles, improved health facilities and .. '. infrastructure without rpt without destroying One is not aware where the phrase Nehruvian the ecosystems upon which they depend. : I Panscheel evolved. (Page one of Draft) The two i

forewords by Pandit Nehru to Verrier Elwin's Where will the funds corne for mid-day meals book, A Philosophy for NEFA (Directorate of Centre of States when the latter are heavily Research, Gov ent of Areunachal Pradesh) ernm indebted and raise no resources of their own (90 of 1957 and 1958 clarify that he believed in " five percent grantand 10 percent local resources) and fundamental principles". Points two and three they cannot even pay their employees on time are quite specific while the others are not: 2. Sixth point on teachers from distant places: the Tribals rights in land and forests should be policy must take cognizance of a reality that respected (Fifth and Sixth Schedule) and In 3. many teachers drawn their salaries without Nehru's words not of the Draft Policy) "We teaching and open put in replacements who get a should try to train and build up a team of their percentage of the salary paid to the "main" own people to do the work of administration teacher. and development. Some technical personnel from outside, will, no doubt, be needed, Instead of Pedagogy, the Policy should speak of especially in the beginning. But we should Ed ucation. There is no need for such Latin words avoid introducing too many outsiders into tribal when a simple English equivalent exists. Point territory." The fact is that in most of the seven and eight on curriculum and co­ Northeastern states such as Meghalaya, curriculum should be combined while last point Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh on vocational education should include where tribals are a majority, it is the tribal processed foods, floriculture, bamboo and cane officers and specialists who are running the processing/ development, headings under these administration. The number of "outsiders" is a last five heads not only have potential but also bare handful. are doing well. . Spec�ficcomments: Traditional Wisdom Formal Education� The data relating to formal education is not It must be clarified that there will be no transfer correct as far as the North East is concerned of knowledge to non-tribal areas without where states such as Mizoram has the second ensuring that the repository of such knowledge highest literacy in the country, after Kerala. A and skills, especially in herbal medicines, is survey of the statistics of the North Eastern protected by lawf the patent convention and they Council would be relevant here. What the Draft get a return on their knowledge. Otherwise this Policy has done and inappropriately is lumped should not be permitted. There have been cases all the information on education etc. together for of foreign as well as Indian corporates (includes all tribals. This is not a scientific approach to the those associated with people in Government) problem. The draft policy must make it clear seeking to extract such information from hill where the anomalies in backwardness lie in the herbal practioners for a price. This should;;�e Fifth Schedule areas in particular. The stopped. Therefore Point Three of Heath section Northeastern tribal states are above the national on patents should be placed her e and average except in a few areas. The overall rate is emphasized. brought down by the CHJH states (Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand as well as Gujarat) Health: The programof schools and hostels to be opened in areas where no facilities exist (see Formal AIDS is not a venereal disease as the 6t'nline of the education section) is laudable what will first paragraph in this segment suggests. The Government do in insurgency prone areas and phrase Primitive Tribal Groups must, be disturbed areas where instability affects all exorcised from and banned from government sectors of activity. lexicon. It is offensive and insulting. Surely I there can be other phrases to describe such any obfuscation and must involve the people groups: such as Economically Backward or who are directly affected so that they have a say Disadvantaged Groups among Tribes. The in their own future, instead of letting their lives British coined such phrases as 'criminal tribes', be controlled by others who have little stake in which has devastated the image and condition of how they live or indeed where they live. such groups; it is time, 57 years after independence that we did away with such How are the displaced to be provided "a better phrases. standard of living" (Para four). This should be clarified. It is inappropriate to combine such va stly different sciences as ayurveda and siddha with Forest Villages tribalherbal systems. Let the latter remain as is, but with improved facilities such as OPDs, The proposal to convert forest villages into research, places for growing their medicinal revenue villages appears well-intentioned buy plants and making their potions etc. as well as likely to lead to more problems. These are the herbal centres in each district where they can issues that should be discussed with local practice. At the money, they are completely leaders and representatives of affected disadvantaged esp. on the NER where they communities. reach communities untouched by government systems but get a pittance for their work and At no point during this section of the Draft have no place, barring their poor homes, from Policy, does the policy say anything about where they can see patients and practice. It improving forest cover, improving forest-based would be far better for government to support ecosystems etc. The emphasis is on building these systems by strengthening and recognizing roads (which is a clear sign for felling and official the practioners, not weakening them., which nexus with contractors) and legitimizing the would happen in the proposed synthesis as the illegal. What should be developed is a other forms of medicineare far better organized, compromise, which takes care of local concerns with stronger lobbies and funds at theirdisposaL and also the regeneration of forests, not their destruction. The point about tribal remedies is changed to herbal practitioners. This should not include Also it is unclear what is meant by "integrated shamism, which is prevalent in various parts area development programs should be taken up " such as Arunachal Pradesh and has no basis in in and around forest areas". New settlers have science. encroached heavily into a National Pilrksuch as Kaziranga and the Nambhor Reserv� Forest in Displacement and Resettlement: Assam, destroying habitat for wi1dlite and the natural balance. Why is the Draft Policy silent The issue of displacement must be reviewed in on these issues? It must make clear that such the context of the Sb:th Schedule form the NER. violations will not be tolerated and that The Sixth Schedule gives extremely wide­ government will back resourceful officers who ranging rights to tribal communities under the fight such depredations. District Council system. The fourth paragraph of the Draft Policy talks about when it becomes Shifting Cultivation:

"absolutely necessary" ... U in the larger interest" Again a broad-brush sweep paints all tribals at

this is too sweeping a statement. VVho decides the same level of development a�diagricultural what is in t.1-t e "larger interest": a few politicians production. There may be some groups, which I and bureaucrats. This must be specified without are not committed to the land, pu t as the paper '.

itself says most tribals only have land as their only possession and despite the complex pattern ALL REFERENCES TO PRIMITIVE TRIBAL ofland tenure, this is what they see, naturally, as GROUPS SHOULD BE DELETED AND their birthright. BANNED

So, if there is anything to be done, it is along the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Areas: A fourth point should be added: Traditional lines of modified land tenure acts which will forms of democratic governance among the allow investment and a return on the lands for tribes, especially after involving women and the owners as well as moving farmers to settled ensuring representation to other ethnic groups, agriculture. Much research has already been . should be involved and strengthened as the conducted in this field. third-tier of governance. (see recommendations Land Alienation: of NCRWC, Consultation Paper on the North East).

