THE heat is oppressive, the temperatures soaring as high as 41 degrees Celcius in Chennai. Yet, the scorching heat does not prevent millions of tourists from visiting Mahabalipuram, a heritage site near Chennai. This year, this ancient seaport of Pallavas registered around seven lakh domestic tourist visits in the month of May. April and May put together saw another 70,000 foreign tourists to this site. The surprising fact; many of the tourists who visited Mahabalipuram were not aware that it was one of the World Heritage Sites in India. They came, lured by the impressive sculptures of this temple town. Such is the incredible power of heritage in our country.
Treasure trove of heritage
Thirty two World Heritage Sites, 46 more properties registered on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites, more than 3680 ancient monuments and archaeological sites of national importance; India’s heritage is rich, an amalgam of various cultures and traditions. It is this cultural diversity that attracts tourists from all over the world.
The most important tourism circuit in the country has been the Golden Triangle in the North covering Delhi, Agra and Jaipur cities. The popular destinations so far have been the Taj Mahal in Agra, Mandwa Castle in Rajasthan, Mahabalipuram and Madurai Meenakshi temple in Tamil Nadu, Ellora-Ajanta caves in Maharashtra, Khajuraho temples of Madhya Pradesh, and the forts and tombs of Delhi.
Apart from historical wonders, India is home to nearly 100 National Parks and 514 Wildlife Sanctuaries. Seven of these natural sites are a part of World Heritage List.
Heritage tourism – a specialised branch
No wonder then that with such a bounty of natural heritage in the country, heritage tourism is a lucrative market in the tourism sector. Heritage tourism means “traveling to experience the places, artefacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past”. This definition is defined by the National Trust for Historic Preservation of Unites States. Heritage tourism is all about providing tourists with an opportunity to understand, and experience the heritage of the region.
Social and economic benefits of heritage
Tourism today contributes 6.7% of India’s GDP and is responsible for creating 40 million jobs in 2013. And it is predicted that it will continue to grow at the rate of 2.1 percent by 2023. So leveraging on heritage tourism can significantly promote tourism growth in our country.
Kerala and Rajasthan are classic examples as to how developing this niche is profitable. Tourism in these destinations c o n t r i b u t e significantly to the total income of folk artists and artisans of the area – Kerala around 96% and Rajasthan around 90%.
As new markets open up for local arts and crafts, there is a sense of pride, an increase in incomes and self-worth too, in the community.
“When locals see an economic benefit because of their heritage, they will start thinking of protecting it. Instead of crying about the mismanagement and loss of heritage, this is a better way”, says Ajay Reddy of GoUNESCO, who organises runs in World Heritage Sites in India.
The threat to heritage through urbanisation is very real. Poornima Dashrathi who runs a travel company in Bangalore recalls the case of a megalithic site gone missing near Bangalore that was under the purview of ASI (Archaeological Survery of India), Bangalore.
“Chikkajala that is close to Bangalore and which falls on the International Airport Road is a pre-historic site that has gone missing”, she says. There is a 100 metre long burial ground dating back to 500 BC that has disappeared due to emergence of new layouts, roads and stone quarrying units. In fact, the ASI has documented that there are 35 protected monuments that are untraceable. Shocking, but true! So is heritage tourism being ignored and the rich heritage of the country being taken for granted?
Pro-tourism budget- there is hope still
The budget of the new government highlights that tourism is high on its priority list. The Union Budget 2014-15 gave due emphasis to the tourism sector – Rs 100 crore for development of archaeological sites, Rs 500 crore for developing five tourist circuits, Rs 200 crore for National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), that is a scheme for conserving and preserving the heritage character of 12 cities; a clear signal that the stance of the government is pro-tourism.
Incentives and transparent policies by states
States have long woken up to the need for friendly policies and incentives to develop tourism. Five year exemption on luxury and entertainment tax for heritage hotels in UP, property tax for tourism projects at residential tax rate in Maharashtra, concession in stamp duties for new tourism projects in Karnataka, reimbursement of stamp duty in Andhra Pradesh, waiver of electricity duty, interest subsidy, incentives on generation of employment are some of the fiscal incentives offered by the states.
