A Case Study of Problems and Possibilities in the Establishment of a Guide Training Institute in Uttarakhand, India
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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2011 A Case Study of Problems and Possibilities in the Establishment of a Guide Training Institute in Uttarakhand, India Benjamin Schwartz The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Schwartz, Benjamin, "A Case Study of Problems and Possibilities in the Establishment of a Guide Training Institute in Uttarakhand, India" (2011). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 23. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/23 This Professional Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. 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A CASE STUDY OF PROBLEMS AND POSSIBILITIES IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A GUIDE TRAINING INSTITUTE IN UTTARAKHAND, INDIA By BENJAMIN NAFTALI SCHWARTZ Bachelor of Social Science, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia, 2002 Professional Paper presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Resource Conservation, International Conservation and Development The University of Montana Missoula, MT May 2011 Approved by: Perry Brown, Associate Provost for Graduate Education Graduate School Dr. Keith Bosak, Chair Society and Conservation Dr. Jill Belsky Society and Conservation Dr. Sarah Halvorson Geography Dr. Christine Oschell Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Schwartz, Benjamin, M.S., May 2011 Resource Conservation A Case Study of Problems and Possibilities in the Establishment of a Guide Training Institute in Uttarakhand, India Chairperson: Dr. Keith Bosak Abstract: This project sought to explore the problems and possibilities experienced during the establishment of a guide training institute in Uttarakhand, India. As originally proposed by the Mountain Shepherds Initiative, a small tourism organization based in Uttarakhand, the aim of the guide training institute was to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to gain employment as guides within, and expand the extent of, high quality/low quantity birdwatching tourism within northern Uttarakhand. This project was undertaken in conjunction with the Mountain Shepherds Initiative and the problems and possibilities were identified during a six month stay in the region from May-November, 2010. The problems and possibilities identified concerned the potential for the expansion of birdwatching tourism within the region as well as the process of establishing the training institute. Problems and possibilities associated with the potential for expanding birdwatching tourism within the region were related to three destination- attributes identified by Scott and Thigpen (2003) as of primary concern to birdwatchers: species availability, infrastructure, and contrast to urban environs. Problems and possibilities identified in connection with the process of establishing the guide training institute related to the means by which sites were selected, the creation of a course curriculum, and the initial implementation of guide training through a pilot course. As the tourism industry grows, and guides are held to increasingly high standards, it is hoped that this exploratory study will both inform other organizations wishing to establish guide training programs as well as future research into guide training. Keywords: Guide Training; Birdwatching Tourism; Nature-based Tourism; Guide Curriculum ii Acknowledgements This project would not have been possible without the underlying vision that drives the Mountain Shepherds Institute in Uttarakhand; they deserve special thanks both for the ways in which they helped me as well as the goals they are tirelessly attempting to achieve within the region. I would particularly like to thank all the guides I met during my stay in India and the director of the Mountain Shepherds Initiative, Sunil Kainthola, who spent countless hours discussing the philosophy of the organization. I would also like to thank the employees of Shri Bhuvaneshwari Mahila Ashram who allowed me to live in their office and with whom I interacted on a daily basis; they provided me with great insight into the operations of NGO‟s within the region as well as the myriad projects being undertaken within the mountain communities of Uttarakhand. While my work was based in India, it could not have been accomplished without the help of my committee members: Keith Bosak, Jill Belsky, Sarah Halvorson, and Christine Oschell. Their insightful comments throughout the development of this project provided me with the direction and theoretical background needed to greatly improve this manuscript. I would particularly like to thank my committee chair, Dr. Keith Bosak, for all the time spent, both at the University of Montana as well as in India, in helping me to revise and refine this project. Finally, I‟d like to thank all the members of my family who spent innumerable hours listening to my rants! iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT: ............................................................................................................................................................. II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................................................... III TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................. IV INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 STUDY REGION ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 PROJECT RATIONALE .............................................................................................................................................. 9 LAND RIGHTS, CONSERVATION, AND CONFLICT .................................................................................................................. 10 TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE (TEK) AND CONSERVATION ..................................................................................... 13 EDUCATION AND CULTURAL SURVIVAL ............................................................................................................................. 15 MSI INSTITUTE FOR GUIDE TRAINING .............................................................................................................................. 17 PROJECT SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS .................................................................................................................................. 23 PROJECT OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................................... 24 PHASE 1: SITE SURVEYS ................................................................................................................................................ 24 PHASE 2: CURRICULUM CREATION .................................................................................................................................. 26 PHASE 3: INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION ................................................................................................................................ 26 PROBLEMS AND POSSIBILITIES ............................................................................................................................. 27 BIRDWATCHING TOURISM POTENTIAL .............................................................................................................................. 28 Problems ............................................................................................................................................................ 31 Species Availability .......................................................................................................................................................... 31 Infrastructure .................................................................................................................................................................. 32 Possibilities ......................................................................................................................................................... 34 Species Availability .......................................................................................................................................................... 34 Infrastructure .................................................................................................................................................................. 35 iv Contrast to Urban Environs ............................................................................................................................................. 36 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................................... 37 GUIDE TRAINING INSTITUTE ..........................................................................................................................................