Exploring the potential and usefulness of Eco-Tourism in ...

1 

EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL AND USEFULNESS 

OF ECOTOURISM IN PUDUCHERRY WITH 

SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TOURISM AND 

ENVIRONMENT 

Master plan and viable project report Submitted to 

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT 

GOVERNMENT OF PUDUCHERRY 

SCHEME 

DSTE – Release of Grant-in-aid to Research Projects 

2006-07 

NAME OF THE INVESTIGATOR 

Dr Annamalai Murugan 

Dr. ANNAMALAI MURUGAN 

Principal Investigator, 

Department of Tourism, 

Tagore Arts College, 

Puducherry-605 008.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The Project on “Exploring the potential and usefulness 

of eco-tourism in Puducherry with special reference to 

tourism and environment” was funded by the Department of 

Science and Technology & Environment (DST&E) 

,Government of Puducherry. This project is the source for 

this book. I extend my sincere gratitude to the DSTE for 

accepting my proposal and sanctioning a reasonable 

financial assistance to complete it. I acknowledge and thank 

them for their prompt responses. The staff and I place on 

record our sincere thanks to the DSTE for releasing of the 

funds in time which enabled us to work with good spirit. 

We thank the Officials of Department of Tourism, 

Puducherry for permitting us to collect data in this region 

and for various help they extend to us. We also thank the 

Staff of the other Government department and other 

Agencies in Puducherry for providing necessary information.

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We thank the tourists (both domestic and 

internationals), hoteliers, tour operators, travel agencies, 

and other stake holders of tourism who have responded to 

our questions and furnished details we wanted. 

I extend my thanks to Principal, Tagore Arts College, 

Lawspet, Puducherry, for sincere cooperation to complete 

the work. 

I wish to acknowledge the cooperation and the 

enthusiasm of my family members. I thank them for their 

help in completing this project. 

In this regard, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to 

the Director and other officials of DSTE for their kind 

cooperation to complete the project work in a good manner. 

DR ANNAMALAI MURUGAN 

Principal Investigator

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CHAPTERS TITLE PAGE 

NO. 

I INTRODUCTION 1 

II RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 18 

III TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT 21 

IV 

V 

VI 

TOURISM IMPACT ON PHYSICAL AND 

SOCIO-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT 

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW 

ECO-FRIENDLY DESTINATION 

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN A TOURISM 

DESTINATION 

43 

50 

58 

VII SWOT ANALYSIS OF PUDUCHERRY 65 

VIII ECO-TOURISM POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT - 

76 

PUDUCHERRY 

IX CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 184 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 188 

APPENDICES 194

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CHAPTER –I 

INTRODUCTION 

Definition of Eco-tourism 

The word ‘ecotourism’ has been coined relatively recently and 

there remains no consensus about its meaning. Ecotourism has 

spread rapidly first because it has a number of different meanings and 

second because it has been extensively used opportunistically in 

marketing. Where the tag ‘eco’ has come to be synonymous with 

responsible consumerism. The tourism industry has been quick to 

exploit the marketing value of ecotourism the more so since its 

meaning is unclear and there is no requirement for the operator to do 

more than alter the packaging. 

The eco-tourist has been variously defined in terms of visitor 

behaviour and philosophy. The advertising appeals to and promotes 

these approaches. Eco-tourism is a niche market for environmentally 

aware tourists who are interested in observing nature’ (Wheat, 1994), 

described by Steele (1993) as ‘an economic process where rare and 

beautiful ecosystems are marketed internationally attract visitors’. 

Kelman put it bluntly ‘a tour advertised as environmentally friendly 

can be just as suspect as many of the products tarred up with green 

packaging at your grocery store’ (Wight, 1994).The World Travel and 

Tourism Environment Research Centre in its 1993 World Travel and 

Environment Review defined ecotourism as “tourism with the specific 

motive of enjoying wildlife or undeveloped natural areas” 

(WTTERC1993),making no distinction between nature tourism and 

ecotourism Others have also used ecotourism and nature tourism 

synonymously (Lindberg1991;Aylward and Freedman, 1992).

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Ceballo Lascurain’s 1987 definition has been used by others 

(Boo, 1990; Stewart and Sekartjiakrarini, 1994); 

‘…. Travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated 

natural areas with the specific objective of studying, admiring and 

enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as ay 

existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in these 

areas. In these terms, nature-oriented tourism implies a scientific, 

aesthetic or philosophical approach to travel although the ecological 

tourist need not be a professional scientist, artist or philosopher. The 

main point is that the person who practices ecotourism has the 

opportunity of immersing himself/herself in nature in a manner 

generally not available in the urban environment.’ (Quoted in Boo, 

1990). 

Ziffer (1989) offered a definition which combined motivation, 

philosophy, conduct and economic benefit to conservation. 

‘Ecotourism: a form of tourism inspired primarily by the natural 

history of an area, including its indigenous cultures. The eco-tourists 

visit relatively undeveloped areas in the spirit of appreciation, 

participation and sensitivity. The eco-tourist practices a nonconsumptive 

use of wildlife and natural resources and contributes to 

the visited area through labour or financial means aimed at directly 

benefiting the conservation of the site and the economic well-being of 

the local residents.’ 

The American based Ecotourism Society was founded in 1990 

as a centre for research, information and policies on developing 

ecologically sound tourism in natural areas around the world 

The Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as:

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‘purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture 

and natural history of the environment, taking care not to alter the 

integrity of the eco-system, while producing economic opportunities 

that make the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local 

people” (Wood 1991). 

These definitions are broadly drawn, seeking to combine 

ecological and cultural tourism activities, often within frameworks 

which address philosophy and motivation. 

The US Office of Technology Assessment of the American 

Congress concluded that; 

‘While some eco-tour operators are out simply to make a profit 

with little consideration of environmental and social issues, others are 

sensitive to these issues and may actively contribute to conservation 

projects/goals’ (USOTA, 1993). 

They pointed out that there is a: 

‘Wealth of literature ... [which] ... addresses the nature and 

growth of ecotourism. Its potential environmental and sociological 

impacts and planning and management issues... No definition of 

ecotourism has been universally accepted, data are commonly 

questionable, and much information and study is needed to assess 

the impact of nature travel’. 

(US OTA, 1993) 

Eco-tourism is often defined prescriptively. Consider for 

example the National Eco-tourism Strategy published in 1994 by the 

Mexican Secretariat of Tourism in cooperation with the World 

Conservation Union. It has developed a long list of characteristics of 

ecotourism which constitute a highly prescriptive definition. One 

which has been taken up by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO 

1995). It is interesting to note that there is only one reference to

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protected areas and that where ecotourism is identified as a suitable 

mechanism for improving links between local communities and 

protected area managers. Definitions of this nature are difficult to use 

analytically. 

The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) definition of ecotourism 

will be the one which is used to determine the volume of ecotourism 

and to measure its value world-wide. The emerging definition of 

ecotourism within the WTO and the one which will therefore prevail is 

derived from Australia. Australia’s National Ecotourism Strategy 

defined ecotourism as ‘Nature-based tourism that involves education 

and interpretation of the natural environment and is managed to be 

ecologically sustainable’ (Commonwealth Department of Tourism. 

1994). the report recognizes that the natural environment includes 

cultural components and that to be ecologically sustainable there 

must be an appropriate return to the local community and a 

contribution to the long-term conservation of the resource (WTO, 

1995). 

TOURISM IN INDIA 

The year 2004 was a highly successful one for India tourism. 

Foreign arrivals to the country were 3.37 million, a jump over the 

2003 figure of 2.73 million. The year 2004 registered a growth of 23.8 

per cent in foreign tourist arrivals over the previous year while 2003 

witnessed a growth of 14.8 per cent over the previous year. The 

growth percentage of 2003 and is significant as it was achieved 

despite the fact that world over there was a decline of 1.5 per cent in 

tourist arrivals in 2003 while 2004 only registered a growth of 10.7 

per cent. Consequently foreign exchange earnings also recorded an 

unprecedented growth of about 38 per cent with receipts at 21828 

crores in 2004. In 2003 the receipt was 16429 corers with a growth of 

15.7 percent over the previous years.

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The years 2003 and 2004 could be viewed as the resurgence of 

inbound tourism for India after a relative slowdown period between 

1999 and 2002 where the percentage growth in foreign exchange 

earnings ranged from a low of minus 1 per cent in 2002 to 9.9 percent 

in 2000. According to data compiled by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), 

the average stay of a foreign tourist in India is 18 days and average 

spend is US$ 1,462. This is higher than the world average of US$ 850. 

Statistics show that India’s average per tourist foreign exchange 

earnings in ’05 was the highest in the sub-continent and was also 

higher than many primarily tourism-dependent countries round the 

world. Tourism industry is emerging as the top forex earner for the 

Indian economy. Apart the Incredible India campaign, a greater focus 

and effort by the government in various areas like improving 

infrastructure, enhancing connectivity through augmentation of air 

seat capacity, emphasis on tapping newer markets etc. has resulted in 

this upswing in tourist numbers and tourism receipts. 

THE ECOTOURIST AND ECOTOURISM 

A considerable amount of debate is found in the literature 

regarding the definition of both ecotourist and ecotourism (Ashton 

1991; Stafford 1992). While defining ecotourism has been the focus of 

several recent articles (e.g., Blamey1997; Sirakaya, Sasidharan, and 

sonmez 1999; Ross and Wall 1999), ecotourist definitions usually 

have been discussed within the domain of ecotourism definitions (e.g., 

Ceballos-Lascurain 1987; Eagles 1992). One could think of these 

definitions as ranging from practial and often behavioral to normative 

and ideological. At one end of the definitional spectrum are simple 

equations of ecotourism to nature-oriented travel (e.g., Boo 1990; 

Luzar et al. 1998). This definition of the ecotourist is, then, anyone 

who engages in nature-oriented travel. Moving along the spectrum, 

one finds the popular working definitions of Eagles (1992), in which 

ecotourism is said to be “centered around leisure travel to observe and 

experience nature,” and the ecotourist “describes a specific travel

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market … characterized as being composed of those who select… 

nature oriented experiences in pristine natural environments” (p.3). 

Another two sets of ecotourism definitions advocate perspectives of 

tourism providers (e.g., Boo 1991; Wight 1993) or sustainability of the 

system (e.g., Butler 1992, cited in Ballantine and Eagles 1994) and 

offer prescriptives as to how to contribute to conservation or achieve 

sustainability. While there is a segment of the ecotourism market that 

may consider the economic and environmental impacts of its holiday 

experience on the local environment, the majority of individuals focus 

more on their interests, experiences, and learning. 

Ceballos-Lascurain (1990) provided one of the most 

comprehensive consumer-centered definitions. He argued, 

We may define ecotourism as that segment of tourism that 

involves traveling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated 

natural areas with the specific objective of admiring, studying, 

and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as 

well as any existing cultural features (both past and present) 

found in these areas.(p.25) 

According to Ceballos-Lascurain, 

The person who practices ecotourism has the opportunity 

of immersing him or herself in nature in a way that most people 

cannot enjoy in their routine, urban existences. This person will 

eventually acquire an awareness and knowledge of the natural 

environment, together with is cultural aspects, that will convert 

him or her into somebody keeny involved in conservation issues. 

(P.25) 

We recognize the role of experiencing nature in the individual’s 

development of an environmental “ethic” (c.f. the discussion by Bottrill 

and Pearce 1995) but also acknowledge that the original intent of 

most tourists (subsequently categorized in research on ecotourism as

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ectourists) is primarily to observe and learn about nature. Some 

studies revealed that while tourists acknowledge sustainability as a 

desirable factor, it appears that environmental impact has little 

influence on their choice of tourism product (Social Change Media 

1995). As McKercher (1993) stated, it is a mistake to assume that 

most ecotourists are anything other than consumers, whose primary 

goal is the consumption of an ectourism experience. In summary, the 

emphasis on nature has been the consistently common element of all 

reviewed definitions. 

It should also be mentioned that in the Ceballos-Lascurain 

(1990) definition is the ecotourist’s enjoyment of cultural features 

found in natural areas. General respect for culture and cultural 

artifacts and an appreciation for naturally occurring (not staged) 

cultural experiences is found in several discussions of ecotourism 

(Valentine 1992; Figgis 1993). However, it appears that culture is not 

the basis of the ecotourism experience, nor is it the central focus. 

Studies that have investigated reasons for visiting ecotourism 

destinations by asking respondents to list the reason for their visit 

(Lee and Senpenger1992). 

In conclusion, there are at least three definitional perspectives 

that can be taken in the study of ecotourism and ecotourists: 

(1) tourist centered, (2) tourism centered, and (3) “macro” or 

systems view. In the current research, we adopt the tourist’s view as 

a consumer. Furthermore, we see this tourist as best described as 

someone who, while interested in culture and in protecting the 

environment, is primarily interested in traveling to experience and 

learn about wilderness and undisturbed nature. This perhaps lessrestrictive 

(Buckley 1994) or minimalist (Blamey 1997) definition 

enables its broad application across the spectrum of ecotourism 

experience. With this definitional focus, we set about developing 

ecotourism interests that would help us to identify those individuals 

who would most probably choose an ecotourism activity.

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One type of alternative tourism is natural area tourism which is 

tourism in natural settings. Examples can include nature-based 

tourism, in which viewing nature is the primary objective, and 

adventure tourism, in which the focus is on the activity, for example, 

white water rafting or scuba diving. Ecotourism is another subset of 

natural area and may combine elements of both nature-based tourism 

and adventure travel. However, it is also characterized by a number of 

other feature-notably its educative element and conservation 

supporting practice (Valentine 1993). The Ecotourism Society 

definition is that ‘Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas 

which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local 

people’ (western 1993). The Australian definition of ecotourism is 

‘Ecotourism is nature-based tourism that involves education and 

interpretation of the natural environment and is managed to be 

ecologically sustainable. The definition recognizes that ‘natural 

environment’ includes cultural components and that ‘ecologically 

sustainable’ involves an appropriate return to the local community an 

long-term conservation of the resource (Australian Department of 

Tourism 1994). 

Ecotourism may be further described as having a number of 

essential characteristics and emerging styles. These elements combine 

to shape ecotourism in its present form. 

PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM 

Ecotourism comprises a number of interrelated components all 

of which should be present for authentic ecotourism to occur. There 

are five key principles which are fundamental to ecotourism. 

They are that ecotourism is nature-based, ecologically 

sustainable, environmentally educative, locally beneficial and 

generates tourist satisfaction. The first characteristics are 

considered to be essential for a product to be considered ‘ecotourism’

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while the last two characteristics are viewed as being desirable for all 

forms of tourism. 

1.Nature-Based 

Ecotourism is based on the natural environment with a focus on 

its biological, physical and cultural features. Ecotourism occurs in, 

and depends on, a natural setting and may include cultural elements 

where they occurs in a natural setting. The conservation of the 

natural resource is essential to the planning, development and 

management of ecotourism. 

2. Ecologically Sustainable 

All tourism should be sustainable-ecologically, socially and 

environmentally. Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism 

undertaken in a natural setting. The challenge to ecotourism in any 

country or region is to develop its tourism capacity and the quality of 

its products without adversely affecting the environment that 

maintains and nurtures it. This involves ensuring that the type, 

location and level of ecotourism use does not cause harm to natural 

areas. 

3. Environmentally educative 

The educative characteristic of ecotourism is a key element 

which distinguishes it from other forms of nature-based tourism. 

Environmental education and interpretation are important tools in 

creating an enjoyable and meaningful ecotourism experience. 

Ecotourism attracts people who wish to interact with the environment 

in order to develop their knowledge, awareness and appreciation of it. 

By extension, ecotourism should ideally lead to positive action for the 

environment b fostering enhanced conservation awareness.

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Ecotourism education can influence tourist, community and 

industry behaviour and assist in the longer term sustainability of 

tourist activity in natural areas. Education can also be useful as a 

management tool for natural areas. Interpretation helps tourists see 

the big picture regarding the environment. It acknowledges the 

natural and cultural values of the area visited as well as other issues 

such as resource management. 

4.Locally Beneficial 

The involvement of local communities not only benefits the 

community and the environment but also improves the quality of the 

tourist experience. Local communities can become involved in 

ecotourism operations, and in the provision of knowledge, services, 

facilities and products. These benefits should outweigh the cost of 

ecotourism to the host community and environment. 

Ecotourism can also generate income for resource conservation 

management in addition to social and cultural benefits. The 

contribution may be financial with a part of the cost of the tour 

helping to subsidies a conservation project. Alternatively it could 

consist of practical help in the field with the tourists being involved in 

environmental data collection and/or analysis. 

5. Tourist Satisfaction 

Satisfaction of visitors with the ecotourism experience is 

essential to long term viability of the ecotourism industry. Included in 

this concept is the importance of importance of visitor safety in regard 

to political stability. Information provided about ecotourism 

opportunities should accurately represent the opportunities offered at 

particular ecotourism destinations. The ecotourism experience should 

match or exceed the realistic expectations of the visitor. Client 

services and satisfaction should be second only to the conservation 

and protection of what they visit.

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EMERGING STYLES OF ECOTOURISM 

In planning and management of ecotourism it is also important to 

be aware of a number of different styles of ecotourism they may vary 

considerably in regard to a range of factors including: 

the types of natural settings they require 

the extent of direct contact and involvement with the natural 

environment, 

the group sizes involved, Ecotourism Concepts Characteristics 

the use and extent of personal interaction with tour guides, 

the reliance on mechanized means of transport and supporting 

infrastructure, and 

the type of visitor satisfaction and experience realised. 

In Australia the Queensland Ecotourism Plan identified three broad 

styles of ecotourism (ETM Mitchell Cotter 1995). They include 

Frontier Ecotourism, Small Group Ecotourism and Popular 

Ecotourism. 

1. Frontier Ecotourism 

Frontier Ecotourism involves individuals or small groups of 

generally ten or less people who utilize non-motorised forms of 

transport (eg. Walking or canoeing) to visit relatively remote and 

lightly used natural areas. Visitors are generally very self-reliant and 

have few demands for supporting services and infrastructure. There 

is a very special and unusual ‘first-hand’ experience that often 

requires a high degree of challenge and some knowledge of outdoor 

survival skills. Examples include trekking, rafting. 

2. Small Group Ecotourism 

This type of ecotourism involves individuals or relatively small 

groups (approximately 15 or less) who utilize motorized forms of 

transport (eg. Four-wheel-drive) (4WD) vehicle or small boat to visit

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areas of special interest which are generally ‘off the beaten track’. 

This type of ecotourism operation may involve moderately high levels 

of challenge and self-reliance but is generally suitable for participants 

from a wide variety of age groups who do not necessarily require any 

special outdoor skills. 

3. Popular Ecotourism 

This type of ecotourism involves the transport of larger numbers 

of visitors to, through or across a country’s best known and most 

popular natural attractions. It relies on high-capacity mechanized 

forms of transport such as buses or large boats. There are low 

requirements for self-reliance and the degree of challenge is generally 

low. There may be substantial requirements for supporting 

infrastructure and services (eg. Visitor centres, food and drink outlets, 

boardwalks and toilets). This style of ecotourism is available to all 

visitors irrespective of age or physical capability. 

There are also other tourist activities which are closely related 

to the ecotourism but are not within the strict definition of 

ecotourism. Examples of such activities include aquaria, botanical 

gardens, zoos which displays native fauna, and visitor centres and 

displays of native flora and fauna in locations which are remote from 

their natural setting. While all of these examples can have substantial 

educational and interpretive components and similar objectives to 

ecotourism, they do not occur in and depend on a natural setting and 

are therefore not exclusively the subject of ecotourism. 

ECOTOURISM IN INDIA 

In the last twenty years India has opened its doors to 

international visitors and is now fostering tourism largely to gain an 

increase in foreign earnings to help its economy. In 1996, 2.2m 

international tourists visited the country, an increase of 12.6% on the 

previous year. However, India’s tourism infrastructure is barely

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keeping pace with the industry increase and problems are evident in 

the accommodation, transport and personnel sectors. In addition 

India has real problems with environmental pollution and tourist 

pressures causing substantial damages to its natural treasures 

(Gadgil and Guha 1994), wildlife (Bolton 1994), historic sites (Singh 

1991) and cultural relics (Verma 1996). 

The case of sustainable development has already been put 

before India (Roy, Tisdell & Sen 1995). The authors advocate the 

adoption of Gandhian planning with its emphasis on small-scale 

developments at the village level being in harmony with the natural 

environment. By extension this sustainable approach is exactly what 

is needed for Indian tourism developments in environmentally 

sensitive areas as advocated by Singh & Kaur (1985), Dowling (1990) 

and Singh (In Press) and illustrated in the case of Tamil Nadu (Hyma 

and Wall 1979, Inbakaram and Kumaran 1995). 

Another example is the Adventures Wilderness School in 

Rajajinagar, Bangalore. The school runs small group ecotours into 

the rainforest of the Western Ghats in which foreigners learn about 

the forest and its tribal villages (Cutter 1995). Other examples include 

the development of designated touring circuits which have been 

established by the Department of Tourism in Rajasthan, Himachal 

Pradesh and Kerala (know India Newsletter 1996). Many of the 

circuits include a strong focus on wildlife and adventure travel and 

could be further infused with an ecotourism content. By extension, 

the National Tourism Awards which include the ‘Best maintained 

tourism-friendly wildlife sanctuary’ could be expanded to include a 

general Environmental Category to recognise ecotourism and naturebased-tours, 

attractions and accommodation. 

The future of Indian tourism is now at a critical stage. To 

address this problem it is suggested that India’s flirtation with mass 

tourism may be better refocused and directed towards sustainable

29 

tourism. Strong elements in support of this approach include India’s 

many natural and cultural attractions, its unique blend of natural and 

cultural environments, and its expertise in organised small group 

package tours. Adopting this approach should help India to achieve 

its conservation and tourism goals in a planned and sustainable 

manner and learn from other Asian countries such as Thailand which 

already has a National Ecotourism Plan (TAT 1995, Dowling 1996). 

Another key for India to achieve sustainable ecotourism development 

will be for it to become involved in the Indian Ocean Tourism 

Organisation (IOTO). The organization comprises a regional travel 

industry body open to all nations whose principal land mass touches, 

or is surrounded by, the India Ocean. It includes the countries of 

south Asia, east Africa, Australia and the island nations of the Indian 

Ocean such as Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles. 

The mission of IOTO is to enhance regional cooperation and 

understanding through sustainable tourism (Dowling 1995). The 

approach of IOTO will be to complement and add value to the 

strategies and activities of public and private sector tourism 

organisations around the Indian Ocean positively positioning and 

marketing the Indian Ocean Region as a unique tourism destination 

area. 

It also aims to facilitate cooperation and coordination among 

IOTO destinations and members, promote the expansion of 

appropriate transportation services and facilities’ to and within the 

Indian Ocean Region, and liaise with governments to reduce barriers 

to travel. The organization also intends to encourage improved service 

standards, quality visitor experiences and sound environmental 

tourism practices which benefit local communities. 

Another key aspect ecotourism development in India is to foster 

sustainable development planning principles such as that advocated 

by the Environmentally Based Tourism Development Planning Model

30 

(Dowling 1993). This will assist the planning of regions so that a 

balance is maintained among the natural, social, cultural and 

economic environments. Elements of this kind of approach have 

already been included in the regional tourism plan for Goa (World 

Tourism Organization 1994). 

Benefits and Risks of Ecotourism 

How is ecotourism different from other tourism, and why should 

conservationists be interested in it? In its theoretical ideal, nature 

tourism serves local, national, and international objectives: 

increases income and employment; 

generates foreign exchange; 

encourages dispersed rural development; 

stimulates rural infrastructure development; 

provides funds for natural resource conservation; 

builds political support for nature conservation; 

increases awareness of environmental issues; 

attracts desirable clients. 

That is the theoretical ideal. There also are, of course, many risks and 

constraints related to ecotourism development: 

Environmental degradation; 

Cultural “pollution”; 

Social tensions and disruptions; 

“runaway” development; 

economic leakages and distortions; 

seasonal and cyclical trends; 

Sensitivity to terrorism, instability, and changing consumer 

tastes.

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Clearly, ecotourism is far from being a panacea for economic 

development and environmental protection. But in some places, 

under well-managed conditions, it appears that it can make 

significant contributions. 

Stakeholders in Ecotourism Development 

Tourists: 

Local landowners and Users: 

Government Agencies: 

Tourism Authorities: 

Resource Management Agencies: 

Agencies Responsible for infrastructure: 

Planning and Finance Ministers: 

Tour Operators: 

Investors and Concessionaires: 

NGOs 

Development Assistance Agencies and Donors: 

Principles for Successful Ecotourism Development 

• Principle 1. Objectively assess the potential for ecotourism. 

• Principle 2. Identifying potential conflicts 

• Principle 3. Involve local residents] 

• Principle 4. Determine Objectives 

• Principle 5. Develop national and local tourism strategies and 

policies 

• Principle 6. Develop environmentally sound infrastructure 

• Principle 7. Provide adequate training 

• Principle 8. Promote and market the ecotourism product 

• Principle 9. Protect the resource base 

• Principle 10. Protect the tourists.

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CONCLUSION 

Therefore, ecotourism can also act as an exemplar for other 

forms of environmentally responsible tourism Promoting best practice 

in planning, design, management and operation. Any regional 

ecotourism development strategy should capture this vision by 

incorporating the following key elements: 

Ecotourism is dependant on the natural environment 

Ecotourism is part of the tourism industry 

Ecotourism can be on environmental exemplar for other forms 

of tourism, and 

Finally Ecotourism enhances awareness and appreciation of the 

natural environment. 

The report consists of nine Chapters. The first chapter describes 

the definition of eco-tourism as Introduction .The second chapter 

explains the methodology of the study. The third one presents the 

relationship between tourism and environment and the fourth chapter 

explains tourism impact on physical and socio-cultural environment 

and the fifth chapter explains the use of planning and development of 

a new eco-friendly destination. The sixth chapter explains about waste 

management in a tourism destination. The seventh chapter analyses 

about swot analysis of Pondicherry. The eighth chapter discuss about 

eco-tourism potential assessment at Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe 

Yanam with the final chapter giving conclusions and 

recommendations to improve eco-tourism.

33 

CHAPTER – II 

Methodology 

Rationale of the Study 

The consideration of the proximity and as a developing 

destinations, have promoted to select the Puducherry for the study. 

Puducherry has been averaging as an eco-tourism destinations, with 

back – water lakes (Chunambar lake, Ousteri lake, Bahour lake, 

promenade coastal beach, resorts etc.,) Thus Puducherry provides the 

suitable geographical and environmental setting for the proposed 

study of eco-tourism potential. 

Likely benefits of the project:- 

As the environment is divided into three types; natural, built 

and cultural environmental, the effects of tourism development on the 

environment are also sought to be studied under the above three 

classifications. 

The natural environment includes, air, water, flora, fauna, soil, 

natural landscape and climate. 

The built environment encompasses urban fabric, buildings, 

monuments infrastructure, parks, landscapes and open – spaces. 

The cultural environment includes values, beliefs, moral, 

behavioural arts and history of communities. 

Further the importance of the present study lies in the 

following.

34 

1. The Study will benefit policy makers to identify and understand 

the problems and constraints which cause to attract more 

tourists to the state. 

2. The study is a modest approach to lengthen the stay of tourists, 

and to increase socio-economic contribution of the state. 

3. It also study’s about various stakeholders (Tourists, 

Government agencies, Tourism authorities, Tour operators, 

etc.,) in ecotourism development 

Objectives of the Project 

The Present study attempted to analyse the potential and 

usefulness of eco-tourism in the state by specially focusing on the 

following objectives. 

(i) To analysis socio-economic contribution of tourism in the 

study areas. 

(ii) To study ecotourism potential and tourist’s perception in 

the study area. 

(iii) To study the relationships between environment and 

ecotourism development. 

(iv) To suggest policy options for harnessing tourism potential 

of the state. 

Research Design 

The research design is descriptive in nature. It describes the 

potential and usefulness of ecotourism in Puducherry . The study 

explores the eco-tourism of Puducherry and explores various aspects 

of the tourists both domestic and Internationals like the use of the 

tourists resources by them like beaches, lakes, and utilisation of 

various other tourism products. Swot analysis also presented in 

detail. 

Tool for Data Collection

35 

Tool administered for collection of data in a structured interview 

schedule which contained questions about details, use of tourists 

resources, tourist expenditure, accommodation status problems faced 

by the tourists, which includes transport, facilities etc., 

Method of Data Collection 

The Study is based both on primary and secondary data. 

The primary data for the study was collected by conducting 

surveys among the tourists with the help of the using 

structured questionnaires and interview schedules. 

 

Necessary information’s were obtained from the Department 

of Tourism, Non-Governmental organisations, Hotels, Travel 

agencies and Tour operators , Universities and College 

libraries etc., were visited and relevant information’s were 

collected. The Department of Economic and Statistics 

records were referred for materials on Puducherry Statistics 

report. Secondary data’s also obtained from sources like 

Government publications, Government departments, etc., 

and other agencies in the field of tourism also used.

36 

CHAPTER-III 

TOURISM AND THE ENVIRONMENT 

The literature on assessment of economic impact of tourism 

highlights a number of success stories on gains on account of 

increased employment opportunities, foreign exchange earnings, 

income multiplier effects and tax revenue. Attraction of these benefits 

combined with search for engine of development led to the idea of 

tourism development being sold as a painless remedy for numerous 

social and economic ills, to the developing countries. This led to an 

indiscriminate and unplanned growth of tourism infrastructure in 

many countries and soon the negative effects in the form of social and 

environmental degradation started outpouring, resultantly the last 

two decades have witnessed a growing interest in the relationship 

between tourism development and the environmental quality. The 

interest is driven by a number of factors including the rapid growth in 

tourism activity around the world and an enhanced awareness of 

these negative impacts of mass tourism on the environment. 

This chapter is dedicated to the study of tourism and 

environment relationship. Starting with definition of the environment, 

its constituents and positive effects of tourism on the environment we 

will look into the environmental effects unplanned and large-scale 

tourism development. As the environment is divided into three types; 

natural, built and cultural environment, the effects of tourism 

development on the environment are also sought to be studied under 

the above three classifications. The chapter concludes with the 

argument that in view of the positive and negative impacts of tourism 

development, the tourism management approaches gain importance.

37 

Defining the Environment 

Environment is mostly considered under three headings; 

physical or abiotic, biological, and socio-economic. In more simplistic 

way, the environment is considered under classification of natural, 

built, and cultural. For the purposes of this book, the classification of 

natural, built and cultural, environment has been adopted. This 

categorisation closely relates to the typology utilised to describe the 

environmental assets that attract tourists, and provides a simple 

framework for the analysis of tourism impacts. The natural 

environment includes air, water, flora, fauna, soil, natural landscape 

and climate. The built environment encompasses urban fabric, 

buildings monuments, infrastructure, parks, landscapes and open 

spaces. The cultural environment includes values, beliefs, moral, 

behaviour, arts and history of communities. 

Before getting into the analysis of the nature of environmental 

effects caused by tourism it is appropriate to analyse the natural of 

environmental problems. Environmental problems can be of many 

types. Fundamentally the environmental problem can be classified 

into two types; resource depletion problems, and pollution problems. 

The former is again classified into two type’s renewable and non 

renewable resources. The examples of problems with the use of 

renewable resources can be depletion of renewable resources such as 

forests, fisheries and biodiversity. The non-renewable resources, on 

the other hand, refer to depletion of resources like coal, oil and 

minerals. The pollution results in injection of wastes into the 

atmosphere from production and consumption activities. It can be 

divided by ‘source’ or ‘sink’. The source of the pollution refers to the 

pollution-generating agency such as automobile pollution noise 

pollution, ad industrial pollution. The sink of pollution refers to the 

pollution-absorbing agency such as atmosphere (air pollution), water 

bodies (water pollution) and city dumps and waste disposal sites (soil 

pollution). Magnitude of environmental problems. It needs to be

38 

determined whether the impacts are limited to a city, a region a nation 

or across a number of countries. 

Considered with reference to tourism, generally, environment 

performs three functions. 

- supplier of natural goods such as beautiful landscape, 

mountains, lakes and the like, forming the core of the tourism 

product; 

- Provider of natural resources used to create economic goods; 

- The ‘sink function’ – wherein the undesirable by-products 

generated during the production and consumption process are 

discarded. 

The tourism industry produces a negative externality while taking 

advantage of the environment. 

While analysing the tourism product the peculiar feature of 

tourism is that if offers environment as a part of its product. 

Therefore, the quality of tourism product is dependent on quality of 

environment to a large extent. Researches on tourist preferences for 

environment to a large extent. Researches on tourist preferences for 

environment in a particular destination as well as initiating 

environmental protection measures substantiate the arguments in 

favour of environmental consciousness in the industry. The result of 

a survey conducted in West Germany on tourist opinion reveals that 

72% of the tourists regard high quality natural environment as the 

primary condition for a successful vacation. The figure is 86% in 

Scotland. Krippendorf (1982), therefore, terms it as the raw material 

of tourism. It is the reason for the existence of tourism as well as its 

economic driving force. 

However, identifying the environmental effects caused by 

tourism is not a simple task. Inter-linkages of the activities forming 

part of tourism make it further difficult to identify one of them.

39 

The following factors make the tasks of identification of impacts 

difficult. 

1. Probably the first and the foremost would be that the research on 

environmental impacts is reactive rather than proactive, that is it is 

conducted as a post-factum rather than ante-factum. Therefore, it 

is difficult to identify the situation of status quo ante to isolate the 

impacts due to tourism. 

2. It is difficult to distinguish between the impacts due to human 

intervention and pure impacts of nature. Particularly, there are 

impacts occurring without human intervention and not always fast 

enough to distinguish. Baumol and Oats (1979) using the example 

of deterioration in quality of waters of the Baltic Sea have 

illustrated the argument. The data, according to them, indicates 

that in the central waters of Baltic roughly mid-way between 

Stockholm and Helsinki the oxygen content has fallen to zero. 

Surprisingly, this is not the case with water on the shores even 

though the later is severally affected by oxygen demanding 

chemicals. The cause is attributed to rise of salinity. 

3. The problem of measurement of impacts further adds to the 

complexity. It is difficult to foresee the chain reactions or the 

cumulative changes caused by a change in one component. 

Finally, there is a problem of spatial and temporal 

discontinuities. In arises when the causes and effects of impacts 

occur at various places and at different times the example of pollution 

caused by untreated sewage to the rivers may lead to environmental 

hazards at places for distant from the site of the discharge. 

Positive effects of tourism on the environment 

The most important factor in favour of tourism leaving positive 

impacts emanates from the very fact that the environment constitutes 

a very important part of tourism product It is therefore in the larger 

interest of the industry to protect the environment. The situation of

40 

over-exploitation of this important resource by the industry leads to 

the phenomena of tourism killing tourism’. 

The positive impacts can be summarised as under: 

- Economic benefits to the society flow in the form of foreign 

exchange earnings, direct and indirect employment opportunities 

created due to the development of tourism and the associated 

infrastructure, and the resultant income multiplier effects. It also 

leads to increased government revenues in the form of various 

kinds of taxes levied on tourism activities. 

- Improvement and preservation parks and cultural heritage 

properties. Natural parks of Kenya Tanzania, Zambia and South 

Africa are good examples of these. 

- The tourism activities also lead to better resource availability for 

construction of infrastructure and maintenance of heritage 

properties and parks due to combined effect of three factors. 

First as the historical monuments, nature parks and cultural 

traditions are resources for their maintainenance and publicity 

from the government. Second, as the visiting tourists are 

generally made to pay for their visits to these monuments, the 

funds so received also add to the available pool. Finally due to 

the combined effect of increased expenditure of the government 

on creation of infrastructure and publicity and increased tourist 

arrivals, the private investment also starts ‘crowding in’ 

- Tourism also promotes cross- cultural exchange with tourists and 

resident population learning more about each other’s culture. 

Ming’s (1988) concludes that tourism in Barbados improved 

international understanding. Similarly in the multi-ethnic society 

such as India and Indonesia, domestic tourism can ideally help 

achieve cross-cultural understanding. It is generally seen that 

tourism infrastructure utilises the idle and wasteland in the area.

41 

Negative effects of tourism on the environment The negative 

impacts can be studied into three classifications namely, natural, 

built and cultural environment. Table 1 summarises these impacts. 

Effects on Natural Environment The effects of tourism on natural 

environment are studied in five parts; effects on flora and fauna 

pollution, erosion, depletion of natural resources, and visual effects. 

Table. 1 Impacts of tourism on the environment 

Impact aspect 

Floral and 

faunal species 

Pollution 

Erosion 

Natural 

resources 

Visual impacts 

Built 

environment 

Cultural 

environment 

Potential consequences 

Destination of breeding habits, Killing of animals 

through hunting; killing of animals in order to supply 

goods to the souvenir trade; Change in extent and 

nature of vegetation cover through clearance of 

plantation to accommodates tourist facilities. 

Water pollution through discharges of sewage, 

spillages of oil/petrol; Air pollution from vehicle 

emissions, combustion of fuel for heating and lighting; 

Noise pollution from tourist transportation and 

activities. 