Anti-alienation laws already exist and must be Administration of the Policy should clearly say tightened to plug loopholes, which allow non­ that recognized and respected non-government tribals to hold lands as non-owing "sleeping groups should also be involved in policy partners". But lands belonging to non-tribals, formulation and review of implementation of which are hereditary, must also be protected. the objectives. You cannot have laws, which favour groups, which are already a majority (tribals in Participator Approach: Meghalaya and Mizoram for example) to the y I detriment on non-tribals, who also have been Last paragraph must be changed to involve there for decades. All land records and holdings recognized NGOs and VAs in all aspects of policy formulation, prioritization of strategies, must be computerized and be accessible through fixing of goals and monitoring/ review the Internet to the public. The Freedom of mechanisms across state and sectors to ensure Information Act guarantees this and is a basic transparency and proper implementation of right of every citizen. policies and projects.

The traditional systems of governance such as The segment on Assimilation to be dropped and the dorbars, Dolois, Nokmas in Meghalaya and replaced with a more visionary approach, village gao buras in Arunachal and Nagaland deleting such offensive language as "primitive apart from similar systems among the Nagas traits" and including wording that speaks of the (different tribes have different systems) and need to preserve and protect forest habitaeand other groups should become the third tier of ecosystems on which many of their traditions governance in tribal areas. Women and non­ are rooted. triba!s should also be accommodated, the latter where their populations are substantiaL This is Indeed, the "primitive traits" may be more applicable here and in this section under the visible in the so-called " mainstream." heading Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Areas.

Intellectual Property Rights: The Draft appears unaware of the ongoing work of the Law Research Institute under the auspices of the Guwahati High Court, Guwahati, which is working on codification of tribal laws. I Annexure 3: President A P J Abdul Kalam's Vision of Developed India

President A P J Abdul Kalam detailed his, while When I see the industrialists, entrepreneurs and delivering the inaugural address at the 23rd connected members from different countries, I India International Trade Fair in New DeIhl. was thinking what thoughts I can share with you. Friends, I see there are industries from developed I am delighted to participate in the inauguration countries and also from developing countries. of 23rd edition of India InternationalTrade Fair Therefore, I will be talking to you about the (IITF) 2003. 'Dynamics of Development.'

The Fair provides a platform for a wide range of Law of development business opportunities by showcasing Last two years, I was studying the development technological strength in different sectors of the patterns and the dynamics of connectivity economy. between nations, especially in trade and business. I greet the organisers, contributors and As you all know the world has few developed participants from various nations of thls mega countries and many developing countries. What event, which is becominga reliable barometer of is the dynamics between them and what industrial progress. connects them?

The theme of the Fair this year is 'Tourism' and A developed country have to market its 'Promoting Exports by Small and Medium products in a competitive way to different Enterprises.' countries to remain a developed country.

ALL REFERENCES TO PRIMITIVE TRIBAL GROUPS SHOULD BE DELETED AND BANNED

Scheduled Tribesand Scheduled Areas: A fourth point should be added: Traditional forms of democratic governance among the tribes, especially after involving women and ensuring representation to other ethnic groups, should be involved and strengthened as the third-tier of governance. (see recommendations of NCRWC, Consultation Paper on the North East). �

Administration of the Policy should clearly say that recognized and respected non-g�vernrnent groups should also be involved in policy formulation and review of implementation of the o�jectives.

The developing country, to get transformed into developed country, they too have to market their products to other countriesin a competitive way. Competitiveness has three dimensions: • Quality of the product;

• Cost-effectiveness; and • Supply in time. I "

indeed this dynamics of competitiveness in marketing of products by developing and developed • Education and Healthcare: To provide countriesis called the law of development. social security and eradication of illiteracyand health forall; technological strength Our • Information and Communication Technology: This is one of our core • India is today a developing country and we competencies and wealth generator. have a vision to transform India into a ICT can be used for tele-education, tele­ developed nation by 2020, using technology as medicine and e-governance to promote a tool. education in remote areas, healthcare • With the growing economy and strong and also transparency in the internal market, India is destined to make administration; and Critical competitive products using technological . technologies and strategic industries innovations. witnessed the growth in nuclear • Software and Pharma products have shown technology, space technology and the lead. defence technology. • I see the emergence of steel technology, space technology and defence systems going to the These five areas are closely inter-related. Since international markets in addition to the theme of the IITF this year is 'Tourism' and conventional products. 'Small and medium scale industries,' which • The initiatives taken in solar farming to can be derived from the above areas, I would generate energy, desalination plants to like to dwell on the role, these sectors can generate drinking water will soon be mission reinforce the national development in mode programmes offeringa large business in India and outside. particular the rural development. • I would like to discuss the areas which require Tourism attention for transforming India into a developed country. • The vast civilization heritage of our country -­ • Transforming the nation into a developed country, five areas in combination have been ranging from the Himalayas to identified based on India's core competence, Kanyakumari, Jammu & Kashmir, central natural resources and talented manpower for India, North-Eastern states, Bihar, western integrated action to double the growth rate of States, the large coastal line, Andaman, GDP and realize the Vision of Developed Nicobar and Lakshdweep islands -- have a

India. lot to attract the tourists. _ • In spite of this vast potential, Indian tourism appears to have a very small market shaJie of These are: 0.38 per cent with total arrivals of 2.64 milhon • Agriculture and food processing- with a in the overall global scenario. ;,

target of doubling the present production of • This can certainly be increased keeping in food and agricultural products by 2020. mind India's unique positioning as a multi­ • Agro food processing industry would lead to dimensional country with many tourist the prosperity of rural people, food security attractions. and speed up the economic growth; • After my visit to almost all the regions of the • Infrastructure with reliable and quality country, I have realised that the tourism electric power including solar farming for all industry has a tremendous prospect for parts of the country, providing urban wealth generation and should operate as a

