` ESSENCE - International Journal for Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservation Volume VII: No. 1 2016 [01 – 10] [ISSN 0975 - 6272] [www.essence-journal.com] Potential of Ecotourism in Dehradun District, Uttarakhand Pal, Anil1; Pal, Brijesh2; and Rawat, M.S.S.3 Received: December 28, 2015 Accepted: January 28, 2016 Online: June 30, 2016 Abstract Mountains are sacred because they possess and salubrious climate. This divine wilderness beauty and they inspire mankind to meditate is adventurer's challenge, the trailer's delight, and grow spiritually. There should be artist's super eminent inspiration, something very unique in an area to attract the photographer's paradise, nature's superlative tourists. Basically there are three elements of and a sanctuary of variegated fauna. tourism – locale, transport and Keywords: Ecotourism | Dehradun | accommodation. If the place is rich in natural Himalayas | Uttarakhand beauty, amenities can be provided later on to Introduction make it a tourist destination. Hence scenic Tourists like to spend their long holidays away beauty is the primary plus point for a place to from their usual residence, where they can become a tourist destination. Tourist spots of enjoy nature and avoid urban agglomeration Dehradun District are replete with marvelous with least interference. General attractiveness beauty and packed with the grandeur of nature. of an area or its scenic quality is today a much Divinity manifests itself in the lap of the sought after commodity. More often, the Himalaya. This land of sages, religion and physical characteristics of natural features culture is rich in natural assets with a variety of determine scenic quality of a landscape. landscapes, the lush green valleys, majestic Identification of the existing attractions is the snow-covered peaks, soft pastures, gushing first priority of tourism development. Later rivers, bubbling streams, tranquil tarns, ma- comes the infrastructure, market analysis and jestic waterfalls, natural geysers, gaping gorges profit loss etc. while all the components of For correspondence: tourism are essential and important for its 1D.B.S.(PG) College, Dehradun 2 growth, attractions provide the energizing H.N.B. Grahwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal 3Department of Geography, H.N.B. Grahwal University, Srinagar, power. It can be called the stimulator, the Garhwal Email: [email protected] motivator for the tourist. Attractions not only 1 Pal et al. /Vol. VII [1] 2016/01 – 10 provide the things to see and do but also lure boundary adjoins the Sirmour District of the tourist. Himachal Pradesh. Himalaya and its fascinating scenery are the Garhwal Himalayas has been described as great assets of the region. Really so one the most beautiful land in the mountains of outstanding and unique are they that the entire the Asian sub-continent. Being one of the tourist industry of the region can bank on them. seven districts of Garhwal ‘Dehradun’ is the Ecotourism is the form of tourism which is most cherished destination for the nature simply based on the natural and cultural lovers, peace seekers and all types of visitors. characteristics of the area. The natural and Its dense forest, scenic landscape, meandering scenic beauty, mountains, rivers, forests and rivers, majestic mountain ranges on either side wildlife all together attract the nature lovers of wide-long valley, chirping and chilling and eco-tourists. People now-a-days are more winds, numerous picnic spots, temples, interested in visiting new and unspoilt places historical monuments, comfortable climate, of natural importance. Tourists prefer less wilderness, cultural diversity and altitudinal crowded and attractive natural areas in variations have together created a vast comparison to the popular congested old potential to attract the tourists. Natural factors tourist destinations. that play major role in creating potential for Study Area ecotourism have been studied on three basis – Dehradun is the most important and capital (i) scenic beauty (ii) flora and fauna and (iii) district of the newly formed State of climate (Siddiqui S., 2000).The district of Uttarakhand comprises two distinct tracts-the Dehradun is fortunate to have immense spots, vally part called Doon Vally and the hilly tract showcasing scenic beauty of the area. It can of Chakarata tehsil in the north west also also be called visitors’ paradise. The known as Jaunsar Baber. The valley itself is magnificent view of the snow covered composed of two sub valleys, the pachhawa Himalayan peaks on the North, serrated doon sloping down to the Yamuna towards the Siwalik range on the south adds grandeur to south west, and the other called Parva Doon the study area. towards the ganga in the south- east. The The district is endowed with vast variety of district is located between 290 56’ to 300 57’ flora and fauna which are a tangible resource north latitude and 770 35’ east to 780 23’ east for recreation. Various species of plants, trees longitudes. The total area of the district is and flowers exist in