Compaction of soil causing increased surface run-off 

and erosion; Change in risk of occurrence of land 

slides; Change in risk of avalanches, damage to river 

banks. 

Depletion of ground and surface water; Depletion of 

fossil fuels to generate energy for tourists; Depletion of 

mineral resources for building material. 

Due to littering, sewage discharge, and poorly sited 

buildings. 

Changes in character of built area; changes to urban 

fabric and overload of infrastructure; Change in land 

use of the area, burden on civic amenities. 

- On tourist; decrease in quality of recreational 

experience. 

- On host population.

42 

a) Effects on Flora and Fauna 

The effects of tourism activity on ecological balance of the area 

can be studied in the following sub-heads 

a) Effects due to tourism infrastructure 

b) Effects due to tourists, and 

c) Effects due to linkages. 

a) Effects due to tourism infrastructure 

Perhaps the most significant source of tourism-induced impacts 

on ecosystems is the spread of tourism and recreation infrastructure. 

It not only puts strain on already scarce land, but also. Due to digging 

and increased extraction of local building materials, causes 

irreversible damages to the landscape. Creation of tourism 

infrastructure requires a lot of space, which is often provided at the 

expense of ecosystems. Built infrastructure as well as tourist facilities 

and activities are created replacing the natural vegetation. 

Large scale destruction of an ecosystem through vegetation 

removal to accommodate tourist infrastructure in case of European 

Alps is a case of this kind. Barker (1982) analyses the impact of 

tourism infrastructure on two models that of eastern Alps covering 

eastern Switzerland, Bavaria Austria and Northern Italy, ad the 

western Alps model typical in France. The eastern model has 

developed a symbiosis between tourism and local communities in 

villages. Large tourism corporations developed the western model. 

These integrated ski resorts have been constructed in the 

unpopulated alpine region bringing the skiers closer to the nature. 

Barker terms these resorts as eyesores marring the land-scape and 

destroying vegetation and causing soil erosion. Mader (1988) 

highlights that 59,000 acres of land is covered under ski slopes in 

Switzerland of which 90% are destroyed with long-lasting effects the 

tourists in 175 million holiday beds spend 75 million nights. Further, 

despite a very low occupancy of 20%, the new accommodations are

43 

still being built. 

Krippendorf points out that I square metre of 

cultivated land is built upon each second in Switzerland. 

The intrusion of mass tourism has been facilitated by the 

construction of paved roads that have the capacity to bring thousands 

of tourists. It is believed that this single factor has caused problems 

of air pollution, noise, traffic jams, dust, and devastation of vegetative 

cover resulting in erosion. Each year at least 150 million people drive 

across the Alps, and this traffic is expected to increase by 50% or 

more by 2010 (Dinniston, 1995) 

Price (1981) contrasts the effects of damages caused by means 

of transport in plains and in mountain areas. He argues that 

automobiles doe much more damage to mountain environment than 

to low lands because of less efficient combustion process at high 

elevation due to less oxygen. Comparing the impact of foot travel and 

roads, he emphasizes that the contribution of foot travel to 

environmental deterioration counts as nothing compared to the 

construction and use of highways. 

The buildings roads disturb the Alps and changes local drainage 

pattern. It also involves construction of structures to protector 

travellers from avalanches falling rocks and soil erosion. Similarly, 

lifts, cable cars gondolas and Trams often transport people from road 

level to high and otherwise inaccessible areas and, therefore affect the 

ecosystems. Though these facilities have started coming up on the 

Himalayas and other mountain ranges, Alps probably have the largest 

concentration of them. Switzerland alone has about 1700 such 

facilities (Krippendorf, 1986). 

The extent of damage and intensity of damage may depend upon 

several factors like the nature of tourism activity and carrying 

capacity of the area. Mieczkowski (1995) contrasts the space 

requirements among various tourism activities on the basis of their

44 

location. According to him, user – oriented activities located in urban, 

sub-urban and near-urban areas consume less space but are 

monopolistic in character. He sees the example of tennis court and 

swimming pool to explain the typical feature of these activities that 

exclude se of land for ay other activity. On the other end are the 

resource base activities like mountain hiking and camping requiring a 

large space but it is not permanent and other activities can also take 

place there. Therefore the extent of damage depends upon the type of 

activity being promoted in the area. However the intensity of damage 

may depend upon the carrying capacity of the area. The intensity may 

vary on spatial as well as temporal considerations. The spatial 

intensity refers to concentration of tourist infrastructure at one place 

while the temporal intensity refers to concentration of arrivals during 

a definite period. Examples of spatial over-saturation are regions like 

Alps and Mediterranean. Similarly, places like Kullu valley in 

Himachal Pradesh, in India, and few tourist destinations in Scotland 

(Battam 1998a) face the capacity of overflows during peak seasons. 

(b) Effects due to tourists; The vegetation cover can also be 

damaged due to trampling by walkers or crushing by tourist vehicles. 

Hikers, trackers and mountaineers approach the areas left by roads 

and off road traffic. They can penetrate into the places inaccessible by 

mechanical means. The damages caused due to this activity may be 

of four types namely; soil erosion caused due to trampling, 

deforestation caused due to fuel requirements, threat to wildlife, and 

treat to cultures. 

(c) Effects due to linkages; Linkages of the tourism industry 

further compound the problem. With the development and projection 

of a tourist destination, the overall projection of the area takes place 

leading to considerable increase in construction activities. An activity 

like construction of roads, houses and emergence of small business 

houses crowds the system and disturbs the ecological system.

45 

(b) Effects on Pollution 

Commenting on pollution caused by tourism industry, Hunter 

and green (1995: 19) observe, “Moreover, the tourism industry itself 

has been and still is, a major contributor to environmental pollution 

in many parts of the world.” The pollution caused by the industry is 

of four types’ water, air, noise pollution, and disposal of wastes. 

Water pollution occurs due to the discharge of untreated water, 

inorganic and organics wastes and sewage. One of the major causes 

of water pollution caused by tourism industry is discharge or dumping 

of oil, petrol, inorganic and organic wastes by hotel units and means 

of water transport. Hunter and green (1995:20) survey the literature 

on the studies reporting the water pollution of the type caused by the 

tourism industry. According to them. Stark (1990) with reference to 

coastal environment of Hawaii; Holder (1988) on general impacts of 

coastal tourism throughout the Caribbean; de Groot (1983) with 

reference to the activities of tourist and tour operators in the 

Galapagos Islands; Harris (1991) in relation to the discharge of oilcontaminated 

bilge water by tourist ships in parts of the south 

Shetland Islands of Antarctica; and Milne (1990) in relation to oil 

seepage from boats carrying tourists to off-shore attractions in the 

pacific Islands have reported water pollution caused by the industry. 

The other main reasons for water pollution are fertilizers and 

nutrients used for maintenance of lawns and golf courses and tourist 

cruises ships and boats. Such contamination of ground water 

occurring due to application of large quantities of pesticides and 

fertilizers to golf courses has also been reported. 

In many coastal waters the source of water pollution are hotels 

and resorts that dump raw or inadequately treated sewage. Tyler 

(1989) highlights the health hazard to tourists and locals due to 

sewage entering the Mediterranean. Cases of gastro-intestinal 

disorders in villages of Nepal’s Everest region due to contamination of

46 

water by the tourist activity have also been reported. Not only this, 

contamination of water due to raw and untreated sewage can have 

profound impact on aquatic life as well. Hunter & Green (1995:19) 

report that, 

“Sewage pollution can alter the ecological balance of an 

area often resulting in a marked decline in species 

diversity, by reducing dissolved oxygen in water ad 

sediments, by increasing water turbidity by smothering 

sea, lake or river bed, and by promoting the accelerated 

eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) of water bodies.” 

Sewage- related water pollution is also very well reported. 

Examples of such pollution have been reported in Jamaica, Fiji 

Cyprus, Norfolk Broads of England and Japan. 

Though the industry is generally believed to be a a smokeless 

industry, air pollution can accompany tourism developments in a 

number of ways; during the construction of buildings and other 

tourist facilities’ and associated infrastructure, from burnings of fossil 

fuels for providing power and heating, and from the forms of 

transportation used by the tourists like air, water and road. While the 

effects of water pollution are mostly restricted to small and welldefined 

area, the effect of tourism on the air quality takes a much 

wider dimension, even global, through air transport. 

Noise pollution occurs mainly due to increased traffic, water 

sports activities and music in restaurants and discos. 

Instances of the ecological stresses occurring in the form of 

pollution and destruction of natural vegetations across the Hind Kush 

Himalayan region have also been reported. Sharma (1998;51) records 

that in Nepal an average trekking group of 15 people generate about 

15 kg of bio-non-degradable and non-burnable garbage in about 10 

trekking days. Similarly, the problem of littering and solid waste

47 

disposal reaches crisis proportions in areas frequented by the tourist. 

The Everest region in Nepal is the best example of such a case. 

Between 1979 and 1988 about 770 mt of garbage is reported to have 

been disposed by about 840 mountaineering teams. This included 

422mt of disposable garbage, 141 mts of non-degradable garbage and 

about 207 tons of oxygen cylinders. 

(c) Effects on Erosion 

The most significant physical damage to soils in fragile 

environments, such as deserts, dry lands and mountains is caused 

due to three reasons. First the construction of tourist infrastructure 

may involve digging or cutting of earth causing soil erosion. Erosion 

of sand from popular resort beaches has posed a problem in some 

locations due to sitting of buildings and other superstructures too 

close to high water mark. Romeril (1989) reports erosion of natural 

geographical features in certain destinations in Australia. Second, are 

tourist activities like camping, trekking and mountaineering causing 

trampling leading to soil erosion? Trampling by human feet, horses 

and vehicles causes soil compaction. The soil compaction changes the 

soil structure as the aggregates disintegrate leading to fall in aeration 

and water infiltration ending in water runoffs. Increased runoff has 

two negative consequences (a) it reduces the existing soil moisture 

which may lead to complete eradication of vegetation; (b) it increases 

the water erosion. This removes the soil of factors, including the 

amount and intensity of rain and the steepness of slope. Price (1981) 

distinguishes the effect of trampling on poorly drained and welldrained 

meadows. He concludes that the effect of to well-drained 

meadows. Further, the trails developing across the meadows serve as 

pseudo-stream beds, by facilitating drainage, leading to demise of 

meadows. Finally, the associated increase in transport activities and 

construction of roads casing soil damages.

48 

(d) Depletion of Natural Resources 

Increased activity and consumption may lead to rapid depletion 

of renewable and non-renewable natural resources like construction 

material, forests, water and animal life. Tourism-led deforestation 

and degradation of forest are widely reported issues. Fuel 

requirements of the trekking parties’ lead to deforestation. 

Meieczkowski (1995) argues that in Himalayas, one tourist uses 6.4 kg 

of firewood per day, which equals the daily needs of two Nepalese 

families. 

Analysing the problem, Boo (1990) states that the tree line in 

Nepal was lowered by several hundred feet. Sharma (1998) has also 

found similar results. He reports that the tourist demand increases 

the demand for fuel wood in Everest area by about 85%. The degree 

of damage, however, is more in developing countries than in the 

developed countries due to non-availability of alternate sources of 

energy. Likewise, demand for timber for construction, and the very 

short growing seasons add to the problem of forest degradation and 

deforestation. 

Vegetation has also been affected due to the souvenir industry 

in particular. This industry though has thrived at the tourist 

destinations due to tourists but has been a major culprit. Increased 

deforestation for wood-based carvings and large scale massacre of 

animals for animal’s skins and wings has been reported from Nepal, 

Taiwan and various parts of Africa. Similarly, due to access to the 

remote areas, problems of increased poaching in wildlife reserve have 

also been noticed (Price, 1981; Mieczkowski, 1995; Denniston, 1995) 

the presence of tourists also disturbs the predator – prey relationship 

causing ecological imbalance. Price (1981) mourns the extinction of 

Marco Polo Sheep due to uncontrolled shooting. 

The cases of tourism-led scarcity of water are common in 

certain tourist destination in India. 

Pirazizy (1993) records that a

49 

bucket of water is sold for a very high price in Shimla (India) during 

the tourist season. In general, the per capita water requirement of 

tourist is found to be more than the local residents leading to 

conflicts. Evidence from Caribbean suggested that tourist water use 

can be over three times higher than the consumption of local 

residents. Likewise, water consumption may be enhanced due to 

watering of golf courses. 

(e) Visual Effects 

The visual impact may be caused due to three reasons; littering, 

sewage, and poorly sited and constructed buildings, Littering is one of 

the major causes of visual pollution at tourist destinations. 

Abandoned aluminium cans, oxygen bottles, and foodstuff become a 

permanent kind of defacement. Several studies like Price (1981), 

Mieczkowski (1995), and Cullen (1986), have pointed out the existence 

of the problem. Price (1981) expresses grief over is indifference of 

trackers to environmental concerns in Himalayas and highlights that 

a few campsites used frequently by trekkers have become garbage 

dumps. The problem is compounded by the use of bio-no degradable 

packing material, which does not to open discharge of sewage. Poorly 

designed, sited and constructed buildings and other tourist facilities 

are well known consequences of much tourism development, 

frequently detracting from the visual amenity of natural environment 

by blocking views. 

Built Environment 

The effects of tourism on built environment can be classified 

into three types. These are effects on architectural on architectural 

façade, change of land use, and burden on infrastructure. 

Mass tourism development is generally associated with poorly 

designed, sited and constructed buildings and other facilities. Tyler 

(1989) writing on tourism in developing countries has commented on

50 

the construction of glass and concrete blocks not in keeping with the 

environment. The problem becomes very complex in heritage towns. 

In hilly and coastal areas as well, the sporadic development leads to 

what is called as ‘ribbon development’ (Inskeep, 1987). A strong 

argument is therefore given in favour of appropriate architectural 

design of tourist facilities. He emphasises on indoor-outdoor 

relationship in tropical and semi-tropical areas, the use of indigenous 

and natural buildings materials to the extent possible. The 

consideration of outward facade and roof design deserves special 

attention. Further, ensuring a suitable land-scaping is equally 

important. This may be absolutely required in rural resorts and 

hotels in order to offer an environment, which integrates with the local 

setting. 

Large-scale construction of infrastructure and tourist facilities 

leads to change of land use in the area, through direct loss as a result 

of urban expansion or indirectly as a consequence of changes in land 

values. This may be harmful for the local ecological balance. Loss of 

agricultural land has been reported in many studies (for instance, 

Milne, 1990; Singh, 1989). Instances of large-scale conservation of 

agricultural land in Thailand for golf courses and in Kenya for growing 

products required by the tourists have also come to notice. The 

problem may be acute in mountain areas where agriculture is less 

productivity ad attractive prices by the developers will entice the 

farmers to selling the land The effect of tourism on the land use in 

the area is linked though the effect o the production regime occurring 

due the forward and backward linkages of tourism. Studies on the 

effects of tourism development in mountain areas have concluded that 

the tourism development invariably affects land size around the 

trekking routes ad in and around destination settlements. The most 

apparent effect according to them is conversion of forest land into 

agriculture land, encroachments on public open spaces and tendency 

to leave land fallow for camping. There can however be some positive

51 

effects due to changes in land use led by tourism. These positive 

effects have been noted along the trans-Himalayan region of Nepal as 

a shift in cropping pattern from traditional to commercial one. The 

case of Annapurna is often cited as an example of development of a 

production base due to trekking tourism. This has socio-economic 

implications as well. 

Market forces- led indiscriminate construction of tourist 

infrastructure leads to overstrained civic infrastructure. Facilities like 

water, electricity, roads and public health often exist in accordance 

with the local needs. A sudden increase in number of users results in 

breakdown of the system. Examples of tourism-led scarcity of water 

ad electricity, over-crowding and traffic congestion are very common 

in certain urban areas. 

Impact on Social-Cultural Environment 

The impacts of tourism development on socio-cultural 

environment can be studied under two classifications. Impacts on 

tourists and on the host population. 

(A) Impacts on Tourists 

The major impact on tourists that emerges is one the quality of 

recreational experience. There is a degree of intensity of use of 

recreational resources, which the tourists are willing to accept. 

Overcrowding may force some people to consider the experience no 

longer worth having, that are the repeat visits will fall substantially. 

Claswson and Knetsch (1975) provide an interesting analysis to prove 

the fact that the extent of crowding will not be the same for all areas 

and kinds of recreational use. Those who take advantage of the 

opportunities it offers for nature value a wilderness area and not the 

man-made works. Opportunity to see an enjoy a relatively untouched 

and primate environment gives such areas their greatest appeal. It 

may be argued that satisfaction per user here is highest at the very

52 

lowest intensity of use and it falls steadily as the intensity rises. 

However, even here almost everybody welcomes past usages of the 

area by someone and almost certain to portend some degree of present 

use. But satisfaction per visitor reaches a peak at a very low intensity 

of use. Subsequently, as the intensity of se continues to raise, the 

satisfaction per visitor falls rapidly. The same area might be 

converted into an unimproved camping ground- accessible over dirt 

roads addition of minimum facilities of toilets, natural water supply 

and the like. Users of such an area would value it largely for its 

natural conditions, for the feeling of privacy, which would be available. 

The satisfaction here would begin to rise at a higher level of use, reach 

a peak at a greater intensity of use, and fall to zero at still greater 

intensities, than for the wilderness areas. 

The same area can then be converted into a highly developed 

campground- accessible by oiled roads, with flush toilets, hot water 

and availability of electricity. The satisfaction per user in this case, 

will continue to rise to a much greater intensify of use, and probably 

would decline more slowly for that peak. Using this analysis, it can be 

displayed that how the recreational experience differs with different 

level of facilities and intensity of uses even though the area is 

identical, and each experience is camping, though the intellectual 

content of experience has changed greatly. 

Tisdell (1991) also examines the same issue with reference to 

tourism industry. He argues that with the increase in popularity of a 

destination, more and more people visit the area requiring much 

larger infrastructure in the form of hotels and other associated 

facilities. Initially, tourist may react positively to it as with the 

increase infrastructure and facilities, economics of scale flow and due 

to the competition the prices of the tourist facilities fall. However, 

with the capacity thresholds of the destination being overreached the 

negative effects start flowing in and the satisfaction level of the 

visitor’s falls.

53 

(b) Impacts on the Host Population 

Social and cultural aspects of environment of host area are seen 

as synonymous in the tourism literature. Although there is not much 

agreement among social scientists about the socio-cultural 

consequences of international tourism, a majority of them seen to 

emphasise the negative effects of tourism. There are also some of 

those who feel that the tourism developments in the third world 

countries have produced positive results and also those who feel that 

the tourism have had no appreciable change in traditional societies. A 

more realistic view appears to be that it has both positive and negative 

consequences in the third world countries, though the respective 

levels vary depending upon the socio-cultural structure of the 

country. 

Among the negative consequences of tourism are; decline in 

traditions, materialism, increase in crime rates, social conflicts, 

crowding, environmental deterioration, and dependency on industrial 

countries. It is frequently stated that the traditions in the host 

countries are weakened under the influence of tourism. There is often 

a loss of identity of traditional cultures resulting in tourist facilities 

like accommodation loose their identity and similar cultures grow in 

different parts of the region. This loss of identity resulting from 

tourism often destroys intimate, personal and friendly relationship 

and leads to commercialism and materialisms. These results in 

change of system based on social and moral values to a system based 

on money. Impersonality and commercialisation in human relations 

from one of the factors in increase in crime rates. The argument finds 

support with the increase in crime and prosecution noticed in Mexico 

and the Far East. 

Similarly, increased population due to addition of floating 

population and increase in number of vehicles due to increase in 

demands leads to crowding. The environmental deterioration occurs

54 

as a result of littering, water and air pollution, and destruction of 

natural beauty and architectural façade. So much so, evidence of 

tourism resulting in physical and mental diseases has also been 

found. Pearce (1982) and Lundberg (1976) have associated increase 

in incidence of venereal diseases and ulcer in Hawaii. Similarly, 

increased dependency is a natural outcome in small island economies 

due to less developed manufacturing sector. Moreover, airlines, travel 

agencies, and hotel chains are generally operated by industrialised 

nations. 

The reactions of the residents to adjust themselves to the new 

conditions are examined elsewhere (e.g. Dogan, 1989). While if the 

impacts are deemed to be positive, the reaction is acceptance to 

change, on the other hand if the impacts are deemed to be negative 

the reactions take the form of resistance. Among the cultural 

strategies the people develop to cope with the effects of tourism are; 

resistance, retreatism, boundary maintenance, revitalisation and 

adoption. 

Resistance; In traditional underdeveloped economy the tourism 

developments may result in a lot of resentment against the tourist and 

the tourist facilities. This may be more common in the countries, 

which have remained European colonies, and the tourists visiting 

these elite and costly the poor people cannot utilize them. This also 

develops a lot of resentment against the tourism industry as well the 

tourists. It is argued that differences in wealth and lifestyle between 

the tourists and local residents can also generate the feelings of envy 

and resentment among the local people. 

Retreatism; The alternate form of resentment can be total 

boycott of the tourist and revival of the old traditions and culture. 

There is an increasing tendency of promoting cultural and ethnic 

consciousness instead of an active resistance. Such a resistance is 

notice at a stage of development when the tourist infrastructure is in

55 

existence and the economic gains of the development of tourism are 

derived by a segment of population and it is too difficult to give up. 

Especially, the young and the educated people get attracted towards 

tourism and they adopt it very fast while the old and relatively less 

educated feel that the changes produced by tourism have impaired 

culture and traditions. Geiger (1978) observes such retreatism 

reaction among the rural communities of Tyrol. 

Boundary maintenance: This may happen at a stage of 

development of tourism when the benefits start percolating to a large 

section of people and the negative effects of tourism developments are 

overshadowed by the positive economic gains. The community 

accepts tourism without any resistance. This process involves 

establishing a well-defined boundary between the foreign and the local 

cultures and presenting the local traditions to foreigners in a different 

context so that the effects of the foreigners on the local are minimised. 

Island of Bali is the best example of this kind. The island has kept its 

cultural traditions and has accepted tourism. A study by Flamme in 

the Bahamas also finds the process of boundary maintenance. The 

community was able to protect their culture while reaping the 

economic benefits of tourism. 

Revitalisation: A culture is an integral part of the tourism 

product; sometimes the protection of traditional culture itself becomes 

necessary to promote tourism. It is argued that sometimes customs 

and traditions coming to the brink of vanishing under the impact of 

industrialisation and urbanizations are revived due to tourism. Singh 

(1989) also finds such evidence in his survey of tourism impact on 

environment in Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh in India. Dogan 

(1989) finds instances of tourism contributing to the development of 

pottery, basketry, jewellery and leather goods in Cyprus and Tunisia. 

In India as well government has supported fairs and festivals to boost 

cultural tourism (Dhar, 1993). Protection of historical buildings in

56 

England and India (Pearce, 1982; Dhar, 1993) has benefited from 

tourism. 

Adoption. At the initial stage people adopting tourism may be 

lesser; however, there is always some section of the host societies 

which may support tourism. Such as trend is generally seen among 

educated and young people in third world countries. Andronicou 

(1979) reports that the impact of tourism on values attitudes, and 

behaviour has been accepted without any resistance in Cyprus. The 

young people in particular have accepted the western moral values 

about sex and dress due to their contact with tourist. The host 

reactions are varied and divergent due to certain factors like; 

heterogeneity of local population, power relations within the local 

population, and role of the government. Heterogeneity of the 

population may be for reasons of differences in cultures, cast and age. 

The fact that costs and benefits of tourism are not evenly distributed 

within the local population leads to internal conflicts. Landberg 

(1979) finds that the tourism changes the power relationships and 

increases conflicts within a destination. Boyer (Dogan, 1989) 

concludes that as a result of touristic development, agriculturallybased 

elite is replaced by those based on touristic activities. Different 

political parties may hold different views about tourism. The different 

scenarios may emerge with different political systems. However, 

among the five stages, revitalisation may not manifest itself as a 

distinct strategy. It may co-exist with boundary maintenance and 

adoption. Responses and stages of development are correlated. The 

first stage of tourist development involves any one of the possible four 

reactions. If the tourism enters into the area via a stranger, the likely 

dominant repose will be resistance. However, if tourism involves a 

significant portion of the local population who expect to gain 

important socio-economic benefits from it, and if the tourism is 

integrated into the community, the initial response will be one of 

acceptance it may either be an active acceptance in the form of

57 

adoption or a passive acceptance in the form of boundary 

maintenance. 

In the community where there is widespread resistance against 

tourism. Touristic development may be locked. However, if the place 

has strong touristic value, some investor will still invest in tourism 

despite the resistance. With this the employment opportunities will be 

created and some segment of the population will benefit from it which 

will change its attitude from resistance to adoption. On the other 

hand, if the general reaction of the population at a destination is that 

of adoption, the tourism developments will be very fast. Soon the 

negative effects of the tourism developments will start surfacing, and a 

significant portion of the population will start getting hostile towards 

tourism and tourists. Tourism development has both positive and 

negative environmental consequences. The management part of it, 

therefore gains importance. It can now be safely concluded that 

tourism cannot be regarded as an unqualified panacea for economic 

ills. The situation is particularly bad in developing countries. Owing 

to the need of such countries to generate incomes, the developing 

countries are prone to tourism-related environmental damage. The 

challenge therefore is to achieve the balance between the frequently 

competing demands of tourism and environmental conservation. It is 

therefore essential that those involved in tourism is precursor to the 

integration of tourism development and environmental conservation.

58 

CHAPTER –IV 

TOURISM IMPACT ON PHYSICAL AND 

SOCIO-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT 

Tourism interacts with environment in a two way process. The 

environmental resources provide a critical input for the production of 

tourism product and virtually the tourism development of an area is 

dependent on the availability of attractive natural or manmade 

resources (Briassoulis and Straten, 1992). Qualitative and 

quantitative differences in distribution of environmental resources in 

various regions account for differences in tourism development. On 

the other hand, tourism produces a variety of unwanted bye-products 

that are disposed off into the environment; causing negative effects on 

the environment of the host area. Among the negative impacts 

identified by OECD (1980) are changes causing permanent restricting 

of the environment, the generation of waste products, tourist activities 

and population effects. 

The impact of tourism was studied by other researcher’s viz., 

Noronha (1976); Van Hout (1979); Williams (1982) and Singh (1984). 

Most of these studies point more to negative and adverse 

consequences of tourism. Tourism is held responsible for 

transformation of societies by introducing uncalled for and 

undesirable changes in their value system, tradition and mores, 

collective lifestyle, creative expression, language and individual 

behaviour (Pizam 1986). Ranging from demonstration effect to 

acculturation, tourism and tourist sin by promoting moral laxity, 

during addition, crime and often prostitution (Truoung, 

1983).Ecologists and environmentalists lament the loss of flora and 

fauna, spoilage of scenic beauty, litter and pollution (Echelberger, 

1977; Edington, 1977; Kaur, 1980), eutrophication of lake waters

59 

(Kant, 1983; Raza, 1989), degradation of mountain slopes 

(Sinnhubber, 1982), park pollution (Western, 1986; Lindsay, 1986), 

disregard of nature and monuments (McLellan 1985) and damage of 

coral reefs (Salm, 1986) as a result of tourism. 

Singh (1989) studied the impact of tourism on host 

environments by assessing the residents’ perceptions through a 

sample survey. The findings of his study in physical environment 

revealed that, by and large, tourism has not damaged the landscape 

appeal and scenic beauty, except a few ecological blights (Dhungri and 

Tibetal settlement). However, residents pleaded for strong public 

sport and wider peoples’ participation for a healthy growth of the 

town. 

In Socio-culture sphere, the resilient social ecosystem has fairly 

withstood the cultural assault of contrasting visiting community that 

overwhelms a primitive mountain society during the summer and 

autumn peaks; causing sufferance to local people. From among the 

negative effects were, change in lifestyle of youth and drug addition, 

which the leaders of the community have met as a challenge. 

Modification in negative architecture has laos been attributed to 

tourism on the positive side. Tourism was held responsible for 

reviving their fading traditions and preservation of cultural asses and 

monuments. 

The interaction of tourism and the environment has also been 

widely researched by Krippendorf (1982), Gunn (1994), Hunter and 

Green (1995), Mieczkowski (1995) and Batta (2000). While 

Krippendorf in his famous work “The Holiday Makers’ has highlighted 

the environmental implications of indiscriminate tourism 

development, Hunter and Green (1995), Mieczkowski (1995), and 

Batta (2000) offer a detailed and systematic analysis of the problem. 

Hunter and Green have divided the environment into three broad 

components; natural, built and socio-cultural environment; and then

60 

tried to analyze the effects of tourism development on all the three 

components. The illustrations given by Hunter and Green include 

cases from both developed and developing countries. 

Gunn (1994), while highlighting the effects of indiscriminate 

development of tourism, strongly argued in favour of planned tourism 

development. He felt that while some erosion and pollution of 

resources is caused by greater number of visitors, most environmental 

damage is caused by lack of plan, policies and actions to prepare for 

any economic growth. Through the methodology adopted by 

Mieczkowski (1995) and Batta (2000) is broadly the same, 

Mieczkowski (1995) discusses the impacts of tourism on natural, built 

and socio-cultural environment in an international perspective with 

greater emphasis on developed countries. Batta (2000), on the other 

hand focuses on problems in developing countries and mountain 

areas, there is one common factor in all the above works; while these 

studies conclude that tourism is not detrimental to environment per 

se, they hold indiscriminate development of tourism responsible for 

environmental pollution. For instance, Meizckowski (1995) pleads, “to 

blame any economic activity, such as tourism in general, for 

decreasing environmental quality is like blaming literacy for bad 

writing”. 

There has been very little research on the environmental effects 

of tourism in Himachal Pradesh. The first study on this aspect was by 

Singh (1989) followed by Pirazizy (1993) and Batta (1998, 2000) and 

Batta and Bhatti (2000). Batta (2000) offers a detailed account of 

effects of tourism on various components of the environment in 

Himachal Pradesh Batta and Bhatti (2000) provide an analysis on 

effects of tourism on socio-cultural environment in the state. 

Guo Ying et al. (1991) studied the characteristics and 

developing function of tourism resources in Jinquan National Forest 

Park. The tourism resources of Jinquan National Park Heilongjiang

61 

Provinces, China, were divided into two types; natural tourist 

resources (including biological resources water resources mountain 

resources and ice and snow resources. An analysis was also made of 

the seasonal characteristics and aesthetic value of the tourist 

resources in the Park. Six functional landscape areas were 

designated, based on the resources characteristic and natural scenes 

and human facilities planned for these according to the functional 

feature of each landscape area. 

Bateman et al. (1994) conducted a survey of 391 visitors, partly 

to examine factors determining visits to a site at Lynford stage, 

Thetford forest, East Anglia, UK. Travel time was found to be by far 

the most important influences for undertaking a journey. The validity 

of this function was tested against actual arrivals at locations and a 

mathematical function was then used to generate predictions of 

visitors, arrivals across Wales to stimulate the impact of sites being 

converted into woodland. The visitors demand map generated by this 

analysis was then converted to a monetary equivalent, using values 

derived from a cross study analysis. 

Ankica and Vladimir (1999) developed a methodology for 

evaluating the usefulness of health and landscape benefits of forests. 

As part of a system of Total Economic Value (TEV) assessment, this 

method evaluates a useful secondary potential value for health and 

recreation benefits and for landscape. The object of the method 

described is to estimate usefulness in point values and in the price of 

these points for ay particular region of Croatia. External user 

population, the burden of pollutants and the specific characteristics of 

the landscape (e.g. naturalness, diversity, historical cultural heritage, 

and aesthetic images) were also considered. 

Bull (1999) studied the tourism potential of England’s 

Community Forests. The future potential for tourism development is 

assessed through an examination of community forest plans and

62 

through personal communications with the implementers and users of 

various projects. The review showed that despite a brief coverage, 

most plans devote the same space to tourism issues, with economic 

and sustainable concerns underpinning most of the proposals. The 

study concludes by revealing that, since the plans were prepared the 

importance of tourism has been accorded more prominence and that a 

number of distinct tourism initiatives are being developed. 

Gomez (1999) reported the results from a case study of the 

environmental economic value provided by afforested areas with 

distinct management objectives. The application shed light on some 

of the problems in considering the non-market output associated with 

different forest uses. The goal was to learn more about the benefits 

that society derived from the provision of public recreational facilities 

and public afforestation programmes; in a given context of Galicia 

(North-Western Spain) and Portugal, where rotation periods in forestry 

plantations are short, and land previously used for agriculture as well 

as native woodlands that have been cut or burnt down are being 

replanted with fast growing species. Since the paper supports the 

view that contingent valuation (CV) is an appropriate technique for the 

valuation of the benefits, the results of the study are accompanied by 

the discussion of the way the method is applied. 

Hanrid et al (1999) published a paper on “Eco-tourism under 

multiple management”. Using direct observations and interviews of 

direct stakeholders, the paper examines the status of eco-tourism 

industry in the Sunder bans Bangladesh. It explores the 

predicaments of eco-tourism industry as it relates to resource 

management and policy statements. Issues discussed were; the 

economic background of the Bangladesh Sunderbans; why ecotourism; 

eco-tourism in the Sunderbans; problems and prospects in 

the Sundarbans; and the Sunderbans management dilemma the need 

for a single outlet shared approach.

63 

Johnson and Booker (1999) surveyed 286 recreationists in the 

Apalachicola National Forest in Florida, USA, to examine activity 

choice by wild land visitors in various activities, ranging from 

consumptive activities like hunting and fishing to non-consumptive 

activities like nature conservation and relaxing. Participation was 

examined by race and gender subgroups. The results showed no 

racial differences for consumptive activities like fishing and hunting; 

however, African participates in most forms of non-consumptive 

activities like camping and hiking. Greater gender differences in 

activity participation were found for whites than for African- 

Americans. Shen Yue Quinn et al. (1999) analysed the global trends 

in eco-tourism. It is noted that this type of tourism is high in its 

expectations, and makes various basic demands on both tourists and 

tour managers. The paper then discussed the practices involved in 

developing eco-tourism in Lin’an, Zhejiang Province (China) ad 

analyses the natural resources conditions and regional superiority of 

the area. Some tactics and measures for enabling the steady, 

continuous and sustainable development of eco-tourism in Lin’an are 

proposed. 

Batta (2001) in his study emphasized that economic 

instruments provided the means or vehicle for internationalization of 

environmental degradation costs and resource depletion cost in a 

flexible and efficient way and these environmental problems are due to 

market institutional and policy distortions which resulted in under 

pricing of resources, public services and commodities. He finally 

suggested that future developments in environmental policy have to 

be guided by the factors like full realization of environmental costs 

through an appropriate structure of user charges, collective action 

and participative management of natural resources. 

Charles (2001) discussed in detail the role of development and 

tourism on drug trade with special reference to Himachal Pradesh, 

mainly Manali. He reported that, the tourism naturally turns an

64 

important industry for income generation to the local people He 

further, discussed that due to lack of management skill the local 

people. Either lease out their land to the outsiders or build their won 

hotels. The exposure of people to the luxuries that money can buy 

has leaded them to adopt ways that are not legal. One of the lucrative 

method, a few local people have adopted is catering to tourist demand 

of drug of their choice. He also reported that in remote areas local 

people have begun to cultivate Cannabis, which is bought by 

middlemen and sold to dealers in certain pockets. 

Sarpa et al. (2001) studied the recreational benefits from the 

creation of nature reserve in Irish forests. Data from a large scale 

contingent valuation study are used to investigate the effects of forest 

attributes on willingness to pay for forest recreation in Ireland. In 

particular, the presence of a nature reserve in the forest is found to 

significantly increase the visitors’ willingness to pay. A random utility 

model is used to estimate the welfare change associated with the 

creation of nature reserves in all the Irish forests currently without 

one the early impact on visitors’ economic welfare of new nature 

reserves approaches half-a-million pounds per annum, exclusive of 

non recreational values.

65 

CHAPTER-V 

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF 

A NEW ECO-FRIENDLY DESTINATION 

Eco-travel may be defined as a leisure activity that takes place 

in an unusual or exactly wilderness or remote destination. It tends to 

be associated with high level of activity by the participants. They 

expected to experience varying degrees of risk, excitement, tranquillity 

and to be personally tested. They are explores of the outer world, 

especially the undisturbed exotic parts of the planet. They also seek 

the inner world of personal challenge, self-perception and selfmastery. 

A simple definition of eco-tourism can be responsible travel 

to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the 

wellbeing of local people (Wood, Blangy, 1999). Eco-friendly 

development of tourism must adhere to principles of Eco-tourism. 

Eco-tourism is environmentally responsible travel. Eco-tourism is 

nature based and participatory and involves a challenge to the 

individual in which the individual experiences natural areas and 

regional cultures, while the main focus is conservation and the 

interpretation and understanding of the area visited. Eco-tourism 

stresses the total environment while making an economic contribution 

to the local community. Eco-tourism usually involves a small group 

with a naturalist who is knowledgeable about the local environment 

and culture. Examples; photographic safaris, bird and wildlife 

viewing, cultural tours archaeological digs. 