amenities in rural areas and interlinking of . mission with higher targets. \ rivers; I L • To succeed in this mission tourism has to be • The number of small-scale units has increased developed and promoted as a common from an estimated 0.87 million units in the endeavour by all concerned government as year 1980-81 to over 3 millionin the year 2000. well as private sector agencies. • The small-scale industry sector in India creates • A constructive partnership between the priva te largest employment opportunities for the and public sectors has to be established and Indian populace, next only to agriculture. sustained for growth. • The 55I sector plays a major role in India's • We need to establish innovative products and present export performance. About 45 per cent world-class infrastructure. Thrust is required to 50 per cent of the Indian exports are to be given for inland water navigation, hotels, contributed by the 55I sector. communication, entertainment and tourist • Direct exports from the 551 sector account for promotion. nearly 35 per cent of the total exports. The private sector and the state and central • Besides direct exports, it is estimated that small­ government agencies have to work together to scale industrialunits create the right environment and act as proactive • contribute around 15 per cent to exports facilitators and catalysts to promote sustainable indirectly. This takes place through merchant tourism. exporters, trading houses and export houses. • It would surprise many to know that non­ • Tourist management leaders should be trained traditional products account for more than 95 to create a people friendly approach among per cent of the 55I exports. the tourists so that he/ she becomes a • The product groups where the 55I sector promoter of business through word of mouth dominates in exports are sports goods, and experience sharing. readymade garments, woolen garments and • The places of tourist interest have to be knitwear, plastic products, processed food maintained and kept neat and tidyto provide and leather products. a harmonious atmosphereto the tourists. The • The strategy for enhancing the exports of people of the region have to have moral goods and services from 55! sector has to be strength to welcome the tourist with based technology upgradation, value happiness. addition techniques, credit support and • We have to start a 'Welcome Tourist' export marketing zones. movement. The Indian-ness has to be • Big industries should ensure timely payments packaged from the time the tourist enters into for the products they receiye from small scale ' the country till he departs in all aspects of his industries. life during the stay. • Also IITF should find from the international traders where Indian 55Is can farJ better in global competition in areas of;, quality, SmalI- and medium-scale industries / quantity and schedule. enterprises • This promotion will enable the 55I industry to • The small-scale industries sector plays a vital grow much faster towards its target of Rs 5 role in the growth of the country.It contributes lakh crore (Rs 5,000 billion) of export almost 40 per cent ofthe gross industrial value performance by the year 2020. added in the Indian economy. • The small- and medium-scale indus tries need • It has been estimated that the turn over to an exclusive umbrella organization to capital employed is approximately 4.62. The promote productivity and market their small-scale sector has grown rapidly over the products, including exports. . i I years. Providing urban amenitiesin rural areas India has large potential for tourism. I suggest that • In India there are about six lakh villages and two to three un-inhabited islands in Andaman, around 70 per cent of our population resides Nicobar and Lakshadweep are to be developed as in them. Hence the villages have to play a crucial role in bringing about overall model tourist destinations with infrastructure, air development in the country. and sea connectivities.

• The prosperity of these villages cancome only through providing infrastructure, industrial India with its large manpower needs many support and e m p loy men t challenging missions like this. The driving force opportunities. Providing urban amenities in for economic development in rural areas is rural areas envisages four types of providing urban ameni ties in rural areas. connectivity: Physical, electronic, knowledge The small-scale industrialist should become and economic connectivities for sustained CEOs development in village clusters. and consider each providing urban amenities in rural areas complex as a tremendous business • The governmenthas decided to implement the opportunity and provide four types of 'providing urban amenities in rural areas' connectivity. strategy in 5,000 rural clusters as a model across the country in the next five years. They should establish the market, run schools, • But the success of this programme is depends maintain hospitals and above all generate on the collaborative efforts and active business enterprises genera ting large participationof industries, particularly small­ employment and producing best products using scale ind ustries. the core competence of the village for supply to • Thusproviding urban amenities in rural areas national and internationalmarket. provides a seamless connection and movement of molecules (people), atoms Presently most of the industries are located in (material) and electron(knowledge). urban areas, whereas 700 million people living in • IITF should promote the concept of providing rural areas require stable employment. urban amenities in rural areas in the next internationaltrade fair to enable participation Dispersion of medium- and small-scale industry of in this programme by the industrial and business community. in the rural areas can only provide employment to '" the rural population. " Conclusion � India International Trade Fair has to become a Such dispersion will also be useful to"the industry � '...;; window through which we can see the scene of in terms of reduction in cost of manufacture due to .....,... development in different sectors including availability of raw material at lower overh

... And what is responsible is a corporate project would set new standards in hospitality and that has all the ingredients of a modem day entertainment. Some of the facilities planned for tourism blockbuster, and one that could well this dream destination are: modem aqua sports, sound the death knell of this unique ecosystem. a mini golf course, a spa, a health centre, a club How long will it remain a picture of house and a casino. About 75 per cent of the tranquility? accommodation would be on floating It cannot get bigger, more ambitious or boathouses and 25 per cent as on-shore cottages, expensive than this. At least that is how. it is stylish huts and fabulous tents. The exclusive, being projected. beautiful virgin beaches of the region would be preserved in their pristine glory. The complex The location is the famous Sunderbans in the would also have a 30-seater, multi-utility high­ State of West Bengal. The largest delta and speed power craft for a floating clinic, a fire mangrove forest in the world, the Sunderbans is fighting unit, an ultra modem security system spread over 10,000 Sq.km in India and and both small and big ships. All cottages and Bangladesh. Of this roughly 4,000 Sq.km lies house boats would be equipped with broadband within Indian boundaries and roughly 2,500 internet facilities, video on demand with Sq.km is being conserved at the Sunderbans interactive dish antenna". Tiger Reserve. The Sunderbans Tiger Reserve is home to the "Virgin" islands and beaches of "pristine glory", a largest contiguous population of the project with "global standing" , dream endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. It also plays destination, floating boathouses, and a casino. host to 50 of the 60 mangrove species found in Throw in a tiger breeding centre (it's been India, hundreds of species of migratory birds, advertised) and even scuba diving facilities ... and a wide range of biological diversity. The sea and you have it all perfectly laid out a modem and the creeks support significant populations tourism (it's also being pushed as eco-tourism) of marine life including crustaceans, molluscs, blockbuster if there was one. crabs, dolphins, and sea turtles that nest on some of the beaches here. It is an extremely rich and Importantly, this time, even the "Leftist" State productive eco-system that supports millions of Government is playing ball. It is thevital signal families and livelihoods. Thanks to its that West Bengal is coming of age, that this is a uniqueness and importance it has been declared State that welcomes large� projects and large a "World Heritage Site" and was also made a money and that the right cli�ate for investment biosphere reserve in 1989. and growth has been created. It is oaly one in a slew of manymega projects of variouS kinds that The "It" (in paragraph one) is the over Rs. 500 the State is welcomingwith gusto. �, (rores Sunderbans Tourism Project, which itself is a part of the Sahara India Pariwar's huge In January 2004, theWest Bengal Government Integrated Sahara Tourism Circuit In West and the Sahara group signed a Memorandum of Bengal. The Air Sahara Agreement for the project as well. It will be a we bsite (http://w ww.airsahara. net/a irsahara/S unde joint venture with the State making available rban.jsp) presents as rosy a picture as is possible. about 750 acres of land on the islands of the "The Sahara Group", the website says, "will Lower Long Sand Island, Sagar, Frasergunj, L­ develop five virgin islands in the 36,000 Sq.km of Plot, Jharkhali and Kaikhali for a paltry sum of water area in the Sunderbans ...as tourist only Rs. 20 crores. The respdnsibility of I destinations of global standing ... these islands developing and running the initiative would be

