Identification and development of ecotourism opportunities for strengthening livelihood base in Okhhamandal, Gujarat
Student name: Ms Monica Simha
Guide: Dr Sapna Narula
Year of completion: 2015
Host Organisation: TATA Chemicals Limited Business Sustainability, Mithapur, Gujarat
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Arnab Ghosh
Abstract: Gujarat Government has created an environment very conducive to investment in tourism. The immense potential in terms of beaches, wildlife, bird watching, historical monuments stands testimony to it.
TATA Chemicals Society for Rural Development (TCSRD) was set up in 1980 by TATA Chemicals Ltd to fulfil its social commitment to the communities and its facility at Mithapur in Gujarat. TCSRD works to protect and nurture rural population around TCL’s facilities and helps people achieve self-sufficiency in Natural Resource Management, provides livelihood support and helps in improving the quality of life by providing health, education and infrastructure support in addition to development and implementation of programs tailored to minimize ecological and geological impact on the regions around TCL.
My project was based in the Okhamandal region. Okhamandal is a peninsula bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and Gulf of Kutch on the north and the east, featuring wetlands, islands, beaches, coral reefs, heritage monuments and temples. It comprises of 3 towns and 39 villages. The project involved a field visit of all the villages and identify out of them potential Eco-tourism sites. The potential was assessed based on landscape characteristics, culture resource potential, tourism benefit and vegetation characteristics. On analysis of the potential, various activities were decided, keeping in mind the viability, minimum environmental damage and community involvement. A capital budgeting was carried out to propose the cost of the entire project.
Although the project was focussed on tourism, a sustainable model was required. The community based approach to Eco-tourism was incorporated which integrated the Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Livelihood teams of TCSRD.