Planning in Eco-tourism 

Planning is a process that involves selection of a desirable 

future out of a range of plausible alternatives and implementing 

strategies and actions that will achieve the desired action. Therefore it 

becomes critical that planners understand the social, political and

66 

economic trends as it becomes the context for planning. Such 

understanding helps to capitalize emerging markets, develop actions 

that are more efficient and effective, and ensure that strategies and 

actions can be adapted to changing conditions. 

Some emerging trends affecting the planning of ecotourism in this 

modern world are listed below. 

• Increasing social and environmental concerns 

• Importance of service quality 

• Personal security and safety 

• Rising education levels and demand for travelling 

• Ageing population 

• Changing roles of women 

• Change in leisure patterns 

• Advances in global communication and information technology 

• Proliferation of travel options 

• Globalization of the economy, etc. 

The Draft Tourism Policy (1997) states that “in the context of 

economic liberalization and globalization being pursued by the 

country, the development policies of no sector can remain static”. The 

policy further states that “the emergence of tourism as an important 

instrument for sustainable human development including poverty 

alleviation, employment generation, environmental regeneration and 

advancement of women and other disadvantaged groups in the 

country” requires support to realize these goals. India’s tourism 

resources have always been considered immense, in a tourism audit. 

The geographical features are diverse, colourful and varied. The 

coastline offers opportunities for developing the best beeches in the 

world. There are a wealth of eco-systems including biosphere 

reserves, mangroves coral reefs, mountains and forests as well as an 

equally wide range of flora and fauna. The cultural attractions are 

plenty. Diversity is the main feature of Indian culture.

67 

The policy further states that “international tourists visiting 

interiors of the country for reasons of purity of the environment and 

nature contributes to the development of these areas particularly 

backward regions”. Thus tourism “Should also become a reason for 

better preservation and protection of our natural resources, 

environment and ecology”. Here ecologically sustainable tourism 

should have a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that foster 

environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and 

conservation such that: 

• It contributes to conservation 

• It benefits the local people 

• And tourists learn from the experience 

Development of infrastructure and services 

All destination areas, except those in IUCN category, require 

some kind of infrastructure where visitors can stay for a period of time 

in the natural surroundings. This is necessary to enhance tourist 

experience and also help him understand and appreciate the heritage 

of a place. 

Good design makes visitors more comfortable and responsive to 

the themes and values of the area and inculcates feeling which will 

help to meet the objectives of eco-tourism. Though they need to be 

discreetly designed, carefully sited and sympathetically landscaped, 

but they must nonetheless work. In other words they must draw 

visitors, persuade them to look at displays and lead them out better 

informed. Thus to be successful visitors centre-must build in a strong 

interpretative component and help visitors understand the 

significance of the area. But before embarking upon the development 

of the site a list of questions needs to be answered to help in 

evaluating the need for the proposal itself.

68 

Checklist of questions for proposed facilities and service 

• Is the scale of development right for the place 

• Area there alternative uses of the site 

• How will the character of the site be conserved 

• What is the level of demand for the proposed facility, ad the 

value to the customer 

• Do similar facilities exist now in the general location, and how 

well they are used? 

• What are the proposals for the subsequent management and 

maintenance of the site? 

Culturally sensitive design and operations 

Culturally sensitive design and operations are essential in the 

provision of visitor services. This is important for sustainability of the 

tourism operations as now-a-days visitors are largely interested in 

understanding the culture of a given destination. Our culturally 

sensitive design and operations will provide great motivation to the 

local community to maintain their culture and heritage. 

These expectations can be monitored by following the guidelines listed 

below. 

• Authenticity 

• Enhance the appreciation and understanding of that heritage 

• Employment to host communities Promote equitable 

distribution of benefits of eco-tourism Encourage training and 

employment of local people 

• Respect sanctity of spiritual elements, values and life-style of 

the host community 

• Economic returns for conservation and to host community. 

• Visitor satisfaction 

• Ensure that the visitor experience is worthwhile present high 

quality information Ensure tourism promotion creates realistic 

expectations

69 

Environmentally sensitive design and operations 

Tourist facilities and design should act as standard setters in 

environmentally sensitive design and operations. Good design and 

operations can help visitors understand the key concept of ecotourism, 

can highlight the importance of sustainable tourism and also 

highlight the management’s commitment to environmental protection. 

This can be achieved by; 

• Minimizing the negative environmental impact 

• Creating an atmosphere in which visitors feel they are in a 

special place 

• Setting an example of sensitive design and operation practices, 

to educate and demonstrate the value and practically 

sustainable, innovative and effective solutions. 

Guidelines for environmentally sensitive design and operations by NPS 

(National Park Services) of U.S.A 

• Carry out Environmental Impact Assessments and also develop 

mitigation plan 

• Materials should be indigenous and involve low maintenance 

• Site design and Landscaping to minimize 

Site disturbance, Physical intrusion, Intervention 

• Design and operate service which are efficient in resource 

consumption 

• Use new and low impact technologies in construction and 

operations 

• Maintain quality in services 

• Develop green practices 

• Develop mutually beneficial relationship with the local 

community 

• Increase the resistance of the resource 

• Shield the site from impact 

• Strengthen the site

70 

• Maintain/rehabilitate resource 

• Remove problems 

• Maintain/rehabilitate impacted problems 

Development of “Software” 

It involves development of activities which help visitors come out 

as informed citizens who understand the concerns of nature and in 

turn helps in dispersing the conservation message. Development of 

“Software” also involves naturalistic expectations of the visitors. 

Case study of Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd (JLR) 

Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd., (JLR), was established in the 

year 1980 in the joint sector, between M/S. Tiger Tops (India) Pvt Ltd., 

and the Government of Karnataka, with the management control 

vested with M/s Tiger Tops. In the year 1987 M/s. Tiger Tops pulled 

out and from then on it is owned and managed exclusively by the 

Government of Karnataka. As per the Memorandum of Association of 

the Company, the objectives of Jungle Lodges are to develop wildlife 

tourism and various outdoor activities like trekking, camping etc., and 

help in general towards conservation and development of wildlife and 

improvement of the environment, and act as a consultant to others in 

these spheres. 

JLR operates the following units 

1. Kabini Rive Lodge, Karapur 

2. Cauvery Fishing Camps – Bheemeswari, Galibore and 

Doddamakali 

3. B.R. Wilderness Camp, K. Gudi 

4. Kali River Camp, Dadeli 

5. Devbagh Eco-tourism facility Karwar 

6. Bannerghatta Natre Camp, Bannerghatta National Park 

7. Bandipur Safari Lodge, Bandipur 

8. Dubarre Elephant Camp

71 

i. white water rafting 

ii. canoeing and kayaking 

iii. professional angling and joy fishing 

iv. mountain biking, Wildlife Safaris 

v. Outdoor team building exercises 

vi. Scuba dividing and snorkelling. 

Fishing as an adventure activity has recently popularised a lot. 

The Cauvery Fishing Camps at Jungle Lodges and Resorts attract 

visitors both from within and outside the country for the thrill of 

professional angling and fishing. Here one finds the ‘Masher’, a fresh 

water fish weighing up to 120 pounds. It is among the largest fresh 

water fish in the world. 

Fishing at Cauvery Fishing Camp (CFC) has supervised by 

Jungle Lodges and Resorts to adhere to eco-friendly norms, resulting 

in conservation. All fishing activity carried out by Jungle Lodges and 

Resorts ensures that fishes caught are released back into the water. 

The following measures adopted by Jungle Lodges and Resorts have 

seen the conservation of this miniature ecological environment. 

- Fishing is allowed only in season which is from November to 

June 

- Fishing is banned during the breeding season 

- Local community is employed in the resorts and is a part of the 

benefit sharing 

- Poachers are employed to assist tourists in finding ideal spots 

for fishing and patrolling 

- Fishing is allowed only one a 30 km stretch 

- Room occupancy is limited to avoid impact on environment 

Jungle Lodges and Resorts accommodate tourists at CFC in well 

furnished spacious tented cottages and ethnic huts, all made up of 

environment friendly material. Apart from fishing this place offers a

72 

fantastic setting for Eco-tourists to come and relax for a day or two 

and watch the river flow by, or trek and study the local vegetation. 

Foreign tourists who stayed in this place have given glowing tributes 

to the excellent facilities and courtesy offered by the company. 

Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd., is today a recognized across the 

globe. In 1999 Jungle Lodges and Resorts bagged the award of Best 

Eco-Tourism Destination in India. It has many agents across India 

and at many ITDC offices across the globe. Its resorts are booked well 

in advance. From failures in the past, the company has adapted itself 

to the ever changing tourism market and transformed to a profit 

making concern, more importantly an eco-tourism destination. But 

for Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd. This is just the beginning. 

Developing an eco-friendly destination is a complex activity. 

The fragility of the destination has to be taken care of at the time of 

development. The more fragile (ecologically) a destination is, the more 

impacts it would generate. The activities to be performed during 

tourism process have to be set up early. Those should not harm the 

ecosystem and the good life of flora and fauna there. There cannot be 

a uniform structure since the nature of destinations varies and 

similarly the environmental features also vary. This specifies that 

planning and development of eco-friendly destination is purely site 

specific, though broad frame work can be set and maintained for 

ensuring sustainability. The case of NPS is cited as an example for 

guidelines and Jungle Lodges and Resorts is given as an example for 

ecologically sustainable programmes related to Tourism. These can be 

kept in mind while designing an eco-friendly destination.

73 

CHAPTER-VI 

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN A TOURISM DESTINATION 

Environment is a key component of tourism. Basically, 

environment is the external conditions in which an organism lives, but 

different view is there according to the subject perspectives. Tourism 

environment is considered as an amalgam of resources and facilities 

and such complementary support is vital for their effective functioning 

(Pigram, 2000). It can be broadly categorized into two, natural and 

man-made; both have multi dimensional perspectives like having 

social, cultural, economic and political dimensions. Many studies have 

shown that tourism has an immense impact on the physical 

environment, and that little has been done to remedy or control the 

assault on the ecology. And form of industrial development will bring 

with it impacts upon the physical environment in which it takes place. 

In view of the fact that tourists have to visit the place of production in 

order to consume the output, it is inevitable that the tourism activity 

will be associated with environmental impacts. As soon as tourism 

activity begins to establish, the environment is inevitably changed or 

modified either to facilitate tourism or during the tourism process. 

(Cooper, et al., 2000). 

The increase environment impacts along with the growth of 

tourism have raised many eyebrows regarding the sustainability of 

tourism and the ir-revocable damages it can create in the 

environment. It is argued that tourism is preserving the nature also by 

which tourism and environment exist together in harmony. Examples 

cited to prove this are preservation and restoration of national parks 

and wildlife sanctuaries, protection of wild life reserves and reefs and 

beaches, etc. But, the issues come when tourism and environment 

exist together in ‘conflict’ when tourism damages the environment. A 

variety of environmental impacts have been identified and are mainly

74 

classified into some broad headings like changes in floral and faunal 

species composition, pollution, erosion, natural resources depletion, 

deforestation, etc. (Green,et.al,1990). Some of such impacts are 

caused by the waste generated by the tourism and related activities. 

Waste is an issue of increasing importance in industry as 

environmental issues. Tourism industry is an amalgam of many 

industries and the kind of waste and the issues created by waste vary 

according to the type of the industry. This essay looks into different 

aspects of waste created by tourism industries and the measures to 

minimize waste production and the issues related to waste. 

Waste Management 

Disposal of wastes and management of waste is an uphill task 

for any governments, their agencies or organizations. Increase in 

industrial production results in increasing rate of hazardous waste, 

arising from the industrial activities and the consequences are also 

increasing in the same rate. Tourism industry is no exception to this. 

Waste can be any matter whether liquid, solid or gaseous or 

radioactive, which is discharged, omitted or deposited as to cause an 

alteration of the environment. This may be discharged accidentally or 

otherwise. (Chatwal, Pandey, Nanda, 1988). Tourism industry consists 

manly of accommodation industries, food and beverage industries, 

transportation industries, shopping sector and others. As stated 

earlier, the types of waste discharged by different sectors of the 

industry are different. Waste is harmful to the environment and the 

society. An organic waste account for approximately one-third of all 

landfill and the process afterwards generates greenhouse gases and 

other chemicals which may enter into the ground water and the soil. 

This is a dangerous situation. Hazardous waste can persist in the 

environment and enter the food chain, harming future generations. 

Economical aspects of the waste are very relevant especially since the 

bad management of resources creates the lion’s share of the waste. 

Many studies have revealed that tourism destinations to some extent

75 

are suffering from the issues due to the waste generation from the 

tourism activities over there. Hence it is very important to consider the 

waste in a destination since the consequences are not only with the 

tourism sector, but the social repercussions are far reaching. 

In this circumstance, the aspect of waste management is 

gaining much relevance. The terms are a broader one involving 

policies preparation, environmental standard fixation, monitoring-air, 

water or soil quality, etc. It is referred to as a comprehensive, 

integrated and rational system approach towards maintenance of 

acceptable quality. But it has to be accepted that to a great extent had 

management of resources creates waste in destinations. The emerging 

concepts related to waste reveal that if the resources are properly 

utilized, the amount of waste can be considerably reduced. This will 

result in making the waste management much easier. This aspect has 

to be discussed which has much relevance in the case of a tourism 

destinations. The practice being performed in this regard is referred to 

as ‘Zero Waste’, which is a global concept. 

‘Zero Waste’ 

‘Zero Waste’, conceptualized as an alternative to the dumpburn-bury 

method, is a recently emerged creative concept dealing with 

the increasing menace of waste disposal. It is a set of policies and 

practices and the focus of it is to dial with the resources utilization 

and it is a multifaceted approach to conserve the Earth’s limited 

resources. It was first documented by the Australian City, Canberra 

that decided to get rid of waste in 2010 (Zero Waste Kovalam, 2021). 

The zero has been used as a goal to achieve the ultimate result. The 

concept is emerged as a total quality management term where the 

management is mentioned for the proper resource utilization. “For 

those at the bottom of the Zero Waste Mountain, it is hard to believe, 

it can be climbed. There is no single model, no one set way. But a 

broad pattern is emerging which makes it easier for those still looking

76 

up from below.” (Robin Murray, 1999). The concept is designed to 

reduce the consumption, increase the efficiency, eliminate toxic 

inputs, maximize re-cycling and ensure that products are made to be 

safely reused, repaired or re-cycled back to nature or the market 

place. The practice of it has already attained good results in some 

parts of the world. The concept encompasses cleaner production 

(using less resources, creating less pollution), re-designing of the 

product by which the products can be taken apart, and instead of 

being disposed of, the parts re-used, re-cycled or composted, 

promotion of re-cycling and re-usage of products, legislation to reduce 

waste, promoting self-reliance among local community in a 

sustainable manner, etc. The benefits of ‘Zero Waste’ concept are 

many and the major of them are mentioned below (Zero Waste New 

Zealand, 2000). 

• Less waste costs; re-cycling is more cost efficient than land 

filling 

• Employment generation through waste reduction and re-cycling 

initiatives. 

• Income generation from resources / commodities otherwise 

destined for landfill, creating employment. 

• More environment preservation and natural heritage 

conservation. 

• Reducing pollution through decreasing littering and others. 

• Tourism gains out of it from cleaner environment and 

preserving natural heritage, etc. 

‘Thanal’ a voluntary organization based at Trivandrum has 

initiated ‘Zero Waste Kovalam’, an effort to reduce the waste disposal 

over there and to create conducive atmosphere for the sustainability of 

tourism. It was initiated during 2001. Kovalam is an international 

beach tourism destination which lies on the coast of Arabian sea near 

to Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala. The destination consists of

77 

four main beaches. It is famous for its natural beauty, calm and 

serene sea and the golden sand. The developmental activities emerged 

during 1960s and within this short span of time the destination has 

produced different kinds of impacts. Recent visitor – arrival statistics 

shows the declining trends and it was reported that the declining 

natural beauty is one of the reasons behind the scenario (Dileep, 

2003). The littering and huge garbage disposal has contributed much 

to the declining natural beauty of the destination. The waste over 

there is creating a range of social and environmental issues 

(Zerowastekovalam, 2001). ‘Thanal’ had come forward with the 

concept as a multi-stakeholder community based programme and the 

activities were many. Kovalam’s garbage in the tourist season is rich 

with plastics and others. The waste disposal practice followed is 

dumping, burying and open burning. But these practices are not 

environment friendly. To overcome this ‘zero waste’ was propounded 

as a social and managerial process based on the following important 

concepts. 

• Involve local people and the producers of the garbage. 

• Boost the local community by generating entrepreneurial 

livelihood activities that are healthy, income generating, 

meaningful and self sustaining 

• Not be wasteful or propagate the use of wasteful materials 

• Not transfer the problem to a different community or lead to 

the creation of cross media pollution problems such as air 

pollution or ground water contamination. 

• Re-establish Kovalam as a tourist destination of choice. 

The programme has been started by ‘Thanal’ with the help of 

‘Greenpeace’ and the ‘Equations’ (NGO based at Bangalore) and the 

primary results are much hopeful. The website of the programme – 

www.zerowastekovalam.org- will give the details. One of the important 

activities of it was to clear up the dumped waste and 72,000 pet

78 

bottles were collected and removed from the beach in January 2004. 

The Indian Coast Guard Station, Vizhinjam has co-operated in 

cleaning campaigns and in public awareness creation programmes. 

The website of the programme is playing a big role in taking Kovalam 

as a ‘Zero Waste’ region. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) was 

demanded by the ‘Thanal’ and ‘Greenpeace’ and the collected bottles 

were sent to COKE and PEPSI asking responsible behaviour along 

with a message that they can not dump the bottles in Kovalam 

resulting in the death of the destination. EPR is being practiced in 

many countries and the idea is that the producer is responsible for 

the product even after the same leaves their factory and to an extent 

of post-consumption. 

The ‘Zero Waste Kovalam’ involves everyone and children play a 

major role in the work. There are toxic-free workshops and a variety of 

programmes organized by the ‘Zero Waste Centre’ for children. These 

are paper bags made by the result of lack of creativity and responsible 

resources use. There are paper bags made by the local women groups 

and individuals which are emerging to replace the plastic bags. The 

waste is collected in trays and cartons from hotels for local 

management. Bio-degradable discards from 15 Hotels are collected 

and a bio-gas plant set up to convert them to generate around 2.5KW 

electricity. Jobs are created to manage the discards and money is 

generated from the same. The achievement of the ‘Zero Waste 

Kovalam’ is in terms of re-inventing the community collective work 

and the joy in many people. It is expected that kovalam will radiate 

this happiness to other destinations and places and the new 

understanding of waste to far and wide. The programme has already 

contributed to the international ‘Zero Waste’ movement with new ideas 

like material substitution and the jobs in alternatives and this is 

hopefully changing Kovalam. There is better community participation 

for waste management and a sort of change is there in the mindset of 

the people.

79 

There is no second opinion about the fact that environmental 

degradation is increasingly undermining our lives (Uberoi, 2003). 

Discussions and summits have been taking place to consider this 

issue and to evolve measures to mitigate the same. It is accepted that 

waste generated by human activities are one of the reasons for the 

environmental degradation. Disposal of this waste is a big problem for 

all those involved with it. Apart from the environmental issues, 

improper disposal of waste can create some social problems also. The 

necessity of measures for the proper maintenance of waste has been 

increasing and some concepts were emerged for dealing with the 

same. 

Tourism is one sector which generates a range of waste 

materials and many issues are generated due to it. The concept of 

waste management was evolved some time back and recently, ‘zero 

waste’ concept was emerged as a solution to get a way from wasterelated 

problems. The fact that waste is generated in this way because 

of the improper utilization of the resources is the core of the concept. 

It consists of some innovative ideas to mange waste which maximizes 

recycling, minimizes residual waste, reduces consumption and 

ensures that products are made to be re-used, repaired, re-cycled or 

composted. The application of the concept will have different benefits, 

like employment generation, apart from managing with the waste 

disposal. This concept is well suited for a tourism destination and it is 

being practiced by ‘Thanal’, a voluntary organization based at 

Trivandrum, with the help of ‘Greenpeace’ at Kovalam-an international 

tourism destination. Kovalam experiment has started producing 

results and practicing this concept in other areas will be beneficial in 

many ways.

80 

CHAPTER –VII 

SWOT ANALYSIS OF PUDUCHERRY – FROM 

PERSPECTIVE OF ECO-TOURISM DEVELOPMENT 

A SWOT analysis (acronym of Strengths, Weakness, 

Opportunities and Threats) of Puducherry was carried out to 

understand the inherent opportunities challenges and constraints to 

tourism promotion in the region. 

A SWOT analysis was strategic to the entire planning process 

and was aimed at highlighting vital areas and providing clear direction 

to the planning efforts. 

It was desired that the SWOT be carried out by involving various 

knowledgeable stake holders from the tourism industry to view 

tourism development in holistic manner by identifying key areas 

which appear vital to these stake holders. Since, major investment 

and project promotion efforts would primarily originate from these 

stake holders, this was desirable. Accordingly select respondents 

which included Hoteliers, aware of the region were identified for 

conducting a SWOT analysis. Only one representative from each area 

was included in the study to rule out any bias in the final analysis on 

account of over representation from any particular segment. 

The methodology for carrying out the SWOT analysis was 

through the ETOP model (acronym for Environmental Threats and 

opportunities Profile). In this model various parameters which affect 

tourism development were first evolved based on the consultants own 

experience and discussion with various knowledgeable people and 

stake holders. The parameters were generated as part of the “Unaided 

expert interviews” conducted during the first phase of our study. 

These parameters were carefully worded so that they do not by 

themselves hint at being Strength or a Weakness. The respondents

81 

had to give their opinion on a rating scale for each parameters 

identifying it as a Major/ Minor strength or Major/ Minor Weakness. 

In addition to such identification, they had in relation to the study 

objective; they could assign each parameter as (“Very Important” and 

“Not so important”). In case the respondents felt that a particular 

parameter was neither a Strength nor Weakness that parameter would 

be assigned “Nil marks“ .As per the ETOP model, a parameter which is 

rated “strength” or a Weakness ”can get a maximum score of 40 and 

40 respectively. 

Comments and Ratings on individual Parameters. 

a) Historical importance of Puducherry 

This parameter was rated as“Strength” by all the respondents 

with some qualifying it as a ‘Major strength’ and others as a ‘Minor 

Strength’. However all the respondents were unanimous that the 

factor is “Very important” from the study perspective. The factor got 

an overall rating of +27.5 which taken into account while planning a 

strategy for tourism promotion. 

b) Mix of Tourism Products at Puducherry 

The respondents had divergent views on this parameter. 3 out 

of 8 respondents thought of the parameters as a “Minor Strength” 

while the rest 5 respondents believed that it was a “Major /Minor 

Weakness”. The different view respondents how the tourism products 

were critically viewed. Some respondents thought that though 

Puducherry had a good mix of tourism resources, they were not being 

exploited /promoted. Others believed that there were not many 

tourism attractions facilities available. The parameter got an 

aggregate score of – 27.5, implying that it is a “Significant Weakness”

82 

c) Cultural & Traditional assets including existing festivals, 

Melas,Events etc. 

This parameter has bee rated as a “Major Weakness” by most of 

the respondents. It is a fact that there are no significant traditional 

festivals, events that could be exploited for promotion of tourism in 

the region. Most of the French festivals / events which were part of 

Puducherry tradition during the earlier days of French rule have been 

lost. Such festivals are very critical for tourism promotion and some 

states like Kerala and Goa have major tourist inflow on account of 

such festivals. The factor received an overall rating of -30 on the 

rating scale are viewed as a “Significant Weakness” which must be 

addressed. 

d) Accessibility and connectively to other cities 

This parameter has been rated as“Strength” by most 

respondents except one respondent who considered it as a “Minor 

Weakness”. Half the respondents were of the opinion that the factor 

was “Very important” for tourism promotion where as others though of 

it as “not so important”. Overall the factor received a rating of + 18.75 

and is perceived as “Strength”. 

e) Proximity to Chennai 

This factor was rated as a “Major/Minor Strength” by most of 

the respondents. Respondents however rated it as a “Minor 

Weakness”. This is because though Chennai is the main source city 

for Puducherry and also serves as the Gateway to Puducherry, its 

close proximity has resulted in Puducherry being perceived as a “Day 

visit destination” This perception has hindered the growth of the factor 

received a rating of +18.75 signifying that it is a “Minor Strength”.

83 

f) Existing Accommodation infrastructure 

Most of the respondents were of the opinion that there is good 

“value for money” accommodation available at Puducherry. The cost 

of accommodation is cheaper than comparable accommodation in 

other beach / Holiday destinations. Therefore it is Strength. A 

Couple of respondents have however rated this factor as a “Minor 

weakness” as they felt that quality of accommodation for upmarket 

leisure tourist is not available. Overall this factor received a rating of 

+ 15.75 on the rating scale. Though the factor is strength but is not 

very significant to tourism promotion. 

g) Seasonality /Climatic factors 

Most of the respondents believed that Puducherry has excellent 

weather throughout with neither strong summer nor winter seasons. 

Though the tourist arrival pattern would show some variation in 

arrivals in certain months, these are not primarily on account of 

climatic factors. A stable climate throughout the year is“Strength” 

and has been rated so by the respondents. The factor received an 

overall score of + 75.15 on the ETOP model. However most of the 

respondents believed that this factor is not very significant for the 

purpose of Tourism promotion. 

h) Other required infrastructure in terms of Roads, Shopping 

facilities, Transportation, Civic amenities etc. 

This factor received a mixed response from the respondents. 

Through, overall, the respondents rated it as a “Minor Weakness” it 

was not significant to deter tourism promotion activities. The factor 

received an overall score of -7.15 and is perceived as a “Minor 

Weakness” and not a significant deterrent to tourism promotion. 

i) Dominance of Ashram and Auroville 

The respondents were clearly divided on this parameter. The 

responses for this parameter ranged from Major Strength to Minor

84 

Weakness”. Overall the factor received a score of – 7.5 thereby 

implying that it is a “Minor Weakness”. However, all the respondents 

were of the opinion that “Dominance of Ashram /Auroville” is very 

critical factor and promotion of Puducherry should not be limited to 

Ashram/Auroville. The perception has to be changed. 

j) Perception as a Weekend / Day visit destination 

This factor was critical to assess the perception of Puducherry 

by various stake holders and the confidence of various stake holders 

in promoting tourism in Puducherry. All the respondents agreed that 

the perception is a Weakness with 5 of the 8 respondents agreed that 

the perception was a “Major Weakness”. The factor received an overall 

score of -28.75 and needs to be effectively addressed in to tourism 

development strategy. 

k) French Culture / ambience as a Tourist Attraction 

Mots of the respondents were of the view that it can be a major 

strength to development of tourism in Puducherry. The French 

ambience and connection gives Puducherry a unique advantage and 

effectively provides a platform for Puducherry to distant it from 

Competition from Competing States Interestingly, while all the 

respondents were unanimous that promotion of French culture/ 

ambience would be the right strategy for attracting foreign tourists, 

some respondents were of the view that even the domestic tourists 

would be attracted by this uniqueness. Overall the factor received a 

score of + 21.5 and is perceived as a “Major Strength” which should be 

exploited in the tourism promotion strategy. 

Based on the above analysis, Critical factor (Both Strengths and 

Weakness) which should be addressed while planning for tourism 

promotion have been identified. All factors which received an 

aggregate score of more than 3 (on a rating scale 0- of 4) far assessed 

degree of importance scale and also secured more than (+) 5 (on rating

85 

scale of 0 – 10) for Strength and less the (-) 5 (on rating scale 0 – (-) – 

10) for Weakness have been categorised as Critical factors. 

On this basis the key Strengths and Weakness have been 

identified follows: 

1. Historical importance of Puducherry 

2. Accessibility ad Connectivity to other Cities 

3. Proximity to Chennai 

4. Value for money accommodation infrastructure. 

5. French Culture/Ambience as a tourist attraction. 

Weakness 

1. Mix of Tourism products at Puducherry 

2. Cultural and traditional assets including existing festivals, 

events etc 

3. Existing tourism circuits with Puducherry as a Stop Over Point 

4. Existing packages Connecting Puducherry 

5. Perception as a Weekend / Day visit destination. 

Tourism arrivals in Puducherry (March 2005-March 2006) 

During March 2006, total tourist arrivals stood at 57,193 

persons. The tourist arrivals were higher by a decent 18.6 per cent 

over March 2005. In this total, arrivals of domestic tourists were 

52,835 persons, while that of foreign tourists was 4,358 persons. 

While domestic arrivals posted a huge 39.4 percent rise. This 

translated into a hefty share of 92.4 percent as held domestic 

nationals. 

During April – March 2005-06, total arrivals of tourists were 

higher by 7.8 per cent over the previous period. The arrivals of 

domestic tourists accounted for a share of 93.4 per cent in the total. 

Nearly six lakh domestic tourists visited the UT. At 42,527 persons, 

the foreign tourists posted a handsome 34 per cent rise over the

86 

previous period. This indicated a share of 6.6 per cent in the total 

tourist arrivals in the UT. 

Table 2: Tourist arrivals in Puducherry (March 2005 – 2006) 

Tourist arrivals in Puducherry 

Month/Year Domestic 

(Nos) 

Foreign 

(Nos) 

Total 

(Nos) 

Domestic 

(Nos) 

Foreign 

(Nos) 

Total 

(Nos) 

Mar 2005 45080 3126 48206 9.83 10.30 9.86 

Apr 2005 45731 2251 47982 2.68 11.93 3.08 

May 2005 50982 1691 52673 3.22 28.50 3.88 

June 2005 47516 1453 48969 -0.45 37.59 0.38 

Jul 2005 49668 3013 52711 6.71 27.16 7.71 

Aug 2005 51224 3626 54850 2.26 17.73 3.15 

Sep 2005 48520 2045 50565 -0.04 11.87 0.40 

Oct 2005 50302 2436 52738 3.40 6.14 3.52 

Nov 2005 42481 3759 46240 -4.06 22.12 -2.36 

Dec 2005 52706 4705 57411 12.48 27.75 13.59 

Jan 2006 52831 6820 59651 19.04 72.75 23.43 

Feb 2006 52270 6310 58610 15.08 61.49 18.77 

Mar 2006 52835 4358 57193 17.20 39.41 18.64 

Apr 04-Mar 05 561503 31740 593243 10.01 11.99 10.12 

Apr 05-Mar 06 597066 42527 639593 6.33 33.99 7.81 

Handsome Growth in Tourist Arrivals (June 2006 –March 2007) 

Total tourist arrivals in Puducherry rose by a handsome 40.44 

per cent to 72,399 persons. A he share of nearly 97 per cent was held 

by domestic tourists (70,203 persons), followed by a small share of 

three per cent by foreign tourists. Arrivals of domestic tourists rose 

by 40.3 per cent. Foreign tourists numbered 2,196, up by a huge 45 

per cent over the same month of the previous year. In June 2006, 

tourist arrivals had posted sedated growth rates. 

During April –June 2006-07, the cumulative tourist arrivals 

rose by 35.6 per cent to 2.17 lakh. Domestic tourists totalled 35.6 per 

cent to 2.17 lakh. Domestic tourists totalled 2.1lakh, while the 

remaining 7,914 were foreign travellers.

87 

Table 3: Tourists arrivals in Puducherry.(June 2006-07) 

Month/Year Domesti 

c (Nos) 

Foreig 

n (Nos) 

Total 

(Nos) 

Domestic 

(Nos) 

Foreig 

n (Nos) 

Total 

(Nos) 

June 2006 50,035 1,515 51,550 5.30 4.27 5.27 

Jul 2006 49,496 3,047 52,543 -0.35 0.13 -0.32 

Aug 2006 54,422 4,279 58,701 6.24 18.01 7.02 

Sep 2006 52,484 2,573 55,057 8.17 25.82 8.88 

Oct 2006 58,739 3,756 62,495 16.77 54.19 18.50 

Nov 2006 56,323 4,554 60,877 32.58 21.15 31.65 

Dec 2006 68,031 5,137 73,168 29.08 9.18 27.45 

Jan 2007 60,775 7,527 68,302 15.04 10.37 14.50 

Feb 2007 52,938 7,500 60,438 1.28 18.30 3.12 

Mar 2007 57,611 5,063 62,674 9.04 16.18 9.58 

Apr 2007 65,052 3,315 68,367 29.61 50.41 30.49 

May 2007 74,007 2,403 76,410 35.57 42.19 35.77 

Jun 2007 70,203 2,196 72,399 40.31 44.95 40.44 

Apr 06-Jun 06 1,54,814 5,409 1,60,223 7.34 0.26 7.08 

Apr 07-Jun 07 2,09,262 7,914 2,17,176 35.17 46.31 35.55 

Apr 06-Mar 07 6,65,633 48,845 7,14,478 11.48 14.86 11.71 

PUDUCHERRY STATISTICS REPORT 

ITEMS YEAR UNIT 

UNION 

TERRITORY 

PUDUCHERRY KARAIKAL MAHE YANAM 

Area 

Area 

2001 

Census 

Sq.km. 479 293 160 9 17 

Density " 

per 

sq.km. 

2034 2510 1067 4092 1847 

Towns " No. 6 3 1 1 1 

Population 

2001 

Census 

lakh 9.74 7.35 1.71 0.37 0.31 

Urban Population " % 66.57 68.81 43.58 100.00 100.00 

Rural Population " % 33.43 31.19 56.42 -- -- 

Male " % 49.98 50.2 49.5 46.6 50.6 

Female " % 50.02 49.8 50.5 53.4 49.4 

Decadal growth " % 20.62 20.88 17.22 10.11 54.67 

Sex ratio " 

Literacy rate 

per ‘000 

Males 

1001 990 1022 1147 975 

Persons 

2001 

Census 

% 81.24 80.66 81.94 95.66 73.72 

Male " % 88.62 88.44 89.40 97.64 78.82 

Female " % 73.9 72.84 74.68 93.98 68.50

88 


UNION 

TERRITORY 


Projected 

Population - 

2007 

Rain fall 

Agriculture 

2006- 

07 

in lakh 10.89 8.23 1.88 0.39 0.39 

mm -- 1133 986 3281 1427 

Net area sown 

2005- 

06 

' 

000Hect. 

20.713 12.950 6.489 0.624 0.650 

Gross area 

irrigated 

" " 29.384 21.983 6.723 0.043 0.635 

Food grains 

Production 

" 

' 000 

M.T 

55.147 41.089 11.743 -- 2.315 

Fish Production 

Marine 

2006- 

07 

M.T 33792 17219 11765 3835 973 

Inland " " 5510 3300 1570 -- 640 

Animal 

Husbandry 

Milk Production 

2006- 

07 

M.T. 44713 33895 9592 374 852 

Egg Production " in. lakh 107.36 73.95 29.58 1.30 2.53 

Public Health 

Hospitals 

2006- 

07 

No. 8 5 1 1 1 

Chest Clinic " " 1 1 -- -- -- 

Primary Health 

Centres 

Community 

Health Centres 

" " 39 27 11 1 -- 

" " 4 2 1 1 -- 

Sub-Centres 

Urban 

2006- 

07 

No. 25 17 -- 4 4 

Rural " " 52 35 17 -- -- 

ESI Dispensaries " " 14 11 1 1 1 

Doctors " " 586 410 98 43 35 

Nurses " " 1271 847 278 86 60 

Beds " " 2561 1607 645 207 102 

Education 

Primary 

i. No. of 

Institutions 

2006- 

07 

No. 319 216 75 15 13 

ii. No. of Students " % 100 69.72 15.65 5.59 9.04 

Middle 


Institutions 

" No. 118 81 30 5 2

89 


UNION 

TERRITORY 



Secondary 


Institutions 

" No. 155 112 27 6 10 


Higher Secondary 


Institutions 

" No. 92 71 15 5 1 


Teacher Pupil Ratio 

Primary 

2006- 

07 

1:21 1:21 1:16 1:27 1:56 

Middle " 1:20 1:19 1:21 1:22 1:32 

High/Higher 

Sec. 

" 1:27 1:28 1:27 1:21 1:25 

No. of girls per 100 boys 

Primary 

2006- 

07 

No. 95 94 97 101 97 

Middle " " 91 91 93 90 96 

High/Higher Sec. 