- T

that of Sahara India Pariwar's sub-agency the

Sahara India Tourism Development Unless these are available, there is no basis for Corporation Ltd. such a project being cleared. Yet, the State Government's expert committee on If all seems in place then what is the problem? Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) is said to have cleared the project. Simply, that a project with this investment and ambition,could well sound the death knell of the There are a number of laws that the project and extremelyfragile and unique Sunderbans. It will governmentauthorities are either ignorant of, or kill the golden goose, the very ecosystem that are deliberately violating. Both, of course, are makes it such an attractive tourism proposition inexcusable. in the first place. The impunity with which The project proposes a number of activities that environmental and social concerns have been neglected in the planning of this project could are strictly prohibited in CRZ I areas. These certainly be called spectacular, if indeed they include dredging in creeks and water bodies and were not so serious and "deadly". There is the use of coastal salt marsh for developmental violation on every single front,as was found by a activities during the construction phase. team of independent observers who Nothing is known of the plans for the disposal of investigated the project area in March this year. waste and sewage; neither of those to deal with This included among others, representatives of the inevitable oil, grease and other forms of People United for Better Living In Calcutta pollution resulting from the operation of the (PUBLIC), Kolkata; Bombay Environment boats, barges and floatels. Action Group (BEAG), Mumbai, and the Bangalore-based EQUATIONS that works on There is serious concern being expressed about issues related to tourism. availability of fresh water, which is already a problem in this marshy and saline region. "It is important to remember," says Samir Mehta Presently available only at a depth of about 1,000 of BEAG, "that the entire Sunderbans, including feet, many are worried that the huge all theproject sites, has been notified as a Coastal requirements of the project will only worsen the Regulation Zone (CRZ) I region." It is an situation for the environment ingeneral and the acknowledgment of the fact that this is an local populace in particular. One such large to extremely sensitive zone and any activity has requirement is for a mini golf course at L-Plot. be initiated with care and concern. None of this

is, however, evident in any of the project There have been serious problems with the documents of the promoters. "First and probably public hearing process that is mandated f4r most important," he points out, "is the violation projects of this kind. Bonani Kakkar of PUBLI£ of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA) 1986. pointed this out after participation in the hearing As per the Memorandum of Agreement, what that was held on January 28, 2004, at Ramganga we have is only a Rapid EIA and this," he in the 24 Parganas district. While the project is stresses, "is nowhere sufficien t or multi-locational, the public hearing was held in comprehensive enough to deal with a project only one place. this size." Further, the West Bengal Coastal Zone Management Authority (WBCZMA) has not yet In a letter written to the West Bengal State prepared the Area Specific Management Plan Pollution Control Board, the agency responsible and Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for the public hearings, PUBLIC also pointed �ut for the Sunderbans, as mandated by the Ministry that the average time required for people to of Environment and Forests. travel from places like Jharkhali, L-Plot and We should also notforge t that the Sunderbans Kaikhali to the site of public hearing was about extends into Bangladesh as well and any five hours one way, and that most people in attempt on the Indian side to upset the already these locations had not even heard of the public stressed fragile ecosystem/' he warns, "could hearing. "This is not surprising," the letter have serious international and politica l continues, "considering that two small implications. " advertisements were placed in newspapers and the print medium is hardly read in these areas". In another significant move, it has apparently been decided that fishermen will not be allowed (Sahara, on the other hand often releases three to to fish in areas where Sahara has its project or the four full pages in leading newspapers for 'their creeks where their boats will ply. Presumably, ownad vertisements). they want their "virgin" beaches and islands. It's "There is also the crucial issue of fo rest lands also become clear thatthis project will not only and those being protected here in the interest of harm the environment but also adversely affect, wildlife, " points out Syed Liyakhat of the local population, by direct displacement and EQUATIONS. Certain critical parts of land and by the restrictions on their fishing activities. forests to be developed for the project are Another area of controversythat has now arisen already designated as reservefo rests under the is to do with a directive that no other tourism operator will be allowed into the Sunderbans Indian .Forest Act (IFA) 1927, and will need special permissionfo r dereservation. without the permission of Sahara. Some competition that would be!

These have not been sought. Further all the There has been international concern too. The project sites, with the exception of Gangasagar, London based Environmental Investigation are within a distance of 10 km from the Agency (EIA) recently issued a briefing note boundaries of the Lothian and the Saj nekhaIi challenging Sahara's claims that this was an wildlife sanctuaries or a wildlife corridor. The ecotourism project (www.eia-intemational.org). Indian Board for Wildlife that is chaired by the They have pointed out that the project does not Prime Minister had taken a decision in January adhere to; rather clearly violates basic principles 2002 that all areas within 10 km of th� � like those of ensuring conserva tion, boundaries of national parks and sanctuaries environmental sustainability, involvement and and the wildlife corridors would be declared as benefits to the local communities and ensuring eco-sensitive under the Environment cultural respect; principles that guide and define (Protection) Act 1986, an eco-tourism project. ; � "State governments had even been asked to list I , out such areas and furnish detailed proposals Allput together, it's not clearhow the project can � for their notifica tion. How then, " questions go ahead at all. It has all the poterfti al for an (3'3 Liyakhat, "can the project be allowed to go environmental disaster. "Theearlier experience ahead in this context? The problem with tourism of the Sahara group in creatingthe Amby Valley Lake city near Lonavla in Maharashtra does not � development," he continues, "is that Governments and tourism developers have inspire any confidence either," says Mehta. always overlooked environmental concernsand tried corrective measures only when the damage He should know, for it was BEAG that had has already been done. In the case of the highlighted the serious environmental problems Sunderbans, however, there is too much atstake and many of Sahara's legal wrong doings here. vis-it-visthe ecosystem and naturalres ources to There are even serious doubt� about its I repeat the mistake. economic viability if themarketing; rather the - lack of its success, in Amby Valley is anything to impacts on the economic, political and social go by. fronts.

The Sunderbans, it appears, can certainly do India and US economic relations: A balance of without this Sahara. payments?

