Yesterday when I opened my eyes I wanted to see or at least expected to see something special, something new, something that one would love to be a part of if he/she is in Mount Abu. Because it was the World Tourism Day and Mount Abu being the only hill station of this tourist friendly State, my hopes were justified. Being the only hill station frequented by tourists from both Gujarat and Rajasthan, I thought the tourism department and also we, the locals, would try to make it a memorable day for all and sundry. Even foreign tourists would love to be a part of such celebrations. Except for welcoming tourists at the entry point by a few authorities, which otherwise should be done everyday, nothing happened at all.
But like any other day of the year, the World Tourism Day also passed away without any special activity, neither from the tourism department nor from the locals. It turned out to be the saddest day for this town. I call it “the saddest day” for the reason that a town of hardy 25,000 inhabitants, of which almost every household depending on tourism-related activity all year long, tourism definitely affects them more than the 26/11 attacks, or the Ayodhya judgment or even the CWG games would. Then why are we so lethargic?
On 27th September, 1970, when the United Nations World Tourism Organization adopted its statute, it was decided that this day would be dedicated to all those people who willingly serve others to bring a difference in their lives by making them feel special, even if it is only for a day at times. This day we celebrate Tourism. And for a country like ours, which have seen foreign tourist arrivals increasing every year, there are always enough reasons to make this day memorable.
At a time when all eyes are on India as a Commonwealth nation and the way it is preparing itself for the big event, one would have hardly thought about another national event which comes every year, the World Tourism Day. The Games officials and Governments have much more to worry about then a nondescript day like this one. But my worry is limited to my hometown. After the Supreme Court had declared Mount Abu an eco-sensitive zone nothing much has changed from tourism perspective. The locals had to face the wrath of municipal officials who were more interested in making their lives miserable instead of clinging on this once in a lifetime opportunity and making most of it by providing means of livelihood and recognizing more eco friendly ways of developing Mount Abu as an eco tourism tourist destination. A few weeks ago India won a couple of international tourism awards for some of its projects on rural and eco tourism. A well deserved recognition for a biologically diverse country like ours. But it didn’t make me proud because when I saw the same insensitive approach of the Government towards environment friendly development of this lone hill station which still survives only on tourism industry, there was more of rage and dismay within than pride and happiness.
Preserve Nature, adopt a Tree.