" " 101 102 103 83 105 

Public Distribution System 

No.of Fair Price 

Shops 

Ration shops run 

by 

co-operative 

institution 

2006- 

07 

Nos 438 318 84 18 18 

" 399 290 73 18 18 

Labour and Employment 

State Government 

Employees 

2005- 

06 

No. 28229 21545 4664 1169 851 

Central 

Government 

Employees 

Autonomous 

Bodies Employees 

Local Bodies 

Employees 

" " 4200 3996 110 48 46 

" " 7982 6936 866 78 102 

" " 2591 2038 396 61 96 

Banking 

No. of scheduled 

commercial banks 

As on 

March 

2007 

No. 95 68 20 5 2 

Deposits " 

Rs. 

in Crore 

3932 3178 534 173 47

90 


UNION 

TERRITORY 


Credit " “ 1856 1573 215 46 22 

Population per 

Office 

" No. 10256 10814 8540 7366 15697 

Transport 

Road length 

(PWD) 

Regd. Motor 

vehicle 

Tourism 

2006- 

07 

km. 677.525 440.344 188.417 22.319 26.445 

" No. 47917 40609 6394 493 421 

Tourist arrival 

Jan to 

June 

2007 

No. 409611 347518 62093 -- -- 

i. Foreign Tourist " “ 28022 27894 128 -- -- 

ii. Domestic 

Tourist 

" “ 381589 319624 61965 -- -- 

Co-operative 

No. of Societies 

2006- 

07 

No. 510 362 87 26 35 

Membership " 000 No. 530.89 383.62 93.34 37.09 16.84 

Primary 

Agriculture Credit 

Societies 

" No. 53 46 6 1 -- 

Membership 

" " 82051 73044 8830 177 -- 

Rural Development 

No. of groups 

formed under 

SGSY 

2006- 

07 

No. 163 125 38 -- -- 

No. of Houses 

constructed under 

IAY 

" " 261 224 28 3 6 

Mandays 

generated under 

SGRY " 

Lakh 

Mandays 

0.589 0.315 0.197 0.007 0.070 

State Domestic Product (Base Year 1999-2000) 

Gross State 

Domestic Product 

(at Current Prices) 

2006- 

07 

Rs. 

in lakh 

629928 -- -- -- -- 

Net State 

Domestic Product 


" " 569772 -- -- -- -- 

Per capita Income 


" In Rs. 52669 -- -- -- --

91 

CHAPTER –VIII 

ECO-TOURISM POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT - 

PUDUCHERRY 

Puducherry Region 

Puducherry lies about 160 Kms, south of Chennai on the coast 

of India and is a living monument of French culture in India. 

Puducherry town, founded by the French in 17 th Century has 

developed into a beautiful and quaint city with a unique character of 

its own and in many ways, reflects the ambience and chain of an old 

European city. 

People speaking fifty five different languages of the world live 

here and it can be said that Puducherry is a unique conglomeration of 

a vibrant cosmopolitan culture. Puducherry is the house of famous 

Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville international commune – playing a 

significant role in attracting people from different parts of the world. 

The history of Puducherry dates back to 200 years B.C. There was a 

trade channel between Rome and Poduke (present Puducherry). 

Subsequently Puducherry was associated with great empires like 

Vijayanagar kingdom, Thanjur, Kingdom and Chola Empire. It came 

under the influence of French traditions and culture during their 

occupation for two hundred years. Its subsequent liberation in 1964 

and increased interaction with nearly regions, have all lent a mystic 

charm to this unique city. 

Because of French rule, architectural style of buildings in the 

Boulevard town (White Town) French names of city streets, French 

wine and cuisine and an undercurrent of French connection – all this 

adds to the charm of the city. Puducherry also has a rare spiritual 

ambience where Aurobindo Ashramites and Aurovilleans have 

contributed in making the city a blend of continental beauty and 

spiritual serenity.

92 

Presence of virgin beaches and a beautiful promenade add to its 

charms and magnetise the visitors to this little gems of a town in 

south India Churches from an intrinsic part of the Puducherry. Of 

the four important churches, the most significant is the Eglise De 

Sacre Coper De Jesus situated on the South Boulevard. Noted for its 

gothic architecture, it contains rare and beautiful stained glass 

panels. Temples too, dot the region. Manakula Vinayagar, 

Thirubhuvanai, Thiruvandere and Bahour Temples are some of the 

famous temples. 

Other important city attraction is:- 

XVII Century Governor House (Raj Nivas) 

The Government square with a monument of Ayi Mandapam 

Puducherry Museum 

Botanical Gardens 

Statue of Duplex 

Museum of Ananda Ranga Pillai 

War memorial 

Gandhi Statue 

Old light house 

Statue of Jeanne D’Arc 

Boat House at Chunambar 

Bahour Lake 

Oustrei Lake and Bird Sanctuary 

Aquarium 

Potential Assessment of tourism products 

The preceding section has briefly listed an inventory of various 

tourist attraction of Puducherry region. Traditionally, tourism to 

Puducherry has been restricted to the city tour and a visit to Ashram 

and Auroville. During one study, it was realised that the vast potential 

of the region has not been realised and the present positioning of the 

region has not been realised and the present positioning of the 

destination leaves much to be desired. With the present efforts and

93 

tourism itineraries, Puducherry can best be a half day destination or a 

‘Technical night halt’ on the Southern circuit from Chennai to 

Thanjavur. 

But the reality is quite different. Puducherry has significantly 

much more to offer and harnessing the latest potential can possibly 

make it an attractive holiday eco-tourism destination for both foreign 

and domestic travellers. This section of the exercise deals with an indepth 

analysis of the existing potential tourist attractions of the city 

around which the future foreign tourism development should take 

place. 

Beach of Puducherry 

Both on the northern and southern extension of the city of 

Puducherry along the East Coast Road, lonely beach stretches are 

present. The coastal area stretching up to a distance of 15 Kms. 

Comprises of Kalapet, Kanagachettikulam and Pillaichavady villages. 

This stretch contains a number of fishermen hamlets, but there are, 

nevertheless long stretches near Kalapet and Pillaichavady where a 

clear beeches line is available. The northern beach stretches have the 

similar ocean characteristic as are true for all of Puducherry and 

Karaikal regions. It is an open sea with short sandy stretch with a 

gradual gradient. At present there is negligible breach tourism. Hotel 

Puducherry Ashok located on this northern stretch but both the 

properties have been avoided for the development of beach activities. 

Reasons furnished for this were. 

a. no requirement from transit passengers (as Puducherry is 

a night halt on the circuit) 

b. hostile attitude of local population 

c. Rough sea conditions – Tsunami Phobia. 

While at present these reasons are valid, it is also true that a great 

natural asset is not being put to profitable use. There is a potential 

for development of beach activities like water sports along this stretch 

and a possibility of a beach resort can also be considered. Adequate

94 

measures can be taken to isolate the beach stretches and locals can 

also be made aware of the benefits of tourism for their region. 

Adequate safety steps would definitely have to be taking to ensure 

hazard free beach tourism. Development of trained life guards would 

be an essential prerequisite. 

On the southern side of the city, the coastal area is more scenic 

and the sandy stretches are longer. Topography too is undulating at 

places and the coast line is at a considerable distance from the east 

coast road. Beach resorts, eco resorts/ eco villages can be ideally set 

up in this stretch, finding suitable locations near Nallavadu, 

Naramali, Morthikuppam, and Pudukuppam. There are fishermen 

outlets all along the stretch and adequate measures again would have 

to be taken to create tourist - friendly and safe beach activities. 

Defining Land use for meaningful development of Beach. 

One of the major drawbacks which have resulted in the 

haphazard utilisation of beach area is Non- identification of a land 

use. At present Puducherry planning Department has declared land 

use of only Puducherry and Oulgaret Municipal areas. No land use 

has been declared for Kalapet, Pillaichavady and Kanagachettikulam 

areas. As it is the CRZ norms provided for stringent guidelines for 

development of coastal areas restricting activities which can be 

initiated within 500 meters of the high tide line. This puts 

tremendous pressure on the land area outside 500 meters for 

development purposes. During the extensive field survey carried out to 

identify potential sites on the Beach stretches of Kalapet, 

Pillaichavady and Kanagachettikulam, it was disheartening to note 

that most of the potential areas along the beaches which are outside 

the “No development Zone” as per the CRZ norms, have either PWD 

established Crematoriums, Burial grounds or are under the 

possession of Ashram/Auroville. Many areas have been splintered 

into small plots for residential purposes. In some areas, though the

95 

site appeared to have potential, no approach road was possible to 

connect the site to the main roads. It is pertinent that Land Use for 

all Beaches areas/along the Coastline be identified and frozen. If 

change of land use is to be permitted, it should be on a case to case 

basis in the interest of integrated development after charging levies for 

change of land use. Unless this is enforced, a planned development of 

the coastline is not possible. 

Development of Water sports facilities/Oceanarium at identified 

location in Kalapet /Pillaichavady 

An analysis of the user responses during survey indicated a 

strong preference for Water sports facilities and on Oceanarium / 

Under Water World. At the moment there are no Ocenarium / “Under 

Water World” facilities available in Tamil Nadu. The Department of 

Tourism, Government of Kerala, has recently advertised for the setting 

up of an “Oceanarium” on private sector investment basis at 

Thiruvanthapuram. 

Since there are no competing facilities in the region, the setting 

up of an Ocenarium would provide Puducherry a unique product and 

significantly improve the mix of Tourism products available at 

Puducherry. 

The Oceanarium would be set up on an identified piece of land 

and would be spread over 5 – 6 Acres and would provide a natural 

and a thrilling glimpse of the Under Water World. The project would 

involve significant conceptualisation and management efforts and 

should be developed on private sector investment basis. The state 

Govt. can acquire the land from the private agency and give it on a 

concession.

96 

Development of a “Sunbath Village”/Auroville sandy beach on the 

Northern Side – Close to the Auroville. 

There was an overwhelming response by both domestic and 

foreign tourists towards the idea of setting up a “Sunbath Village” at 

Puducherry. The proposed “Sunbath Village” would provide an 

exclusive glimpse of the history of Puducherry and promote the 

“Sunlight Therapy” of the region, local cuisine, folklore etc. 

A suitable location of the proposed facility can be identified near 

the Auroville. (Auroville beach and the Chunnabar beach- Paradise 

Beach) The land is a mixture of Government land and private land. A 

total area of about 10 acres can be identified for this purpose. In 

addition to the local sun bath of Puducherry, local handicrafts /sports 

of other southern states can also be displayed as stalls. 

The entire area would be conceptualised like a typical village 

with thatched huts. The lighting of the village area would be through 

earthen lamps. This would add to the ambience of the place. A mini 

restaurants with multi cuisine facilities for refreshing tourists. 

It is desirable that the project be managed as a joint venture 

between Department of Tourism and Department of Arts and Culture 

and PDTC and PRTC. 

A more comprehensive description of the facility including the 

concept lay out and prima facie feasibility would be drawn out for the 

specific project profile. 

Chunambar and Back Water Lagoons – Paradise Beach. 

A boat club cum restaurant exists at Chunambar 8 Kms. south 

of the city. At present pedal boats, hydroplanes and motor boats are 

available. In fact this is the only place in Puducherry where the sea 

extends and comes inside the land areas and makes it a safe beach

97 

area. The site can be further developed into a full fledged water sports 

complex with the addition of Parasailing, Water Scooters etc. 

Alongside the boat club, in the available land stretch (at present 

privately held), a completely Water sports /Adventure sports club can 

be developed which will not only complement the existing boat club, 

but will make the Chunambar complex a unique recreation centre 

which will draw people from Puducherry as well as form nearly towns 

of Cuddalore, Chidambaram , Villupuram and even Chennai. In fact 

the success of water parks / amusement parks on the east coast road 

between Chennai and Mamalapuram can be replicated at Chunambar. 

Near Chunambar, in the Ariyankupam River, there exist 

some wonderful backwater stretches. In fact this is the only stretch 

in Puducherry region which can boast of lush green and 

beautiful back waters, akintothe famous backwaters of Kerala; and 

offers huge potentiality, for Eco - tourism development. 

In fact there is an island of about 15 Acres near Pannithittu, 

Poornakuppam where an integrated French ambience tourist complex 

which will comprise of accommodation units in French style Villas, 

French Café’s an Amphitheatre for Cultural activities festivals, evening 

theatres etc., an Arts and crafts centre which would be a fusion of 

handicrafts from Puducherry and traditional French offerings, and 

restaurants set up in French ambience. A backwater boat cruise 

facility can be made operational during the months when there is 

sufficient water for the boats to ply. In fact the thrill of having the 

access to the island facility only though boats plying on the 

backwaters would add a rare aura to the present laid back and low 

profile tourism activity in the region. The setting up of amusement – 

Water Park along with the existing boat club which would be 

upgraded into a full fledged water sports centre – in the vicinity would 

make this Southern stretch near Ariyankuppam – Chunnambar a 

unique tourist facility.

98 

Ousteri Lake 

About 20 Kms. West of the Pondicherry town lies Ousteri lake, 

a huge water body which is a home for hundreds of birds. As high as 

44 species of aquatic birds have been recorded among which 22 

species were migratory bird’s species. Migratory birds are found all 

over the year in Ousteri Lake. Maximum number of migratory species 

has been recorded during January and February. Number of resident 

species higher than the migratory species during all months except 

during December – February. Migratory species of avifauna include 

ducks, teals, pilchards, waders and terns. Resident species include 

dabchicks, egret, heron, stork, ibis, pelican, spoonbill, cormorants, 

darter, duck (sport bill duck), teal (cotton teal) and waders. 

The disturbance caused by indiscriminate filing in the Ousteri 

Lake is one of the major problems threatening the existence of birds 

and in threatening to destroy this unique ecological treasure of 

Puducherry. 

In fact, Ouesteri Lake offers a great potential to be developed 

into an eco-tourist attraction. The area should be declared as 

protected and should be developed as a nature reserve. Across the 

road, a small picnic – cum- amusement complex can be developed and 

special bird watching machans / towers can be installed along the 

lake periphery. Limited rowing boat facility can be permitted inside 

the lake and interesting landmark can be created inside the lake so as 

to give the nature lovers a unique boat ride and a rare bird watching 

experience. 

This nature reserve –cum-leisure destination can not only 

become popular with the Puducherry residents as well as tourists, it 

can attract a large number of visitors from nearby towns, especially 

Villupuram.

99 

Bahour Lake 

This is a wetland south of the city of Pondciherry. Since Bahour 

receives water only from mid September till March and is devoid of 

major aquatic vegetation, it does not offer an interesting option in the 

short run However; the area has a potentiality to be developed into a 

picnic resort and can be considered as a possible alternative for 

development in the long run after 5-7 years. Boat cruise, Pedal boats, 

should be introduced by PTDC with functioning of restaurants. 

Nearby new sporting complex can be established for children’s with 

handicrafts emporium. 

Deep sea cruise 

Puducherry has an open sea with the sea touching the town at 

the Promenade. The view to the open expanse is inviting and the sea 

offers some exciting possibilities of watching Dolphins. Tourists can 

be taken in specially designed fishing boats for a deep sea cruise 

about 5-10 Kms inside the sea and this can offer a wonderful option 

for the ocean loving / adventure lowing tourists. Infact there are 

mixed views regarding the possibility of dolphin sighting. However, a 

large majority of experts contacted felt that it would be a wonderful 

experience with or without the dolphins to have a cruise in the deep 

sea and tourists could watch at close quarters, the amazing craft of 

deep sea fishing. Even in case dolphin sightings are possible, it would 

be an added bonus. PTDC has been conducted a few cruises in the 

past and many dolphin sightings have been reported. This is a 

significant option for tourism development. 

Setting up of Eco-Tourism Recreation parks within the City – 

Near the New Port 

One of the key observations made during the Survey was that 

there were absolutely no eco-tourism entertainment facilities at 

Puducherry. These could include Recreation Parks with mini

100 

restaurant, indoor games etc., and premium facilities like bowling 

alley. Also there is no Swimming Pool available for free public use. 

Interaction with various user segments highlighted a great demand for 

such facilities. The executives /tourists do not have any activity in 

which they can leisurely indulge during evening hours. 

It is recommended that an Eco-Tourism Recreation Parks 

housing the following facilities be set up near the New Port area on the 

vast land which at present is owned by the Slums /Sewerage 

department. 

a) A Swimming Pool 

b) A Recreation Parks with mini-restaurants/room/table tennis 

lawn/ 

Handicrafts showroom/ children’s/ toy trains etc. 

c) A bowling alley 

d) A Hi-tech amusement games Corner. 

The entertainment complex would be a good attraction to both 

the residents of Puducherry as well as Tourists. The above facilities 

can either be taken up by PTDC as its venture in which case the 

existing site of the ‘Seagulls Restaurant” may be used for creating the 

integrated complex and the land sector investment basis on long term 

lease by the Government. Tourism Department can crystallise the 

facilities desirable and invite private operators to construct, fund and 

manage the facility. The private operators must be given absolute 

freedom in pricing of the facility as per his investment levels/market 

demand. 

Setting up of a Major Water Park / Theme Park at identified 

stretched of land at Narambai. Puducherry lacks a major 

entertainment and leisure product which could cater to the needs of 

the residents of Puducherry, transit traffic and the tourists to the city.

101 

A vast piece of land measuring more than 100 acres is available 

at Narambai. The land (at present privately held) has well developed 

infrastructure and lies about 2 Km off the main Cuddalore Road. The 

site has a beautiful unexploited beach stretch which makes it ideal for 

a major leisure facility. In short the site can be compared to the VGP 

Golden Beach location on the East Coast Road. 

A major water theme park would be an ideal proposition at the 

site. It is difficult to imaging another comparable site at Puducherry. 

The site would help in extending the tourism facilities to the southern 

border which at the moment are concentrated on the northern border 

of Puducherry and besides cater to the sizeable transit traffic on the 

Puducherry – Cuddalore route. 

The Theme park would be spread over about 35 -40 Acres of 

land and would have the following facilities. 

1. Amusement rides for Adults, Youth, Family and Children 

2. Ecologically planned Park. 

3. A fun Virtually Reality theatre 

4. A Children play corner 

5. Restaurant facilities etc. 

The land for the project an be acquired by the Tourism 

Department from the private owners and offered on long term lease to 

the private operators to set up and manage the facility. Given the 

nature of the facility and the investment levels required it is 

recommended that the facility be created through private sector 

investment. 

Exploitation of French connection /developments of products 

based on French ambience. 

Puducherry offers a unique combination of French ambience in 

a typical Tamil setting. The French presence is conspicuous by way of 

continental architecture, serene buildings, and gothic architecture of

102 

cathedrals, presence of monuments and the boulevard. Even the 

policemen of Puducherry still wear typical French caps called Kepis. 

In fact the whole town, or the section of the town on the east of the 

Grand Canal, has quite a few beautiful French houses and mansion. 

The streets in this part of the town have names in French and one can 

easily mistake, for a moment that one is in Paris of yesteryears. 

This French ambience or more appropriately the French 

connection can be built into a tourism attraction. What ever is there 

at present, by way of French ambience, attracts a limited number of 

nostalgic French nationals or a few enthusiastic Europeans. Not 

many Indians have been enticed to Pondichery because of the French 

connection. If a planned marketing exercise is undertaken this 

France–in-India slogan can certainly draw a considerable number of 

Indian tourists and will also enhance the interest among French and 

other European tourists. Some of the options available to explicit the 

French connection is:- 

i. Setting up of French cafeteria on the road sides (near 

Promenade). These would be road side facilities in typical 

French style. Ideally, one such Café’s can be located outside 

the Le Café’ Restaurant on Promenade managed by PTDC. 

Different varieties of French bread along with French snacks 

and Coffee could be served by the road side Café’s. The 

person manning the Café would be dressed as typical French 

Chef which would add to the ambience of the Café. The 

location on the Promenade is ideal as it is the most popular 

place for visit by tourists during early morning and evening 

hours. The natural setting of the place makes it an ideal 

location for setting up of the French Café’s. It is 

recommended that 2/3 such French Café’s be set up at 

various strategic locations to be managed by PTDC or 

alternatively the layout, concept and the Menu can be frozen

103 

by PTDC and the facility can be funded and manned by 

quality private operators. 

ii. Availability of French wines and French cuisine to be 

promoted. Although the present tax structure and licensing 

requirements on imported wines does not make it an 

attractive proposition. 

iii. Celebration of French festivals. One of the possibilities is the 

Masquerade festival of masks celebrated during March – 

April. This festival reflects one face of French honour. With 

masks and fancy costumes, revellers go around the streets 

indulging in a kind of gimmick dance to the accompaniment 

of bleating accordion and trumpets. The Festival of Flowers 

is another such festival which would be of much interest to 

the local population and the tourists. 

iv. The “Cultural attaché “– French embassy could be involved 

in recommending popular French carnivals and festivals 

which could be replicated here. The cultural attaché has 

promised all support to make such festivals a regular annual 

event. 

v. Conversion of select French houses in the ‘White Town’ into 

French – site hotels where mid –budget tourists could stay 

and enjoy unique French hospitality in a typical French 

setting. 

vi. Setting up of a Theme park with French history and 

artefacts. This could be a part of the island facility in 

Ariyankuppam back waters as discussed in the earlier 

section of this report.

104 

Aurobindo Ashram 

Contrary to the pre-unit understanding of this study team, 

Ashram does not offer a possibility for providing unique selling 

proportions for Puducherry. Traffic to the Aurobindo Ashram is a 

definite reality but the motivations to visit are independent of the 

tourism development activities in Puducherry. While it is not to 

suggest that Ashram is not an important ingredient of the tourist 

itinerary for Puducherry, it may be emphasised that tourism to 

Puducherry can not be built around Ashram – spiritualism. Although 

Ashram and Auroville are a must in the itinerary’s of most visitors to 

Puducherry’ with the enhanced tourism promotion for the U.T., there 

would emerge some other potent motivators. As would be seen in the 

subsequent section of this report Puducherry offers a potentiality to 

be developed into a leisure and holiday destination. It also offers a 

unique opportunity for a week end get away for most of the city 

dwellers in the Southern belt of Chennai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, 

Chidambaram Kanchipuram etc., 

Auroville 

Auroville the ‘City of Dawn’ is the brainchild of “The Mother” 

and is situated 15 Kilometres from Puducherry in Tamil Nadu. 

Auroville is an experimental city based on the vision of Sri Aurobindo 

and the Mother. It proclaims a dual growth of spiritual and material, 

of individual and the community. It is envisaged as a place of 

unending education of constant progress and a youth that never ages. 

Auroville wants to be the bridge between the past and the future 

taking advantage of discoveries from without and from within. 

Auroville is a focal point for the upmarket tourists visiting 

Puducherry for the following reasons. 

a) The Concept: It revolves around the intricacies dealing with every 

small aspect of life on physical, vital, mental and spiritual worlds and

105 

is spell binding. It professes perfect beauty in the material by 

attaining spiritual heights. It daringly attempts the scientific 

interpretation of the ancient lore of unity of consciousness. 

b) The Architecture: It is much famous for its harmony in style, 

innovative construction material, acute scientific approach, and an 

overall economy of land, finances and other resources. Matrimandir 

the ‘soul of the city” is the main attraction. Every structure is uniquely 

modern on the planes of beauty and invariably attaining its utility and 

imamates aspirations. 

c) Environmental: Auroville is planned to be a marvel in terms of 

nature too, though much of it is still incomplete and not open to 

tourists. The green belt is planned to consist of rockeries, small 

waterfalls and pools, marble fountains, varieties of flora, etc. Ecotourism 

with local communities and other stake holders planning and 

promotion are done with its service. 

d) Research: Many who go as tourists settle down as visitors for a 

long time. They contribute to the research on various cultures, 

environment, science and technology. 

e) The Products: Many commercial products are exported from here 

for their unique form, beauty and extreme quality. Products such as 

hand made paper, incense sticks, earthenware, garments and 

publications are a major draw for the tourists visiting the place. 

ANALYSIS OF SURVEY RESULTS – AT PUDUCHERRY 

SUMMARY OF SURVEY FINDINGS AMONG DOMESTIC TOURISTS 

Survey of tourists was carried out at Puducherry to asses the 

visitors perception about various facilities and services, their primary 

reason to visit Puducherry, average stay, spending patterns and 

inclination to patroning various facilities and services proposed. The

106 

structured questionnaire was administered for the purpose of 

conducting the above data. 

Table 4: Domestic Tourists - Place of origin 

Residents (Place origin) 

% Age of 

respondents 

Chennai 29 

Southern districts 9 

Northern districts 14 

Other places in South India 18 

East India 6 

North India 5 

West India 12 

Satellite areas of Puducherry 7 

30% of the tourist which were interviewed was the residents of 

Chennai. Infact South Indian residents accounted for almost 75% of 

the total tourist interviewed. 23% of the domestic tourists to 

Puducherry were residents of adjoining southern and northern 

districts and about 7% were residents of satellite areas like Cuddalore, 

Villupuram and Thriuvanamalai. 

Table 5: Domestic Tourists Previous Destination. 

Previous destination % Age of respondents 

Chennai 42 

North India 3 

East India 1 

South India 43 

Satellite areas of 

11 

Puducherry

107 

Chennai was the most often mentioned (42%) previous 

destination i.e. the place from where the tourist had come to 

Puducherry. More than 10% of the tourist had come from Satellite 

areas. Only 4% of the tourists had come to Puducherry from parts 

other than South India. 

Previous Destination of Indian Tourists 

Satellite areas of 

Pondicherry 

11% 

Chennai 

42% 

South India 

43% 

North India 

3% 

East India 

1% 

Table 6: Frequency of visit by Domestic Tourists 

Frequency of visit 

% Age of respondents 

First time visitors 70 

Visited Once or Twice before 10 

Visited More than Twice 

before 

20

108 

Majority of the tourists (70%) were first time visitors to 

Puducherry. However, more than 20% respondents indicated that 

they had visited Puducherry two or more times, before. 

Table 7: Purpose of visit by Domestic Tourists 

Purpose of visit 

% Age of respondents 

Pleasure / holiday 61 

Business / Conference 10 

Ashram / Auroville 14 

Study 3 

Pilgrimage 5 

Other reasons 7 

Probe on this aspect threw upon interesting result. Almost 60% 

of the respondents indicated pleasure/holiday as the main reason for 

their visit Ashram/Auroville visit was indicated by less than 15%. 

Table 8: Duration of stay of Domestic Tourists 

Duration of stay No. of 

% Age of 

respondents Respondents 

Day visit 80 25 

1 night 60 40 

2-3 nights 55 34 

4-5 nights 7 4 



10 and above nights 5 3 

40% of the respondents had stayed / would stay only for one 

night at Puducherry. Interestingly, 40% of the respondents would 

stay for between 2 and 5 nights. 25% were day visitors. See table 

below.

109 

The overall average duration of stay of Domestic Tourists works 

out to 1 ½ days night. 

Table 9: Mode of travel by Domestic Tourists 

Mode of travel % age of Respondents 

Personal car 23 

Hired Vehicle 10 

Bus 66 

Train 1 

Almost 2/3 rd of the domestic tourists to Puducherry had used 

bus transport to visit the place. Almost 1/4 th used their personal car. 

Table10: Tourist attractions visited by Domestic tourists in 

Puducherry 

Places to be 

visited/visited 

% age of 

Respondents 

Promenade 85 

Auroville 85 

Ashram 85 

Chunambar 70 

Museum 38 

Kalapet Beach 6 

Botanical Garden 9 

Vinayaka Temple 8 

Other Places 1 

Promenade, Aurbindo Ashram and Auroville were the favourites. 

Chunambar was another preferred place visit which was reported by 

70% of the respondents. Less than 50% of the domestic tourists have 

visited / planned to visit the beach areas and ousteri Lake.

110 

Preference for various tourist attractions at Puduherry Domestic Tourists 

% age of Respondents 

90 

80 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Promenade 

Auroville 

Ashram 

Chunambar 

Museum 

Kalapet Beach 

Botanical Garden 

Vinayaka Temple 

Other Places 

Promenade 

Auroville 

Ashram 

Chunambar 

Museum 

Kalapet Beach 

Botanical Garden 

Vinayaka Temple 

Other Places 

Table 11: General Feedback of Domestic Tourists 


Factor 

Good 

Averag 

No 

Poor 

e 

opinion 

Availability /quality of 

41 25 2 32 

accommodation 

Transportation availability 38 40 7 15 

Quality of local arts and crafts 33 27 4 36 

Availability of wayside facilities 28 41 14 17 

and public conveniences 

Availability of shopping areas 

and avenues for Recreation in 

and around the region 

31 34 6 30 

i. Commenting on the availability and quality of accommodation, about 

40% respondents felt the accommodation /its availability was good 

25% felt it was average. But as high as 32% did not comment on this 

aspect. 

ii. On transportation availability too, about 30% respondents felt it was 

either average or good. The lack of transportation facilities did not 

come out very prominently since most of the tourists restricted their.

111 

Itinery to promenade, museum and Ashram – all within walking 

distance. For-off tourist facilities like Arikanmedu, Chunambar, 

Bahur and Ousteri Lake were seldom visited by tourists. 

iii. With respect to quality of local arts and crafts, about 60% of the 

respondents were satisfied – having rated than as good or average, 

but here again, more than 1/3 rd of the respondents did not give their 

opinion. One view which came out prominently was that all local arts 

and crafts were synonymous with “Ashram” and not as such with 

Puducherry. 

iv. Wayside facilities and public conveniences were considered to be 

average by more than 40% of the respondents. More than 25% 

however, felt that they were good. But about 14% felt they were poor. 

v. On shopping and recreation facilities and their availability, 2/3 rd of 

the respondents were satisfied and as high as 30% again had no 

opinion. 

Table 12: Feedback on specific tourist attractions - Promenade 

Factor Good Average Poor 

No 

Opinion 

s 

Perception of asset value 37 13 2 1 

Quality of maintenance 33 15 4 - 

Ambience and setting 30 21 3 - 

Ambience of tourist facilities and 

services 

i) Parking 17 15 3 18 

ii) Public convenience and facilities. 7 23 9 14 

iii) Rest /relaxation and 15 22 12 4S 

refreshment 

On perception of asset value and quality of maintenance, a large 

proportion of respondents rated it good but on ambience, parking 

facilities, public convenience and relaxation /refreshment options, 

many tourists felt that the facilities were generally average or poor.

112 

Evaluation of "Promenade" by Domestic Tourists 


100% 

90% 

80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

40% 

30% 

20% 

10% 

0% 

Availability 

/quality of 

accommodation 

Transportation 

availability 

Quality of local 

arts and crafts 

Evaluation of criteria 

Availability of Availability of 

wayside facilities shopping areas 

and public and avenues for 

conveniences Recreation in 

and around the 

region 

No opinion 

Poor 

Average 

Good 

Table 13: Feedback on specific tourist attractions Boat Club- 

Chunnambar (Paradise Beach) 


Factor 

Good 

Averag 

e 

Poor No opinion 


Quality of maintenance 58 42 0 0 

Ambience and setting 56 44 0 0 

Ambience of tourist facilities 

and services 


ii) Public convenience and 

facilities. 

iii) Rest /relaxation and 

refreshment 

35 40 13 13 

34 44 11 11 

PTDC Boat club and Restaurant at Chunambar at Chunnambar 

ousteri lake, the response was generally a mixture of good or average 

for almost all the factors. However, here again, the responses were

113 

more skewed towards “average” for tourist facilities like Parking, 

Public conveniences and relaxation /refreshments etc. 

Perception of Chunambar As a Tourist Asset (Indian Tourist) 

40% 

37% 

35% 

30% 

33% 

30% 

%age of Tourists 

25% 

20% 

15% 

10% 

5% 

0% 

13% 

2% 

1% 

Perception of 

asset value 

15% 

4% 

Quality of 

maintenance 

21% 

0 0 

18% 

17% 

15% 

3% 3% 

Ambience and 

setting 

Parking 

7% 

23% 

9% 

14% 

Public 

convenience 

and facilities. 

15% 

22% 

12% 

4% 

Rest 

/relaxation and 

refreshment 

Good 

Average 

Poor 

No Opinions 

Evaluation Criteria 

Table 14: Feedback on specific tourist attractions – Ousteri Lake 


Factor Good Average Poor No opinion 




Ambience of tourist facilities 

and services 


ii) Public convenience and 0 12 12 77 

facilities. 

iii) Rest /relaxation and 4 19 8 69 

refreshment 

Most of the Indian Tourists were not very much satisfied with the 

“Ousteri Lake” the general feeling was that there was much scope for 

improvement of facilities. Most tourists felt though the “Ousteri Lake” 

was an important tourist attraction its ambience and setting needs to

114 

be improved well trained Swimmers, Boat drivers, Tour Guides need 

to be provided who can explain the importance and specialities of the 

Ousteri Lake. There should be better provisioning of Public 

Conveniences” and Refreshment facilities. 

Domestic tourist’s response on proposed tourist attraction at 

Puducherry. 

i. A large percentage of respondents (more than 60%) felt that 

Puducherry should certainly have an ‘Eco-Tourism’ as they 

indicated that they are certain to visit, if there was one. Only 

a mere 15% had indicated that they may not visit nor had no 

opinion. 

ii. More than 50% respondents felt that they are certain to visit 

a floating Restaurants/House Boats if there was one but 

20% indicated that they may not visit. However, most 

respondents were of the opinion that a would not constitute 

a key attraction or a “must visit” is their itinerary. 

iii. Amusement Park, Water Sports or under water world 

received very high responses where almost 80% respondents 

expressed their certainty to visit such Amusement /Water 

Parks. 

iv. Respondents were mixed for a Sandy Beach. Most 

respondents were not aware of the Concept in the first 

instance. However on explaining the facility most 

respondents (More than 60%) desired that the facility be 

located centrally so that they may visit it during evening 

hours.

115 

Table15: Domestic tourist’s response on proposed tourist 

attraction at Puducherry 


Proposed Attraction 

Certainl 

May Not No 

Maybe 

y 

visit Opinion 

Beach Tourism 61 25 7 7 

Boating Restaurants 51 21 20 8 

Amusement/Water 76 13 10 1 

Park 

Water Sports 77 16 6 1 

Underwater World 75 15 6 4 

Arikamedu 12 10 27 51 

Family entertainment 46 18 16 20 

Centre 

Action Value of Proposed Facilities (Indian Tourists) 

90 

80 


70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Arts & Crafts 

Village 

Planetarium 

Amusement/Water 

Park 

Aqua World 

Underwater World 

Arikamedu 

Family 

entertainment 

Centre 

Certainly 

Maybe 

May Not visit 

No Opinion 

Proposed Tourist Attraction 

Some of the suggestion received from the Domestic tourist visiting 

Puducherry was Improvement in tourism information facilities. A 

Tourist Reception Centre /Tourist Information Centre TIC TRC need to 

be set up at the Main bus stand and at Promenade. Besides this 

tourist information brochures should be made available to all the 

tourist spot in Puducherry. 

Good and multi cuisine restaurant facilities with handicrafts 

Showroom

116 

Development of beach facilities including providing shade areas 

and snack counters on the Beach/Ousteri /Bahour/Paradise 

beach etc., 

Development of products/events which would enhance the 

French Connection of Puducherry to be alive in all the seasons 

throughout the year. 

More recreation and entertainment facilities – Popular 

suggestions were (a) Indoor games facility (b) Amusement games 

(c) Folk dances &Theatre complex (d) Arts and crafts centre – 

Something on the lines of “Eco-Tourism Village in Kerala”. 

Regulated tariff for taxis and autos and introduction of point to 

point mini bus service/ Motor Bikes etc., 

More public conveniences – especially on the Promenade, 

Jawaharlal Nehru /Mission Street and crowded tourists spots. 

Availability of more bilingual and multilingual tourist guides to 

explain about Puducherry. 

Improvement of tourist recreation facilities at Chunnambar and 

introduction of Water /Sea sports. 

Provision of better seating benches facing the Sea on Promenade 

and Take away snacks counter at Promenade. 

Exhibitions /Fairs throughout the year in opposite to Gandhi 

Tidal at Beach. 

More Children’s Theme Park inside the Bharathi/Botanical 

Garden. 

Music Festivals ( French/English/Classical etc.,) throughout the 

Year. 

Placing one or more Handicrafts Stalls in all the tourist spots in 

Puducherry to avoid tourist’s difficulty in Puducherry shopping.

117 

RESULTS OF PRIMARY SURVEY OF FOREIGN TOURISTS AT 

PUDUCHERRY 

Table 16: Foreign Tourists- Place of Origin 

Place of origin % Age or respondents 

Sweden 3 

U.K. 10 

France 43 

Ireland 3 

USA 10 

Germany 10 

Malaysia 3 

Japan 3 

Sri Lanka 3 

Australia 3 

Kenya 3 

Uganda 3 

About 45% of the foreign tourists interviewed were French 

nationals. Residents of U.K., Germany and US accounted for 10% 

each and Europe comprised of as high as 7% of the respondents. 

About 10% of the foreign tourists reported Asia their country of 

origin. 

Table 17: Foreign Tourist’s Previous Destination 

Previous Destination % age of respondents 

Chennai 57 

Madurai 10 

Nagore 3 

Mahabalipuram 7 

Kanyakumar 10 

Trichy 10 

Bangalore 3

118 

About 60% of the foreign tourists interviewed had Chennai as 

their previous destination i.e. they had come to Puducherry via 

Chennai. Table indicates complete domination of southern centres 

(with Tamilnadu accounting for 97%) as the previous destinations 

points. 

Previous Destination of Foreign Tourists 

Kanyakumar 

10% 

Mahabalipuram 

7% 

Nagore 

3% 

Madurai 

10% 

Bangalore 

3% 

Trichy 

10% 

Chennai 

57% 

Chennai 

Madurai 

Nagore 

Mahabalipuram 

Kanyakumar 

Trichy 

Bangalore 

Table 18: Foreign Tourists - Onward destination 

Previous Destination 

% age of respondents 

Chennai 24 

Madurai 10 

Bhubaneswar 4 

Mahabalipuram 7 

Kanyakumari 10 

Trichy 5 

Bangalore 5 

Mumbai 5 

Himachal Pradesh 4 

Sri Lanka 4 

Chidambaram 18 

Rameswaram 1 

Goa 1 

Returning back to Chennai or visiting other southern centres like 

Trichy, Kanyakumar etc. was the most likely next destination.

