Ecotourism as an Alternate Resource Utilization System in Arunachal: Contemplation

Arunachal Pradesh is basically a mountainous state with undulating landscape, heavily dense forests, rugged-rocky and inhospitable terrain. Both evergreen and temperate forests, rich in wonderful trees of high economic value, covering more than 60% of the geographical area adorn the state. The rich and diverse forest types are home to wide varieties of wild animals. In addition, the state is bestowed with numerous species of orchids, which embellish the land and the landscape. In fact, for this reason, Arunachal is recognized as one of the hotspots of bio-diversity in the world.

Even in the case of human populations, it exhibits an array of cultures & traditions and multiplicity of customs & rituals, including faith & belief system. Arunachalee society has been, by and large, a close knit, inter-woven set of communities, gregariously scattered, yet characteristically similar, only minutely different from each other and distinctly different from others. Arunachalee society, evidently, depicts an exquisite mosaic of heritage sculptured and decorated by the precious beads of quest, endeavour, and achievement of indigenous communities of Arunachal, i.e. it is an island of multi-tribes belonging to Mongoloid race with a well-established consciousness for peaceful co-existence and communal harmony, rather the Arunachalee society is a distinct entity and its existence as a community leans on its history of traditional peace & tranquility, community feeling & bonding and mutual cooperation & respect.

In nutshell, Arunachal Pradesh is endowed with the best of natural resources: extensive tracts of different types of forests ranging from lush green alpine meadows to tropical rain forests, unexplored wildlife diversity, perennially snow clad peaks, deep gorges, ecstatic waterfalls falling hundreds of meters down the cliff, beautiful valleys with alluvial plains along the banks of mighty, turbulent, majestic rivers & streams, different groups of culturally diverse groups of indigenous communities, etc. As such, it offers an endless variation of scenic beauty, and makes it ideal for development of tourism, especially adventure and eco-tourism. Evidently, it is the most picturesque tourist destination in India.

It’s, however, unfortunate that despite such enormous potential, lack of infrastructure facilities such as, transport, communication, accommodation and other tourism supported facilities, renders the most part of it out-of-bound to the tourist. It’s no wonder that Arunachal Pradesh is known as ‘Unexplored Paradise’, ‘Hidden land’, and so on. Honestly and genuinely so, Arunachal is the most backward of all the states in the country. The state is enveloped by thick cloud of poverty, illiteracy, lack of basic/minimum amenities of life, in addition to, social prejudices like excessive superstition, male-chauvinism and so on.

The indigenous communities have been practicing slash and burn form of land use system (also known as Jhum cultivation) since time immemorial. In fact, it’s the major source of livelihood of the people of this land-locked area, which otherwise is blessed with unlimited natural beauty and huge biodiversity. Of late, with the passage of time, as the population increases, the natural resources bear the burnt of it. The shifting cultivation is increasingly becoming a menace, which otherwise was a sustainable resource utilization of the tribal communities of the area earlier. With hectares of forests being under jhum cultivation all over the landscape, and consequent ever-reducing shifting cycle, the forest resource is dwindling rapidly and the natural scenery as well as the wildlife diversity is being progressively destroyed, though it’s no intentional destruction, rather a manifestation of genuine needs and inevitable evil or peril in the event of no other effective alternatives to the people. As forest resource accounting for the major portion of the state’s assets, the destruction of forest; consequently, deteriorating general quality of forest and diminishing forest cover, is pushing the state on the verge of chaotic socio-economic condition and economic bankruptcy. Thus, effective alternatives are urgently needed to avert any possible socio-economic and political upheaval.

It’s high time to harness the potential of the area to the fullest advantage of the people and also ensure the sustainability of the natural resources. Obviously, this beautiful state of Arunachal Pradesh has tremendous potential in tourism sector, as described above, particularly, eco-tourism and adventure tourism and the govt. must, therefore, capitalize on its vast natural resources for socio-economic well-being and uplift of the society. Eco-tourism is a relatively new idea which envisages ‘tourism at the door-step of nature and cultural heritage without hampering the fragile and delicate ecological balance of a site or place, yet ensure socio-economic and cultural growth and development of the locality.’ In the present world, when the emphasis and efforts are being laid and placed on sustainable resource utilization and also optimum well-being of the people, the concept of Eco-tourism is increasingly gaining popularity and in the context of Arunachal Pradesh, it’s most suitable. The eco-tourism, truly, can play a pivotal role not only in providing employment opportunity and economic well-being of the people, but also ensuring the sustainability of the resource for the posterity.

Generally, eco-tourism activity is more frequently concentrated in and on the periphery of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. It is considered primarily a subsidiary and secondary activity to assist and ensure proper, convenient and judicious management of the protected areas, in addition to generation of additional revenue from visitors and tourists to these areas. This has created an impression on general public and even some bureaucracy that eco-tourism has an individual existence and is exclusively a concern of forest department and wildlife authorities. This is but a misconception which, in turn, can prove an impediment in policy-decision and implementation of programs. Hence, holistic and pragmatic approach is essentially needed to avoid unnecessary tug-of-war among various govt. departments.