(Pankaj Sekhsaria is a member of the According to a BusinessHne article, the US now environmental action group Kalpavriksh, TH. accounts for 28% of India's trade. Thetotal value 13.6.2004). . amounts to $18 billion/year. Two lakh Indians are currently employed through BPO, most for t\nnexure 5: An India-US FTA: Free Trade US companies. The US is also India's biggest for America? investor at 20% of the total FDI. On the other HII "/,, I,dl ..../Idlllill I (JU \ II()\ .... HillI',lI lort' hand, India accounts for less than 1 % of the US global trade. Apparently India's "untapped There are rumours that the Congress-led retail market" values at $180 billion and is Government is set to decide upon a potential predicted to double by 2010. The implication, Free Trade Agreement (¥fA) with the US government. Stronglobbies such as NASSCOM according to this Business line article, is that (National Association of Software Companies) India needs the US much more than the other are pushing an FT A for services with the belief way around, espeCially when it comes to trade that it will resolve their BPO (business process and investment. ou tsourcing) problems. Those painting glowing II all gain, no loss" scenarios of an FTA where However, the reality of who benefits from whom Indian companies can "render unhindered might be something else. In agriculture (a sector services in the US" and where Indians " can take India is keen to promote in the export market), up jobs without worrying about HIB visas" the trade to the US in edible fruits and nuts seem to be utterly ignorant of the complex declined by 13 % and from coffee and tea by 4 % in politics and legal loopholes of trade 2003. On the other hand, US trade to India in negotiations, much less of internal US politics and the global competitiveness of Indian fertilizers increased by 206% in the same year. services. A reality check is inorder. India's cotton yam and fabric trade to the US dropped by 12% while fro m the US increased by While India has played cautiously in the v\lTO 40% to India. India is the ne�t biggest on services and investment, a potential India-US destination for US products after China with a FT A now could undermine its work in the WTO growth of over 22.5% in 2002. In the same ye�r, and handicap government (and industry) ability services exports (though economists admit that to pursue long term development strategies. statistics are hard to track) from the US to Indla Insight into how the US has treated its "FTA weredouble those from India to the US in with partners" both weak and strong can give us an US accruing $6.8 billion and India, $3.5 billion. ex-ante look at what India can expect when the Perhaps, the US "needs" India more than we US comes to the "negotiating table." This article presents a brief and preliminary look at think it does. The US has a $300 billion services implications of an India-US FTA through a industry that is eager to get its hands on India's wider lens. It addresses the India-US economic growing market. What will happen to the relationship, the US FTAs with other countries Indian Services industry when the flood gates and lessons India can draw from potential open? . , I However, before jumping on the FT A Mechanismstargeted are often those thatprotect bandwagon, perhaps India needs to weigh how countries from US dumping. This is clearly other US FTA partners have fared in this game. visible in the case of Mexico and Chile.

The US Negotiation Agenda in FT As: A look at In Mexico, there are at least 2 million corn the weak and strong producers. Mexico was importing 2.5 million tons of corn prior to NAFTA (1994). By 2001, it The US has been steadfast and unrelenting in its was importing 6 million tons of corn that the US commercia.l interests in FT As, acquiring sold at 30% below the cost of production. commitments from both strong and weak Mexican com prices paid to farmers fell by 70% nations that far surpass any commitments the after large quantities of US yellow com was US is able to get through the WTo. The dumped on the Mexican market. Even as European Union is playing a similar game. The Mexican farmers (who had no other race is on between the two major powers on who employment alternatives) produced 18 miIlion . can capture developing country markets faster. tons of com in 2001, 3 million went unused. This Covering all areas-- intellectual property; has created immense political problems for the Mexican governrnent and contributed to severe agriculture; services; manufacturing; poverty amongst com and other farmers in investment and even governrnentprocurement­ Mexico who comprise 70% of the Mexican -the US has negotiated well for its multinational population. companies. Here are some key areas where the US has been able to gain: Chile used to have a "price band" system that would stabilize the prices of cheap imports such Agriculture as wheat and sugar in order to support its 200,000 farmers who specialize in products such Hiding behind the European Union, the US is as wheat, dairy, beats (which they primarily sell actually one of the biggest contributors of low to their domestic market). The US agribUSiness world prices of major agriculture commodities sold wheat to the world market at 44% below the (wheat, com, cotton, soybeans, rice etc.). A US cost of production in 2001. When Chile � based NGO, the Institute for Agriculture and negotiated its FTA with the US, it was forced to '" Trade Policy (IATP) calculates US "dumping" remove this price band. (the selling of products below the �ost of � Intellectual Property: Access to Medicines production) of crops as 57% below the cost of t::: production for cotton from 1990-2001, 30% Another area of kev US interest is intellectual � below the cost for corn and 40% below the cost property (IP) right� and thus markets for its � for wheat. The mass quantities �f t�ese cro�s pharmaceutical and biotech industry. The US distributed by powerful US agrlbusmesses m typically demands monopoly rightff of patents � tum put local farmers in developing countries � up to 20 years. It also demands provisions that out of business because they can no longer limit governrnents from enacting laws that compete with the cheap imports from the US. promote cheap generics and issuing co�puls r:; '" These imports also crowd out developing ? licenses to combat epidemics. Such hcensmg � country exports. allows rapid and cheap distribution of drugs �� ti:nes of crisis. In country after country, the C5 The US is an a O"£1'essive a O'riculture negotiator in \3i 00 o. has targeted IP laws and forced governments to FT As, demanding extremely low or zero tariffs adopt WTO-plus commitme�ts thereby on commodities and regulatory changes in . violating the ,,\lTOdeclaration tbat'recogruzes I agriculture schemes. i

the right of governments to regulate in the The company saw this as "expropriation" interest of public health. denying the company profits that it felt it was

In the Australia-US FT A Australia is fighting to owed. In another case, the US's United Parcel preserve its Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Service (UPS) challenged Canada for denying it (PBS), which the US congress might find similar treatment as was granted to the objectionable. Immense pressure has been put Canadian Postal Service (essentially UPS on Australia to change its scheme that allows claimed that Canada denied it market consumers to benefit from affordable medicines. opportunity for delivering packages). IX