119 

Next destination of Foreign tourists 

Chidambaram 

19% 

Sri Lanka 

4% 

Himachal Pradesh 

4% 

Mumbai 

5% 

Bangalore 

5% 

Trichy 

5% 

Rameswaram 

1% 

Goa 

1% 

Kanyakumari 

10% 

Chennai 

25% 

Madurai 

10% 

Bhubaneswar 

4% 

Mahabalipuram 

7% 

Chennai 

Madurai 

Bhubaneswar 

Mahabalipuram 

Kanyakumari 

Trichy 

Bangalore 

Mumbai 

Himachal Pradesh 

Sri Lanka 

Chidambaram 

Rameswaram 

Goa 

Table 19: Professional Background of Foreign Tourists 

Background 

% age of 

Respondents 

Professional 19 

Business 20 

Service 60 

Others 1 

Professional background of foreign tourists presents a cross section. 

With 60% holding jobs, 20% in business, little less than 20% 

professional’s artists. 


4 out of 5 foreign tourists interviewed at Puducherry were first 

time visitors with 14% having visited Puducherry at least once or 

twice before. Only 6% of the Tourists interviewed had visited 

Puducherry more than two times before this visit. These visitors were

120 

primarily attracted to Puducherry on account of Ashram / beaches 

and French Culture. 

Table 20: Frequency of Foreign Visit 

Frequency of visit No. of respondents 

First time 80 

Once/Twice Before 14 

More than Two times 

6 

Before 

Main purpose of visit 

Almost 60% of the respondents indicated pleasure / holiday as 

their principal reason for visiting Puducherry. 35% of the tourists 

indicated that visiting Ashram /Auroville / Beaches was their main 

purpose of visit. The results present a startling fact and challenge the 

misconception that ‘Ashram /Auroville’ are the only motivators of visit 

to the region. This means that for most of the foreign tourists a visit 

to Puducherry is part of an extended leisure itinerary of the southern 

region though “Ashram /Auroville” are important tourist’s attractions. 

However, a significant proportion (almost 1/3 rd ) of foreign tourists was 

in Puducherry primarily on account of Ashram/Auroville”. 

Duration of stay of Foreign Tourist 

While about 1/5 th of foreign tourist stayed for just one night, 

more than a third of the foreign tourists stayed /indicated to stay at 

Puducherry for between 23 nights. About 1/6 th of the foreigners 

interviewed planned to stay for 4 to 5 nights, while another 1/10 th of 

the foreigners intended to stay for more than 5 nights.

121 

Table 21: Duration of stay of Foreign Tourist. 

Duration of stay No. of Respondents % age of Respondents 

Day visit 18 17 

1 night 20 19 

2-3 nights 40 37 

4-5 nights 18 17 

6-7 nights 10 9 

8-9 nights - - 

10-11 nights - - 

12-13 nights - - 

2-3 weeks - - 

3-4 weeks 2 1 

1 month and 

- - 

above 

Mode of travel 

30% of the foreign tourists had used a car or a taxi to visit 

Puducherry. Rest of the 70% used a Hired coach /Van or a Bus. 

Table 22: Places of foreign tourists interests visited /intending to 

visit at Puducherry. 

Places 


Promenade 90 

Auroville 90 

Ashram 90 

Chunnambar 25 

Museum 70 

Kalapet Beach 12 

Botanical Garden 28 

Memorials & Statues 10 

Churches 20

122 

Promenade, Ashram and Auroville have been indicated as 

preferred places of interest which they had or would visit, by about 

90% of the foreign tourists. Almost 70% indicated that they had 

visited /would visit the museum as well. Only 25% indicated that 

they had or would consider visiting Chunambar boat club. Only 12% 

were likely to visit the beach (This was because since a majority of the 

foreigners had either arrived via Chennai or intended to proceed in 

that direction, they would have stopped / proposed to enjoy the beach 

facilities at Mahabalipuram enroute.) 

Table 23: Expenditure Patterns and Per Person/day Budget of 

Foreign tourists:- 

Budget (in Rs.) 

No. of Respondents 


(rounded off) 

0-100 3 3 

101-200 10 9 

201-300 14 13 

301-400 22 20 

401-500 30 28 

501-600 3 3 

601-700 4 4 

701-800 7 6 

801-900 4 4 

901-1000 6 6 

1000+ 5 4 

Almost half the Foreign tourists interviewed were in the per 

person per day expenditure range of Rs. 300 – Rs. 500. This means 

that a Foreigner who visits Puducherry in family or group size of 4 

persons is likely to spend between 1200 – 2000 Rs per day. The 

overall expenditure pattern of foreign tourists appears to be 

marginally on the lower side because of (a) availability of reasonably

123 

priced accommodation units (b) Not many avenues to spend on 

Entertainment, Transportation or Shopping. The Overall average 

budget /expenditure per person per day works out to Rs.450/-. 

Table 24: Back –up of Spending Patterns of Foreign Tourists:- 

Accommodation and Food expenses account for roughly half of 

the total expenditure of foreign tourists. Shopping accounts for only 

15 – 20% primarily because of limited shopping facilities /speciality 

handicrafts. As expected foreign tourists only spend a miniscule 3-5% 

of their budget on transportation within Puducherry. 

% age of total 

Expenditure Head 

Expenditure 

Boarding & Lodging 40-55 

Transportation 3-5 

Shopping 15-20 

Other Misc. Expenditure 15-20 

Table 25: Feedback on tourist facilities by Foreign Tourists 


Factor Good Average Poor No. 

Opinion 

Availability/quality of 

accommodation 

70 23 0 7 

Transportation availability 17 63 7 13 

Quality of local arts and crafts 60 27 3 10 

Availability of wayside 

facilities and public 

10 31 17 41 

conveniences 

Availability of shopping areas 

and avenues for recreation in 

and around the region 

34 45 0 21

124 

i. On accommodation availability and quality, 70% foreign 

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

tourists reacted favourable and more than 90% of them were 

satisfied. 

Therefore it can be inferred that existing 

accommodation scenario at Puducherry is quite satisfactory 

vis-à-vis the tourists traffic levels and expectations. 

Regarding transportation availability, the reaction was 

clearly negative with about 70% respondent’s findings them 

average or poor. This is in stark contrast to the response of 

the domestic tourists on the issue. Therefore, it is desirable 

Auto/taxi fares, cycles can also be made available on rent 

being a convenient and otherwise environment friendly mode 

of transport and limited distances required to be traversed. 

Quality and range of local Arts and Crafts were satisfactory 

however most of the Foreigners viewed arts and crafts of 

Puducherry synonymous with Ashram/French Culture. 

On availability of wayside facilities and public conveniences, 

the reaction was not satisfactory. Only 10% rated them as 

good while 60% rated them either as poor or had no opinion 

on the issue. 

v. Availability of shopping areas and avenues of recreation 

generated a mixed reaction with a little over 30% findings 

them good but over 40% finding them average or poor. 

Table 26: Feedback on specific tourist’s assets: Promenade 


Factors Good Average Poor No Opinion 

Perception of asset 

value 

93.75 6.25 0 0 

Quality of maintenance 62.5 31.25 6.25 0 

Ambience and setting 87.5 12.5 0 0 

Parking 18.75 6.25 0 0 

Public conveniences 

& facilities 

Rest/relaxation 

& refreshment 

0 25 6.25 68.75 

6.25 81.25 6.25 6.25

125 

While the quality of assets, maintenance, and ambience were 

found good by a large portion of respondents, reaction on parking 

facilities, public conveniences and option of rest / relaxation 

/refreshment were not satisfactory. 

Museum 

There were mixed reaction to the Museum as a tourist asset. 

While perception of asset value was generally favourable, quality of 

maintenance was not considered satisfactory at all. This is in stark 

contrast to the response expressed by the Domestic Tourists on 

maintenance of Museum facilities. The response clearly indicates that 

foreign tourists generally take a deeper interest in articles displayed in 

the Museum and expect impeccable maintenance of precious 

collections displayed. No opinions were expressed on allied tourist 

facilities and services. 

Chunambar – Paradise Beach. 

As very few valid responses were obtained, meaningful 

conclusions cannot be drawn about the feedback of foreign tourists on 

Chunnambar boat house. Out of the foreigners who responded, most 

of them expressed disappointment with the boating facilities available 

at Chunnambar. 

Ashram 

Of the tourists who commented on the asset value of Ashram, 

majority rated it as extremely satisfactory with respect to quality of 

maintenance and ambience. However not many views were available 

on the allied facilities. 

Auroville 

Recreation to the tourist assets were not available in significant 

number

126 

Table 27: Recreation of Foreign tourists on the proposed tourist 

attractions at Puducherry. 

%age of Respondents 

Certainl 

May Not No. 

Proposed Attraction 

Maybe 

y 

Visit Opinion 

Beach Tourism 70 23 7 0 

Floating Restaurants/House Boats 40 33 27 0 

Amusement/ Water Park 20 20 60 0 

Water Sports 27 37 37 0 


Arikamedu 10 27 23 40 

Family entertainment Centre 20 30 47 3 

Proposals for an ‘Arts and crafts village” and an ‘Underwater 

World’ were met with very favourable responses. Lukewarm reactions 

were received for a Planetarium or an Aqua World. Not very 

encouraging reactions were obtained for an Amusement/Water Park 

or a family entertainment centre. 

Suggestions received by foreign tourists on improvement of tourism 

facilities at Puducherry 

Enhanced French ambience / culture through creation of new 

tourism facilities. 

Big Shopping Mall to be centrally located with local Handicrafts. 

Provision of good Sunbath beach facilities at kalapet 

Pillaichavady,Ousteri,Bahour lake etc., 

Better relaxation facilities on Promenade which include 

provision of Sea facing Benches with clean, hygienic food 

outlets. 

More speciality restaurants serving better continental Cuisine to 

serve foreign tourists 

More information brochures about tourist attractions in the UT 

of Puducherry and provision of a “Tourist Information Centre” at 

Promenade with qualified Professional Tourists Guides. 

Better Public Conveniences at all tourist’s spots.

127 

Deep Sea cruising for sighting of Dolphins and if possible 

Dolphin rides to be provided for. 

More Handicrafts/Antiquities shops for sale of authentic 

Souvenirs. 

Marketing available Bi-Cycles/Motorbikes on rent for local 

transportation. 

More Sign Boards on roads to help the tourists. 

Accessible Dial on Assistance Phone Booth for Tourists to cater 

their needs. 

Paying Guest Accommodation Bed Breakfast Scheme. 

More “Tourist Police” to cater the needs of the Tourists. 

Survey of Travel Agents and Tour Operators at 

Puducherry 

This section contains the summarised findings of detailed 

interviews conducted with 25 Travel Agents and Tour operators 

Puducherry. Interviews were conducted by senior consultant with the 

help of semi-structured questionnaire. 

i. Among International tourists most popular nationalities of 

tourists handled by them indicated by the travel agents were 

French, British, Germans, Americans and Australians. 

ii. 

For domestic tourists, common places of origin indicated 

were South India, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Delhi. 

iii. 

Popular circuit which was sold by travel agents was 

Puducherry – Chidambaram – Trichy – Tanjore. Popular next 

destination indicated was Kerala. 

iv. 

Large proportion of Travel agents (66%) indicated that there 

is an increasing trend in the tourist flow to Puducherry over 

the last 5 years. Rest felt that it has been constant. This 

has been confirmed by the statistics available with the

128 

Department of Tourism according to which foreign tourist 

arrivals had grown at more than 30% per annum over the 

last 2 years. 

v. Places of interest for foreign tourists are Ashram, 

Promenade, Auroville and Museum. Chunambar, Ousteri 

Lake and Ashram temples. Beaches are popular places for 

domestic tourists. 

vi. 

Average duration of stay indicated for domestic tourists has 

been about 2 nights (3 days). For foreign tourists it has been 

indicated as 4-6 days. 

vii. 

Puducherry has no defined tourists season marked by any 

event. While July, August, September, November, December 

and January are popular months for foreign tourists, March, 

April, May and December / January are popular months for 

domestic tourism. 

viii. 

Almost 90% of the tourists are handled by Travel Agents visit 

Puducherry for holiday /pleasure. 

ix. 

Significant action areas suggested by travel agents for 

improvement of tourism to Puducherry are. 

A) Organising Water sports and promoting Beach tourism. 

B) Setting up Theme and Recreational parks 

Specific suggestions by travel agents for promotion of tourism in 

Puducherry 

Improvement of beaches and setting up beach facilities 

Conversion of French villas into hostels/hotels. 

Setting up water sports facilities at Kalapet Beaches and 

Chunambar/Ousteri lakebed. 

Increased accommodation in 3 star category hotels

129 

Organising dolphin rides and deep sea cruises. 

Setting up more house boats. 

SURVEY OF HOTELIERS AT PUDUCHERRY 

In order to obtain face to face reactions from the hoteliers of 

Puducherry on the problem and prospects of tourism. Twenty leading 

hotels were contacted and in-depth interviews were conducted with 

GMs/Directors/Owners of these properties. 

Salient findings of these interviews are summarised below:- 

ii. Pleasure and holiday was reported by 5 hoteliers as the 

principal purpose of tourists visit to Puducherry. Other 

important purpose of visit as reported by hotels was 

Business/Conference. Interestingly only 10 hoteliers 

indicated that 10-15% of their guests visits Puducherry for 

Aurobindo Ashram/Auroville. It is obvious from the above 

that majority of hotel guests in Puducherry are pleasure or 

generally stay in the hotels. They prefer to stay in Ashram 

guest houses spread all across the city. 

iii. About 35% of the hotel guests in the 7 Hotels were reported 

to be foreign tourists. 

iv. Duration of stay for domestic tourists was indicated as 1-2 

nights. For foreign tourists staying in hotels, duration of stay 

indicated was 2-5 nights. 

v. Peak occupancy reported was between 70-120% and 

occupancy during the lean months was indicated to be 

around 25-40% in general. Year round average occupancy of 

star hotels in Puducherry can be estimated as 65-70%. 

vi. Most hoteliers felt that Puducherry was experiencing a rising 

trend in tourist, flow, except for this year when Occupancies 

have been badly hit.

130 

Some of the suggestions received from hoteliers to improve the 

tourism activity in Puducherry. 

i. Development of beaches Chunnabar-Paradise beach Ousteri, 

Bahour and beach activities 

ii. Setting up of amusement facilities including theme parks 

iii. French villas to be converted into tourist products 

iv. Holding of popular French events like French carnivals, food 

festivals etc. 

v. Reintroduction of Dolphin rides and deep sea cruise 

vi. Improvement in transportation facilities for local and sight 

seeing purposes. 

vii. More new hotels have to be consumed. 

viii. Zero waste management system should be introduced in all the 

Hotels and Guest Houses in Puducherry. 

ix. Subsidy to Hotel Industries, More Public Private Partnerships. 

x. More Convention Centres with Multiple Business Centres etc. 

FINDINGS OF THE IN-DEPTH SPECIALISED INTERVIEWS WITH 

EXPERTS AND OPINION LEADERS 

To supplement the information – collection during the primary 

survey stage. Specialised interview were conducted. These interviews 

were open-ended and unstructured and were aimed at obtaining an all 

round insight into the tourism problems, prospects and potentialities. 

The respondent segments for this exercise comprised of officials of:- 

PIPDIC 

Airport office 

Railway authorities 

Archaeological survey of India 

Port Authority 

Fisheries department 

Department of Tour Planning 

Puducherry University

131 

Directorate of Arts and Culture 

French library /publishing house 

Some of the pertinent suggestions and feedback based on these 

specialised interviews have been indicated in the following section. It 

may be relevant to add that these are only suggestions and are not 

quantifiable parameters. 

Conversion of French villas in the white town, especially near 

the Promenade with a mid – market tariff would be a viable 

attraction. 

Introduction, of French wine bars. 

Surfing in the sea and at Chunambar is desirable 

Renovation of the Museum and make available good interpreters 

More restaurants serving Continental and Indian cuisine 

Introduction of paying guest accommodation in the white 

town/fishing village hamlet 

Airport can be made operational with desirable routes as 

Madras – Puducherry-Bangalore or Puducherry – Bangalore – 

Bombay 

Deep Sea cruises to be started 

Introduction of water sports facilities on the beach as it is quite 

safe upto 200 meters. 

Water sports are possible except surfing as it is a flat sea. 

Venice type of canals can be developed by taking out the salt 

water and having boats. 

Theme park with cultural tourism as focus needs to be 

introduced. 

Houseboat tourism can be introduced at Chunnambar, 

Local handicrafts especially terracotta clay items can be 

promoted, 

Floating Restaurants/house boats, 

More Tourist resorts in Chunnambar / Ousteri / Bahourlake, 

More Beach Tourism activities,

132 

Special New Year Festivals, 

Puducherry French carnivals, 

More Tourism Conferences/Workshops/Seminars, 

Heritage Festivals- Popularising French Architecture, 

Golf Tourism Event etc., 

More Motor cruises, 

Sunbath Beaches, 

More French Colonial Cottages, 

Sea view Restaurants / cafeterias, 

French delicacies restaurants /Hotels, 

More spa centres, 

Popularising local folk art through hotels. 

Coordination with other tourism Stake Holders. 

ESTIMATION /PROJECTION OF TOURISM INFLOW TO 

PUDUCHERRY AND ASSESSMENT OF ACCOMMODATION 

REQUIREMENTS 

Tourism Arrival 

During March 2006, total tourist arrivals stood at 57,193 

persons. The tourist arrivals were higher by a decent 18.6 per cent 

over March 2005. In this total, arrivals of domestic tourists were 

52,835 persons, while that of foreign tourists was 4,358 persons. 

While domestic arrivals posted a huge 39.4 percent rise. This 

translated into a hefty share of 92.4 percent as held by domestic 

nationals. 

During April – March 2005-06, a total arrival of tourists was 

higher by 7.8 per cent over the previous period. The arrivals of 

domestic tourists accounted for a share of 93.4 per cent in the total. 

Nearly six lakh domestic tourists visited the UT. At 42,527 persons, 

the foreign tourists posted a handsome 34 per cent rise over the

133 

previous period. This indicated a share of 6.6 per cent in the total 

tourist arrivals in the UT. 

Table 28: Tourists Arrivals in Puducherry (March 2005-March 

2006) 

Tourist arrival in Puducherry 

Month/Year 

Domestic Foreign Total Domestic Foreign Total 

(Nos) (Nos) (Nos) (Nos) (Nos) (Nos) 

Mar 2005 45080 3126 48206 9.83 10.30 9.86 

Apr 2005 45731 2251 47982 2.68 11.93 3.08 

May 2005 50982 1691 52673 3.22 28.50 3.88 

June 2005 47516 1453 48969 -0.45 37.59 0.38 

Jul 2005 49668 3013 52711 6.71 27.16 7.71 

Aug 2005 51224 3626 54850 2.26 17.73 3.15 

Sep 2005 48520 2045 50565 -0.04 11.87 0.40 

Oct 2005 50302 2436 52738 3.40 6.14 3.52 

Nov 2005 42481 3759 46240 -4.06 22.12 -2.36 

Dec 2005 52706 4705 57411 12.48 27.75 13.59 

Jan 2006 52831 6820 59651 19.04 72.75 23.43 

Feb 2006 52270 6310 58610 15.08 61.49 18.77 

Mar 2006 52835 4358 57193 17.20 39.41 18.64 

Apr 04-Mar 561503 31740 593243 10.01 11.99 10.12 

05 

Apr 05-Mar 597066 42527 639593 6.33 33.99 7.81 

06 

700000 

600000 

500000 

400000 

300000 

Domestic (Nos) 

Foreign (Nos) 

Total (Nos) 

200000 

100000 

0 

Mar-05 Apr-05 May-05 Jun-05 Jul-05 Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Jan-06 Feb-06 Mar-06 Apr 04- 

Mar 05

134 

Handsome Growth in Tourist Arrivals 

Total tourist arrivals in Puducherry rose by a handsome 40.44 

per cent to 72,399 persons. A share of nearly 97 per cent was held by 

domestic tourists (70,203 persons), followed by a small share of three 

per cent by foreign tourists. Arrivals of domestic tourists rose by 40.3 

per cent. Foreign tourists numbered 2,196, up by a huge 45 per cent 

over the same month of the previous year. In June 2006, tourist 

arrivals had posted sedated growth rates. 

During April –June 2006-07, the cumulative tourist arrivals 

rose by 35.6 per cent to 2.17 lakh. Domestic tourists totalled 35.6 per 

cent to 2.17 lakh. Domestic tourists totalled 2.1lakh, while the 

remaining 7,914 were foreign travellers. 

Table 29: Tourists arrivals in Puducherry (June 2006 – June 

2007) 

Month/Year 

Domestic Foreign Total Domestic Foreign Total 

(Nos) (Nos) (Nos) (Nos) (Nos) (Nos) 

June 2006 50,035 1,515 51,550 5.30 4.27 5.27 

Jul 2006 49,496 3,047 52,543 -0.35 0.13 -0.32 

Aug 2006 54,422 4,279 58,701 6.24 18.01 7.02 

Sep 2006 52,484 2,573 55,057 8.17 25.82 8.88 

Oct 2006 58,739 3,756 62,495 16.77 54.19 18.50 

Nov 2006 56,323 4,554 60,877 32.58 21.15 31.65 

Dec 2006 68,031 5,137 73,168 29.08 9.18 27.45 

Jan 2007 60,775 7,527 68,302 15.04 10.37 14.50 

Feb 2007 52,938 7,500 60,438 1.28 18.30 3.12 

Mar 2007 57,611 5,063 62,674 9.04 16.18 9.58 

Apr 2007 65,052 3,315 68,367 29.61 50.41 30.49 

May 2007 74,007 2,403 76,410 35.57 42.19 35.77 

Jun 2007 70,203 2,196 72,399 40.31 44.95 40.44 

Apr 06-Jun 1,54,814 5,409 1,60,223 7.34 0.26 7.08 

06 

Apr 07-Jun 2,09,262 7,914 2,17,176 35.17 46.31 35.55 

07 

Apr 06-Mar 

07 

6,65,633 48,845 7,14,478 11.48 14.86 11.71

135 

90,000 

80,000 

70,000 

60,000 

50,000 

40,000 

30,000 


Foreign (Nos) 

Total (Nos) 


Foreign (Nos) 

Total (Nos) 

20,000 

10,000 

0 

-10,000 

Jun-06 Jul-06 Aug-06 Sep-06 Oct-06 Nov-06 Dec-06 Jan-07 Feb-07 Mar-07 Apr-07 May-07 Jun-07 Apr 06- 

Jun 06 

Apr 07- Apr 06- 

Jun 07 Mar 07 

At present, Puducherry region receives around 4, 00,000 

tourists; 95% or so being domestic tourists. Chennai on the other 

hand receives 36, 00,000 tourists and 2.25 lakhs foreign tourists each 

year. While, Domestic tourism in Puducherry is growing at a 

compound growth rate of 7.5% per annum, the rate of growth of 

foreign tourist arrivals is erratic largely on account of a small base. 

For example in 1997, the foreign tourist arrivals registered growth rate 

of foreign Tourist arrivals at Puducherry may not be a reliable tool to 

project future arrivals. Since Chennai is a major feeder centre for 

tourism to Puducherry, it would be appropriate to benchmark on the 

foreign tourist arrivals at Chennai for arriving at realistic projections 

for Puducherry. Foreign tourist’s arrivals at Chennai on the other 

hand are linked to the overall foreign tourist arrivals in India and 

therefore it would be appropriate to view the foreign tourist’s arrivals 

in India as a basic step for any projections for Puducherry. 

Tourism Trends 

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. 

The post industrialised world is likely to lay even more emphasis on 

human activities like leisure, travel, holidays etc. There are some 

quantitative and well as qualitative shifts too, which have been

136 

predicted for the 21 st Century. Asia – Pacific has been identified by 

the World Tourism organisation as the fastest growing region, with 

international tourism arrivals expected to reach 122 million by the 

year 2000 A.D. and 229 million by 2010. The thrust areas identified 

are intra-region travel, special interest tourists including environment 

and culture tours, incentive and conference travel. In the past 

decade, Asian Region has registered a growth rate of more than double 

the world average. This trend is likely to continue for the remaining 

part of this century and go on till the first decade of 21 st century. 

While the fastest growing destinations in the region are China, Hong 

Kong, and Macao, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand have all recorded 

a double digit growth, India too has joined the group of select Asian 

Tigers. In the changed scenario India has been identified by Japan as 

well as the major Western Industrial countries as having the largest 

potential for economic growth. While India has received a minuscule 

share of the Intra-regional travel so far, in the coming years, the 

situation is expected to change dramatically. India, which has 

traditionally relied on North American and European markets for long 

halt tourists, is now aggressively marketing itself to receive tourists as 

well as commercial travellers in a big way from Japan and Southeast 

Asia. 

Projections 

Based upon the historical growth trends of Foreign Tourist 

arrivals in India, the foreign tourist arrivals for the year 1998 – 2008 

have been projected as under (assuming a conservative growth factor 

of 6% p.a.)

137 

Table 30: Foreign tourist arrivals to India 

Year Tourist Arrivals (in 000) 

1998 2518.7 

1999 2669.8 

2000 2830.0 

2001 2999.8 

2002 3179.8 

2003 3370.6 

2004 3572.9 

2005 3787.3 

2006 4014.5 

2007 4255.4 

2008 4480.7 

Based upon the past trends it has been found that out of the 

total foreign tourist arrivals to India, 10% visit Chennai or the market 

share of Chennai is 1/10 th of the total International arrivals in India. 

On this basis the projections for the Source city Chennai have been 

made. 

Table 31: Foreign Tourist arrivals at Chennai 

(10% of Foreign Tourist arrivals in India) 

Year Tourist Arrivals (in 000) 

1998 251.87 

1999 266.98 

2000 283.00 

2001 299.98 

2002 317.98 

2003 337.06 

2004 357.29 

2005 378.73 

2006 401.45 

2007 425.54 

2008 448.07 

60% of the foreign tourists who visit Puducherry enter through 

Chennai. When we correlate this factor to foreign tourist’s arrivals at

138 

Chennai, it works out that a mere 5% of the total foreign tourist 

arrivals at Chennai visit Puducherry (excluding day visitors). Based 

on these findings, the Foreign tourist arrivals for Puducherry has been 

project after taking into account that on implementation of Master 

Plan for the Puducherry region (from 2001 towards), share of foreign 

tourists Puducherry (excluding day visitors) from Chennai (5% of 

Chennai arrivals would increase to 10%. A 10% Share of Foreign 

tourist arrivals from Chennai (1% of total foreign tourist arrivals) is 

very much achievable. 

Table 32: Foreign tourist arrivals at Puducherry has been 

projected as follows:- 

Year 

(A) 

Foreign Tourist 

Arrivals to Puducherry 

from Chennai @ 10% 

share (This amounts to 

60% of total arrivals of 

foreign tourists at 

Puducherry) 

(B) 

Balance 40% of 

foreign tourist 

arrivals from 

other source 

cities 

Expected 

total foreign 

tourist 

arrivals to 

Puducherry. 

(C) 

(D) 

1998 12594 8395 20989 

1999 13349 8898 22247 

2000 14150 9433 23583 

2001 @ 29998 19998 49996 

2002 31798 21199 52997 

2003 33706 22471 56177 

2004 35729 23819 59548 

2005 37873 25249 63122 

2006 40145 26763 66908 

2007 42554 28369 70923 

2008 44807 29871 74678 

Note: @ From 2001 onwards the growth arrivals is expected to 

grow at 10% from the present 5%. Though when we look at the 

figures of 2001 which shows a two-fold increase, still it only 

account for 1.66% of Country’s projected arrivals from the 

present meagre 0.86%.

139 

Arrivals of Domestic Tourists to Puducherry 

Domestic tourist statistics of Puducherry collected by the 

Department of Tourism has been taken as the base for projection 

purposes. 

It may be mentioned here that the Domestic tourism 

statistics pertain only to tourists staying over at Puducherry and not 

day visitors. In fact it has not been possible to get a realistic estimate 

of the day visitors primarily on account of the fact there are no major 

tourist facilities at Puducherry making an entry record to hint at the 

number of day visitors. Only Museum and Aquarium charge an entry 

fee but both of them cannot be termed as popular facilities with 

domestic tourists. Again, no separate figures for domestic and foreign 

tourists are available at these places which further complicate the 

issue. No reliable estimates could be available for the road traffic on 

the East Coast road and on the Cuddalore Highway. Since the day 

visitors are primarily in the nature of transit traffic, their projections 

have not been attempted. 

The domestic tourist arrivals at Chennai (excluding transit 

traffic /day visitors) have been growing at a compound growth rate of 

7.5%. The domestic tourist arrivals till the year 2000 have been 

projected on this basis. From 2001 onwards (after the Master plan has 

been implemented) a slightly higher growth rate of 10% per annum 

has been estimated. 

Table 33: Domestic tourist arrivals at Chennai has been projected 

as follows:- 

Year Domestic Tourist 

Arrivals 

1998 353277 

1999 379773 

2000 408256 

2001 449082 

2002 49390 

2003 543389 

2004 597128 

2005 657500 

2006 723250 

2007 795575 

2008 875132

140 

Estimation of accommodation requirements based on the above 

projections. Present Infrastructure and Supply Scenario Looking at 

the accommodation scenario, the type of accommodation varies from 3 

stars to dormitories. For the purpose of analysis, the available 

accommodation has been classified into three segments namely 

‘Quality’, ‘Budget’ and ‘Others’. The survey exercise involved 

discussions with the Managers/owners of properties. The tariff for the 

quality accommodation ranges between Rs. 1500/- to Rs.750/- in the 

‘Quality’ accommodation segment (in comparable range of 3 – star to 

1- star facilities) – presently there are 158 rooms in this segment. The 

Budget accommodation accounts for around 114, rooms and the tariff 

range is in the bandwidth of Rs.500/- to Rs.250/- Taking into account 

the projected tourist inflow, the supply factor, a demand – supply 

analysis has been attempted to identify the demand, supply gap. 

For the projection of room demand from foreign tourist the 

following assumptions are taken into account: 

Average stay of foreign tourists: - 2 Nights till 2000; 3 Nights from 

2001. 

Double occupancy factor : 1.8 

Ideal occupancy : 65% 

Table 34: Estimation of rooms demand for foreign tourist. 

Year 

(A) 

Expected Total Foreign 

tourist arrivals to 

Puducherry 

(B) 

No. of Rooms 

required to meet the 

demand 

(C) 

1998 20989 98 

1999 22247 104 

2000 23583 110 

2001 49996 351 

2002 52997 372 

2003 56177 395 

2004 59548 418 

2005 63122 443 

2006 66908 470 

2007 70923 498 

2008 74678 525

141 

Room requirements for domestic tourists. 

For this purpose the following assumptions have been taken into 

account 

Average stay of domestic tourists : 1.5 Nights till 2000, 

2 Nights thereafter 

Double occupancy factor : 1.8 

Ideal occupancy : 65% 

Table 35: Estimation of rooms demand for domestic tourists 

Year 

Projected Domestic 

Tourist Arrivals 

No of Rooms 

required to meet the 


1998 353277 1241 

1999 379773 1334 

2000 408256 1434 

2001 449082 2103 

2002 493990 2313 

2003 543389 2545 

2004 597128 2797 

2005 657500 3079 

2006 723250 3387 

2007 795575 3726 

2008 875132 4098 

Demand Supply analysis 

Table 36: The total room demand from foreign and domestic 

Year 

tourist has been presented in the following table:- 

Projected Room 

requirements for 

Foreign tourists 

(A) 

Projected Rooms 

requirements for 

Domestic tourists 

(B) 

Total room 


(A+B) 

1998 98 1241 1339 

1999 104 1334 1438 

2000 110 1434 1544 

2001 351 2103 2454 

2002 372 2313 2686 

2003 395 2545 2939 

2004 418 2797 3215 

2005 443 3079 3523 

2006 470 3387 3857 

2007 498 3726 4224 

2008 525 4098 4623

142 

Project demand supply gap 

After arriving at the total demand hotel rooms and taking the 

availability of hotel accommodation, the surplus/deficit in hotel 

accommodation has been presented hereunder:- 

Year 

Table: 37 Total accommodation gaps in Puducherry. 

Total Projected 

demand for rooms 

Total supply 

of rooms 

Total 

Accommodation 

gap 

1998 1339 1154 185 

1999 1438 1324 114 

2000 1544 1324 220 

2001 2454 1324 1130 

2002 2686 1324 1130 

2003 2939 1324 1362 

2004 3215 1324 1615 

2005 3523 1324 1891 

2006 3857 1324 2533 

2007 4224 1324 2900 

2008 4623 1324 3299 

While for purposes of our infrastructure and facility planning, 

the above demand – supply gap may be reckoned, it may appear 

advisable to review the picture and perspective developing from year to 

year while implementing individual infrastructure/tourism projects, in 

the short term. 

Traffic to propose recreation and amusement centres in 

Puducherry region namely; Amusement/water park, Chunambar 

complex and ‘Eco-tourism sports’ can be broadly assessed with the 

help of following parameters:- 

These tourism products would attract long haul domestic traffic 

as well as potential day tippers and weekenders from Cuddalore, 

Villuppuram, Chidambaram ,Chennai, Bangalore,Kerela etc. 

Tours in the hinterland have an educated urban population 

upwards of 10,00,000

143 

Transit traffic (local) through Puducherry on an average day is, 

1, 00,000. 

Addition of such tourism attractions would draw a greater 

proportion of visitors to Chennai towards Puducherry. 

It can be assumed that at least 2000 tourists’ visitors would 

patronise these facilities on average day. At least 30% of these 

would be from the neighbouring towns. 

The VGP Golden beach complex near Mahabalipuram received 

more than 5000 persons per day in the year 1996-97. 

The proposed wayside facility including a cafeteria on the East 

Coast Road near Narambai would attract a part of transit traffic from 

around 800 buses, 1700 cars/ jeeps and 4300 motorcycles / scooters 

each day. Assuming only 2% success of the above traffic patronising 

the proposed facility, on an average day, would attract an approximate 

number of 800-1000 persons. 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDITIONS/UPGRADATION IN BASIC 

ECO TOURISM RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE 

This section would identify gaps in the infrastructure, if any, 

and recommendations for development in short term. This is being 

done keeping in view of the development strategies for the identified 

individual centre which would be taken up in a prioritised manner. 

Roads and bridges 

While motorable roads are available connect most villages and 

hamlets, specific sites selected for development of tourism activities in 

the northern and southern coastal peripheries would require 

additional road length of few hundred meters. 

These sites where additional road lengths may be required are 

i. For the proposed Oceanarium /Water Sports facility near 

Kalapet Hotel – an extensions of existing beach road.

144 

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

For the proposed Amusement park at Narambai – an 

extension of existing road leading to the fishermen hamlet. 

A Road and bridges to connect the Island between 

Thengathittu and Murunkampakkam. 

“Sandy Beach” for Sun Bath proposed on the northern 

stretch opposite Auroville Beach, Paradise Beach. 

Electrification and water supply 

a. The proposed French theme village on the island in the 

backwater lagoons at present has no water and power lines. 

Requisite extension from the main land would be required. 

b. Requisite power and water connections would have to be 

provided for the proposed snack bar and picnic facilities near 

Ousterri Lake. 


Tourists have indicated lack of toilet facilities near the tourist 

complexes adequate toilet/ rest from facilities would be required at: 

i. Chunnambar / Ousteri/ Bahour lake water sports complex 

ii. Art and Crafts village proposed on the northern stretch 

opposite Pondicherry University. 

iii. On the Promenade in the city 

iv. On the EC highway near the southern border near Narambai 

junction. 

Tourist’s information centre 

An efficient and functional tourist information centre needs to 

be set up at the main bus terminal in the city. The facility would 

provide information for Puducherry region as well as for Karaikal, 

Mahe and Yanam. An information centre is also recommended at 

Chennai which would be housed in the existing Puducherry Guest 

House. This information centre would provide information to tourist 

on all the region of the U.T.

145 

Telecommunication facilities 

A full fledged centre is proposed in the existing Roman Rolland 

Library complex which would provide facilities like e-mail, facsimile 

and Internet to the tourists as well as local residents. This telecom 

centre would also augment the existing STD/ISD facilities in the city. 

Tourist information 

Local transport, though available, is not very satisfactory. Auto 

rickshaws charge arbitrarily and there is no authorised tourist taxi 

service. This requires an effective monitoring of such facilities by the 

government by creating a climate of functionality. Authorised rates 

have to be regulated. Tourist car services have to be strengthened. 

Point to Point services by way of coaches /cars need to be created for 

locations like Auroville, Chunambar, proposed arts and craft village 

and the proposed French theme village island. 

Wayside amenities 

On the east coast highway, near the southern border of 

Puducherry region, a highway cafeteria / snack bar along with 

STD/ISD/PCO and public conveniences (rest room) to be created. 