The need of the hour is to create, generate, evolve, and develop awareness, interest, entrepreneurial skill, technical know-how, infrastructure, etc., i.e. Government-sponsored, people-based and community-oriented steps should be initiated in order to involve people in this sector. The prominent NGOs, community organizations, registered societies, and so on must be engaged in evolving an atmosphere of confidence, zest and zeal for effectively propagating the information, intent, resolve, policies and programs of the govt. The focus must be on persuading, educating, as well as disseminating right through the profile of the Arunachalee society the intricacies of the eco-tourism and its potential benefits, besides, importance in the over-all development of the state, not excluding its potential threats as well. Identification of major tourist spots, potential tourist sites and other lesser-known but important places which promise eco-tourism should be done on priority basis followed by building infrastructure facilities and wooing investors, but of course keeping in view the essence and spirit of eco-tourism concept. Already, places like Tawang, Namdhapa National Park, Malinithan temple, etc. draw lot of people, though much below their actual capacity. They are second to none; they can make places like Mussorie, Corbett National Park, etc. really run for penny, but for poor infrastructure facilities. Certainly, tourism and environment & forest departments of Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh must take the lead, so that other line departments work symbiotically and in total harmony towards developing Arunachal as one of the world class or premier tourist destinations.

The govt. of Arunachal Pradesh can avail the expertise, guidance, assistance and experience of giants in tourism industry viz. Uttaranchal, Jammu & Kashmir, etc. and replicate some of them in the state as well, along with the unique characteristics of Arunachal to offer equally excellent experience of hospitality, beauty, diversity, and wilderness to tourists. States of J&K, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, other north-eastern states, more or less, depend on tourism sector. Therefore, they have a well-laid networks, well-defined tourist circuits and world-class infrastructure. However, they too are suffering from unavoidable problem of degradation and degeneration of various places due to over-influx of visitors beyond the carrying capacity of the place. These places are losing their earlier charm, and no longer attractive. In this front, the entire Arunachal Pradesh is relatively unexploited and untouched. This places Arunachal at an advantage position. Taking advantage of the changing scenario, Arunachal can, surely, be leader in the field of adventure and eco-tourism. All it needs is a bit of govt. resolve& investment, interest & investment by individuals, co-operation & commitment of the people, and rest will take care of itself.

Nevertheless, it’s not to be taken for granted that all is well with eco-tourism. No, eco-tourism is professional in nature, and thus essentially demands the spirit of entrepreneurship and attitude & aptitude of business. Scientific temperament blended with sociological approach is a necessary ingredient for the success of this form of livelihood. In other words, eco-tourism is a sophisticated system of resource utilization or management with a broad outline of sustainable development and conservation of natural and cultural heritage as well. Any wrong policy-decision or casual approach in implementation and execution of programs or measures has great implications on the socio-economic and political life of the state. Evidently, it requires a multi-disciplinary approach right from planning stage to implementation of policies and programs.

The State of Womenhood in Arunachal Pradesh in the Course of Modernization

Arunachal Pradesh is a land of numerous human civilizations: as many as 25 major tribes and several sub-tribes. Looking back to the early part of twentieth century when the indigenous communities were still fighting among themselves; more or less, ignorant of outside world and its technological advancement, and almost isolated from the rest of the human civilization, Arunachal of today is very much an integral part of the life of the mainstream in every sense of the word, and it’s no mean achievement; truly, people of the state deserve all the pat and praise. The state has, undoubtedly, been doing appreciably well in her quest to secure life, identity and respect to her people. Today, Arunachal Pradesh is also rushing towards the world of economic prosperity, social awakening and political modernity to keep herself abreast with the pace of the modern world.
Life is lot easier and comfortable now; food scarcity is no longer a serious problem; death rate has remarkably come down; transportation is available; communication has linked every soul; education is spreading, and so on. Consequently, awareness is growing, attitude shifting and life style changing. Yes, everything around us is changing, and we are ourselves fast blowing with the strong current of wind of change that it’s rather difficult and startling for us to make out our own past. We are also modern-human. This is a good news.
Most of the villages have no access to basic amenities of life; many places are yet to see link roads; electricity, education and medical facilities are far-cry for all, except for handful of rich and affluence; poverty, starvation and hardships abundant; ignorance, evils, superstition, and male-chauvinism persist. Life is all the same as ever. Age-old property regime, resource utilization pattern, conservation values, and socio-economic-political structure are respectively giving way to altogether new, unsustainable, unviable and complicated set of systems in the guise of modernization, which our people are inadequately proficient at. That is to say, as we roll down the rough terrain of development and progress, the social dilemma and economic anxiety are alarmingly lurking and following us at every step. This results in, I’m sure, imbalance resource allocation, non-judicious resource exploitation, and so lopsided economic progress. As it is so, we are embarking on the path to serious economic inequality and social disarray.

