Indian J. Applied & Pure Bio. Vol. 33(1), 11-20 (2018).

Eco-tourism and Eco-degradation vis a vis for analysis in Himalaya, ,

Debabrata Das

Ecology Laboratory, Botany Department, Lalgarh Government College, Lalgarh, Jhargram, 721516 (India) (Formerly Microbiology Laboratory, P. G. Deptt. of Botany, Darjeeling Govt. College, Darjeeling-734101 (India)

Abstract

Eco-tourism is a field which is broadly defined by its term ecology on one hand and tourism on the other. It deals with the activities of a large number of people involved in integral amusement of a specific time for a selected place. A good example is tourists and out comers from different countries and places. It dignifies the amusement of tourists and generates income for the local inhabitants who involved personally or in a group for design and development of the same. But after a long time invasion in the ecosystem, it becomes polluted either by manmade pollutants or by socially. Social pollution is a kind of pollution which is due to wide differences of culture among different group of tourists, economy and misuse of environment day by day. Perhaps it is the ultimate fate of loose bonding among different groups of people. The cause of deterioration of ecosystem is very lucid which may be due to unscientific management or by loss of ‘carrying capacity’ of the area governed by excessive pressure. Therefore, we need to apply eco-restoration process parallel to stop the eco-degradation process which is essential to smoothly run the eco-tourism. To run eco-tourism successfully and to develop economy better of a particular tourist spot and adjacent areas we need good interactions from both the sides. For the sustenance of the resource, we need to frame a policy that might be a key to master mind a bridge between guests (tourists or out comers) and hosts (local authority or people or a group of people). In this communication, nature and natural resource and their management have been placed which is closely related to eco-tourism and eco-degradation. We, the knowledgeable person should be very realistic rather than opportunistic to stop the eco-degradation process and to establish the eco-tourism in a more sound and prideful way in near future.