There are development plans to renovate heritage sites in Srinagar. The conservation plans looks at restoration and preservation of old structures like the 18th century Sher Garhi – a power centre of Dogra rulers, Baba Naseem Shrine Complex, old assembly, preserving of 40 structures in Bijbehera etc. River cruises to heritage destinations, development of artisan clusters at Safa Kadal are other initiates to revive tourism in this area.
Kerala has done a lot more. A brand image for tourism, transparent tourism policy engaging all stake holders, strong political support indicate that tourism is a serious business in the state. The state has focussed on training people, establishing Tourism Information Centres, targeting international markets, participating in international fairs, conducting road shows, ensuring security through tourist police, creating internal platforms like Kerala Travel Mart etc.
The individual contribution
Individuals, volunteer groups and organisations are pitching in too. The Madras Heritage Run, for example, conducts runs in the Marina coast with the route taking you through heritage spots of the city. The proceeds from the runs goes towards Prastara Public Charitable Trust that is working towards conserving heritage. Similarly, GoUNESCO founder Ajay Reddy, conducts the Go Heritage Runs that are a series of fun runs organised at heritage sites. “Not just a run, it is a complete experience!” says Ajay. Through the runs they highlight lesser known aspect of these heritage locations.
Then there are walks. Andhra Pradesh Tourism conducts heritage walks in Hyderabad. So does INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage). ‘Unhurried in Bangalore’ is a bunch of like minded individuals, passionate about heritage and history. They conduct various walks in the city and also tours in other cities like Mysore, Hampi, Anegundi etc., to highlight its rich heritage. “We bring history to life, a history that one can touch and feel. The walks enhance experience and you relive the past, relating better to the city, its culture and its people”, says Poornima.
In Chennai, Sriram V, a writer and historian conducts heritage walks in the city. He believes that there are at least 100 heritage routes in city. So far he has mapped 30 of the routes and has also launched a mobile app – Chennai Past Forward that creates awareness of the city’s heritage places. Similarly, in other metro cities like Calcutta, Pune and Delhi, these walks are popular.
Groups like Cycling Yogis are encouraging members to cycle to heritage sites and share their experiences. There are cycling tours and biking holidays in various heritage locations like Udaipur, Jaipur, Sikkim, Ladakh, Goa etc. There are also enterprises that are benefiting the entire community. The Coconut Lagoon Project is one such project in Kumarakom. Started by the Casino Group of Hotels, the project was launched in Kumarakom community that was largely rural; farming and fishing being their chief occupations. The community was poor and they were planning to move out to bigger cities in search of a better life. The fifty room Coconut Lagoon resort project was initiated here; local resources were used for construction, local people were employed, transport like boat rides, cruises were given priority and the resort also created markets for local produce. Today, the resort has grown with heritage hotels, home stays etc., with the whole of Kumarakom directly or indirectly involved in this project. Now they have started such projects in other locations like Lakshadweep, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu etc.
A long way to go
Yet, we still have a long way to go. Heritage sites are defenceless when it comes to facing natural disasters like floods, earthquakes. Illegal constructions near heritage sites are a common problem in cities. In Ahmedabad for example, the ASI has issued 800 show cause notices for illegal constructions coming up near heritage sites. Pollution is ruining many monuments. Charminar monument of Hyderabad, Lotus temple in Delhi, Taj Mahal in Agra – to name a few.
Trained guides are not common too. “Local auto and cab drivers play the role of guides in many places but they may not be trained very well. Many mobile apps like audio compass and guidoo are trying to bridge this gap now”, says Ajay Reddy. This only goes to show that along with policy support, fiscal incentives and conservation laws, the common man also needs to be directly involved in conserving these monuments. Only then will there be some concrete results.
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Usha Hariprasad
The writer is a freelancer who is fond of travelling, discovering new places and writing about travel related destinations around Bangalore at Citizen Matters. Currently, she works in a trekking organisation.[/column]