Negotiations between the US and Bahrain are These examples show that local and national resulting in similar conditions placed on Bahrain laws and regulations could be subject to court that would limit its ability to bring and market generics for Bahrainian consumers. It is generic claims if they are considered to violate IIA rules medicines that induce competition for lower and obligations. These could also include priced medicines. AIDS anti-retrovirals that obligations to refrain from using certain once cost up to $15,000 now cost performance requirements (a policy tool $140/year/patient. The US is demanding essential to ensure that countries benefit from similar provisions in FTAs with Australia, Chile, FDI) regardless of the public good they may Morocco, Singapore and in the Latin America­ provide. Essentially, Investor-State processes wide Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA). grant more powers to foreign companies than to governments and their national interests. Such Investor to State processes are an essential feature of recent US An important feature in the US approach FT As, such as the Singapore-US. towards international investment agreements (HAs), is Investor-State dispute settlement. Under these rules (enshrined in NAFTA in Services many bilateral investment treaties and in the Similarly, US FTA negotiations on services are most recent US FT As), investors can sue host extremely ambitious and demand drastic and country governments for an alleged breach of unconditional cuts on tariffs while major HA rules and obligations. The claim can be elements of services negotiations are still ill­ brought either to the ICSID (the International defined and unclear in the W:rO GATS Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes, at negotiations (such as classification, government the World Bank), UNCITRAL (United Nations � Commission on International Trade Law or regulation and rules regarding governm�nt - , other arbitration bodies. Under these systems, procurement and subsidies). The US servi<;,e, s � the companies and governments fight it out industry usually knows exactly which national � behind closed doors, the public unaware of the and sub-national laws of any given country to proceedings. target for market accessthis is obvious from the '.:, few leaked US GATS requests in Geneva. As a result of such an "Investor-State" suit under � Meanwhile, understanding US national, state �\ NAFTA, Mexico was ordered to pay around and municipal laws and regulations on various ;{) 1 $16.7 million to an American company that the (Methalclad Corp) because Mexico's local services sub-sectors requires expertise administrationprohibited the company to build Indian services industry and the gover�e".t is a toxic-waste dump in the area. currently ill-prepared to handle. I J. . " " " " " " , " " " " " Industry pundits such as CII's Senior Advisor, Rural farmers are being/[ U squeezed between TK Bhaumik rightly suggests that most of India's falling output prices and rising input prices" services are still unorganized and the time has with limited support from India's banking not yet arrived to engage in a sweeping services structure for credits. As a result, numerous agreement with the US. He notes: one or two farmer suicides and increased landlessness in strongsectors (i.e. software) "does not make the the last six years have occurred. It has, in turn, whole sector competitive." Importantly, he drastically reduced the purchasing power of suggests that an FTA on services would have 60% of the Indian popUlation, even to purchase implications for other sectors such as in9ustrial foodgrains. This phenomenon led to the famous goodsanother area of aggressive market "60 million tonnes" of foodgrain stocks in2002 interests for the US. even as many in the countryside went hungry. During the following year and half, India Implications for India exported 17 million tones of foodgrains. Economic and SocialConse quences According to Utsa Patnaik's research, the latest In February of this year, US Trade NSS survey of 1999-2000 cites 75% of the rural Representative (USTR) Robert Zoellick stated population in India as suffering from poverty. that India's average applied tariff in agriculture In Andhra Pradesh, oneof the largest agriculture is 38%, three times the level of the United States producing states, as much as 84 % of the rural and the US manufacturing tariff at 3 % compared population was in poverty. to India's 20%. And he wants further reductions fromIndia. Given that theWTO has taken away Before India engages in further tariff reductions other types of border measures, tariffs are the in goods or services (as it continues under­ last remaining resort for India to collect revenues investing in the agrarian sector and/or is and to protect its domestic agriculture and prevented from doing so through FTAs and manufacturing industries. In an FTA, these multilateral agreements), it might want to applied rates would drastically come down with reconsider the dire economic and social the US having to make little compromise from its consequences for the majority of the Indian own minimal tariffs. Meanwhile, agriculture population. Without purchasing power, there is dumping and protection of its steel and other no Indian market to speak of, be it for domestic manufacturing sectors would continue. or foreign companies.

India boasts of having protected its small Political Consequences farmers and allowed for potential to export An FTA with US will have bro�er political agriculture into the world market through its impacts. In Mayof thisyear,. the US named India ;, new deal at the WTO in July of this year. The once again on its "Special 301 Priority Watch reality is that actual details are yet to be List" for " weak protection and enforcement of its negotiated in the WTO and will do nothing to intellectual property rights laws." From 1992- curb US agriculture dumping on Indian farmers 2001, the US removed India from its Generalized since all of the US support schemes come under System of Preferences (GSP) scheme which "non-d istorting" or "minimally trade allowed duty-free entry to Indian products distorting" categories in the WTO. Over 60% of valued up to $1.1 billion. It did so, on the India's population depends directly or indirectly grounds of "inadequate intellectual property on agriculture and currently the countryside is rights protection". , , in deep trouble. I . , 1

watchful of its IP interests and is targeting India. On the other hand, a stronger hand of US business

The more dependent India is on the US market could also force India to increasingly cater towards (as opposed to numerous markets in demand of US interests at the threat of economic sanctions, It is India's cheap medicines), the more vulnerable India will be to economic and political pressures a double-edged sword, by the US. This is at a time when India's AIDS epidemic is just coming to light (5.1 million Clearly, the US unashamedly used the trade Indians recorded as infected as of 2003), India's weapon with Chile during the finalization of the ability to produce and distribute cheap drugs is Chile-US FTA when Chile refused to support the essential. US war in Iraq, The formal signing of the

The experience of Mrican governments in the agreement was held up for several months when WTO shows that tremendous trade! aid Chile refused to give its support to the US at the UN, dependency on the US or the EU leaves these USTR's Zoellick was quoted as saying "the U.s. governments virtually powerless to assert their government expects 'cooperationor betteron own national interests, Though India is not there yet, it may want to consider whether it foreign policy and security issues' from its potential wants more or less vulnerability to the US partners in trade agreements", government and its commercial interests. Isn't allowing the US dominated World Bank into 'the Final Comment Planning Commission's consultative Given these preliminary considerations, perhaps committees for the Xth Five Year Plan (2002- India should consider taking care of its business at 20007) enough? home first with its "$180 billion market." Rather

than eagerly sitting down with the US at the Academics and World Bank officials suggest "negotiating table," India might be wiser to that an FTA with the US could "strengthen India's hand in its broader strategic engagement continue building South-South relations as it is with the U.s. by creating a stake for American doing with China, Brazil, South Africa and in its business in India," own backyard,

I Annexure 6: Incoming Materials January September 2004 Books

Name Author/publisher A Naga Village Remembered Easterine iralu Ecology and land use pattern in Gudalur taluk nilghiris: a Arun Kumar Singh geographical study Tourism scenario and its potentialityin Nagaland Wezote Khutsoh Nagaland (1993-2002)- A decade of stability, progress and Govt. of Nagaland, Kohima development. The karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976 Karnataka law Journal Publications Karnataka Budget 2004-2005 Karnataka Law Jouna! Publication GATS 2000: New Directions in services trade liberalization Piette Sauve A Citizens guide to the libalisation of finance Kavaljit Singh Sheep and Lambs: empirical study of women in local self FStephen Raj a Sekaran An : ::-J. Governance in Karnataka Communitization: Experiences of the first year Govt. of Nagaland, dept. of Healt� & Family Welfare Does community-based conservation make economic sense?: Sushil Saigal Lessons from India Coastal conservation through enterprises at Rekawa Lagoon, Sri U.K. Ekaratne Lanka Protected areas in India: A Profile Roshni Kutty and Ashish Kothari Proceedings of the workshop on sea turtle conservation Centre Marine Fisheries Research Institute Where Communities care: Cor:ununity baSed wildlife ilnd Ashish Kothari ecosystem management in south asia The state of the rights of the child in Nepal 2003 CIWN Statistical Hand Book of Nagaland 2001 Government of Nagaland Foreign Direct Investment and Development UNCTAD World Social Forum- Challenging Empires Jai Sen, AnitaAnand, Arturo Escobar, Peter wat�rman Journalof Indian Ocean Studies Society for Indian 6cean Studies Small is beautiful E.F. Schumacher Dalits betrayed DR. B.D. Sharma

Status of Women in Keraia Kerala Women;s Commission

Who 5 Where Grace Fernandez -� Research for Development Sophie laws with Caroline Harper & Rachel Marcus .