Darjeeling is the Queen of hills in attracts people for its uniqueness. Three ‘T’ West Bengal a part of Eastern Himalaya which is important in Darjeeling i.e. tea, tourism and (12) timber. Tea is available now at Darjeeling but The research work on eco-tourism the people are more fascinating to use the term has been developed time to time by different organic rather than common tea. It is because authors. Bhattacharya and Mitra8 worked on tea gardeners now-a-day using havocs chemical destination image of Darjeeling among the fertilizers and pesticides which hamper the foreign tourists. They include 4 factors in their quality of the tea even creating the toxicity of research viz. tourism infrastructure factor (1), the tea. Secondly, the time is now discriminately natural environmental factor (2), travel goes to the rank of lower category for environmental factor (3) and social interaction degradation of land and the forest patch is going factor (4). Bhutia10 worked on growth and to vanish due to different threats. The third one development of tourism factors in West is tourism which is fascinating but now need Bengal. The work of emphasized on to use the term eco-tourism instead of tourism theoretical framework for tourism development because of the fragility of the Darjeeling in West Bengal and their associated issues and ecosystem. The first two ‘T’ imposed threats to concerns. Again Bhutia11 and Das et al.13,17 have the ecosystem therefore to make the ecosystem worked on sustainable tourism development attractive the eco-tourism is essential now-a- in hills, Darjeeling, West Bengal and Odisha day. It will make the bridge between the respectively. It provides the opportunity to take unstable ecosystems of Darjeeling and stability proactive approaches based on broad of social, structural and behavioral activities participation by stakeholders. As a whole the of the environment to solve the present idea is planned programme for sustainable problem of eco-degradation. development and to reduce the threat of different kinds. The forest region classified as the Eastern Himalayan Sub-alpine forest comprises Eco-tourism is a process to develop mainly of evergreen conifers with admixture economy and manage environment in a 5 of some broad leaved species . It covers entire managerial way for long term use on Darjeeling not below the down hills of sustainable basis. It has its own criteria based Kurseong and Kalimpong but gradually on scientific way. One is being ecological and redundant their structure small to smaller. other is economical, but both are virtually Example, Tree Rhodendron are shrubby in interlinked. As we need sustainable ecosystem nature at Gorkey, Phalut or . Sandakfu in an environment so we need more region of West Bengal has its highest peak in knowledgeable citizens rather than more North Bengal where as Phalut has 2nd highest environmental scientists. It is because we need peak in North Bengal. Soil, climate, culture, to formulate the rules and laws to run the society, environment even eco-processes are process or systems in a tourist spot that is fascinating which are the centre of attractions always based on true ecosystem. Virtually any of Darjeeling Himalaya. To rediscover the scenic ecosystem in any time goes towards view of Mt. Kanchenjungha including nature abnormality and hampers the general and natural resources the present theme eco- processes. It is due to the overload in the tourisms has been arrived. ecosystem and obviously for loss of carrying (13) capacity of the ecosystem. Therefore, scientific as well as nectarine visitors of the said flower. as well as local management is essential to Asare or Viburnum sp. in high altitude attracts commemorate the fact hitherto to solve the a large number of birds for their shelter even problems. The out comers and foreigners for long term nesting13. The hilly landscape is should be very punctual to follow up the rules also a repository of important medicinal plants framed by authority and the resultant should which attracts different herbal organizations be predicted by them to make it success. Thus, including academic institutes. To nurture the through this system we can save the ecosystem motif of outsiders (Tourists) eco-tourism is pristine to stop the eco-degradation process essential. For the preparation of the manuscript, as the process is the outcome of eco-tourism. relevanl literature1-49 has been consulted. Some natural products of Darjeeling, their use, long term management, even culture and Area under study : attributes are common in this eco-tourism. Hope that people of the Darjeeling and out Study area was entire tract of comers as tourists, students, scientists should Darjeeling Hills adjacent to in one hand take care about the eco-degradation as the and Himalaya in other. The study same is the resultant of tourism. Researchers includes Kalimpng, Kursong, Mirik, parts of and scientists should take initiatives to formulate Senchal Wildlife Sanchuaray and Singalila the rules to stop the eco-degradation process. National Park area of Eastern Himalaya. It Therefore, we can manage the ecosystem of comprised of some remote villages of Darjeeling hill and can run the eco-restoration process to Sadar, Kalimpong, some parts of high altitude make the eco-tourism sound and meaningful area including Gorkey, Sandakphu and Phalut. in near future. As a whole scenic beauty of landscape, flora, fauna, monuments, heritage Regular ecological field trips were sites, waterfalls, sanctuary, national park and performed since 2012 to 2016 in different abiotic components attract people. By and remote part of Darjeeling along with some large, to visit attractive places and to rediscover foresters, experts and students. Markets were the episode time to time; a large number of visited in some parts of Darjeeling and in visitors, tourists from outside and students adjacent state Sikkim to know the natural including researchers meet eco-habitats. resource even their market demand in hilly Scientific reason and academic purpose is areas of Eastern Himalaya. another part of interest that has immense importance which attract special purpose. A good Some problems and prospects of hill example is colorful flowers of Rhododendromn ecosystem were collected after general arboretum (Guras) in hilly areas of West meeting conducted at village with some local Bengal that harbor beautiful bids called tits. It people, political leader persons. Another type blooms during February to March each year of meeting regarding bio-resource and and draw picturesque attention of tourists. mobilization was conducted at the office of Ornithologists, environmentalists, students, District Magistrate, Darjeeling along with researchers, social scientists, ecologists, foresters board members of State Bio-diversity Board, and Zoologist attracted by the blooming beauty West Bengal. Study of literature was done in (14) library of Darjeeling Govt. College, Darjeeling; qualify the aspects of tourism using knowledge Centre for Himalayan Studies, North Bengal of eco-tourism. University and other libraries available in hills. About Neplai culture and