These stark realities haunt the state. While the former reflects the situations in scattered emerging urban areas, mostly, the district or block headquarters of the state, the latter depicts the gloomy realities of the majority of the rural areas. Certainly, the rays of change have arrived on the door of the state, but they are yet to illuminate and enlighten the rest of the state. The society is moving ahead, yet the over-all state of affairs of the state is miserably the same.

Womenfolk in our state, as elsewhere across the world, have always or mostly been subject to discrimination and subjugation by the menfolk and the community alike. Women, as a whole, have been considered as lesser-being; they were, rather viewed as an object of exploitation or commodity. While women deal the majority of the burden of work from household chores to livestock care and agricultural activities in the field, besides reproduction, this very fact is ignored, rather deliberately. Their position in the family has been meticulously and deliberately destroyed through repeated disrespect, vilification and oppression to strengthen and consolidate the position of the men. Arunachal women have not only been bearing, enduring and persevering all the hardships of natural life, but they also have accepted biased, inhumane and cowardice social-evils, predominantly male-centric, as their fate. They have learnt, over the ages, to sip this soup of poison without any protest or without any success, even if they ever dared to do so. It isn’t that our womenfolk are inherently weak and meek. It’s just that years of neglect and exploitation by menfolk and the community have made them too submissive and accordingly, voluntarily indifferent to conditions around. As a result of their submissive and voluntary indifferent attitude, they have receded further back and miseries have befallen on them with lot more cruelty.
Now, the picture is taking turn. With education, awareness and understanding of human values are spreading. Therefore, people are realizing the ill-effects of male-chauvinism and social discrimination against their own women. Menfolk are gradually becoming liberal and rational like never before. Modern views and knowledge of equality, liberty and freedom are steadily making in-roads into the realm of deep-seated male-chauvinism. This change of mind among menfolk is, however, not out of genuine conviction and commitment to give the woman community its share of position, equality and respect; this change of heart is not about generous compassion and enlightenment among menfolk, but only a reflection of circumstantial consequences. That is to say, as we see the shift in the mentality of menfolk of Arunachal, it isn’t to be misunderstood with the broadmindedness or big-heartedness of our menfolk. This new-found romance or love among menfolk for human values is a delicate association, and entirely inevitable co-incidence between progress of human mind and development of humankind or civilization.
Modernization and education system have brought about realization among women population about their strength. Women of Arunachal Pradesh are also coming forward and moving ahead, hand-in-hand with their menfolk. Their aspirations, buried for years within the depth of their hearts, are gradually arriving on the horizon of practical reality, and are impatiently flowing and steadily galloping towards ultimate accomplishment. Yes, they ridicule social compulsions on them as their fate, which are excessively tilted in favor of menfolk to sustain the dominance of men on women; they no longer prefer playing second-fiddle to their men, rather they are all set to create their own niche.

With woman empowerment round the corner of the state, women folk are tremendously enthusiastic. They are becoming ever more curious about equality, liberty, freedom, welfare, standard of living and so on. Their energy is all directed towards acquiring, even snatching, their rights: right to optimal living, right to respect and regards and the like. It’s all but obvious, if the ages of their hardships are taken into account.

In this process of change (both men’s attitude and women’s outlook to life), undesirable effects too raise their heads. In the case of women empowerment, it has been interpreted in different ways. Therefore, confusion and misunderstanding are unavoidable. This is what is exactly happening in our state. While women empowerment is a mere gimmick for various political organizations, it is a bread and butter for several NGOs, dedicated to women cause more in name than any worth of it. In addition, the womenfolk and numerous women organizations themselves are not sure enough of what it is really all about. As such, the bigger hurdle comes at this point itself. To me, it seems that Arunachal women of today (Young generation) consider women empowerment to be infinite independence and boundless freedom, which I believe is a dangerous precedence of inevitable chaos and suffering for women as a whole, not excluding more exploitation by men, and a potential threat to the very fabric of traditional tribal societal life.

In my personal opinion, women empowerment is more about opportunities and responsibilities to women at par with men. Hence, it means allowing enough space to women to develop their personality and pursue their own aspirations; their share in decision making process. They deserve not only respect and regards, but also love, care and affection.
Having said so, I must admit that life of womenfolk is more or less the same. In most of the rural areas, social taboos are as usual; of course, the tide is turning in scattered budding urban areas of Arunachal. To conclude, let me sum up the two realities of the existing womanhood in Arunachal as follows: “Likes of Ms. Jarjum Ete, Ms. Mamang Dai and Ms. Biny Maya belong to the lot of liberated modern women representing the aspirations and emerging power of evolving womanhood in Arunachal, while more than half the womenfolk like my mother are still languishing under the drudgery of male-chauvinism, who have no voice of their own, but merely moving shadows of their men.”