I Reports

ICRIER: Distribution services: India and the GATS 2000 ArpHa Mukherjee Negotiations ICRIER: Economic Reforms: Policy and institutions some Arvind Virmani lessons from Indian Reforms KRIER: Impact on Government Policies and Investments Rashmi Banga Agreements on FOI Inflows Imndian export by countries and commodities: Modelling RIS of Export sector for short-term forecase ICRIER: Indian's trade in maritime transport services Arpita Mukherjee under the gats framework ICRIER: India's Trade potential in Audio-visial services Arpita Mukherjee and the GATS ICRIER: Trade liberalization and price cost margin in Bishwanath Goldar Indian insustries ICRIER: Trade in Land transport services: Railways ArpHa Mukherjee ICRIER: Outsourcing and job loss: A protectionist fallacy Rajeev Ahuja Poverty reduction and the world bank The World Bank IMF conditionality and country ownership of Mohsin S.Khan programmes Bridging the differences: Analyses of five issues of the L. Alan Winters WTO agenda and Pradeep. S. , Mehta A brief report on Higher and technical education C.Khalong. Ao Nagaland: Kohima Report on Laws and legal procedures concerning the ECPAT, Plan "" commercial sexual exploitation of children in India " Situational analysis on trafficking of women and children ActionAid � in Pakistan- Shattered dreams and Jiving Nightmares � CEDAW- Restoring rights to women UNIFEM, PLD Traffic in persons for commercial sexual exploitation' : � Legislation, role and effectiveness of the law enforcement � and law adjucation machinery Iv RIS Discussion papers- Environment issues in free trade Sachin Chaturvedi � agreements in Asia & the post-cancun challenges: issues S' and policy options The campaign against sexual ik.rassment at the Priya Narula & � workplace- A training manual Cathering siuggett. N ( '" @ I A compilation of the Karnataka (India) Coastal Investors center. The project violates the Coastal RegulationZone & Meet. This is a tool towards building awareness and action Environmental Impact Assessment Notifications and all for protecting the coastal ecosystem and ensuring existingenviron mental laws and regulations of india. It is development that is just and equitable. also threatening displacement of many villages and Suggested contribution: INR 50 or US$ 3. affecting livelihoods.

Doc-Up date: A half yearly compilation of latest media Suggested contribution: INR100 or US$ 5. reports on tourism and developmental issues. The Doc­ Tourism &: Displacement: PILIKULA Karnataka's Update aims to provide an analytical perspective to the "Model" Tourism Project:Report debate on tourism and development. Useful for Description of problems and impacts on local researchers, tourism institutes, and activists. communities due to unplarmedtourism development. Subscription: INR 500 perissue or US$ 15. Suggested contribution: INR 50 or US$ 3.

Indigenous Peoples, Wildlife and Ecotourism - Towards Democratising Tourism: Report emergingissues and trends:Dossier Understanding Development through Issues of ecotourism compiled from various sources to Tourism: A critique and strategizing of reveal some of the reservations about alternatives; interventions of International ecotourism in a more detailed marmer. It Tourism NGOsin the World Social Forum strives towards influencing international, 2004, M umbai, India. national and state policies on ecotourism, Contribution: NIL; complimentary copy. keeping democracy, protection of the environment and indigenous peoples rights as inalienable benchmarks. Weighing the GATS on a development scale, the case of Suggested contribution: INR 250 or US$ Tourism in Goa: Research Study Report 10. Providing insight on how recent developments in thetourism industry in Goa have affected small communities in NilgirisBiosphere Reserve Fading Glory: Dossier light of both current developments and With focus on the fragile ecosystem, environment hazards potential developments as per India's and tourism induced development of the commitments within the World Trade Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (India). It also Organizations GATS (General attempts to raise pressing concerns and Agreement on Trade in Services) priorities from the ground and seeks framework. Suggested contribution: INR interventions to redeem the glory of 150 or US$ 5. Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve. Suggested contribuHon: INR 50 or US$ 3. We Won Cancun: Dossier Meant to serve as a reference for civil society activists on some of the debates, actors, issues and events before, Rescuing Child Labourers: Report during and affi!r the Cancun meeting A documentation on raid and rescue of the WTO in September 2003. Suggested contribution: ;I�R 100 or operation undertaken to rescue 104 l children from the residential, small­ US$5. scale jewellery units of Bangalore. ,,' Veegaland mu emen Based on an analysis of the child labour A s t Park: An Investigation R p rt rescue practices observed during the e o process, a framework for conducting Amusement parks & water L.'1eme parks are threatening depletion of rescue operations in the child-sensitive water resources in stressed manner involving various environmental and political situations_; Investigation stakeholders. Suggested contribution: report of a case study KeraIa. Suggested contribution: INR 250 or USS 10. in INR50 0r US$3. Resisting the Sell-out of the Sunderban Biosp here Reserve: Investigation Report e The 'Integrated Sahara Sunder ban Circuit' project is an Write 10 usforyour requirements. Please add INR 50 fe r pos:::lg in India and US55 fo r overseas . We recom1Jlert m:d�;pie-c'2py ambitious project to develop the country's biggest delta & f ordersfo reconomy in postage. I mangrove forest in West Bengal into a world- class tourist Indian Tourism: Current Issues 1

A Statement of Concern As EQUATIONS enters its 19'"year of experience and existence in critiquing tourism issues in India, it is challenged by several concerns on the horizon today, a scenario that is likely to persist and extend in both magnitude and implications as we approach the 21" century.

Towards a Critique: Some Statements

In the context of neo-colonisation

• Tourism has to be viewed in the context of a development model which has a political character; • Tourism development has taken place along with increase elitism, authoritarianism, militarism and various forms of state repression in different parts of the World: all of these are threats to the cuI ture, economy and empowerment of communities; • Tourismdevelopment along with globalizationprocess threatens the sovereignty of a nation (in the broadest definition of nation); • Tourism eulogizes a certain consumptive and luxurious lifestyle which is unsustainable by any means; • Tourism promotes net outflow of capital to global market economy especially to the so called development nations; • Tourism is based on the objectifies view of the world where beaches, sanctuaries and so on are seen as objects of pleasure which negates the sanctity of the objects as well as of possible meaningful relationships between peoples and their environment.

