Community Participation in Ecotourism: An Inclusive Development Option for Kerala Thesis submitted to the Cochin University of Science and Technology for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Under the Faculty of Social Sciences by Bijith George Abraham (Reg. No. 3968) under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) D. Rajasenan Department of Applied Economics Cochin University of Science and Technology Kochi – 682022 May 2015 Community Participation in Ecotourism: An Inclusive Development Option for Kerala Ph.D. Thesis under the Faculty of Social Sciences by Bijith George Abraham Research Scholar Department of Applied Economics Cochin University of Science and Technology Kerala, India Email: [email protected] Supervising Guide Prof. (Dr.) D. Rajasenan Professor Dept. of Applied Economics Cochin University of Science and Technology Kerala, India Email: [email protected] Department of Applied Economics Cochin University of Science and Technology Kochi – 682022, Kerala, India May 2015 DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED ECONOMICS COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY KOCHI – 682 022, KERALA, S. INDIA Dr. D. Rajasenan Phone: 0484 – 2577566 Professor Email: [email protected] Date: 14/05/2015 Certificate This is to certify that the Ph.D. thesis entitled “Community Participation in Ecotourism: An Inclusive Development Option for Kerala” submitted by Mr. Bijith George Abraham is a record of bona fide research work carried out by him under my supervision and guidance in the Department of Applied Economics in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Cochin University of Science and Technology. The thesis has not formed the basis for award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or other similar title of any other University or Board and is worth submitting for the award of Doctor of Philosophy under the Faculty of Social Sciences of Cochin University of Science and Technology. I also certify that all the relevant corrections and modifications as suggested by the audience during the pre-synopsis seminar and recommended by the Doctoral Committee of the candidate have been incorporated in the thesis. D. Rajasenan Supervising Guide Declaration I hereby declare that the dissertation entitled “Community Participation in Ecotourism: An Inclusive Development Option for Kerala” is a record of bona fide research work done by me under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) D. Rajasenan, Department of Applied Economics, Cochin University of Science and Technology, and that it has not previously formed the basis for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or any other title of recognition. Bijith George Abraham Acknowledgement Completion of this PhD is the end of the long ambition in my life. In this juncture I would like to place my hearty thanks to each and everyone who has sincerely encouraged me in various stages of my work. Firstly, I would like to thank my teacher and my supervising guide Dr. D. Rajasenan, Professor, Department of Applied Economics, and Director, Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP), Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) as I have benefited a lot from him, first as an MBE student and then as his research staff at CSSEIP. His invaluable guidance and resourceful academic support enabled me to submit my doctoral dissertation in this manner. I am also thankful to him for entrusting me his various major research projects at the CSSEIP and allowing me to use the data collected as part of the projects, related to this topic. I thankfully acknowledge the officials of the Kerala Forest Department especially Shri R. Raja Raja Varma, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Retd), and Dr. Mehar Singh IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Eco Development and Tribal Welfare) for their valuable help and suggestions. I would also like to thank the administrative support at the Forest Department office, Thiruvananthapuram and the wildlife and Range offices of the Forest Department. I would also like to thank the Head, the faculty members, librarian and non-teaching staffs of the Department of Applied Economics, CUSAT for their appropriate support and help. I am greatly thankful to Dr. R Mahesh, Senior Urban Economist, Ministry of Housing, Bahrain for his expertise and fruitful discussions during my doctoral work. Special thanks to Dr. M S Jayakumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Kerala for his valuable encouragement. I also acknowledge the support offered by Dr. Binu P. Paul and