cultural aspects, Kalij Valley waterfalls: A waterfalls seminar library of Neplai Department was at Kalij valley is popular known as Kalij or consulted. Other study resource was collected Rainbow waterfalls under Rongbull side of from website published by different workers Darjeeling, West Bengal. The famous in India and abroad time to time. Photographs attraction of the falls is due to its opaque and some materials were collected from field. rainbow in front of the falls that reflects the Samples and specimens of some kind were back side of vegetation covering a height of also preserved in the College Laboratory of about 80 ft. A half an hour walk downwards Post Graduate Department of Botany, from Rangbull junction or from Sonada Mela Darjeeling Govt. College, Darjeeling. ground 45 minutes walking distance that attracts so many visitors. The alternate name Present study reflects some aspects of rainbow falls is Indreni falls by its Nepali which is basically depends upon then same name. Its uniqueness about nature and problems i.e. transportation, transfer of biodiversity attracts people including the unique knowledge, water, electricity, food and fodder, bird kalij available here as endangered landslides, earthquakes, gardening, cultivation- species. The site may be a centre of tourist practice, education, health, disease and recovery, attraction though students and researchers are sanitation, markets and hats (Weekly markets), frequently visited there. If you come to the primary education, industry and institution site obviously you will discover a divinely interface. Some are burning issues basically satisfaction, joy and peace with adventure and interlinking with other along with the great fault knowledge as the site has its uniqueness. of ridge in hills including general land sides Rainbow Valley Resort is there under Kalij from North East states of India to Indo-China, Valley tea Garden. Nepal even the extension of high ridge of Gilgit province in Pakistan. In all hill stations there are same type of problems that can predominantly harm the carrying capacity due to threat of tourism. But for the development of the area, we obviously need tourism which is scientifically termed as eco-tourism. It neglects the basic idea and qualifies the goal of the sustainable development using scientific knowledge in addition to the application of technology. The present paper therefore deals with some sites which have potency to develop eco-tourism The Kalij Pheasant (Source: www.net) but facing a serious problem i.e. pollution load, population load and productivity loss. The name Kalij valley comes from the Therefore, we can apply some knowledge to Kalij pheasant that are observed frequently in (15) jungle, bushy forest and shrubby thickets in offer a breath taking experience round the Himalaya. It is a pheasant or hen like bird found year. as least concern type under IUCN category. 4. Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary: It is The premises are the huge forest patch of a valued wildlife sanctuary (Fig. 7) in India Himalaya especially in the peaks of Pakistan and was set up in 1915 in the Darjeeling to western Thailand. Various colorful birds are District nearer to Jorebunglow or nearer to available there but in the jungle of Darjeeling, popular hilly railway station Ghoom. It is one the bird is called Gallopheasant (Lophura of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries of the Country leucomelanos). and occupies an area of 38.6 square kilometer with a range of elevation 1500 to 2600 mt. 2. Dello, Kalimpng, Darjrrling: It The entry point is located at Jorebunglow or is a beautiful hill station, 8-9 Km from near 6th Mile of Jorebunglow-Mongpoo Kalimpong Bus stand. The site has its unique metallic road. Green pines and variety of trees, lawn, colorful flowering trees, shored palm, shrubs and herbs hosted there along with a Thuja and Kashmiri pine scarred here and large number of wild animals. Wild animals there but the boundary occupies by a large like Black Bear, Deer and venomous snakes patch of Mallingo Bamboo. A view point from available there along with leopard and similar the hill top offers a panoramic view of mountain mammals. Baboons are common along the slopes. The unique peaks of Himalaya attract Jorebunglow and Kalimpong road. Mallingo tourists for its scenic beauty. Delo has its bio- bamboo (Fig. 5) is commonly found in the park so more attractive site is Dello in compare sanctuary which is a good fodder for ‘Red to Durpin Dara. Artificially constructed ponds Panda’. are there. The graceful attractive centre Dello is a view point to observe Mount Kanchenjungha 5. : It is and river Teesta. located on the of Eastern Himalaya at an elevation of more than 700 ft 3. Durpin Dara: The second interesting above MSL. The total area is 78.6 square site of tourism in Kalimpong of Darjeeling is kilometer and established in the year 1986. The Durpin Dara. A ridge of moderately wavy nearest town is Mane Bhanjang. Sandakphu patch connected two hills in which the town of Singalila is the highest peak (3636 mt or Kalimpopng is situated. The Hill is 1372 nt 11941 ft.) while Phalut (3600 mt.) is the second (4501 ft). Sunset and sunrise from both the highest peak of Noth Bengal. Abies (Fig. 6), hills attract tourists. Students from Schools and Rhododendrons, Primula, Prunus, Sorbus Colleges visit frequently Dello and Durpin etc. bloom flowers and attracts people round Dara. It is an observatory point which is nearly the year. But the problem is leech which attacks 3 km from the town and located south-east of people during monsoon and late monsoon. A the town connected an awe-attracting and lush green dhupi pine tree (Cryptomeria sp.) enchanting view of Mt. Kanchenjungha and scattered over the mindscape of Himalaya other snow capped ridges. A panoramic view which attracts visitors. Along the ridge of of Darjeeling, Sikkim, lush green pine filled mountain Fir trees (Abies densa) admixed with valley, icy rivers such as riang, Relli, Jelep-la ground shrubs daruharidra (Barberis spp.) (16) whispering during trekking. Some patchy land (HMI), Singamari Rope Way, Padmaja Naidu covers with Potentilla, Fragaria and Trifolium Himalayan Zoological Park, Shrubbery Park that binds soil and protect the land long ever. (Nightingale Park), mahakal dara temple, tiger High altitude indicates the less abundance of hill, tibetan refuge camp, Lloyd botanical Pine trees (Fig. 3) towards the Sandakhphu. garden, Japanese temple and Peace pagoda, Ava art gallery, Burdwan Raj palace, Pandam 6. Darjeeling: The Queen of the hills tea estate, Jayashree Tea estate, Happy Valley has its uniqueness i.e. tea industry, spectacular Tea Garden and Lebong Race Course ground view of (Kanchenjungha), the attracts visitors. Dhupi pine (Fig. 1), Guras (Fig. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHIR) a 2) and Chimal (Fig. 4) are common trees UNESCO World Heritage site attracts people available here and there. since time immemorial. Besides these, the mall road, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute 7. Mirik Lake: A natural water Figures (Fig. 1 to Fig. 8)