Our vision for Tourism

An EQUATION seeks a world where wealth, resources and benefits are much more equitably distributed between North and South. Our vision of tourism fits within that framework. While there is no one transposable model which will work in all situations, we are working towards tourism which

• Bring economic benefits directly to all segments of the host community, particularly including women and indigenous people; • Is subject to local, democratic control, so that communities are making their own decisions about how tourism should be permitted and regulated; • Is integratedinto other community activities, so that it is culturally appropriate and sensitivelto the inequities between hosts and guests; • Enriches both host (economically, developmentally and in terms of control) and guetfs (culturally, re-creationally).

This is in contrast to many current tourism models, which are imposed from the North, requires the extensive use of imports, is overly commercialized, and reinforced inequities rather than challenges them.

EQUATIONS sees tourism not as a means to bring Southern communities into the Northern mainstream, but rather as one ofthe way to work towards a more just world. , \ I . �...... a5:...... •...'......

The varying roles that EQUATIONS plays includes advocacy, center for information resources, eclucator, watchdog, helping hand, publisher and producer of materials.

At the local level

• Focus on a particular place or issue • Documents the tourism movement ilself • Conduct survey with local groups • Produce background materials on particular situations • Facilitate scientific research on environmental and related issues.

At the national level

• EQUATIONS identifies itself as anIndian group, not a global one • EQUATIONS historical role is as a pioneer who put tourism on the agenda of the national development debate • EQUA nON provides research and publications and is a resources center.

At the international level

• Provide direct support for local action in South Asia • Provide resources and information for local action elsewhere develop training and seminars for groups worldwide • Participate integrally in the new global tourism structure when it emerges.

InformationCollection and Dissemination

• Collaborate with local groups to collect information/inform them about parameters and standards • Produce brief fact sheets in Basis English so they can readily be translated, and some in local languages

• Produce guidelines for assessing tourism from different perspectives

Lobbying

• Make the concerns and interest of local communities visible

• Empower them to lobby for themselves and training • Offer workshops on fundamental tourism issues • Provide "how to" sessions on: participatory research, communications (including how to publish a newsletter and present audiovisual programs), options for strategy (induding legal options) • Tailor each subject to the particular groups situation and priorities. I 1

• I Learn about hotels entering India, including their investments, corporate behavior elsewhere, and structures. • Monitor tourism policy, and legislation when will affect tourism issues • Network with otherswho can be /Ieyes and ears" • Follow global development that affect tourism • Produce an annual audit showing how tourism in India is faring,from a critical perspective. SourcesIndex AAD Asian Age, Bangalore AAB Asian Age, Bangalore BL.B Business Line, Bangalore BL.C Business Line, Chennai BL.D Business Line, Delhi BS.B Business Standard, Bangalore BS.D Business standards, Delhi DH.B Deccan Herald, Bangalore ET.B Economic Times, Bangalore ET.C Economic Times, Chennai EHC Express Hotelier and Caterer ETT Express Travel and Tourism FE.B Financial Express, Bangalore FE.D Financial Express, Delhi GT.G Gomatak, Goa GN.G Goan Times, Goa HT.D Hindustan Times, Delhi HE.G The Herald, Goa IE.C Indian Express, Chennai IE.D Indian Express, Delhi

NT.G Navhind Times, Goa �

TOLB Times of India, Bangalore '" TOLD Times of India, Delhi -...,...\;: TOLM Times of India, Mumbai '" TH.B The Hindu, Bangalore " m.B The Hindu, Bhuvaneshwar -...,...\;: TH.C The Hindu, Chennai TH.D The Hindu, Delhi . ' " TH.o The Hindu, Orissa cy::� TP Travel Plus

Readers are welcome to write to us for any of the material listed in the Update, though we request contribution towards photocopy and mailing expenses. The data at the end of each item indicates the <::l sources. Please refer the source index for abbreviations used. @l EQUATIONS (Equitable Tourism Options) seek to situate the tourism critique within the overall development debate. Our activities include documentation, publications, research and supporting . I individuals and group involved in concerted action on tourism issues. I �. Majumder "India-US Businessline, April 14, 2004 '5. BPO spatAnswer may lie in FTA"

"Data in this paragraph from the FICI website: www.fici.or.,g : "India-US Economic and Commercial Relations"

"'Ritchie, Mark et al. "US Agriculture Dumping on World Markets" Cancun Paper Series No. 1, 2003, www.tradeobservatory.org

'�Public Citizen. "NAFTA t es: m" March 31, 2004, www.citizen.org Tru h and Consequenc Co

'Langman, Jimmy. "Chllean Farmers Protest Trade Pact" Miami Herald, June 11, 2003

� Australian Associated Press. "US Free Trade Deal Locked In." August 12, 2004

D "' ata in this paragraph from Center for International Environmental Law (CIEl). Report of the TEPAC on The US­ Bahrain Free

Trade Agreement, July 12, 2004, www.del.org/Publications/TEPAC_Bahrain_14Ju104.pdf

"'''DePalma, Anthony "NAFTA's Powerful little Secret" New York Times, March 11, 2001

"Ibid

'Bhaumik, TK. "Take Stock of the Pros and Cons: An Indo-US FTA in Services is an Idea Whose Time Hasn't Come Yet" http://www. finallcialexpress.comife full story.php'content id=66139

"Ibid

" 1.,;STR. Hobert Zoeilicks Press release: "US has a 9 billion 5 deficit with India and a 5500 billion deficit in the world"

"'Data in this paragraph from Vtsa Patnaik, "Principle Task on the Agrarian Front" India: An Economic Agenda for 2004. SAH'vlAT: July 2004

'''K:ollstadt, Alan. "India: Chronology of Recent Events" CRS Report for Congress, US State Department, July 28. 2e04

"FICI website: ""-'-'-"-"�""""� "India-US Economic and Commercial Relations"

" From India/South Asia Roundtable: India-U.S. Economic Relations: A Free Trade Area or the Democracies ? SDoeakel's: ' Aaditya Mattoo, The World Bank and Arvind Subramanian, Harvard University at the'Brook �ngs Institute ,

""Hansen -Kuhn, Karen, "FTAA Fails to Gain Support from Citizens and Governments Across the Regiop" Foreign Polley In Focus. Policy Brief: Volume 8. Number 3, November 2003, wwwfpijorg , .

•

I