Master Plans are for real, stick to them in letter & spirit

Very encouraging instructions came from the JK Tourism minister Mr. Mir. To quote him, "The maintenance of Eco-system and preservation of natural beauty at tourist spots should form the necessary ingredient for facility creation and infrastructural development plans". Well said Mr. Mir. Tats what Eco-tourism is all about.

After Mount Abu was declared a Eco-sensitive zone, it was upon its administration to develop a Master Plan which supports ecology without hampering infrastructure and development of its only industry, tourism. Though there are many who rightfully claim the final draft to be a mechanical and completely insensitive towards environment, there lies in midst of it all an opportunity to make things square and fair by heading to legitimate local demands vis-a-vis illogical plans written within the four walls of certain office at Jaipur or may be Delhi. 
Thus, first and foremost, make Master Plans which cater to local needs and then try to implement it in letter and spirit. That isn't rocket science at all.
Preserve Nature, adopt a Tree.

Ban plastic packaging, promote local food stuff

Recently, a division bench of Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled against sale of junk food and wafers in plastic packaging. Considering the relevance of such decisions for eco-tourism, it is a judgment every administrator, every public servant, every Abuite should read at least once.

Being a tourist destination it is a must that visitors should have the option of spending on carry out food stuff. A ban on plastic packaging doesn't take away livelihood or hamper tourism in any way. In fact, being an Eco-sensitive zone the administrators should right away take some positives from this judgment and extend the plastic ban to all other food items sold within the municipal limits of Mount Abu, excluding water. A time bound transition is always possible. Also, a plastic waste audit is completely absent from the plastic waste management policy adopted presently.
Every tourist place sells its name and fame through local stuff. A packaged food item available in a city or town if sold here as it is, that doesn't make any tourism-sense. To promote ones local capabilities, one has to be creative and opportunistic at the same time. It is a fact that Mount Abu is thronged by millions during peak season periods like Diwali, New Year, etc. This madness becomes a great time to sell out local brands and items with promotions and marketing. Eco-tourism doesn't sell on its own. There has to be several best practices which inspires or at least attracts tourists from across the globe. That will surely be the true indicator of local development through global involvement.


Preserve Nature, adopt a Tree.

The forsaken Trevor's Pavilion a.k.a. Polo Ground

The plight of the revered Polo Ground can be seen from the eyes of the natives of this sleepy hill station. How desperately the ground needs to be protected from the ridiculous administration policies and mismanagement is evident from the decade old lethargy towards its upkeep.

This Facebook community Mount Abu - The Abode of Gods makes sincere efforts in bringing to light some of the hidden jewels and some ignored issues at the same time.

Preserve Nature, adopt a Tree.

Support the initiative

One of the best responsible eco-tourism pags I've seen in years. Mount Abu has its own guardians and saviors. Mount Abu - the adobe of Gods tries to bring forth some relevant issues concerning travel and tourism and at the same time also allows its fans to cherish the many wonders of this tiny hill station. It truly lives the moto of responsible tourism and should be supported by all quarters of society and government agencies in its unselfish and public interest efforts towards bringing the much needed change.

Preserve Nature, adopt a Tree.

Mount Abu ignored, once again!!

In all tourism exhibitions across the globe, Rajasthan Tourism has had one distinct feature - Ignore Mount Abu. And that what it has done once again during the "Rajasthan Calling" campaign to be held across India in 22 cities. Along with the colorful embroidery and intricate handicrafts, Rajasthan also offers misty mornings and soothing waterfalls. But who will let the tourist department know? Or is it that they have some policy made which keeps Abu away from all the glory of the State?

Read more..
Preserve Nature, adopt a Tree.

No development. No Eco tourism.

"If this is to be a tourist hotspot, which it already is, it needs more infrastructural attention. Even eco-tourism requires a policy framework; it is a mistake to think that developmental neglect will spontaneously produce a pristine environment. A handsoff policy of development is not and should not be treated as a default mode for eco-tourism. Sustainable waste management, for instance, must be a central concern. Where, on an island, can thousands of plastic mineral water bottles be disposed of? Initiatives to address these concerns, channelled through the local panchayats, have yielded little so far." NG Jayal, JNU

Well said professor!! I hope someone listens and further understands the gravity of situation. Similar efforts are needed for Mount Abu too. After the notification declaring this tiny spot on the vast Aravalli range as a Eco Sensitive Zone, it becomes absolutely imperative to put money and time properly.

Read more here http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cyclone-thane-havelock-andaman-islands-eco-tourism/1/167851.html

Tale of two beauties

A tale of two towns, one in Italy and other in India. Both had a cruel end. For the sake of prosperity and in the name of sustainable development these towns today live amongst the dead, beneath water.

Graun village, Italy

The lake is called Lake Reschen and it is the largest lake in the province of South Tyrol, Italy. In 1940, the village of Graun was not able to stop a proposed artificial lake from being built in order to support a hydroelectric dam.

Due to the war, the dam wasn't finished until 1950. When it was finished, they had created a lake that was 72 ft deep and unified two other natural lakes in the area. The consequence was that 163 homes, and 523 hectares of cultivated land were lost! The most fascinating part about this is that you can still see the highest point of the town (a church tower) in the middle of the lake. You can even walk to it during the winter!

Tehri village, India

With water level of Bhagirathi reservoir rising menacingly, one can now only see the historic Clock Tower, built in 1887 in memory of Queen Victoria as well as few remnants of Old Durbar, the seat of the Tehri kingdom. These are the only few remains of what have been left in the town. Old Tehri is indeed history now.

A big lake is forming around the ruins as bewildered residents of Old Tehri gather at surrounding hills to pay last tributes to their town. “We can only mourn for our dying town,” said a despairing Shashi Chamoli, a mother of three, whose house has already sunk into the deep waters of Bhagirathi. And others, who had been settled in and around Dehra Dun, are pouring out their grief by taking out candle-light marches.

Preserve Nature, adopt a Tree.

WTF!!

So now a crowded capital city gets an Eco-City tag even before the city has done anything regarding saving the environment!!

http://www.medindia.net/news/Shimla-Selected-by-UNIDO-as-Eco-City-of-India-93284-1.htm


Preserve Nature, adopt a Tree.