Accommodation facilities 

With the total availability of over 2500 beds (including 360 beds 

in the pipeline and around 600 – 700 beds provided by the Ashram 

guest houses), the present bed capacity in Puducherry region seems to 

be adequate. A normal growth of 5-8% p.a. may be necessary to keep 

place with the increasing traffic. 

However in the quality accommodation category, the enhanced 

availability of 850-900 beds (after the 3 hotels in the pipeline are 

commissioned) may be still not is adequate. An addition of 250-300 

beds may be necessary in the short run to make a total of 1100-1200 

beds. This would then cater to at least 25% - 30% of the tourist

146 

population and create a balance between the tourist wise and the 

hotel category mix in the city. It may be added here that with the 

sustained promotion and development of tourism in the region, the 

tourist profile is bound to change from the present budget (low 

income) to a middle class (mid –market) tourist in the coming years. 

PROJECTED ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF ECO- 

TOURISM FOR PUDUCHERRY 

Tourism is basically a social activity, which has an economic 

benefit. It is considered an activity essential to the life of nations 

because of its directed effects on the social, cultural, educational and 

economic sectors of the nation and also international relations. The 

various social and economic benefits accruing to the region due to 

tourism activities include preservation and development of places of 

cultural interest, increase in area development and direct and indirect 

employment, increase in foreign exchange earnings for the country 

and greater economic activity. 

Economic Benefit of Tourism 

The economic value of tourism is measured by estimating its 

contribution to the national income and employment and the tax 

revenues accruing to the economy. The economic benefits in this 

chapter are measured in terms of output (direct and indirect), income 

and employment generated from different industry segments 

comprising. 

Hotel and restaurants 

Travel agents and tour operators 

Passenger transport services 

Entertainment establishments 

Sales outlets 

Tourists Guide services etc.,

147 

Tourism constitutes a demand for service and consumer goods 

that would not have been produced otherwise. The benefits arising to 

the society can be classified as direct, indirect and incidental benefits. 

Direct Benefits 

The money spent by tourists is received by the different 

segments of the tourism industry, which provide various services 

required by the tourists. These receipts from the direct output of the 

industry. These are directly proportional to the number of tourist 

arrivals and their length of stay in the region. 

Indirect Benefits 

Tourism also has an indirect economic benefits arising from a 

chain of inter-industry spending, initiate by the expenditure of the 

tourism industry on its own inputs. Thus, a flow of money finds its 

way into the economy through the multiplier effect. Indirect output 

arises from the payment of wages and salaries to the employees in the 

tourism sector, purchases of goods by the tourism industry, etc. The 

indirect outputs are estimated by multiplying the direct output by an 

appropriate multiplier. The net value added by the tourist is the 

income accruing to the economy. These multipliers give the direct as 

well as indirect income to the economy as a result of tourist 

expenditure. 

Assumptions and Methodology 

This section explains the assumptions and methodology 

adopted in the calculation of direct and indirect output, income and 

employment generated. 

Tourist Projections 

The tourist projections for the next ten years have been made on 

the basis of past trends and the proposed development efforts. The 

year-wise tourist arrivals have been calculated based on past trends

148 

and proposed developmental efforts. The total number of tourists 

(both domestic and International) projected to visit Puducherry in the 

next ten years, is given in the table below: 

Table 38: 

Projected Tourists Arrival in Puducherry 

Year Domestic International Total 

1999 379773 22247 402020 

2000 408256 23583 431839 

2001 438875 49996 488871 

2002 471791 52997 524788 

2003 507175 56177 563352 

2004 545213 59548 604761 

2005 586103 63122 649225 

2006 630060 66908 696968 

2007 677314 70923 748237 

2008 728112 74678 802790 

Tourism Receipts 

The receipts from tourism spending, which is the direct output 

of tourism have been calculated as follows:- 

Annual Tourism Receipts – Annual tourists Arrival x Avg. 

Expenditure 

Per Day. X Avg. Duration of Stay 

The table below presents the projected average daily 

expenditure of the domestic and international tourists visiting 

Puducherry over the next ten years. 

Table 39: Projected Average Daily Expenditure (Rs.) 

Year Domestic International 

1999 324 486 

2000 350 525 

2001 402 604 

2002 463 694 

2003 532 798 

2004 612 918 

2005 704 1056 

2006 809 1214 

2007 931 1396 

2008 1070 1606

149 

The average expenditure figure for domestic tourists is taken as 

Rs. 300 per day and the corresponding figure for international tourists 

is Rs. 450 per day in the year 1998. These figures have been 

increased @ 8% in the next two years i.e. till the year 2000. (To 

account for inflation). From the year 2001 onwards a total 15% rise in 

the expenditure has been estimated which includes 8% increase for 

inflation the rest due to increased tourism product availability, in the 

remaining period. The average duration of stay is shown below:- 

Table 40: Average Duration of Stay 

Years 

1999- 

2001 

2002- 

2008 

Domestic Tourists’ 

Average stay 

International Tourists’ 

Average Stay. 

2 days 3 days 

3 days 4 days 

Multipliers 

Indirect Output, total income and employment generation have 

been calculated based on the multipliers listed in table below. These 

multipliers have been taken from a 1992 united nations ESCAP 

sponsored study, “The Economic Impact of Tourism in India”. 

Table 41: Economic Multipliers in Tourism Sector 

Multiplier Domestic International 

Indirect Output 1.050 1.069 

Income – output 0.903 0.930 

multiplier 

Employment/Output 13.62 17.33 

Calculation of Output 

The indirect output has been calculated as follows:- 

Indirect Output = Direct Output x Indirect Output Multiplier 

The total output comprises the sum of direct and indirect output

150 

Calculation of Income 

Total Income (direct and indirect) accruing to the economy has 

been derived using the income/output multiplier given above. The 

total income has been calculated as follows; 

Total Income = Direct Output x Income /Output Multipliers 

The incremental employment generated due to increased tourists’ 

tourist’s arrivals has been arrived at as follows:- 

Total Employment = Direct Output x Employment /Output Multiplier 

Projected Economic Benefits 

Table represents the estimated total output for Puducherry due 

to increased tourism activity in the next ten years: 

Table 42: Estimated Total Output 

(In Rs. Million) 

Direct output Indirect output Total Output 

Year Domesti 

c 

Internat 

ional 

Domest 

ic 

Internatio 

nal 

Domest 

ic 

Internatio 

nal 

1999 246.09 32.44 258.40 34.67 504.49 67.11 

2000 285.71 37.13 300.00 39.70 585.71 76.83 

2001 529.82 120.71 556.31 129.04 1086.13 249.75 

2002 654.99 147.15 687.74 157.31 1342.73 304.46 

2003 809.73 179.38 850.22 191.76 1659.95 371.14 

2004 1001.03 218.66 1051.08 233.75 2052.11 452.42 

2005 1237.52 266.56 1299.04 284.95 2536.11 551.51 

2006 1529.89 324.93 1606.38 347.35 3136.27 672.27 

2007 1891.32 396.09 1985.89 423.42 3877.21 819.51 

2008 2338.14 479.62 2455.05 512.71 4793.19 992.33 

While the income from domestic tourist will grow at 30 percent 

per annum the income from international tourist will grow at 35 

percent per annum. The real increase would however be lesser on 

account of inflation. 

Table 43: Projected Income Generated Per Annum 

Income Generated (Rs. Million) 


1999 222.22 30.17 252.39 

2000 258.00 34.54 292.53 

2001 478.43 112.26 590.69 

2002 591.46 136.85 728.31 

2003 731.19 166.82 898.01

151 

2004 903.93 203.36 1107.29 

2005 1117.48 247.90 1365.38 

2006 1381.49 302.18 1683.67 

2007 1707.86 368.36 2076.22 

2008 2111.34 446.04 2557.39 

The estimates of employment generated have been made on the 

basis of the employment multipliers presented in the earlier table. 

The estimates of the incremental employment generated due to 

domestic that by the year 2008 tourism will generate additional 

employment for more than 40,000 persons. 


Income Generated (Rs. Million) 


1999 3352 562 3914 

2000 3891 644 4535 

2001 7216 2092 9308 

2002 8921 2550 11471 

2003 11029 3109 14137 

2004 13634 3789 17424 

2005 16855 4619 21474 

2006 20837 5631 26468 

2007 25760 6864 32624 

2008 31845 8312 40157 

RECOMMENDED MARKETING INITIATIVES FOR DEVELOPMENT 

OF ECO-TOURISM IN PUDUCHERRY REGION 

Positioning Strategy 

The unique French connection of Puducherry region has been 

perceived as a major strength w.r.t its tourism attractions. The other 

strength of the region is its multi-section potentiality. Proximity of the 

region to Chennai, Bangalore which is its major feeder centre is 

strength. The inherit pull of Auroville/ Aurobindo Ashram is also a 

supplementing factor. Apart from that backwaters at chunnabar, 

ousteri lake

152 

And Bahour Lake is adding more popularity to the destination. 

With the backdrop, the study probed into various possibilities / 

potentialities of tourism development in the region and the following 

market-positioning is recommended. 

i. For target visitors of foreign origin, Puducherry can be 

promoted with a USP (Unique Selling Promotional) of French 

connection. Additional promotional peg can be cosmopolitan 

character of the city with Beach Tourism/Back waters in the 

backdrop 

(Eco-Tourism) 

ii. For target visitors in the domestic long haul market, the 

region can be promoted with recreational activities as 

(a) A French town in India–more French festivals/Themes etc. 

(b)A leisure and holiday destination Beach Tourism beaches. 

iii. Floating restaurants and house boats 

For target visitors from southern interland tours, Puducherry region 

can be promoted as a weekend leisure destination. 

Circuit development 

Puducherry primarily has to be seen as a stand alone 

destination offering a unique combination of French ambience, leisure 

and holiday possibilities and a conference of French-Tamil centre. 

Puducherry as a part of the well developed tourism circuit of 

Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Puducherry – Thanjavur is a reality 

which can be capitalised by increasing the stay at Puducherry from 1 

night to at least 2 nights. This can be possible by creating tourism 

pulls and attractions, as proposed, as otherwise Puducherry is seen 

as a utilitarian night halt on the circuit with a present perception of 

the region being that of a half day sight seeing options.

153 

Marketing and promotion 

Putting the recommended USPs and positioning in perspective, 

Puducherry region can be promoted in the following manner:- 

i. Promotional campaigns in France / Europe, North America 

and South East Asia as a French Town/With Eco-Tourism on 

the coast of Bay of Bengal, Media to be used for this would 

be: 

a. Magazines / brochures in target countries. 

b. Requisite publicity aids including video films/ CDs 

available with India Tourism Offices in target countries. 

c. Travel trade promotion by participating in relevant travel 

trade marts and expositions. 

ii. Setting up of effective tourism information centres at 

Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Trivandrum etc., 

iii. Organising Eco-Tourism Village including the events 

suggested on a regular basis with desired media hype. 

iv. Familiarisation tours of domestic travel agents and tour 

operators with a thrust on the twin – USP’ of French 

connection and Eco-Tourism.

154 

KARAIKAL REGION 

Location and area 

Karaikal district lies 150 kms South of Puducherry. It is 

enslaved by Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu and is located between 

10 degree 51’ and 11 degree north latitude and 79 degree 43’ and 79 

degree 52’ east longitude. The boundaries of this district are the Bay 

of Bengal on the east and Thanjavur district on the other 3 sides. 

The district is so spread out that Karaikal is located at the 

centre with the communes of Kottucherry on the North, Nedungadu 

on the north-west, Tirunallar on the west, Neravy and 

Tirumalairayanpattinam on the south. Neravy commune is made up 

of two detached portions separated by Nannilam taluk of Thanjavur 

district but aligned to Tirunallar commune with the easterly flow of 

Arasalar River forming the commune boundary. 3 small isolated 

conclaves of Thanjavur district are embedded within the detached 

enclave of Neravy commune in Tirumalaairayanpattinam commune; 

the village of Padudarkollai lies detached and enclaved within 

Nannilam taluk. 

Total area of the district 160 sq. Kms. The district 

headquarters is located at Karaikal. 

Geography and Physical features 

The district is situated more or less on a flat land. There are no 

hills or forests in this district. This district consists of almost entire 

coastal alluvial soil. 

History 

Several explanations are offered for the name ‘Karaikal’. The 

imperial Gazetteer gives it the meaning ‘Fish passes’ According to 

Julien Vinson the town is said to have been known as ‘Karaigiri’ in 

Sanskrit. In 1738 Dumas, a French citizen with an intention of

155 

extending the French territory in India, negotiated with the then 

Sahuji of Thajavur for possession. This marked the beginning of 

French rule in Karaikal. 

Rivers canal and water ways 

This district lies in Cauvery delta and is fed by the water of 

Arasalar (running a distance of 11.97 Kms in the region) Nattar (11.2 

Kms), Vanjiar river (9 Kms), Nular (13.77 Kms), Puravadaiyaran (5.3 

Kms) Thirumalurayanadar (5.13 Kms), and the Nandalar (15.5 Kms). 

Town and Villages 

The district at present comprises of 6 taluks and 1 community 

development block. It has 1 town and 100 villages. 

Roads 

Karaikal district is well connected with good motorable roads 

directly from important centres like Chidambaram, Tiruchirapalli, 

Nagapattinam Nagore, Velankanni and Thanjavur etc. 

Accessibility and Distance 

as follows:- 

Some of the distances of important tourist/pilgrimage places are 

Thirunallar : 5 Km 

Nagore : 10 Km 

Velankanni : 19 Km 

Chidambaram : 57 Km 

Puducherry : 132 Km 

Thiruchirapalli : 168 Km 

Chennai : 294 Km 

The nearest airport, Thiruchirapalli is 168 Kms away.

156 

Public Transport 

There is good number of buses in operation in the district. They 

also connect places like Nagore, Nagapattinam, and other parts of 

Tamil Nadu. Many Private carriers as well as Public buses are plying 

in the district. Long distance buses operated by Tamil Nadu Govt from 

Nagapattinam to Madras via Puducherry, pass through Karaikal. 

Fairs and Festivals 

On the full moon day of the Tamil month Masi, the 

“Masimagam” festival is celebrated in the sea – shore of Karaikal. The 

Karaikal Ammayar temple festival which holds the annual “Magani” 

festival which is a well attended ‘Mela’. 

Industrial Scenario 

The Karaikal region is emerging as a high potential industrial 

area. There are three large scale industries, three medium scale 

industries and 689 small scale industries situated in the Karaikal 

region. Henkel – Spic India Ltd. has set-up two chemical units at a 

cost of Rs. 85 Crores. Other big names in the region include E.I.D. 

Parry Ltd. (Rs. 65 Crores investments) and BOSS Profiles Ltd (Rs. 45 

crores investment). There are also three spinning mills, one under cooperative 

and two under private sector management. A Gas based 

Power plant with 32.5 MV capacity is also being set-up at a cost of Rs. 

110 crores. The Oil and Natural Gas Commission (O.N.G. C) have also 

shifted their Cauvery project head-quarters from Chennai to Karaikal. 

O.N.G.C is also setting up a housing colony with 400 units. Further 

an oil refinery at a cost of Rs. 2000.00 crores under N.R.I. investment 

is proposed to be set up at Vanjore in Karaikal. Out of the 100 growth 

centres proposed to be set up throughout India during the eighth plan 

period, one centre has been allotted to the Union territory of 

Puducherry. It is proposed to set up in a 1200 acre site at T.R. 

Patinam with an investment of Rs 600 crores in Karaikal region. It is 

expected that about 30 medium /large scale industries and about 100

157 

to 200 small scale industries will be set up in this centre. This growth 

centre will bring about an investment of more than Rs. 300 crores and 

will provide employment to about 12000 to 15000 persons. 

EXISTING TOURISM SCENARIO AT KARAIKAL 

Karaikal is one of the four regions of the Union Territory of 

Puducherry. It is about 132 Kms. South of Puducherry. Karaikal is 

a small coastal town on the eastern west and as it was a part of the 

prior French establishment, since 1739, it is meeting place for the 

western culture and traditional culture of the Tanjore district. 

Karaikal has great tourism potential in uninterrupted and virgin 

beach stretches all along its eastern boundary. There is in fact an 

unutilised beach stretch of more than 15 Kms, which opens up to the 

Bay of Bengal. Though there are a number of fishermen hamlets all 

along the coast but there are a number of uninhabited stretches 

offering immense tourism potential. 

At present there is no beach activity. Near the town, where 

Arasalar River enters the sea, the beach is used by the local 

population for evening outings. There is a PTDC restaurant on the 

beach front near the light house which too attracts a considerable 

traffic. Discussions with the manager reveal that on the weekend, 

during evening hours between 150 – 200 persons visit the restaurant. 

Floating Restaurants were introduced to attract more number of 

tourists. 

Karaikal is famous for the traditional temple of Lord Someswara 

(Saturn) at Thirunallore which is just 5 Kms. Away from the Karaikal 

town. This temple has a great significance in India and abroad and 

lakhs of devotees visit the temple. Saturdays are especially crowded 

and once in 21/2 year, during the sanipeyarchi festival more than 

one lakh devotees visit the shrine on each day.

158 

In the town, there is a small and beautiful temple of Karaikal 

Ammaiyar, the only woman out of the 63 Nayanmars. Karaikal has in 

its hinterland such pilgrimage/ tourist centres of repute as 

Chidambaram, Sirkali, Poombuhar, Thiruvidaimaruthur Gangoikonda 

Cholapuram, Kumbakonam, Swamimalai and Alangudi to the west. 

Then it has world famous Basilica of Vellenkanni and Nagore 

Dargha, Sikkal, Thiruvarur and Mannargudi to the South. Therefore, 

Karaikal has a strategic location w.r.t pilgrim’s traffic and in itself it is 

a great pilgrim and religious centre which receives lakhs of devotees 

each year. 

Tranquebar or Tharamgambadi in Tamil Nadu is located merely 

10 Kms north of Karaikal. Here there is an Old Danish fort which was 

a part of the Danish settlement. Many tourists visit Tranquebar as it 

is a panoramic site of old European feet on the coast line of Bay of 

Bengal. 

Overall, Karaikal is largely viewed as a Pilgrim destination. The 

location is very close to popular pilgrim destinations of “Thirunallar”, 

Thirunageswar, Nagore, Vellankanni, Kumbakonam etc. Leisure 

tourism though now non existent has a good potential at Karaikal. 

The beaches of Karaikal offer immense scenic beauty and offer a 

worthwhile place for weekend /holiday relaxation. Foreign tourist 

arrivals at Karaikal are very low at about 200 tourists. The domestic 

tourist arrivals at Karaikal are in the region of about 1 Lakhs. Both 

domestic and foreign tourist growth is almost stagnant. This is 

because, the primary reason for visit to Karaikal is a visit to the 

Saturn Temple at Thirunallar and tourists leave immediately after the 

Darshan. Till now, effort has been made to retain the tourists at 

Karaikal because of non availability of any tourism attraction. The 

packages which are marketed by Tamil Nadu Tourism also include 

Karaikal as a limited halt day visit stop over point. 

Place of Tourist interest

159 

Karaikal finds a place in the tourist map of India as a pilgrimage 

centre. Some of the important tourist interests are given below: 

Lord Darbaranyeswar Temple 

Situated about 5 Kms from Karaikal, a temple dedicated to Sri 

Darbaranyesswarar constructed during the Chola Period exists in 

Tirunallar village of Tirunallar commune. Although the presiding 

deity is Sri Darbaranyeswarar, Lord Saneeswara Bhagavan who has a 

separate apartment in this temple is very famous. Once in 2 ½ years 

a great Sanipeyarchi festival is celebrated and attended by lakhs of 

pilgrims from all over India. 

Ammaiyar temple 

The temple is dedicated to a celebrated woman Saiva saint 

Punithavathi subsequently elevated to the status of a goddess. She is 

the only woman out of 63 Nayanmars. 

Tranquebar (Tamil Nadu) 

It is a Danish settlement with an ancient fort, a place where the 

first printing press was established It is located 10 Km. North of 

Karaikal. This place attracts around 20000 visitors in a year. 

Nagore Andavar Dargah (Tamil Nadu) 

This is one of the biggest Muslim Pilgrim centre in India and is 

located 10 Km south of Karaikal. 

Vellenkanni Church (Tamil Nadu) 

It is the famous Christian Pilgrim shrine 26 Km south of 

Karaikal. 

Beach 

Though the beach is not fully developed, yet it attracts good 

number of tourists/ visitors. The vast silent stretch of the beach can 

be developed as an ideal place for leisure activities.

160 

SWOT ANALYSIS OF KARAIKAL FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF 

ECO-TOURISM DEVELOPMENT 

STRENGTH 

• Strong Pilgrimage traffic throughout 

the year with heavy inflows during 

weekends on account of Saturn 

temple. 

• Fast Developing as an industrial hub 

with a thrust on Petrochemicals 

industry. 

• Located close to many important 

Pilgrimage centres of Tamil Nadu viz. 

Thirunageswaram, Kumbakonam, 

Nagore, Vellankanni etc. 

• Availability of land at strategic 

locations 

• Good amount of transit traffic to 

Velankanni and Nagore, which can 

be capitalised by future way side 

projects along these routes. 

OPPORTUNITIES 

• Viable multiple product options 

can be developed to serve both 

business / pilgrimage/ transit 

segments. 

• Large number of weekend 

tourists who visit Karaikal due to 

the lower cost of liquor who may 

be encouraged to make use of the 

tourism facilities proposed. 

• The proposed Extension of East 

coast road would increase the 

traffic volume and could afford 

potential for development of 

highways motels /way side 

facilities. 

• The existing packages of TTDC 

connect Karaikal albeit as a 

“Limited stop over point” – once 

tourism products are developed 

packages could be modified for a 

one night stay at Karaikal. 

WEAKNESS 

• Absence of a rail head 

• No existing entertainment 

leisure tourism products 

leading to the positioning 

Karaikal as a transit point 

rather than as a destination 

• Strong consumer perception 

and holy town rather than a 

leisure centre. 

• Absence of Good/ quality 

accommodation units restrict 

the retention of high end 

tourist. 

THREATS 

Threat from the proposed competing 

tourism products like amusement 

facilities proposed in the nearby 

tourism centres (both Govt as well as 

Private) such as Nagore Velankanni, 

and Poombuhar.

161 

PRIMARY SURVEY OF DOMESTIC TOURISTS AT KARAIKAL 

A survey was carried out at Karaikal to assess the profile of 

tourists visiting Karaikal, their motivation for visit, spending patterns, 

satisfaction with available facilities and services and facilities desired 

to be made available. About 100 respondents (Domestic tourists) were 

surveyed at Karaikal. Since level of foreign tourists at Karaikal is very 

low (About 200 Odd tourists in a year), it was not possible to get a 

meaningful sample of foreign tourists at Karaikal. The results of the 

survey have been presented below. 

Place of Origin 

All the respondents who were interviewed were residents of 

South India. Some prominent points of origin were Puducherry (10%) 

Mayiladuthurai (10%), Chennai (7%) Trichy (10%) and Nagapattinam 

(10%). 

Onward destination 

Tanjore, Srirangam, Nagapattinam, Kumbakonam, Salem, 

Nagore, Chennai and Mayiladuthurai were reported as the next 

destinations. 

Previous destination 

The break-up of previous destination of domestic tourists to 

Karaikal presents a mixed picture with tourists coming in from varied 

parts. However 14% of the respondents reported that their previous 

stopover was Chidambaram with another 7% and 10% stating Tanjore 

and Trichy as their previous destination. 

Professional background of respondents 

More than 2/3 rd of the respondents were in business. 20% were 

in jobs and little over 12% were professionals.

162 


While 1/3 rd of the tourists interviewed at Karaikal were first 

time visitors, more than half reported that they visit the place at least 

twice in a year. 

Purpose of visit 

Pilgrimage was expressed as the most significant purpose for 

visiting Karaikal (85% of respondents). Business visits accounted for 

another 10% and only 5% of the respondents reported Pleasure / 

holiday as their primary purpose of visit. 

Duration of stay 

Bulk of the respondents (85%) was day visitors. These were 

primarily pilgrim traffic and only 15% reported that they would stay 

for one night or more. 

Mode of travel 

2/3 rd of the tourists had used a personal car/hired coach or a 

taxi to visit Karaikal. Others had arrived by Public bus. 

Main tourist’s attractions visited at Karaikal 

Saturn temple has been reported as the place to be visited by 

more than 80% of the respondents only 20% indicated that they may 

visit the beach as well. 

Table 45: Feedback on facilities – General 

% Age of Respondents 

Factor Good Average Poor No Opinion 

Availability / 48 7 0 45 

quality of 

accommodation 

Transportation 81 19 0 0 

availability 

Quality of local 

arts and crafts 

19 32 35 14

163 

Availability of 

wayside facilities 

and public 

conveniences 

Availability of 

shopping areas 

and avenues for 

recreation in and 

around the region 

36 32 32 0 

42 16 39 3 

While the tourists have rated factors like availability/ quality of 

transportation as generally good, a lot of respondents have rated the 

factors like wayside facilities, shopping recreation and local arts and 

crafts as either poor or average. 

Feedback on Tourist Assets 

Saturn Temple 

Perception of asset and quality of maintenance have been rated 

as generally good or average, response on ambience facilities and 

convenience are more skewed towards being either poor or average. 

Here it may mention that more than 50% of the respondents felt that 

Public conveniences, the rest relation and refreshment facilities were 

poor. 

Table 46: Perception of Asset and Quality of Maintenance 


Factor 

Goo Average Poor No Opinion 

d 

Perception of asset 85 11 4 0 

value 



Availability of tourist facilities and services 


ii) Public conveniences 23 31 46 0 

and facilities 

iii) Rest / relaxation 

and refreshment 

27 23 50 0

164 

Beach and other Developments 

There have been mixed response on the beach at Karaikal. 

Regarding proposed attractions at Karaikal, Amassment Park, Aqua 

world, underwater world and family entertainment centre – they all 

have received overwhelming responses. All the proposed products 

received overwhelming responses. The 70% to 95% of the visitors 

assured that they will certainly patronise the proposed facilities which 

clearly demonstrates captive market for the products to be developed. 

Table 47: Proposed Attraction in Karaikal 


Proposed Attraction Certainly Maybe May Not No Opinion 

Visit 

Amusement / Water 68 26 0 6 

Park 

Aqua World 61 26 0 13 


Family entertainment 

centre 

94 3 0 3 

Some of the suggestions from tourists for improvement of tourist 

facilities at Karaikal. 

• Tourism Circuit connecting all the “Navagrahas” 

• Sunshades with good seating arrangements on the Sea Shore 

• Improvement in boating, Floating/Beach Tourism Resort 

• Better hotels/ restaurants to be made available 

• A good Beach resort with cottages 

• Tourist information centre providing information about Karaikal 

and other centres. 

• Railway facilities at Karaikal 

• More refreshment facilities at Thirunallar, hotels in Thirunallar. 

• House Boats etc.,

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SUGGESTED TOURISM PRODUCTS TO BE SET UP AT KARAIKAL 

Karaikal is one of the four regions and second largest district of 

the Union territory. It is about 132 Km. South of Puducherry. 

Karaikal is well known for rich religious heritage. Karaikal is a 

strategic location w.r.t. pilgrims and it receives lakhs of devotees each 

year. 

The virgin beaches of Karaikal and the Pilgrim/ historical 

centres of Tamil Nadu which is nearby to Karaikal offers immense 

potential to develop Karaikalm as a” Pilgrim cum leisure destination” 

for the middle / upper income segments. 

During the visitors survey it was reported by a vast majority of 

the respondents that certain entertainment activities be made 

available at Karaikal. The response to all the proposed projects at 

Karaikal has been overwhelming. At present a visit to Karaikal has 

been restricted to a visit to Saturn temple During the study, it was 

realised that the vast potential of the region has not been realised with 

the present efforts, Karaikal can best be a half day destination or a 

“Transit point on the way to visit Nagore, Vellenkanni, and other 

Pilgrim/tourist centres. 

But the reality is quite different. Karaikal has significantly 

much more to offer and harnessing the latest potential can possible 

make it position as a “Pilgrim cum leisure destination for the middle/ 

upper income segments” in the long run. The focus on the pilgrimage 

should be continued with wider options and the development of 

selective leisure products for the tourists so as to make Karaikal an 

important hub with a one night stay. 

The following projects based on market feedback are suggested 

which would make Karaikal to be positioned as “Pilgrim cum leisure 

destination for the middle / upper income segments.

166 

1. Integrated Recreation Complex near the boat club at Arasalar 

River: 

Location: On vacant land stretch north of Arasalar River between 

East west road and the beach. At present the beach attracts marginal 

tourists and local population/ visitors from the local command area. 

With vast stretch land available facilities on the way to Seagull’s 

Restaurant offers scope for the development of boating and other 

recreational facilities. The same location which has been identified by 

the Planning and Research Department and Tourism Department at 

Karaikal for the proposed “Beach beautification Project cum Film city 

project’ may be utilised with the following product components. 

Outline of product concept 

Looking at the various factors such as the survey results in 

which more than 70% of the respondents have said that they would 

certainly patronise the proposed facilities, visitors traffic to the beach, 

from the near by places like Mayiladuthurai Nagapatinam and the 

local population with a good substantial disposal income it has been 

recommended to develop a “Integrated Recreation Complex” in an area 

of around 30 acres. The location identified is well connected by road 

and already power supply and water are available on site thereby 

exempting the Government from provision of support infrastructure. 

The following are the product components suggested in the complex. 

1. Boatings/BeachTourism Resorts/Aquarium cultural shows, 

performance by the rural folklore etc. (To be developed by the 

Government). 

2. Museum depicting the history of Lord Saturn and story of Karaikal 

Ammaiar and other pilgrim centres near to Karaikal. (To be 

developed by the Government). 

3. House Boats (To be developed by the Government) 

4. Children Play Area (To be developed by Government)

167 

5. Boating Facilities (The existing Boating set up by PTTDC could be 

shifted here) 

An amusement park with water rides (to be developed by private 

sector on land leased out) 

1. Souvenir shops (To be leased out to the private sector) 

2. Restaurant (Multicusine) . 

Beach Resort and Boat Club Complex 

Location 

On the vacant beach stretch north of seagull’s restaurant 

Out line of product concept 

Considering the poor quality accommodation, absence of resorts, 

Master plan objective to improve the foreign tourist’s arrivals from the 

present 220 foreign tourists to a significantly higher figure by the year 

2001, Karaikal requires a resort complex which would be utilised both 

by the foreign tourists as well as the businessmen / executives who 

visit the region. The project implementation should be ensured to 

meet the demand of foreign tourist by the year 2001. 

The following are the product components suggested in the proposed 

complex 

1. 30 Cottages of mid-market standard with a tariff of Rs 600-800 

2. Boat Club comprising of rest boats, high speed boats for Deep 

sea cruising. 

3. Multicuisine open air restaurant 

4. Beach Tourism 

Target segment 

Foreign tourists, business visitors to the town, and affluent local 

population. 

Management 

To be set up and run by private sector initiative on land leased out by 

the Tourism Department. More details of the project highlighting the

168 

concept and the overall feasibility would be available in the specific 

project profile. 

3. Highway restaurant near T.R. Patinam 

Karaikal receives a large number of pilgrim population either 

heading for the Saturn temple and to the other nearby pilgrim centres. 

In order to provide better way side amenities to the transiting 

population, it has been recommended to develop a highway restaurant 

with rest rooms. This project should be set up and run by private 

sector initiative. 

The Wayside restaurant proposed on the northern border of 

Karaikal town can attract around 500 persons each day. This is 

based on the assumption that 2% of the vehicles passing through the 

ECR at this junction (buses, cars/jeeps, two wheelers) would stop at 

this facility. 

More details of the project highlighting the concept and the 

overall feasibility would be available in the specific project profile. 

4. Conversion of PTTDC work shop to Yatri niwas. 

The present PTTDC workshop which is strategically located on 

the banks of the Arasalar should be converted into a Yatri niwas. This 

can have dormitory accommodation with 100 beds to meet the 

requirements of budget segment of the domestic tourists as well as 

reasonably priced lunch/refreshment area. This project should be set 

up and run by Department of Tourism. This restaurant may be either 

run by PTTDC or by the private sector on space leased out by the 

government. 

5. Yatri Niwas near Saturn temple 

Another 100 bedded accommodation is required to be set up 

near Saturn temple. Tirunallar to meet the demands of pilgrims. The

169 

need for accommodation near the temple is evident from the year 

round higher occupancy levels, prevailing in the accommodation built 

and maintained by the temple authorities. The proposed facility can 

be located near the temple on the site already earmarked. 

Reservations for the temple can be made available from Puducherry 

and Chennai. 

PROJECTION OF TOURIST TRAFFIC AND ASSESSMENT OF 

ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS 

Projection of Domestic tourist traffic 

Karaikal is an important pilgrim place for the domestic tourists. 

Presently, all traffic flow to the region is on account of visits/ offerings 

at the temple of Lord Someshwara (Saturn). For projecting the future 

traffic flow at Karaikal, the historical growth trends as well as the 

impact of the proposed developments have been taken into account. 

The domestic tourist arrivals at Karaikal for the next 2 years 

have been projected based on the historical growth rate of 4%. The 

sluggish growth of tourists at Karaikal also hints at (i) The pure 

pilgrimage traffic which is purpose specific and (ii) Lack of any tourist 

facility and infrastructure resulting in no motivation for the tourists to 

stay over. However with the implementation of Master Plan from the 

year 2001 onwards we expect a growth rate of 10%. (In the near by 

tourist places like Nagore, Vellenkanni, Chidambaram etc). The 

growth rate of domestic tourists is between 10-15%). Based on the 

above, the Domestic tourist traffic at Karaikal has been projected 

hereunder:-

170 

Table 48: Projection of Domestic Tourists at Karaikal 

Year Tourist 

Arrials 

1998 71573 

1999 74436 

2000 77413 

2001 85154 

2002 93669 

2003 103036 

2004 113340 

2005 124674 

2006 129661 

2007 142627 

2008 156889 

Projections of Foreign tourists at Karaikal 

At present the foreign tourist arrivals at Karaikal is very 

minimal (221 in 1997), while the near by place like Vellankanni 

receives around 1791 foreign tourists (1997 figures) which is 8 times 

of that of the Karaikal arrivals. The reasons for this are a mixture of 

marketing as well as location specific problems. 

Table 49: Foreign Traffic projections for Puducherry:- 

Year 

Foreign Tourist 

arrivals at 

Puducherry 

Foreign tourists likely 

to proceed to 

Chidambaram @ 18% of 

total arrivals 

1998 20989 3778 

1999 22247 4005 

2000 23583 4245 

2001 49996 9000 

2002 52997 9540 

2003 56177 10112 

2004 59548 10719 

2005 63122 11362 

2006 66908 12043 

2007 70923 12766 

2008 74678 13442

171 

Foreign Tourist projections for Karaikal 

To project the foreign tourist arrivals at Karaikal the following 

assumptions have been made:- 

From the next 2 years foreign tourist arrivals would be in line 

with the historical growth rate and would be in the region of about 

300 odd tourists. 

From 2001 onwards, after the Master Plan is implemented and 

co-ordinated marketing effort is launched from Puducherry and 

Chennai to promote the new suggested circuits as well as the facilities 

created Karaikal, the foreign tourist arrivals at karaikal have been 

projected at a reasonable 5% of foreign tourist arrival at Puducherry. 

On this basis the foreign tourist arrivals for Karaikal have been 

projected as under:- 

Year 

Table 50: Foreign tourist arrivals for Karaikal 

No. of foreign tourists 

at Puducherry 

No of Foreign Tourist at 

Karaikal (5% of 

Puducherry traffic) 

excluding day visitors 

2001 49996 2500 

2002 52997 2650 

2003 56177 2809 

2004 59548 2977 

2005 63122 3156 

2006 66908 3345 

2007 70923 3546 

2008 74678 3734 

Accommodation Scenario at Karaikal 

Karaikal has at present 155 rooms. This includes the rooms of 

Yatri nivas Tourist home of Saturn Mandir. There is only one good 

hotel at Karaikal which can qualify as “quality” accommodation (Hotel 

Paris). This hotel has 30 rooms and the tariff ranges from 175 to 400. 

Though PWD guest house qualifies for quality segment it is generally

172 

not available for tourists. The whole picture of the accommodation 

units at Karaikal is presented below: 

Table 51: Accommodation Units at Karaikal 

Accommodation No. of rooms 

type 

Quality 30 

Others 125 

Total 

155 rooms 

Projection of room requirements for tourists (Both Domestic and 

Foreign) 

For the projection of room requirements for tourists the following 

assumptions has been taken into account. 

Average Stay of domestic tourists : 1 Night 

Double Occupancy factor : 1.8 

Ideal Occupancy factor : 65% 

Table 52: Accommodation Scenario in Karaikal 

Year Projected Tourist 

Arrivals 

No. of Rooms required 

to meet the demand 

1998 71800 168 

1999 74700 175 

2000 77700 182 

2001 85626 205 

2002 94147 226 

2003 103520 248 

2004 113830 272 

2005 125171 299 

2006 130164 311 

2007 143137 342 

2008 157405 376 

Based on projected Domestic tourist arrivals and national foreign 

tourist arrivals of between 250 – 300 tourists for Karaikal till the year 

2000.