the district along with 3088sq kilometers. It is bounded in the North wide range of wild animals that has the and North East by Utterkashi district, in the potential to attract tourists. The study area is east by the district of Tehri Garhwal and in the well forested, mainly with Sal on the lower South by the Saharanpur district of Utter slopes and mixed deciduous forest and chir Pradesh whereas Southern boundary pine higher up. The higher hills (above 1500m) surrounded by Haridwar District. Its western of the outer Himalayas around Mussoorie and 2 Pal et al. /Vol. VII [1] 2016/01 – 10 beyond have three species of oak (ban, moru characteristics and follows primarily the and kharshu), with blue pine, deodar, spruce traditions of a Hindu society. Fairs and festival, and silver fir (Osmaston, B.B et al., folkdances ornaments, colorful traditional 1989).There are many species of birds that dresses etc. are the cultural assets of the study exist in the region which includes winter area. The fairs like Bissu mela, Jhanda mela, visitors and the resident birds providing great Bhadraj mela and Shivaratri mela are very feast for bird watchers and nature lovers. The popular among the local people. The places vast variety of animals found in the region is like Kalsi, Lakhamandal, Hanol, and Kalanga vital tourism resource. Rajaji National park of are of great historical and archaeological natural significance is a major attraction for importance and have been considered national wildlife enthusiasts and eco tourists. heritage. This attracts large number of people The climate of Dehradun is excellently with historical interests along with students, pleasurable. Some spots of natural importance research scholars and ordinary visitor. The remain cool even in scorching steamy days of presence of three tribal groups – the Jaunsaris, summer. Doon Valley with its semi-temperate the Bhoksas and the Gujjars add colours to the climate attracts tourists from adjoining districts cultural life of the study area. Their unique of warm plains. Winters are also not so severe traditions, colorful fairs and festivals, vibrant resulting in an overall mild-comfortable dances, songs and traditional attires are all climate throughout the year. Snowfall occurs cultural attractions of the area. on the hills of Mussoorie and Chakrata during Objective the winter months. Fog less and clear skies Dehradun, is the well known tourist destination during the cold weather attract people in their and famous for its scenic beauty, charismatic winter breaks from surrounding areas. The climate and peaceful socio- cultural and presence of mighty rivers Ganga, Yamuna and political environment. But the unplanned and Tons add to the charm of the district and act as non regulated tourism has posed some serious an attraction for water based activities for the threats to the natural environment of the study tourist visiting the area. These rivers are of area. The main objectives of the present study great spiritual and adventurous significance. is to study the potential of Dehradun district as The rivers are used in multiple ways for river eco-tourism destination. rafting, angling, kayaking, boating and river Methodology crossing. Tourists can even have fun of water The present study aims to analyze potential of sports and nature camping on their banks. eco-tourism in Dehradun District. First step of Several cascading waterfalls invite the research is to collect the secondary data on adventurous and fun loving people for different issues from various published and canyoning. unpublished sources of different governmental Dehradun has its own rich cultural and and non governmental agencies. Then the historical background. Its culture has its own 3 Pal et al. /Vol. VII [1] 2016/01 – 10 reconnaissance survey was made to the study Winter is severely cold spreading over a period area. of seven months Potential Attractions for Tourist in Dehradun District Water System Based Attractions Climatic Attractions Asan Barrage - It is situated in the western Climate is of particular significance to tourism. part of the Doon Valley and is also known by In fact, tourist market of hills totally depends the name Dhalipur Lake. It was created in the upon the weather and climate. The months of year 1967 by harnessing the waters of the May and June attract maximum number of Yamuna through power channel discharge and tourists and pilgrmis to Badri-Kedar, the Asan River. This place is famous for bird Gangotri-Yamunotri and higher reaches of watching as it attracts 53 species of water birds Garhwal Himalaya, but from the first week of of which 19 are winter migrants from Eurasia. July this number starts declining. The increase During winter months 90 per cent of the water and decrease is due to weather and climatic bird population comprises the migratory variation in the region. Important climatic species such as Brahming, Duck, Pintail, Red elements are temperature, precipitation, cloud Crested Pochard, Mallard Coot, Common Teal, cover, sunshine, wind velocity, and pressure Tuffed Duck and Sloveller.