Mr. Robins K. Thomas in the beginning stage of my work. I would like to extent my sincere thanks to my beloved seniors in the University Dr. Soorjith I K, Mr. Sayed Ali S and Dr. Chanchal Balachandran, for their encouragement in the various stages of my research. I also express my gratitude to Mr. Suresh P R, Mr. Rajesh R, Dr. Raghul Subin and Mr. Sreejesh P R for their congruous support. I also extent my sincere thanks to my colleague Mr. Rajeev B for his help during different phases of my work. I also thank my colleague Ms. Sunitha A S for her valuable discussions and support. I am also thankful to the office staffs of the CSSEIP, Ms. Rakhi V V and Ms. Sarojini I K for their secretarial helps. I will be failing in my duty if I do not remember the effort and concern by my family. My grandfather, Mr. M G George has been the first source of inspiration in my life. My parents, Mr. Abraham Mathew and Mrs. Ammini Abraham have always been with me with care, concern and prayers in all my endeavors. I remember my beloved brother Mr. Ajith Mathew Abraham for his affection, motivation and encouragement. The support extended my dearest wife Betsy has been instrumental. Above of all I thank Almighty God! Bijith George Abraham Contents Chapter 1 Introduction 1-34 1.1 Background of the Study 1 1.1.1 Overview of Tourism Scenario 2 1.1.2 Asia and Pacific region 5 1.1.3 Tourism Industry in India 6 1.1.4 Tourism industry in Kerala 7 1.2 Ecotourism Experience 11 1.2.1 Principles of Ecotourism 12 1.3 Review of Literature 14 1.3.1 Meaning and Scope of Tourism 14 1.3.2 Tourism and Sustainability 17 1.3.3 Ecotourism, Meaning and Definition 18 1.3.4 Stakeholders in Ecotourism 21 1.3.5 Community and Ecotourism 23 1.3.6 Ecotourism and Poverty Alleviation 25 1.3.7 Ecotourism and Inclusive Development 26 1.4 Theoretical framework 26 1.5 The Research Problem 28 1.6 Research Objectives 28 1.7 Hypotheses 29 1.8 Data and Methodology 29 1.9 Data Analysis 31 1.10 Concepts 32 1.11 Limitations of the Study 32 1.12 Scheme of the Study 32 Chapter 2 Development of Ecotourism in Kerala 35-82 2.1 Basic Profile 35 2.2 Kerala as a Tourist Destination 38 2.3 Tourism Vision 2025 38 2.4 Kerala’s Present Tourism Policy 41 2.5 Institutional Framework of Tourism in Kerala 44 2.6 Ecotourism Initiatives in Kerala 47 2.6.1 State Ecotourism Policy 49 2.7 Community Involvement in Forest Management 50 2.7.1 Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) 53 2.7.1.1 Micro-plan of EDC 55 2.7.1.2 Duties and Responsibilities of EDC 55 2.7.2 Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS) 57 2.7.2.1 Micro-plan of VSS 58 2.7.2.2 Duties and Responsibilities of VSS 58 2.7.3 Community Participation in Ecotourism 60 2.7.3.1 Activities Coordinated by VSS/EDC in Ecotourism 61 2.8 Ecotourism Destinations in Kerala 63 2.9 Profile of Sample Destinations 70 2.9.1 South Zone 72 2.9.1.1 Thiruvananthapuram District 72 2.9.1.1.1 Neyyar 72 2.9.1.1.2 Ponmudi 72 2.9.1.2 Kollam District 73 2.9.1.2.1 Thenmala 73 2.9.1.2.2 Palaruvi 74 2.9.1.3 Pathanamthitta District 74 2.9.1.3.1 Konni 74 2.9.1.3.2 Gavi 75 2.9.2 Central Zone 76 2.9.2.1 Kottayam District 76 2.9.2.1.1 Kumarakom 76 2.9.2.2 Idukki District 76 2.9.2.2.1 Thekkady-Periyar 76 2.9.2.2.2 Eravikulam National Park - Rajamala 77 2.9.2.2.3 Chinnar 78 2.9.2.3 Ernakulam District 78 2.9.2.3.1 Bhoothathankettu 78 2.9.2.3.2 Thattekkad 79 2.9.2.4 Thrissur District 79 2.9.2.4.1 Athirappally-Vazhzchal 79 2.9.3 North Zone 80 2.9.3.1 Palakkad District 80 2.9.3.1.1 Parambikulam 80 2.9.3.1.2 Silent Valley 80 2.9.3.2 Wayanad District 81 2.9.3.2.1 Kuruva Island 81 2.9.3.2.2 Edakkal Cave 81 Chapter 3 Socio-Economic Analysis of the Community 83-134 3.1 Socio-economic Profiles 83 3.1.1 Gender-wise Distribution of Samples 84 3.1.2 Age-wise Distribution of Respondents 85 3.1.3 Marital Status 86 3.1.4 Family size 86 3.1.5 Educational Qualification of the Community Members 88 3.1.6 Income, Employment and Saving Pattern 91 3.1.6.1 Income and Employment 91 3.1.6.2 Days of Employment 95 3.1.6.3 Income 98 3.1.6.3.1 Income ANOVA and Post Hoc Analysis 103 3.1.6.3.2 Income Inequality 105 3.1.6.4. Banking, Savings and Indebtedness 108 3.1.6.5 Quality of life 115 3.1.6.5.1 Place of living 115 3.1.6.5.2 Type of House 116 3.1.6.5.3 Area of House 117 3.1.6.5.4 Source of Drinking Water 118 3.1.6.5.5 Sanitation Facility 119 3.1.6.5.6 Source of Light 120 3.1.6.5.7 Fuel for Cooking 122 3.1.6.5.8 Main Source of Information 123 3.1.7 Standard of Living 123 3.1.7.1 Income and SLI 127 3.1.7.2 Educational Qualification and SLI 130 Chapter 4 Perception of the Stakeholder’s in Ecotourism Development 135-180 4.1.