173 

Projected Demand – Supply Gap 

After arriving total demand for rooms and taking the availability 

of hotel accommodation, the deficit in hotel accommodation has been 

presented hereunder. It may be mentioned here that presently (till 

2001) there is not much scope for a budget accommodation in the 

range of (Rs. 400 – Rs. 800) for tourists. However, hectic pace of 

industrial activity at Karaikal is likely to result in demand for hotels 

by the business segment even before 2001. The projected demand – 

supply gap primarily relates to the tourism scenario. 

Year 

Table 53: Total Accommodation Gap 

Total projected 

demand for 

rooms by tourist 

traffic 

Total supply 

of rooms 

Total 

accommodation 

gap 

2001 205 155 50 

2002 226 155 71 

2003 248 155 93 

2004 272 155 117 

2005 299 155 144 

2006 311 155 156 

2007 342 155 187 

2008 376 155 221 

RECOMMENDED STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM 

AT KARAIKAL 

The strategy for tourism development at Karaikal has been conceived 

based on the following factors: 

1. The strong impression of Karaikal as “Pilgrim centre”. It is 

advisable that the identity is retained, though new 

segments could be added. Though significant avenues to 

promote leisure / ecotourism are available at Karaikal, the 

perceptual and marketing barriers would deter a major 

repositioning of the Centre. 

2. The primary motive of the target population travelling in the 

region – Since Karaikal is a part of the Pilgrimage circuit 

and not a “Stand alone” destination, the primary visitor

174 

motive travelling in the region is “Pilgrimage” as there are 

no leisure destinations near Karaikal. The itinerary is more 

or less fixed as they would like to cover their identified 

destinations in the time set out. 

3. The demographic profile of the visitor/ local population to 

the region in terms of their age, income levels, spending 

patterns and life style. 

4. The primary target segments identified at Karaikal patterns 

and life style. 

5. The primary target segments identified at Karaikal 

comprising of Domestic middle / high end income pilgrim 

traffic, transit population. The foreign tourist segment 

would continue to be a marginal proportion of the overall 

traffic as is evident from the mobility and volume of foreign 

tourists in the region. 

6. All strategies for tourism promotion and development 

should be in consonance with the SWOT analysis of 

Karaikal region carried out from perspective of tourism 

development and promotion. 

7. The Primary objective of the proposed strategy. 

8. Retention of a portion of the transit population for a few 

hours to make use of some of the products / proposed 

facilities. 

9. Retention of a portion of the middle / high end visitors for a 

nigh to make use of the leisure products. The long term 

objective is to develop Karaikal as a “Vacation cum pilgrim 

destination for the Middle /High end domestic tourists” 

Evaluation of strategic alternatives for the promotion of tourism 

at Karaikal 

Primarily the most potential segments which would make use of 

tourism products available at Karaikal would be domestic pilgrim 

tourists and visitors from the 100 km radius of Karaikal local area

175 

(near by places like Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai Chidambaram etc.) 

With the development of various product options for leisure recreation 

at Karaikal it may still not be feasible to promote Karaikal as a “Stand 

alone” destination since all visits to Karaikal are likely to be part of a 

larger itinerary comprising of visit to near by centres. Therefore, 

primarily the consumer behaviour is not likely to be “Visit Karaikal 

and back” . The feasible strategic alternative is to view Karaikal as a 

part of a larger itinerary with a one night stay at karaikal. To 

specifically attract foreign tourist to Karaikal, proper marketing 

initiatives should be launched from Chennai as well as Puducherry 

Almost 18% of the foreign tourists have reported that their next 

destination would be Chidambaram. A sizeable proportion of these 

could be attracted to Karaikal if the proposed facilities are developed. 

Deluxe Buses with well trained tourist’s guides who can 

interpret the temple architecture, local lifestyle, culture of these 

centres would provide a meaningful and enriching insight at these 

centres. Trichy has been recommended as an ideal exit because of its 

locational advantage and established rail and air network. 

For the domestic tourists, typically from nearby centres a 

conducted tour of the Pilgrimage centres of importance dedicated to 

the “Navagrahas” would enhance the importance of Karaikal as the 

local hub for Pilgrimage in the region. 

A feasible 1 night (2 days) circuit would be to connect the following 

places. 

• Thirunallar 

• Thirunageswaram 

• Vaitheeswaran Kovil 

• Thingaloor 

• Thiruvenkadu 

• Keelperumpallam 

• Kanchanur

176 

• Suryanar Kovil 

• Alangudi 

Apart from the above segments the local population with a very high 

disposal income will also be potential segment for the proposed 

products. This can be evident from the per capita bank deposit of Rs. 

4565 for Karaikal as against the National per capita bank deposit of 

Rs. 3269/- for 1991. The discussions with the Government officials 

also point out the factor that the per capita income of the district has 

gone up further substantially. Based on the above background, the 

following strategic alternatives are evaluated. 

Other developments/ initiatives suggested 

Roads 

There are extensions required to the existing road – network for 

specific project locations like. 

a. Beach resort complex on the northern beach stretch adjacent 

to the light house and sea gulls restaurant. 

b. Proposed town Park/ amusement park on the vacant land on 

the north side of Arasalar boat club. 

c. Floating Restaurants, house Boats 

Tourist information centre 

A functional tourist information centre located at the main bus 

stand. This can also have a snack bar and a souvenir shop. This TIC 

would provide information on Karaikal, nearby pilgrim centres, 

Puducherry regions, Mahe and Yanam. 


Public toilets/ rest room to be set up near the beach front 

opposite sea gulls. 

Way side facilities

177 

One highway restaurant/ snack bar along with rest room 

facilities on the northern border of Karaikal on the east west road. 

Accommodation 

There is at present only one hotel at Karaikal which can be 

quality as quality accommodation (Hotel Paris) This reports a 

weekend occupancy of over 80% and weekday occupancy of 65% - 

70%. In addition there are around ten small hotels/ lodges which 

enjoy similar occupancy patterns. In the near future, with the region 

opening of five tourism and economic activities; the traffic volume 

would grow and requirement for quality hotel accommodation would 

also enhance. From the 6000 per day pilgrim traffic, at least 5% 

additional visitors are expected to spend at least one night in Karaikal 

once suitable accommodation is available and beach activities are put 

in place. It is proposed to provide this increase by way of 100 beds in 

quality segment (mid market) and 200 beds by way of Yatri Niwas / 

budget lodges. 

Suggested Positioning slot 

Karaikal has a basic strength of being a pivotal coastal town in 

the Southern pilgrim centres. In fact with the presence of Saturn 

temple at Karaikal, proximity of Velankanni and Nagore – famous 

Christian and Muslim shrines and availability of Nawagraha temples 

in the vicinity, Karaikal can be positioned as a significant part of the 

South Tanjavur pilgrim circuit. Target tourists for Karaikal would be 

the pilgrims and residents of Southern hinterland towns. Domestic 

long-haul traffic and foreign tourist traffic does not seem to be an 

effective target option for Karaikal. 

Circuit development is necessary to specifically to promote 

foreign tourist to Karaikal from Puducherry. This can be done by 

launching a co-ordinated circuit suggested (Puducherry – 

Chidambaram – Karaikal – Kumbakonam- Thanjore – Trichy). What

178 

needs to be done is to highlight the unique options at Karaikal; 

namely the proposed beach resort and amusement/ water park and 

attract pilgrim on the circuit to spend 1- nights there. This is feasible 

as a significant proportion of foreign tourists at Puducherry (visiting 

Karaikal as part of the conducted tour. The circuit with a stay over at 

Karaikal would become a reality only when the suggested products are 

put in place and the required marketing initiatives taken. 

Marketing and promotion 

Karikal, at the movement lacks any kind of publicity and 

promotion. However the town has significant pilgrim relevance and a 

latent beach – potential. Once the tourism development is taken up 

for execution on the lines proposed in this study, tourism promotion 

would become extremely important. Some recommendations are:- 

i. Tourist information centres of Puducherry at Chennai, 

Puducherry, Tanjore, Bangalore etc which would provide 

information to Karaikal and promote Karaikal through 

relevant brochures etc. 

ii. Establish new and Pro- active contacts with South India 

based tour operators to in introduce them to the inherent 

beach potential of Karaikal and the proposed products. 

iii. Courteous and knowledgeable guides who can interpret the 

architecture lifestyle and culture of the different centres on 

the proposed circuit would enhance visitor satisfaction levels 

and establish the circuit. 

iv. Clearly earmark the areas which should be taken up by 

PTDC and those to be developed by the private sector. 

Initiate active developmental effort and advertise for 

concession for the proposed projects in respectable media. It 

may be mentioned here that the private sector would only 

step in if the government take scare of developmental 

infrastructure and demonstrates absolute commitment to the 

cause of tourism development.

179 

v. Organising a variety of cultural events / festivals / meets in 

the proposed Amphitheatres in the town park. 

Training and development of human resources 

With the increased tourism activity in the two regions of 

Puducherry and Karaikal, there would invariable increase the need for 

trained manpower to successfully man the proposed tourism take – 

off. 

At present there are no facilities to train people in different aspects 

of tourism industry. 

It is therefore, proposed that Department of Tourism, Govt. Of 

Puducherry in association with University of Puducherry Tagore Arts 

College – Dept of Tourism should organise relevant short duration 

week shops and training programme for the following levels. 

i. Tourism planning and development workshop for 

government officials connected with travel and tourism 

activity. 

ii. Tourism/ travel marketing PR and promotion workshop for 

travel/ hospitality functionaries in the government as well as 

private sector 

iii. Tourists guide orientation programmes. 

iv. Orientation programmes for travel agents, tour operators, 

taxi, operators, auto rickshaw drivers / owners. 

v. Orientation programme for all relevant functionaries in put 

as well as public sector for effective beach tourism 

management. 

PROJECTED ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF TOURISM 

AT KARAIKAL 

Tourism is basically a social activity, which has an economic 

benefit. It is considered an activity essential to the life of nations

180 

because of its direct effects on the social cultural, educational and 

economic sectors of the national societies and their international 

relations. The various social and economic benefits accruing in the 

region due to tourism activities include preservation and development 

of places of cultural interest, increase in area development and direct 

and indirect employment, increase in foreign exchange for the country 

and greater economic activity. 

Economic Benefits of Tourism: 

The economic value of tourism is measured by estimating its 

contribution to the national income and employment and tax revenues 

accruing to the economy. The economic benefits in this chapter are 

measured in terms of output (direct and indirect), income and 

employment generated. Tourism is a multi segment industry 

comprising. 

• Hotel and restaurants 

• Travel agents and tour operators 

• Entertainment establishments 

• Sales outlets 

• Guide services 

Tourism constitutes a demand for services and consumer goods 

that would not have been produced otherwise. The benefits arising to 

the society can be satisfied as direct, indirect and incidental benefits. 

Direct Benefits 

The money spent by tourists is received by the different 

segments of the tourism industry, which provide various services 

required by the tourists. These receipts from the direct output of the 

industry. These are directly proportional to the number of tourist 

arrivals and their length of stay in the region 

Indirect Benefits

181 

Tourism also has an indirect economic benefits arising from a 

chain of inter industry spending, initiate by the expenditure of the 

tourism industry on its own inputs. Thus a flow of money finds its 

way into the economy through the multiplier effect. Indirect output 

arises from the payment of wages and salaries to the employees in the 

tourism sector, purchases of goods by the tourism industry, etc. The 

indirect outputs are estimated by multiplying the direct output by an 

appropriate multiplier. The net value added by the tourist is the 

income accruing to the economy. This is calculated on the basis of an 

appropriate income multiplier. These multipliers give the direct as 

well as indirect income to the economy as a result of tourist 

expenditure. 

Assumption and methodology 

This section explains the assumptions and methodology 

adopted in the calculation of direct and indirect output, income and 

employment generated. 

Tourist Projections 

The tourist projections for the next ten years have been made on 

the basis of past trends and the proposed development efforts. The 

year-wise tourist arrivals have been calculated based on past trends 

and proposed developmental efforts. The total number of tourists 

(both domestic ad International) projected to visit Karaikal in the next 

ten years, is given in the table below: 

Table 54: Projected Tourists Arrival in Karaikal 


1999 74436 264 74700 

2000 77413 287 77700 

2001 85154 2500 87040 

2002 93669 2650 95580 

2003 103036 2809 104972 

2004 113340 2977 115301 

2005 124674 3156 126660 

2006 129661 3345 131673

182 

2007 142627 3546 131673 

2008 156889 3734 158954 

Tourism Receipts 

The receipts from tourism spending, which is the direct output 

of tourism have been calculated as follows:- 

Annual Tourism Receipts = Annual tourists Arrival x Avg. Expenditure 

per Day x Avg. Duration of Stay. 

The Table below presents the projected average daily 

expenditure of the domestic and international tourists visiting 

Karaikal over the next ten years. 

Table 55: Projected Average Daily Expenditure (Rs.) 

Year Domestic International 

1999 216 216 

2000 233 233 

2001 268 268 

2002 309 309 

2003 355 355 

2004 408 408 

2005 469 469 

2006 540 540 

2007 621 621 

2008 714 714 

The average expenditure figure for domestic tourists is taken as 

Rs. 200 per day (based on actual survey); the corresponding figure for 

international tourists has also been taken as Rs. 200 per day in the 

year 1998 as no data could be available on the spending patterns at 

Karaikal. (The spending patterns at Puducherry would not be a right 

benchmark). These figures have been increased @ 80% in the next 

two years (to account for inflation) followed by a 15% rise, which 

includes 8% increase for inflation and the rest due to increased 

tourism product availability, in the remaining period.

183

184 

Table 56: The average duration of stay is shown below: 

Years Domestic Tourists Avg. 

Stay 

International 

Tourists’ Avg. Stay 

1999-2001 1 day 1 day 

2002-2008 2 day 2 day 

Multipliers 

Indirect Output, total income and employment generation have 

been calculated based on the multipliers listed in table below. These 

multipliers have been taken from a 1992 united nations ESCAP 

sponsored study, The Economic Impact of Tourism in India. 

Table 57: Economic Multipliers in Tourism Sector 

Multiplier Domestic International 

Indirect /Output 1.050 1.069 

Income / Output 0.903 0.930 

Employment 

/Output 

13.62 17.33 

Calculation of Output 

The indirect output has been calculated as follows:- 

Indirect Output = Direct Output x Indirect output Multiplier 

The total output comprises the sum of direct and indirect output 

Calculation of Income 

Total Income (direct and indirect) accruing to the economy has 

been derived using the income/output multiplier given below above. 

The total income has been calculated as follows; 

Total Income = Direct Output x Income/Output Multiplier 

Calculation of Employment Generation 

The incremental employment generated due to increased 

tourist’s arrivals has been arrived at as follows:- 

Total Employment = Direct Output x Employment/Output Multiplier

185 

Projected Economic Benefits 

Table represents the estimated total output for Karaikal due to 

increased tourism activity in the next ten years. 

Table 58: Economic Benefits of foreign and domestic tourists. 

(In Rs. Million) 

Year Direct Output Indirect Output Total Output 

Domestic Internation 

al 


al 


al 

1999 16.08 0.06 16.88 0.06 32.96 0.12 

2000 18.06 0.07 18.96 0.07 37.02 0.14 

2001 45.69 1.34 47.97 1.43 93.66 2.78 

2002 57.80 1.64 60.69 1.75 118.48 3.38 

2003 73.11 1.99 76.77 2.13 149.88 4.12 

2004 92.49 2.43 97.11 2.60 189.60 5.03 

2005 117.00 2.96 122.85 3.17 239.84 6.13 

2006 139.93 3.61 146.92 3.86 286.85 7.47 

2007 177.01 4.40 185.96 4.70 362.87 9.11 

2008 223.91 5.33 235.11 5.70 459.03 11.03 

The income earned by the economy is the next value addition to 

the economy & has been calculated on the basis of the income 

multipliers given in the table below which presents the estimated 

income to Karaikal district due to tourism. While the income from 

international tourist will grow at about 68 percent per annum. The 

growth rate of International tourist appears very much on the higher 

side because of negligible base, even in the year 2008 the income from 

foreign tourist is only expected to reach about 5 Million. 



1999 14.52 0.05 14.57 

2000 16.31 0.06 16.37 

2001 41.26 1.25 42.50 

2002 52.19 1.52 53.71 

2003 66.02 1.85 67.87 

2004 83.52 2.26 85.78 

2005 105.65 2.75 108.40 

2006 126.35 3.36 129.71 

2007 159.84 4.09 163.93 

2008 202.20 4.96 207.15

186 

The estimates of employment generated have been made on the 

basis of the employment multipliers detailed earlier. The estimates of 

the incremental employment generated due to domestic and 

international tourists are presented in the next table:- 

Table 60: Employment Generated by Tourism. 


1999 219 1 220 

2000 246 1 247 

2001 622 23 646 

2002 787 28 816 

2003 996 35 1030 

2004 1260 42 1302 

2005 1593 51 1645 

2006 1906 63 1968 

2007 2411 76 2487 

2008 3050 92 3142 

As can be seen from the above table, the employment would be 

primarily be generated because of the demand from domestic tourists. 

The employment from foreign tourist is projected to be only about 100 

persons even in the year 2008.

187 

REGIONAL PROFILE OF YANAM 

General 

Yanam is situated on the east coast of the Indian Peninsula 

between 16 grees 42’ and 16 degree 46’ Northern latitude, and 

between 82 degree 11’d 82 degree 19’ Eastern longitude bound on all 

sides by the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh State. The 

town of lies on the spot were the River Coringa (Atreya) branches off 

from cauthami into two parts. His entire region, which covers an area 

of 30.0 sq.m, has a population of 297 according to the 1991 census. 

The region Gowthami Godavari which charges itself into Bay of Bengal 

after flowing almost 14 Kms. Towards with east from yanam. 

Story 

Saravana from Haji Hassan Khan authorised the French 

Representative suet, then Chief of the company at Machilipatnam 

(kms away from Yanam) to set up a loge at Yanam in the year 1731. 

The sovereignty of the over the territory was confirmed by Musafar 

Jung, the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1750. The Place was formally ceded 

to them only two years. Like all other settlements, Yanam too feel 

thrice into the hands of the British. After the Napoleonic war, Yanam 

along with factory at macchilipatnam was finally returned to the 

French early 1817. 

The loges at Machilipatnam which were not more than a market 

centre continued under the French with a semblance of sovereignty till 

6 th October 1947 when they relinquished their right over the same. 

Approach 

There is no railhead in Yanam region. The nearest railhead is at 

Kakinada (26 Kms from Yanam) Kakinada is an important trade 

centre and port town and there is a district road connecting Yanam.

188 

It is also linked by another district road on the west of 

Ramachandrapuram and Rajamundry. 

Irrigation 

Yanam received irrigation water through Bank canal which 

starts from Develeswaram Head works (Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage on 

the river Godavari down stream Rajahmundry. This canal runs 

towards east upto Pilanka, a small village through a small canal 

popularly known as French Channel built by an agreement entered by 

in 1949 between the then French Government and the Government of 

India. This canal serves the irrigation as well as drinking water needs 

of the areas of west of Coringa river. 

After merger steps were taken to provide irrigation facilities for 

about 560 Hectares of dry land in the eastern side of Coringa River by 

providing a new irrigation canal called “Adivipolam Channel’ from the 

tail end of Tallarovu south channel and at starting point of Nilapalli 

channel on the right side. The work was taken for execution by the 

Andra Pradesh Public Works Department as a deposit work in 1964 

and was completed and commissioned in June 1996. The water from 

this channel is used for drinking purpose also, as in the case of 

French Channel. 

Climate and Rain Fall 

It experiences a climate which is characterised by high humidity 

over 70% in the mornings and over 60% in the evenings throughout 

the year, an oppressive summer season and a good rainfall. It enjoys 

the benefit of both the South west and North –East Monsoon. 

During a year on an average, there are about 60 rainy days i.e. 

days with rainfall of 2.5 mm. or more.

189 

Temperature 

From February temperature start rising rapidly till may which is 

the hottest month with the mean maximum around 37 degrees C and 

mean minimum around 28 degree C. Humidity being high, the heat is 

very trying. The maximum temperature on some days in May or early 

June before the onset of the south west monsoon may even touch 47 

degree C. The sea breeze however affords some relief in the 

afternoons. Similarly pre—monsoon thunder showers may also in 

June the temperature falls rapidly and remains almost steady till 

September. In this season mean maximum temperature is around 32 

degree C and night temperature fall rapidly till December or January 

when day temperature is around 19 degree C. some times the 

minimum temperature may reach as low about 14 degree C December 

and January are the coolest months. 

Humidity 

The air is generally humid throughout the year with relative 

humidity- over 70 percent in the mornings and over 60 per cent in the 

evenings during al the months. 

Cloudiness 

The sky is generally heavily clouded to overcast during the 

south-west monsoon months. There is moderate cloudiness in the 

post monsoon months. There is moderate cloudiness in the postmonsoon 

months. During the rest of the year, the sky will clear or 

lightly clouded. 

Surface winds 

In the summer season winds blow from directions between 

souths east to south west. During the monsoon seasons, they blow 

mainly from south west to west. During October to February, winds 

are usually from north-east in the mornings, veering towards South-

190 

east in the afternoons. Winds are generally light to moderate during 

the whole year. 

Special weather phenomena 

The storms and depressions which form in the Bay of Bengal in 

the permission month of may, and during September to November, 

cross the east coast and affect the region and the neighbourhood 

causing thunderstorms associated mainly with the onset of the southwest 

monsoon occur in April, May and June.

191 

SWOT ANALYSIS OF YANAM FROM PERSPECTIVE OF TOURISM 

DEVELOPMENT 

STRENGTHS 

OPPORTUNITIES 

• Urbanisation with no village 

• Scenic beauty especially the 

islands and along the 

Godavari and Koringa rivers 

• Interface between east and 

west Godavari districts of 

Andhra Pradesh. 

• Tax structure resulting in low 

cost of alcohol. 

WEAKNESS 

• No significant tourism 

attraction or historical 

monuments. 

• No major tourism attraction 

/destination in the vicinity 

• Relatively conservative and 

content lifestyle of local 

population. 

• No major industrial units in 

the region. 

• Most of the scenic spots are 

in flood prone areas 

• Any medium scale tourism 

project would not be 

sustainable if only catering to 

the local population and thus 

may not attract private 

investment 

• Development of natural 

landscaped recreation 

products for the local 

population 

• Development of restaurant 

facilities on the France 

tippa catering to transit 

and local population. 

• Development of islands 

into mega tourism 

projects. 

THREATS 

• New bridge being 

developed would effectively 

bye-pass Yanam thus 

seriously affecting the ferry 

services and traffic flow 

through Yanam.

192 

RECOMMENDATIONS ON DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM AT 

YANAM 

At present there are no tourism activities in and around Yanam. 

The closest destination having some tourism activity is Rajahmundry. 

Here too, the traffic primarily comprises of (a) Business segment (b) 

traffic on account of Film shooting. 

Unlike Mahe, Yanam does not have any intrinsic strength for 

promotion of any tourism activity. There are no tourist attractions 

and negligible basic tourism infrastructure nor are there any 

significant tourist attractions near Yanam for which Yanam can be 

conceptualised as a hub. 

Tourism infrastructure is largely absent; the only decent 

accommodation where the tourist can stay at Yanam is the 

“Government Guest House”. Even for the day visit/ transit traffic there 

are no leisure / entertainment facilities to hold the traffic for a 

sometime. There are no good restaurant facilities at Yanam which 

again hint at the relaxed and conservative lifestyle of the local 

population. 

The traffic from the nearby areas do not comprise of 

Holiday/Leisure segments so that they could be attracted to Yanam. 

The areas around Yanam comprising of the East and West 

Godavari districts comprise of very affluent but traditional population. 

Though the segment may have high disposable income levels, they 

lead by and large a relaxed life style and may not be very willing to 

spend much on any tourism major attraction. 

The SWOT analysis of Yanam has been attempted to bring out 

the relative Strength and Weakness of the place so that tourism 

development could be viewed more realistically. As brought out in the 

SWOT analysis the major deterrent to promotion of any ‘Private

193 

investment’ in tourism at Yanam is from natural forces in addition to 

Market characteristics and the locational setting of Yanam. Because 

of the disturbances in the Godavari river primarily on account of 

storms and depressions which form in the Bay of Bengal in the premonsoon 

month of may, and during September to November, most of 

the scenic areas in Yanam are flood prone including the large Islands 

on the river Godavari. No private investor would like to risk his 

investment at a place which is flood prone. A flood bank on the Island 

may not be feasible as ‘Godavari Flood Conservancy’ may not give 

permission for any such construction which may result in the river 

course affecting areas in Andhra Pradesh during flooding of the 

Godavari river. 

The strength of Yanam which are relevant from promotion of 

Tourism is (a) Scenic Beauty (b) Vital link between and West Godavari 

districts. The major threat to Yanam is in terms of the Proposed 

Bridge via Bhim Nagar which would effectively Bye-pass Yanam. The 

bridge would connect traffic from Ammalapuram to Kakinada. The 

present transit traffic from Ammalapuram and other areas (between 

15,000 – 20,000 per day) using the Ferry services would be 

significantly affected once the bridge becomes operational. Presently, 

the alignment of the bridge is complete and land acquisition is in 

process. The Bridge may take between 5-7 years to become 

operational. The map of Yanam showing the alignment of the 

proposed bridge has been presented at the end of this chapter for ease 

of reference. 

A quick scanning of the potential target segments which could be 

attracted to Yanam, given the generic scenario and SWOT analysis 

narrows down as under:- 

a) Evening entertainment / Weekend traffic primarily comprising 

of local population/executives of medium scale industrial 

units at Yanam. 

b) Transit traffic segment passing via Yanam

194 

For the tourism planning horizon over the next 5- 7 years, 

development of the Island 2, 3 and Island 5 (Opposite Dariyala Tippa) 

is not recommended. This is because of the following factors. 

a) These islands are very large bodies (about 300 – 400 Acres) with 

no infrastructure at present in terms of access by road, power, 

drinking water etc. There is substantial jungle vegetation on 

the island and mangrove the forests and the land has to cleared 

and developed in case it has to be offered for tourism promotion. 

All this calls for significant investment to convert the Island into 

“Amusement and Recreation facility’ or “Nature/Eco – tourism 

Island” is unlikely, in view of the demographic profile of 

residents in the command area of 60 Kms radius. 

b) Any tourism product created on the Island would substantial 

investment levels would have to safeguard from flooding of the 

Godavari – Gomati Rivers during rainy seasons. It would be a 

Herculean task to construct a bund on the Island due to 

administrative and Physical difficulties. As already pointed out 

any such activity would require the permission of ‘Godavari 

Flood Conservancy’ which is unlikely to view the proposal 

positively. 

Therefore, taking initiative to develop any large scale tourism product 

at Yanam is not recommended in the next 5 – 7 years as any such 

step is likely to bring in private sector investment or the required 

number of tourists. In any case any “Large scale tourism project” 

would be misaligned with market realities. 

In view of the foregoing the following Strategic Alternatives have been 

evaluated.

195 

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM IN PUDUCHERRY 

Sl.No. 

Activity 

Developmental 

Measures 

1 Floating 

restaurant, 

house boats 

Environmental Issue Impact Scale of Impact Mitigative Measures 

• Noise created by the engine 

of the floating restaurant. 

• Water pollution due to 

indiscriminate disposal of 

liquid and solid waste 

(biodegradable and nonbiodegradable) 

• Air pollution due to floating 

restaurant 

• This noise disturbs the 

aquatic habitats. 

Particularly that of fish 

and prawns. 

• Destruction of habitat 

• Increase in Biochemical 

Oxygen Demand (BOD) 

levels due to waste 

disposal from the 

restaurant and metallic 

steamers. This will lead to 

degradation of water 

quality 

• Fumes and harmful gases 

from the steamer adversely 

affect the surroundings of 

the reservoir. 

Moderate Negative 

High Negative 

• Judicious use of 

stream motors 

• Avoiding the places of 

fish habitats 

• Providing proper waste 

disposal bins. 

• Transporting and 

dumping the waste 

(biodegradable and 

non biodegradable) in 

a landfill far away from 

the site. 

• Plastic material to be 

avoided 

• Suitable fuel like 

unleaded petrol should 

be used. 

• Instead of mechanised 

boats paddle boats and 

peddling boats can be 

used 

• By using houseboats 

drawn through sails 

and oars.

196 

2 Tourist Resorts 

3 Pilgrimage 

Tourism 

4 Water Sports 

• Waste Disposal 

Crowding 

• Noise Pollution 

• Air Pollution 

• Water Pollution 

• Weakening of riverbanks, 

hill slopes and damage to 

the natural environment due 

to the sports activities. 

• Littering of the site with 

biodegradable and nonbiodegradable 

wastes. 

• Conflicts on sharing of 

resources 

• Higher Cost of living 

• Pollution 

• Disturbance of natural 

habitat of aquatic 

creatures 

• River banks will be 

adversely affected 

• Due to the rusting and 

dissolution of metals of the 

equipments into river 

water 

• Oil spills during starting 

and closing operations of 

the water sports activities. 

• Results in greater erosion 

along riverbanks and 

problem in waste disposal 

leading to environmental 

hazards. 


High Negative 

High Negative 

Low Negative 

high 

NegativeModerate 

Negative 

High Negative 

• Provision of sewage 

treatment unit and 

usage of treated water 

for gardens and 

landscaping. 

• Build infrastructure 

• Have sound visitor 

management practices 

• Involve local 

communities in 

development activities 

• Usage of high quality 

gadgets, regular 

maintenance of 

gadgets. 

• Suitable fuel like 

deleaded petrol should 

be used. 

• Usage of Wooden and 

Bamboo steamers 

instead of metallic 

boats should be 

encouraged 

• Instead of mechanised 

boats paddle boats and 

peddling boats can be 

used 

• Careful waste 

management planning 

• Construction of an 

emban kment (natural 

or artificial) in the area 

of operation Careful

197 

planning of cut-and-fill 

to minimise erosion, 

including planned 

growth of appropriate 

vegetation. 

• Provision of dikes to 

hold runoff to settle 

out soil particles. 

5 Construction of 

buildings and 

Roads. 

• Noise pollution during the 

construction due to 

operation of machinery. 

• Construction activities and 

operation of machinery 

results in smoke spread of 

residues and increase in 

Suspended Particle Matter 

(SPM) 

• Causes inconvenience to 

the people/functioning of 

offices, schools, and 

institutions in the vicinity. 

• Disturbs the normal lives 

of the nearby habitats. 

Creates lot of smoke and 

dust and increase in SPM, 

which may lead to 

breathing problem or 

adverse affect on the 

health of the people. 

• Ecological disturbances • Reckless Disposal of 

material, machine waste 

and Dirty water may lead 

to death of natural 

vegetation/disturb the 

natural stability of the 

region 

High Negative 

Temporary 


and temporary 

• Careful scheduling of 

operation of the 

equipment and usage 

of earplugs and 

mufflers. 

• Providing sprinklers at 

the site and screens 

around the 

construction site. 

• Usage of transit 

mixers. 

• Careful usage of 

material to reduce 

wastage at the site. 

• A proper waste 

management plan 

should be implemented 

to dispose construction 

wastes at landfill. 

They could be disposed

198 

6 Beach Tourism 

• Weakening of riverbanks 

and damage to natural 

environment during the 

construction of facilities at 

beaches/riverfronts 

• Results in greater erosion 

along riverbanks and 

problem in waste disposal 

leading to environmental 

hazards. 

• More people visiting Beach • Conflicts with the local 

communities 

• Indiscriminate littering of 

waste 

• Change in environment 

due to indiscriminate 

waste disposal 

• Littering of the beach areas • Tourism value of the site 

will be lost 

7 Costal Erosion • Coastal erosion due to 

construction of facilities 

• May lead to instability of 

the coastal region 

High Negative 

by incineration after 

considering wind 

direction. 

• Construction of an 

emban kment (natural 

or artificial) in the area 

of operation. Careful 

planning of slopes 

including planned 

growth of appropriate 

vegetation to minimise 

erosion. 

Provision of dikes to hold 

runoff to settle out soil 

particles. 

Moderate Negative • Local communities 

should be involved in 

Beach Activities 


• Waste disposal 

measures should be 

implemented by 

providing garbage bins 

High Negative 

at appropriate 

intervals. 

Moderate Negative • Buffer areas of 

vegetation should be 

planned not only to 

minimise the coastal 

erosion but also to 

provide protection from 

low depressions and 

cyclonic storms.

199 

8 Employment 

generation 

• Socio-economic benefits • Improvement in Quality of 

life 

• Better accessibility to 

other areas, providing 

better health care, 

information related places 

for awareness 

• Increased commercial 

activity due to easier 

access to markets. 

• Availability of better 

amenities 

High Positive

200 

CHAPTER –IX 

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

POLICY IMPLICATIONS 

Tourism has been recognized as an important sector of the 

global economy, with a contribution of about 91 per cent of domestic 

tourism (Filion et al., 1994). Ecotourism is an upcoming activity, 

especially suited for the backwaters areas like the state like 

Puducherry. However Cebbalos Lascurian defined eco-tourism as 

“travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas 

with the specific objective of studying, admiring and enjoying the 

scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as ay existing 

cultural manifestations” (Butlar, 1994, cited in Filion et al., 1994). In 

this regard the following implications of the tourism development in 

the study area need consideration. 

1. Carrying Capacity 

Among the important components of Lascurian’s definition are 

the terms like undisturbed and uncontaminated natural areas, 

admiring and enjoying scenery and existing cultural manifestations. 

Sustainability of these characteristics of a tourist site depend on the 

level and manner the sites are used. It is important that ample 

precautions are taken so as not of the study point out to a disturbing 

phenomenon of concentration of tourism activities in and around 

Puducherry sites. As a result, there has been a spurt in different 

types of construction activities resulting thereby in the loss of 

“undisturbed or uncontaminated” nature of these tourist sites.

201 

2. Transportation and Communication Network 

Transportation and communication network of the study area 

needs immediate attention of the policy makers. An utmost care in 

lying of road and communication network is required because of the 

fragile ecosystem of the area. It would be worthwhile, in the long run, 

if air transport network is strengthened. This will not only make travel 

to the area easy but will also minimally disturb the natural 

ecosystems. The road network must be so planned as to avoid 

repetitive digging of the roads and the feeder roads must similarly be 

constructed and maintained. 

3. Ownership of Hotels and Guesthouses 

One of the results of the study points out to the pattern of 

ownership of hotels and guesthouses; with persons from outside the 

state owning most of the standard hotels and guesthouses. In order 

that local people may also avail the fruits of tourism developments, it 

may be important to consider ways and means to increase their 

interest in the hotel business and also to strengthen their investment 

capacity for this capital intensive business. 

4. Identifying New Eco-tourist Sites. 

Adventure sports have added to the tourism value of 

Puducherry. As for example, sites like Ousteri/Chunnambar /Bahour 

Lake have added to the tourism value of the study area. The results 

of the study thus imply a greater need for identifying and popularizing 

various satellite tourist sites so as to ease pressure on traditional 

tourist sites of Puducherry in the region.

202 

5. Pilgrimage Tourism 

Pilgrimage tourism is another upcoming tourist activity in the 

country and Puducherry offers a great deal in this regard as well. 

Given the history of this French colonial state, as mentioned in 

various historical and religious documents, there is lot of scope for 

pilgrimage tourism. The Churches, Mosques, Hindu temples of 

various gods and goddesses and Lord Saturn shrines are dotted all 

over the place in the study area which is regularly visited by the 

devotees. It would add to the potential of pilgrimage tourism if efforts 

are made on a larger scale to bring this religious heritage to the notice 

of people at large. 

6. Civic amenities and local administration 

On administrative level, the study revealed that a lot needs to be 

done in the area for general cleanliness in the towns, provision of 

basic civic amenities and gearing up of local administration, to check 

the malpractices adopted by various travel and tour agencies, tourist 

guides and other such related agencies. 

Similarly, there is need to enforce various provisions of the 

Tourism Development Registration Act, so that the tourists visiting the 

study area do not face hardships on account of corrupt practices and 

thus, can enjoy the most during their visit to the area. This would 

encourage them to revisit the area and thus same will increase the 

tourism importance of these sites. 

7. Handicraft 

One of the important contributors of the tourism activities 

towards the socio-economic enlistment of ordinary local people is the 

boost to sale of local handicrafts and other local produce. At present, 

emphasis in tourism development policies on local fruits and 

handicrafts seems to lack the rigour that it requires. Similarly, a 

much still needs to be done to encourage local folk art and culture

203 

from the tourism point of view. It would be worthwhile to set up 

training and cultural centres, for this purpose, at the local level. 