Fig. 1 Landscape showing Dhupi pine, Fig. 2 Broad leaved Rhododendron sp. (Guras)

Fig. 3 High altitude with less abundance of Pine, Fig. 4 Chimal-A type of Rhodendron tree (17)

Fig. 5 Mallingo Bamboo Fig. 6 Silver fir-Abies densa: Evergreen Conifer

Fig. 7 Senchal Wild life Sanctuary (From Fig. 8 Tiger Hill from Toong soong area Darjeeling), same day as the site is proximal to the junction reservoir at Mirik attracts visitors as it is nearly station Siliguri or New Jalapaiguri. one and half hour journey directly from Siliguri. Tourist spots must be protected from Two hours journey via Maiti Nepal, Pashupati exotic forces like over gathering that hampers is another route from Darjeeling that attracts the carrying capacity at a glance. The site must visitors even a lush green tea gardens be demarcated by different activities posed by whispering to stop few moments while passing different visitors for various purposes. Illegal by. The Nepali tea shop and momos attracts activities and destructive means can lead to tourist and visitors to spend time there by. affect the threshold of a spot that obviously Green environment and clean environment loss the interest of tourism which must be says something to us when we have no anxiety. stopped. Need based training to visitors as well Mirik lake situated on a valley to attract visitors as for hosts is essential to reduce the negative to ride on horse, as picnic spot, adventure in interaction time to time. Site demarcation and hill peaks, free movement even for sports. inclusion of spaces for orientation is essential People from Siliguri can enjoy the place in a in eco-tourism. The special actions from Govt. (18) tourism department, different organizations like ways during data collection in field visit. A Forest Department and Pollution control board special thanks to Dr. Barin Kumar Pramanik (State and Central) is essential to optimize the and Dr. Biswajit Maiti, presently posted at Govt. pollution and proper use of land. Advertisement general Degree College, Gorubathan, Darjeeling of Research and Development (RD) through and Govt. General Degree College, Khargpur- mass media is essential to explore the activities II respectively for help during field trip. of eco-tourism. Pre-posting of posters and festoons to promote and convey the proper References : knowledge to the feeder group which is essential to fulfill the programme as a need based way. 1. Ali, S. (1996). The Book of Indian Birds It is essential to locate the world heritage site, (Third Edition-Hard Cover), Salim Alin Centenary Edition, Oxford University monuments, attractive forest sights, place of Press, India. wild flora and fauna and indigenous people for 2. Ali, S and S. Dillon Ripley (2013). Hand the onset of good integrations during visit. It is Bookn of the Birds of India and Pakistan, urgent to convey the message to the feeder 1(10), Oxford University Press India, pp. group about the fate of tourism, degradation 3121. of ecosystem and relation between eco- 3. Anonymous. (1997). Flora of West Bengal, tourism and eco-degradation. Application of Vol.-I , BSI, Kolkata, Flora of India, 1997, local as well as indigenous technique is Series-2 essential to manage the fragile ecosystem and 4. Arrow, K. J. and A. C. Fischer (1974). get environment economically sound but Quart. J. Econ., 88: 312-319. ecologically sustainable. 5. Banerjee, S.K; D.K Pal and S.P. Banerjee (1984). Soil characteristic and Floristic I thank to local people of Darjeeling composition of some sub-alpine forests of and neighboring state Sikkim who helped me Darjeeling (West Bengal), Proc. Indian, better during data collection on ecological study. Nat. Sci. Acad., 50A(3): 269-277. Some of our Post Graduate students of the 6. Bennet, S. S. R. (1987). Name Changes Department of Botany helped me during field in flowering plants of India and adjacent visit. Special thanks go to Dr. P. Lama, regions, Triseas Publishers, Dehra Dun, Officer-in-Charge of Darjeeling Govt. College India. for his help as and when required. I thank to 7. Bertini, A. and E. Maritinetto (2008). Prof. N. C. Saha, Vice Chancellor, Burdwan Bollettinodela Societa Paleoontologia University, W.B., (former Director of Public Instructions, Govt. of West Bengal) for office Italiana, 47(2): 105-121. permission during field trip and botanical tour 8. Bhattacharya, D and A. Mitra (2013). from Botany Deptt. to different parts of Paripex-Indian Journal of Research, Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalaya during the 2(9): 222-224. academic session 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. 9. Bray, J. R. and J. T. Curtis (1957). Last but not least thanks to the foresters and Ecological Monograph, 27: 325-349. some colleagues who helped me in various 10. Bhutia, S. (2014). AIJRHASS, 14(4291): 239-246. (19)

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