Terracotta toys of Koodapakkam are very famous. More exclusive 

handicrafts shops to set up promoting the rural tourism 

8. More Hotels 

.According to the Tourism Department, there are 124 hotels in 

various categories. This includes eight star hotels, five beach resorts, 

six heritage hotels, 25 mid range hotels and 76 budget hotels. A 

heritage hotel has already come up. Twenty hotels with 500 rooms are 

coming up. The premier hotel chains include ITC Welcome Group, 

TATA Group, Club Mahindra Group, GRT Grand and Residency. 

In fact, a few local hotels have tied up with international chains, 

to provide quality services at reasonable rates. Sri Lanka based 

hospitality chain Aitken Spence has tied up with hotel Athithi. 

However, hoteliers say that though this indicates a positive 

growth, the big concern is infrastructure such as roads. If a proper 

mechanism is not in place, it can harm the town. They insist that the 

government should take steps to make Puducherry a sustainable 

destination. 

9. Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study has to be carried 

out for development plans in Puducherry. 

10. Visitor Management System (VMS) should be formulated for 

attracting tourists to the state.

204 

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210 

APPENDIX-I 

ECO – TOURISM GUIDELINES FOR INDIA 

“The Ministry of Tourism recommends all visitors to India 

To use hotels, tour operators, lodges and travel related 

Services of organizations who adopt green practices and 

Who have taken a recognized Environmental pledge?” 

FOREWORD 

This set of guidelines and policies for the development of ecotourism 

is the result of the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Tourism 

in pursuance of the Government policy to achieve sustainability in 

tourism development and to ensure regulated growth of eco-tourism 

with its positive impacts of environmental protection and community 

development. These guidelines have been evolved after analyzing 

various documents and papers available on the subject, including the- 

(i) Guidelines for the development of National Parks and Projected 

areas for Tourism of the World Tourism Organisation. 

(ii) PATA code for Environmentally Responsible Tourism. 

(iii) Environmental Guidelines of the World Travel and Tourism 

Council. 

(iv) The Himalayan Codes of Conduct prepared by the Himalayan 

Tourism Advisory Board. 

(v) Ecotourism guidelines by Ecotourism Society. 

The Ministry has a committee comprising experts and ecotourism 

promoters to deliberate on the issues to prepare basic papers 

for the formulation of an eco-tourism policy. The contribution of this 

Committee, headed by Ms. Chuden Tshering Misra, Jt. Secretary, as 

well as the deliberations of the Himalayan Tourism Advisory Board in 

the preparation of these guidelines have been substantial. I must

211 

commend Dr. G. Raveendran, Dy. Director General, who has prepared 

the final report. The draft was discussed in a workshop organized on 

June 26, 1997 which was attended by representatives of State 

governments, Tourism Industry Associations and experts in the field 

of environment. The suggestions made were incorporated and the final 

draft was approved by the State Tourism Ministers in the Tourism 

Ministers’ Conference held on June 27, 1997. 

It is expected that all State Governments, Industry Associations 

and those involved in tourism development and the preservation of 

our environment and natural resources would take positive steps for 

the implementation of these policies and guidelines. 

Eco-tourism: Definition 

The activities of persons travelling to and staying in places 

outside their usual place of residence for not more than one 

consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes constitute 

tourism. Such visits for being close to nature to enjoy its enormous 

creations, both biotic and abiotic, in a most environment-friendly 

manner, without any adverse impact on the eco-system, is particularly 

known as eco-tourism. 

According to the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) ‘tourism 

that involves travelling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the 

specified object of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its 

wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural aspects (both 

of the past or the present) found in these areas” is defined as ecotourism. 

Nature – tourism (eco – tourism) is distinguished from mass 

tourism or resort tourism by having a lower impact on the 

environment and by requiring less infrastructure development. 

The key elements of eco-tourism include a natural environment 

as the prime attraction, an optimum number of environmental friendly 

visitors, activities which do not have any serious impact on the

212 

ecosystem and the positive involvement of the local community in 

maintaining the ecological balance. 

Eco-tourism can take many forms and magnitudes. For 

example, ‘losing’ oneself in a beautiful natural forest or landscape 

watching animals, birds and trees in a forest, corals and marine life in 

sea, engaging in trekking, boating or rafting, wandering amongst 

stand dunes-these are some of the common forms of eco-tourism. 

Through the concept has gained importance only recently, India 

has been experiencing various forms of eco-tourism all through the 

ages. 

Eco tourism resources of India 

The geographical diversity of India is a wealth of eco-systems 

which are well protected and preserved. These eco-systems have 

become the major resource for eco tourism in India. 

They are: 

1. Bio-sphere Reserves 

2. Mangroves 

3. Coral Reefs 

4. Deserts 

5. Mountains and Forests 

6. Flora and Fauna 

7. Seas, Lakes and Rivers 

8. Caves 

Bio-sphere Reserves 

Bio-sphere reserves are multipurpose protected areas, for 

preservation of the genetic diversity and integrity of plants, animals 

and micro-organisms in representative ecosystems. 

There are seven such reserves in India at present: 

(i) Nilgiri 

(ii) Nanda Devi

213 

(iii) 

(iv) 

(v) 

(vi) 

(vii) 

Nokrek 

Great Nicobar 

Gulf of Mannar 

Manas 

Sunderbans 

Mangroves 

Mangroves are very specialized forest eco-systems of tropical 

and sub-tropical regions bordering sheltered sea coasts and estuaries. 

Major mangroves areas are: 

(i) Northern Andaman and Nicobar Islands 

(ii) Sunderbans (West Bengal) 

(iii) Bhitarkanika and Mahanadi Delta (Orissa) 

(iv) Coringa, Godavari Delta and Krishna estuary (Andhra Pradesh) 

(v) Pichavaram and Point Calimere (Tamil Nadu) 

(vi) Goa 

(vii) Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat) 

(viii) Coondapur (Karnataka) 

(ix) Achra / Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) 

(x) Vembanad (Kerala) 

Coral Reefs 

There are four major coral reefs identified in the country so far: 

(i) Gulf of Mannar 

(ii) Andaman and Nicobar Islands 

(iii) Lakshadweep Islands 

(iv) Gulf of Kutch 

Deserts 

The Great Thar desert and the little deserts in the North 

Western Regions of the country are distinct eco-systems which have 

fascinated tourism from all over the world.

214 

Mountains and Forests 

The Great Himalayas and other mountain range in the country 

along with the snow-clad slopes, forests and rivers; have also become 

great attractions for eco-tourists. The country has an area of about 

752.3 lakh hectares notified as forest land and of this about 406.1 

lakh hectares are classified as reserve forests and 215.1 lakh hectares 

as Protected Forests. 

Flora and Fauna 

India is floristically very rich. She has about 45,000 species of 

plants. The country also has a great variety of fauna, numbering a 

little over 65,000 known species, including 1,228 of birds, 428 of 

reptiles, 372 of mammals, 204 amphibians and 2,546 of fish. 

In order to protect and preserve these genetic constituents, 

India has created a number of National Parks and 421 Wildlife 

Sanctuaries in different parts of the country. Some of these which 

have already become popular with tourists are Kaziranga and Manas 

in Assam; Jim Corbett in Uttar Pradesh; Keoladwo in Ghana, 

Ranthambore and Sariska in Rajasthan: Kanha and Bandhavgarh in 

Madhya Pradesh; Bandipur in Karnataka and Similpal in Orissa. 

Water Resources 

The Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal brace 

the sides of the Indian subcontinent except for the northern 

boundary. The land mass of India is crossed by several rivers and 

dotted by lakes at many places. These water bodies provide attractive 

opportunities for water sports. 

Policy and Planning

215 

The national policy on tourism stipulates that tourism become a 

unifying force nationally and internationally, fostering better 

understanding through travel. 

It should also help to preserve rain and enrich out world-view 

and life-style, our cultural expressions and heritage in all its 

manifestations. The prosperity that tourism brings should strengthen 

and cause accretion, rather than damage, to our social and cultural 

valves and depletion of our national resources. 

Realisation of these policy objectives particularly in the context 

of ecotourism would involve selective approach, scientific planning, 

effective control and continuous monitoring. The development process 

itself should meet the following cardinal principles: 

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

(iv) 

It should involve the local community and lead to the overall 

economic development of the area. 

It should identify the likely conflicts between resource use for 

tourism and the livelihood of local inhabitants and attempt to 

minimize such conflicts. 

The type and scale of tourism development should be compatible 

with the environment and socio-cultural characteristics of the 

local community, and 

It should be planned as a part of the overall area development 

strategy, guided by an integrated land-use plan and associated 

with commensurate expansion of public services. 

The biospheres, mangroves, coral reefs, deserts and mountains 

which form the core resources for ecotourism, are fragile ecosystems. 

Hence decisions for the development to tourism in such areas have to 

be based on a thorough understanding of local resources, social and 

economic factors and other characteristics. 

The objectives of tourism development in any specified area, as 

well as the intended beneficiaries, dependency and scale of

216 

development have to be decided on the basis of these factors and 

discussions and negotiations with those most directly concerned. 

The development of physical infrastructure of tourism should be 

preceded by the preparation of an inventory of resources and a 

zoning/ management plan to ensure preservation and public use of 

valuable natural sites. 

Whenever destruction or serious alteration of areas of high 

primary productivity like wetland, sea grass beds, coral reefs or 

rainforests is contemplated, benefits and costs should be carefully 

assessed before planning tourism development activities. Further, 

planning and promotion of tourism should be undertaken as a 

component part of an integrated, comprehensive resource 

management plan founded on sound ecological principles. 

The Tourism Management Plan should also establish standards 

for resort development, covering among others, the style and locations 

of structures, treatment of sewage and control of litter, preservation of 

open spaces and public use of fragile areas. It should further lay down 

procedures to ensure that sewage is not directed to the beach or the 

ground water and solid waste is systematically collected and disposed 

of suitably. Adequate precautionary measures should also be taken to 

avoid noise pollution. Is should also specify methods and material for 

construction activities and minimize any possible adverse impact on 

local environment. 

Physical planning and design should integrate community 

services including availability of potable water, transportation and 

tourism. Transportation and access should also be integrated with 

other purposes such as industry and trade as communities and the 

termini for air, land and water access. Physical planning for all travel 

modes, especially modern tour buses, also needs to be integrated 

between segments outside and inside the area of attraction.

217 

Operational Guidelines 

The key players in the ecotourism business are the Government, 

both central and at state levels, the local authorities, the developers 

and the operators, the visitors and the local community. Each one of 

them has to be sensitive to the environment and local traditions and 

follow a set of guidelines for the successful development of tourism. In 

addition, nongovernmental organizations and scientific / research 

institutions also have to play a key role in the development of ecotourism. 

The Government 

• The Management Plan for each area should be prepared by 

professional landscape architects and urban planners, in 

consultation with the local community as well as others directly 

concerned. 

• Integrated planning should be adopted to avoid inter-sector and 

cross-sectoral conflict. 

• The architectural programme for ecotourism centres should 

include controlled access points and cabins, roads, self-guided 

nature trails, transportation options, interpretive centres, sings, 

observation towers and blinds, adequate but unpretentious 

lodging and dining facilities, docks, garbage disposal facility and 

other utilities as per requirement. If needed, suitable living 

quarters and facilities for project personnel have to be provided. 

• Structures creating visual pollution, and aesthetic values and 

non-compatible architecture, should be controlled and 

temporary structures using local building material and befitting 

the local environment should be encouraged.

218 

• Exclude developments in geologically unstable zones and define 

development and buffer zones after proper environmental 

impact assessments. 

• Establish standards, building codes and other regulations. 

• Specify environmental, physical and social carrying capacities to 

limit development activities. 

• Ensure continuous monitoring of adverse effects of tourism 

activities and initiate suitable corrective measures. 

• Recognise and award quality labels to ecotourism operators. 

• Provide visitor information and interpretation services covering 

particularly (i) What to see, (ii) how to see, (iii) how to behave. It 

can be by way of brochures, leaflets, specialized guides, visitor 

information centres and such. 

• Prepare and widely distribute codes of conduct to all visitors. 

• Launch training programmes on ecotourism to tourism 

administrators, planners, operators and general public. 

Developers, Operators and Suppliers 

• Respect and follow the planning restrictions, standards and 

codes provided by the government and local authorities. 

• Implement sound environment principles through selfregulation. 

• Practice environmental impact assessment for all new projects 

and conduct regular environmental audit for all ongoing 

activities leading to development of environment improvement 

programmes. 

• Be sensitive to conservation of environmentally protected or 

threatened areas, species and scenic aesthetics, achieving 

landscape enhancement what ever possible. 

• Ensure that all structures are unobtrusive and do not interfere 

with the natural ecosystem to the maximum extent.

219 

• Recognise the optimal environmental capacity and sociological 

use-limits of the site in creating tourist facilities. They should 

also take into account safety and convenience of tourists. 

• Buildings should be designed strictly on functional and 

environmental considerations and avoid over construction. 

• Local material and designs should be used in all construction to 

the extent possible. 

• Physical planning, architectural design and construction of 

tourist facilities should employ eco friendly techniques like solar 

energy, capture and utilization of rain water, recycling of 

garbage, natural cross-sufficiency 

in food generation through orchards, ecological farms, 

agriculture 

and 

the such. 

• Energy and water-saving practices should be employed to the 

extent possible. Fresh water management and controlled sewage 

disposal should also be practiced. 

• Control air emissions-both chemical pollutants and noise. 

• Control and reduce environmentally unfriendly products such 

as asbestos, CFCs, pesticides and toxic, corrosive, infectious, 

explosive or inflammable material. 

• Respect and support historic or religious objects and sites. 

• Provide information and interpretive services to visitors 

especially on attraction and facilities, safety and security, local 

customs and traditions, prohibitions and regulations and selfconduct 

and behaviour. 

• Ensure adequate opportunities to visitors for communion with 

nature and native cultures. 

• In marketing ecotourism products, customers should be given 

correct information, as the visitors who appreciate ecotourism 

products usually belong to environmentally aware groups.

220 

• Training and research programmes of the company should 

include environmental issues. 

• Prepare tourists to minimize possible negative impact while 

visiting sensitive environment and cultures before their visit. 

• Ensure the safety and security of visitors and inform them of 

precautions to be taken. 

• Exercise due to regard for the interest of the local population, 

including their history, tradition and culture and future 

economic development. 

• Involve the local community to the extent possible in various 

activities and vocations. 

The Visitors 

• Help conserve habits of flora and fauna and any site, natural or 

cultural, which may be affected by tourism. 

• Make no open fires and discourage other from dong so. If water 

has to be heated with scarce firewood, use as little as possible. 

Whereas feasible, use kerosene or fuel-efficient wood stoves. 

• Remove litter, burn or bury paper, and carry back all nondegradable 

litter. 

• Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants such as 

detergents in streams or springs. If no toilet facilities are 

available, try to relieve yourself at least 30 meters away from 

water sources and bury on over the waste. 

• Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment 

and avoid taking away cuttings, seeds and roots. 

• Leave the camp sites clean after use. Remember that another 

party will be using the same camp site after your departure. 

• Help guides and porters to follow conservation measures. Do 

not allow cools/porters to throw garbage in streams or rivers. 

• Respect the natural cultural heritage of the area and follow local 

customs.

221 

• Respect local etiquette and wear loose clothes, kissing in public 

are disapproved of. 

• Respect privacy of individuals and ask permission and use 

restraint in taking photographs of local inhabitants. 

• Respect holy places-do not touch or remove religious objects. 

• Strictly follow the guidelines for personal safety and security 

and always take your own precautions and safety measures. 

The Destination Population / Host community 

• Realise and respect the value of the environment, the flora and 

fauna, the monuments and the cultural heritage. 

• Practice conservation of nature and cultural as a way of life. 

• Establish guidelines to protect valuable local resources and 

foster tourism management. 

• Realise and react to the potential threat of investors who see 

opportunities in development but lack sensitivity to local values. 

• Become effective nature guides and conservationists of natural 

areas by enhancing the practical and ancestral knowledge of the 

natural features of the area. 

• Be friendly with the visitors and help them to practice 

ecotourism codes. 

Non-Governmental Organisations / Scientific and Research 

Institutions 

• Create awareness, amongst all concerned, about the importance 

of sound eco-practices in tourism development. 

• Motivate the local community to increase their involvement in 

sustainable tourism activities. 

• Organise training programmes to prepare the local people for 

taking up various vocations relating to ecotourism. 

The Environmental Pledge 

1. Stationery and other Publicity Material on Recycled Paper:

222 

We will introduce the use of recycled paper for our stationary 

and other publicity items such as brochures and establish a 

recycling programme. 

2. Polythene Bags: We will convert, wherever possible, from the use 

of polythene bags to paper bags, cloth bags and other 

alternatives. 

3. Alternate source of Energy for Fuel: Where possible, we will 

convert to solar power such as solar heating and lighting, to 

reduce the use of thermal electricity. 

4. Garbage Disposal: We will introduce the system of separating 

recyclable and non-recyclable garbage emanating from our 

operations and dispose non-biodegradable garbage in a 

responsible way, so as to not harm the environment. 

5. Water Catchments and Treatment: Wherever possible, we will 

recycle water by incorporating water treatment schemes. We will 

also make storage and catchments facilities for rain water to be 

used for our operations. 

6. Eco Lodges and Resorts: We pledge to conserve the ecology, 

animal and bird life of the area our properties are located in. 

7. Planting of Saplings: We will encourage the planting of saplings 

and greeting of the local environment. 

8. Alternate use of Fuels: We will limit the burning of firewood and 

use alternate sources of fuel for both cooking and heating. 

9. Use of Local Ethnic Materials in Construction of Properties: In 

keeping with the local landscaping. We will incorporate 

architectural styles typical to the area, thus blending with the 

environment. 

10. Employment of Local Committees: Wherever possible, we will hire 

locally for our business to enhance the economy of our area. 

11. Limit Deforestation: We will make no open fire and discourage 

others from doing so. Wherever water is heated using scarce 

firewood, we will not use it or use as little of it as possible.

223 

Wherever possible, we will choose accommodation that uses 

kerosene or fuel-efficient firewood stoves. 

12. Plant Saplings: We will take saplings and encourage our tourists 

to help plant them near our camp sites or on the trails. 

13. Non-Biodegradable Garbage: We will leave campsites clean and 

take back all non-biodegradable litter to the road head towns for 

proper disposal. We will bury only biodegradable food waste. 

14. Keep Local Water Clean: Toilet facilities will be pitched at least 

30 meters away from the water source and all waste will be 

covered properly. We will not allow detergents to be used in 

streams and springs. 

15. Plants Left in their Natural Environment: We will not take away 

cuttings, seeds and roots – this is illegal in most parts of the 

Himalayas. 

16. Respect Local Cultures: We will promote the appreciation and 

preservation of religious place and local villages by never 

allowing clients to buy religious objects or heirlooms from 

remote villages. 

17. Alternate Source of Energy for Fuel: Where possible, we will 

convert to solar power such as solar lanterns and solar cookers. 

18. Stationery and other Publicity Material on Recycled Paper: We 

will introduce/ increase the use of recycled handmade paper for 

our stationary and other publicity items, such as brochures.)

224 

APPENDIX-II 

ECO-TOURISM: POLICY & GUIDELINES (2002) 

1. Preamble: 

Eco-tourism is emerging as an important component of the Indian 

tourist industry. The significant growth in nature tourism and the 

numerous tourist operators bear adequate testimony to this. Though 

the term “eco-tourism” is popular, it is rather loosely used by many. 

Hence, it is imperative to distinguish this from the general mass 

tourism. Eco-tourism has been considered here as a sustainable, 

equitable, community based Endeavour for improving the living 

standards of indigenous host communities. Apart from these stake 

holders, there is also a dire need to forge partnership with the existing 

tourism industry of the state. 

2. Eco-tourism defined: 

Ecotourism is sustainable, nature tourism involving the 

indigenous stake holders while forging partnership with the existing 

tourism industry. The World Tourism organization (WTO) defines ecotourism 

as “tourism that involves traveling to relatively undisturbed 

natural areas with the specified object of studying, admiring and 

enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any 

exiting cultural aspects (both of the past or the present) found in 

these areas”. Ecotourism or Nature tourism is distinguished from 

resort tourism or mass tourism by requiring lesser infrastructure 

development and a lower impact on the environment. 

The key elements of eco-tourism are: 

1. Existence of National Park/Sanctuary/natural environment as a 

prime, star attraction 

2. Should be ecologically, socially, culturally and economically 

sustainable 

3. Should have participation of the local stake-holders (host

225 

community) 

4. Should be a low profile venture 

5. Should be capable of dove-tailing in the existing tourism of the 

State. 

2.1 Synonyms of Eco-tourism: 

- Environmentally friendly 

tourism 

- Nature tourism 

- Green tourism 

- Scientific tourism 

- Cottage tourism 

- Wildlife tourism 

- Wilderness tourism 

- Safari tourism 

- Designer tourism 

- Hard tourism 

- Risk tourism 

- Adventure tourism 

3. Policy and Planning: 

The National Eco-tourism Policy & Guidelines (1998), after 

considering the National Policy on Tourism, has identified the 

following cardinal principles for the development of Eco-tourism: 

1. It should involve the local community and lead to the overall 

economic development of the area 

2. It should identify the likely conflicts between resource use for 

tourism and the livelihood of local inhabitants and attempt to 

minimize such conflicts 

3. The type and scale of tourism development should be 

compatible with the environment and socio-cultural 

characteristics of the local community and 

4. It should be planned as a part of the overall area development

226 

strategy, guided by an integrated land-use plan while a 

voiding intersectional conflicts and ensuring sectoral 

integration, associated with commensurate expansion of 

public services 

While adopting the above general principles, the following 

guidelines are laid down for eco-regional planning to foster ecotourism. 

1. Delineation and notification of “fringe areas” (special areas) 

around identified eco-tourism sites (NPs I WLS) as “Non-Plan 

Areas under’ the “City & Country Planning Act” of the States, 

to a void cross, sectoral conflicts and to achieve sectoral 

integration of inputs, for wise land use to foster eco-tourism as 

per the operational guidelines. 

2. Fostering eco-tourism through eco-development as a land 

use. 

3. Prescription of environmental requirements for such specially 

notified areas for incorporation in the relevant rules of the 

State (Appendix-1). 

4. The first benefit of eco-tourism must go to the local people 

(host community), and in the long run the capacity building in 

this regard should be built-in for forging partnership with the 

local people. 

5. According statutory protection to such specially notified areas 

under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986 

6. Recognizing the local Panchayat as the “authority having -, 

jurisdiction”, for granting permission for development 

7. Constituting a special committee under the chairman-ship of 

the district Collector, with the respective Protected Area 

manager as the member-secretary having adequate 

representatives from concerned Panchyats, Eco-development 

Committees, apart from local NGOs and honorary Wildlife 

Wardens, for advising the Panchyats on issues relating to

227 

development 

8. Creation of village level micro-institutions (VFCI FPCI EDC) as 

per the resolution of the State Forest Dept, and formulation of 

site- specific eco-tourism plans with indigenous, participatory 

planning 

9. Providing soft loans from Community Credit Programmed 

/Special Trust Funds / Special Central Assistance/ 

Developmental Schemes of Tribal Department / District- level 

Integrated Developmental Programme, to identified hostcommunity 

I beneficiaries for promoting eco-tourism 

10. Establishing standards for eco-tourism in the site-specific 

micro plans in tune with the operational guidelines, and the 

suggested modifications in the State rules, apart from 

ensuring adherence to these standards by the tourist 

developers and operators through the Panchyats 

4. Key players in Eco-tourism 

Implementing Agency: 

During formative years, the Forest Department of the State 

should be the main implementing agency. However, at a later stage 

this should be entrusted to the Confederation of Eco-development 

Committees, with - -State-Tourism Development. Corporation 

Tourism Department and Forest Department of States assuming 

supportive and supervisory roles. 

Financial Support 

1) The host community would be provided financial support 

mainly through soft loans from Community Credit Programme Special 

Trust Funds / Special Central Assistance’/ Developmental Schemes 

of Tribal Department / District level Integrated Developmental 

Programme, to ensure their participation as stake holders for 

promoting eco-tourism. 

2) The general development of the Protected Area including

228 

Eco-tourist facilities, Interpretation Centers, Literature and the like 

would continue with funding support under the Centrally Sponsored 

Schemes, based on size specific proposals received from States. 

3) Generating resources by inviting private entrepreneurs to 

develop site-specific packages by providing appropriate incentives. 

At the State-level 

1. Tourism Department & MPSTDC 

2. Forest Department 

3. PWD 

4. State Electricity Board 

5. Water/Irrigation Department 

6. Private entrepreneurs: Tour operators, hoteliers 

At the District level: 

1. Zillah Sarkar /Local district administration 

2. Panchayats 

3. EDC*/VFC*/FPC* 

4. Municipal Corporations 

5. PA* managers (local units of forest department) 

5. Operational Guidelines: 

For the Government: 

In addition to the guidelines (1 to 10) laid down in para-3 under 

“policy and planning”, the following additional operational guidelines 

are also indicated: 

- The planning should be flexible, site-specific & participatory, 

and should form part of a larger eco-developmental eco-regional 

plan for the area, within the normative standards of a 

Landscape Code 

- Assessment of existing infrastructure, surface transportation, 

air service, road, electricity, water supply, law and order

229 

situation 

- The eco-tourism package should invariably include 

o Simple, adequate boarding & lodging facilities, in tune 

with the environment & the general setting of the 

landscape 

o Road network within the identified tourism zone 

o Self-guided Nature trails 

o Transportation options 

o Interpretive Centers 

o Way-side exhibits 

o Signages 

o Observation towers 

o Public conveniences 

o Garbage disposal facility 

o Living quarters for staff/personnel 

- Structures with an exotic look causing visual pollution and no 

compatible and unaesthetic architecture should be avoided 

- Site-specific micro - planning for community based eco-tourism 

should be resorted to 

- Providing soft loans from specially created Trust Funds based 

on recycled park gate receipts / Community Credit Programmes 

to identified beneficiaries 

- Temporary housing structures blending with the surrounding 

should be encouraged 

- Establishing building codes in consultation with the 

Panchayats apart from other regulations to ensure pollution free 

environment, with the concurrence of the respective “Zilla 

Sarkar” / District Administration 

- Environmental, physical & social carrying capacities to limit 

the various developmental activities in the fringe area to be 

identified for eco-tourism 

- Devise mechanism to ensure continuous monitoring of adverse

230 

effects of tourism for quick redressal 

- Recognize eco-tourism operators, provide incentives to deserving 

cases and award quality labels 

- Provide visitor information & interpretation services (bilingual) 

covering : 

o “Do s” and “Don’ts” 

o What to see? 

o Where to see? 

(Brochures, leaflets, guide service, visitor centers) 

- Periodic training programmes on eco-tourism should be 

conducted for tourism administration, p lanners, operators and 

general public 

- Ensuring training programme to the host community in” 

1. Lodge ownership/Management 

2. Basic education and awareness 

3. Health and sanitation 

4. Skill development for preparation 0 f local souvenirs as 

appropriate 

5. Codes of conduct 

6. Forest and wildlife conservation 

7. Litter control 

8. Forging partnerships with tourists & tourism industry 

9. Environmental management 

To evolve and implement eco-tourism package in a few selected sites 

initially as pilot projects 

For Tour operators/developers: 

- To abide by the planning restrictions, codes and standards 

prescribed by the authorities 

- Implementation of desired environmental principles through 

regulation 

- Conducting EIA/ environmental audits for new / ongoing ecotourism 

projects

231 

- Being sensitive to the conservation of endangered species & 

corridor value of the area 

- To ensure construction of structures blending with the 

environment as per the prescribed building code 

- To take into consideration the Carrying capacity & Sociological 

use-limits of the site while creating tourist facilities, and 

ensuring safety & convenience of tourists 

- To use local material & design as far as possible, while avoiding 

over construction 

- The’ planning, architectural design and construction of tourist 

facilities should use eco-friendly techniques viz., solar energy, 

recycling of garbage, harvesting of rain water, natural cross 

ventilation instead of AC, self-sufficiency in food through 

kitchen garden & farming 

- Energy & water saving devices should be used apart from 

controlled sewage disposal 

- Use of signage’s / boards as per the standard prescriptions in 

the code 

- Reduced use of environmentally .unfriendly items like asbestos, 

CIS, pesticides, inflammable material 

- Respecting the historic and religious sites in the area 

- Providing appropriate interpretive service to visitors for 

communication with nature & local culture 

- Ensuring proper marketing of eco-tourism products 

- Ensuring training of staff on environmental issues 

- Ensuring safety and security of visitors 

- Respecting local inhabitants. culture & involving them in 

various activities & vocations as far as possible 

For The Visitors: 

- Abiding by the code of conduct. “Do s” and Don’ts” 

- Helping conservation. Apart from protecting any site natural or 

cultural. which may be adversely affected by tourism

232 

- Avoiding wastage of resources 

- Avoiding littering and carrying back all non-degradable litter 

- Leaving the camp sites clean before departing 

- Avoiding removal of plants, seeds, drift – wood from the site 

- Respecting local culture/customs 

- Respecting holy places 

- Strictly adhering to the safety precautions 

For Host Community: 

- Respect the value of environment, cultural heritage 

- Avoid overusing the are 

- Co-operate with the authorities in ensuring healthy ecotourism 

- Realize & react to the threat of investors who see opportunities 

& exploit the locals 

- Be friendly with the visitors as effective “nature guides” & 

“conservationists” 

6. Development of PA-level Participatory Eco-tourism & Visitor 

Strategy: 

Action points for planning: 

- To develop an overall eco-tourism strategy which shall 

incorporate: 

o Local participation 

o Sound environmental design 

o Visitor management 

o Conservation education 

o Training 

o Financial sustainability 

o Monitoring and evaluation 

To assess: 

- The existing tourism situation and potential

233 

- The desirable tourism situation & identify steps to attain the same 

- To prepare a Participatory Community Based Eco-tourism strategy 

for the project area, involving the stakeholders through meetings & 

workshops 

The Eco-tourism strategy should also address the following 

- Potential PA attributes vis-à-vis eco-tourism 

- Identification of sites 

- Development of monitoring mechanisms for ecological impact of 

eco-tourism 

- Visitor information and levels 

- Identify marketing opportunities. 

- Development of guidelines for visitors / staff viz., visitor centre, 

orientation centre, brochures, handbook, signage’s 

- Development of mechanisms to collate visitation data for 

management 

- Development of guidelines/building code for environmentally 

acceptable and culturally appropriate designs 

- Identification of : staffing levels for tourism, future requirements & 

training needs 

- Identifying : institutional arrangement for eco-tourism 

management: mechanisms to increase long-term local participation 

in benefit -sharing & decision-making, local training needs 

- Developing monitoring & evaluation plans to assess local 

participation & benefit sharing 

- Evolving legal framework for eco-tourism activities 

- Establishing administration & legal requirements for :Zoning, entry 

fees, revenue-sharing with indigenous people 

7. Development of State-level Eco-tourism and Visitor Strategy: 

Action Points 

- To develop a State-level Community Based Participatory Ecotourism 

strategy which would incorporate : elements of local

234 

participation, sound environmental design, visitor management,’ 

marketing, conservation education, training, financial sustain 

ability & monitoring and evaluation 

For PA s throughout the State assessment of: 

- Determination of the PA specific desirable tourism situation & 

steps to attain this situation 

- Preparation of PA level Community Based Participatory Ecotourism 

strategies 

The strategy should also address the following: 

- The current I potential PA attributes relevant for ecotourism 

- Site-selection criteria & processes for eco-tourism activities 

- Development of monitoring mechanisms for ecological impact of 

eco-tourism/ tourism 

- Procedures to calculate visitation information and levels 

- Identification of marketing opportunities for eco-tourism 

- Development of guidelines for visitor/staff behavior in PAs 

- Identification “Interpretation” inputs for visitors viz., orientation 

centre, visitor centre, museum, way -side exhibits, signage’s, roadside 

markers, literature, brochures, posters 

- Monitoring of visitation data for management 

- Development of generic guidelines for environmentally acceptable & 

culturally appropriate architectural designs 

- Identification of training needs, sources for PA staff & stakeholders 

- Identification of appropriate Institutional / Organizational 

structures for participatory management of eco-tourism 

- Identification of mechanisms to ensure long-term local 

participation in benefit-sharing & decision-making 

- Developing monitoring-evaluation criteria to ,assess local 

participation & benefit sharing, 

- Development of State-level legal framework for ecotourism / 

activities viz., delineation of “fringe areas” around PA, legal

235 

provisions for “Zilla Sarkars” & Panchayats 

- Assessment of existing State-level policy considerations for tourism 

- Assessment of current State-level financial provisions & 

infrastructure for tourism management 

- Identification activities or modification of exiting practices to 

improve financial sustainability 

- Identification of potential private-public sector linkages related to 

tourism! eco-tourism, apart from opportunities for future 

collaboration & related guidelines 

- Development of an “Action Program” for follow-up 

8. Community based Eco-tourism: Possible Inputs - 

Opportunities For indigenous host communities: 

- Creation & management of low cost accommodation of tourists 

- Providing guide service to visitors for jungle excursions 

- Providing sale outlets for local herbal medicine 

- Management of eco-tourism inputs like: 

- Canoeing/boating 

- Angling 

- Cafeteria 

- Pony ride 

- Souvenir making and sale 

- Organizing folk dance 

- Picnic spots 

- Elephant rides 

- Nature trail 

- Cycle trail 

- Organizing visit to a typical host community village and exposure to 

country culture 

- Organizing bird club (restricted) 

Attractions For visitors: 

- Eco centers

236 

- Nature trail 

- Interpretation inputs: 

- Orientation centre 

- Visitor centre 

- Museum 

- Amphitheater 

- Road-side exhibits 

- Signage’s 

- Road-side Markets 

- Literature 

- Light and Sound display 

- Vehicular exclusions 

- Picnic spots 

- Canoeing/boating 

- Elephant rides 

- Angling 

- Pony rides 

- Village visit 

- Ethnic /folk dance 

- Bird club 

- Souvenir shops 

- Cycle trail 

Environmental requirements for specially notified non planning areas 

under the State Town and Country Planning Act, for Eco-development 

Eco-tourism. 

1. The hotel/resort area should not be less than 8 ha. and should 

be encompassed by chain-link fencing for security and control 

reasons. 

2. The hotel! resort should comprise of : 

- Reception , Administrative office 

- Lobby 

- Manager’s office and safe Small shop

237 

- First aid dispensary 

- Storage area 

- Wash room facilities (men and women) 

- Dining area with seating capacity for at least 5 tables 

Kitchen 

- Lodging for manager and staff (Approximate area for the 

above complex should not be less than 2000 sq. m.) 

3. The bungalow sector should comprise of at least 

- 10 hutments, each with a built-up area of approximately 50 

sq. m. 

- A multiple use area (living! sleeping) with 2 beds, desk and 

chair, closet, bathrooms with WC, wash basin and shower, 

with provision for hot water through solar energy 

- A small terrace 

- The accommodation bungalows should be paired with parking 

space 

- The layout of the bungalows should be informal around a 

central area and no trees or natural features of the 

landscape should be destroyed 

- A camping and recreational area with out door picnic tables, 

communal bathrooms and waste bins 

- Waste recycling plant 

- Vegetable garden area for self sufficiency Facility for cooking gas (biogas) 

- Area for cattle and poultry with fencing and provision for stall 

feeding 

- Machine room 

- Entry control barrier 

4. The carrying capacity (site-specific) of each eco-tourism 

site should be assessed at the following three levels: 

- Physical carrying capacity

238 

- Real carrying capacity 

- Effective / permissible carrying capacity 

5. The land use in the notified area should be environmentally 

compatible, without causing any adverse impact. Activities like’ 

mining, quarrying, industries with the likely discharge of 

environmental pollutants should be prohibited in such areas. 

6. Structures with exotic look causing visual pollution should be 

avoided. Temporary housing structures merging with the 

surrounding with sloping roof using local material and design 

should be encouraged. 

7. The planning, architectural design and construction of tourist 

facilities should use eco-friendly techniques like: solar energy, 

recycling of garbage, harvesting of rain water, natural cross 

ventilation instead of AC, self sufficiency in food through 

kitchen garden and farming with controlled sewage disposal. 

8. The development should be sensitive to the conservation of 

fauna and flora, the corridor value of the area, apart from 

respecting the religious and historic sites in the area. 

9. The local authority having jurisdiction, on the advice specially 

constituted district level committee, can make relaxation with 

respect to serial nos. 1, 2 and 3 as indicated above for 

involving the indigenous community in promoting ecotourism. 

Only vehicular movements permitted on forest roads, hence 

road length is more relevant than area 

Standing area” is not relevant, but closeness between vehicles is 

important 

There is a required distance of at least 500 m. (1/2 km.) 

between 2 vehicles to avoid dust (2 vehicles / km.)

239 

Rotation Factor (Rf) = 9 hours/3.5 hours = 2.6 

PCC = 283 km. x 2 vehicles / km. x 2.6 = 1471.6 or 1472 visits / day 

Total Road Length = 283 km. (Mt.) 

Medium erosion risk = 50 km. (weight age factor = 2) 

High erosion risk = 40 km. (weight age factor = 3) 

M 1 = 50 x 2 + 40 x 3 = 100 + 120 = 220 km.

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