Kurukshetra Magazine April 2024 - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 2


3 Kurukshetra       April  2024
A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 6 | Pages 52 | April 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ?? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? t hiruvananthapuram - Press 
Road, Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. 
Towers, Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, 
Bengaluru - 560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 
(0612-2675823) ? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, Sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) 
? Ahmedabad - Sales Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, 
Ashram Road, Ahmedabad Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669) 
CHiEf EDitor  
Kulshrestha Kamal
SEnior EDitor  
Sukhchain Singh
SuB EDitor  
Akshit Malik
Joint DirEC tor (ProDuC tion)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
Co VEr DESiGn 
Neeraj Ridlaan
EDitoriAL offiCE 
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals unit  
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAx: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
22 Postal Heritage
Converting Postal Heritage into 
Tourist Attractions
Rashi Sharma
Crafting Rural Cultural Trails 
through Tourism
Hemanth Menon
28
5
Rural Tourism
Catalysing the Multifold 
Developments in Rural India
Dr. Kamakshi Maheshwari
Mr. Chandradeep Singh
11 Redefining Tourism
Festivals, Cuisine, and Music  
of Northeast India
Dr. Tapati Baruah Kashyap
17
Amenitisation of Rural India  
for Nature Tourism
Prof. (Dr.) Virendra Kumar Paul
34
Blooming J&K Tourism
Towards Growth and Development
Irtif Lone
40 Rural Fairs & Festivals
Dr. Suyash Yadav
46 Different Hues of Rural Tourism
Page 3


3 Kurukshetra       April  2024
A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 6 | Pages 52 | April 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ?? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? t hiruvananthapuram - Press 
Road, Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. 
Towers, Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, 
Bengaluru - 560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 
(0612-2675823) ? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, Sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) 
? Ahmedabad - Sales Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, 
Ashram Road, Ahmedabad Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669) 
CHiEf EDitor  
Kulshrestha Kamal
SEnior EDitor  
Sukhchain Singh
SuB EDitor  
Akshit Malik
Joint DirEC tor (ProDuC tion)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
Co VEr DESiGn 
Neeraj Ridlaan
EDitoriAL offiCE 
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals unit  
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAx: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
22 Postal Heritage
Converting Postal Heritage into 
Tourist Attractions
Rashi Sharma
Crafting Rural Cultural Trails 
through Tourism
Hemanth Menon
28
5
Rural Tourism
Catalysing the Multifold 
Developments in Rural India
Dr. Kamakshi Maheshwari
Mr. Chandradeep Singh
11 Redefining Tourism
Festivals, Cuisine, and Music  
of Northeast India
Dr. Tapati Baruah Kashyap
17
Amenitisation of Rural India  
for Nature Tourism
Prof. (Dr.) Virendra Kumar Paul
34
Blooming J&K Tourism
Towards Growth and Development
Irtif Lone
40 Rural Fairs & Festivals
Dr. Suyash Yadav
46 Different Hues of Rural Tourism
4 Kurukshetra       April  2024
In India the Rural tourism has immense potential to support local economies and preserve the 
local cultures while experiencing the authentic and traditional lifestyle of rural communities. The 
rural tourism has certain typical characteristics that it is experience oriented, the locations are less 
populated and mostly dominated by natural environment, it meshes with local events and seasons 
and most importantly it is based on preservation of culture, heritage and traditions. It is a form of 
tourism that goes beyond city breaks and popular tourist attractions.
This issue of Kurukshetra looks into the role and potential of tourism in the socio-economic 
development and regeneration of rural areas. All the articles in this issue touch upon the different 
aspects of Rural Tourism. The article ‘ Amenitisation of Rural India for Nature Tourism’ discusses 
that how we can make the Nature Tourism more popular in India by providing enabling amenities 
in villages in the form of Affirmatory, Supportive and Value adding amenities like basic healthcare, 
sanitation, digital service, travel connectivity, hospitality skill set and village Kutir udhyam etc.
Article ‘Crafting rural cultural trails through tourism’ delves into the idea of opening up 
the rural cultural heritage trails ranging from exquisite handloom weaves to vibrant music passed 
through the generations of rural India. When local festivals and dances of rural India are built by 
local community in local environment, it gives genuine feeling and immense pleasure to the tourist as 
well to the local community. 
As Rural tourism in India is emerging as a catalyst for economic growth and community 
empowerment, the government is focusing on developing the border and far flung areas to sustain 
rural tourism aiming at the well-being and empowerment of local communities. The article ‘Rural 
Tourism: Catalyzing the multifold Development in Rural India’ focuses on how the Government 
efforts are fostering economic growth of these areas while preserving the cultural and traditional 
values of rural India. 
Rural Fairs and festivals are the mainstay of rural tourism which delivers economic and social-
cultural benefits to the country. The article ‘Rural Fairs and festivals’ encompasses the role and 
importance of festivals in reinvigorating the heritage, sustaining Indian arts and facilitating rural 
produce while enhancing the economy.
Touching upon the unusual aspect of the subject, the article ‘Converting Postal Heritage into 
Tourist Attractions’ suggests that how the colonial era postal heritage buildings can be converted 
into museums or tourist attractions turning them revenue earners which can be used for maintenance 
of these heritage buildings thus opening more vistas for tourism.
Rural areas often lack basic amenities such as good roads, electricity, and healthcare facilities, 
which can deter tourists from visiting. So adequate infrastructure is as much necessary for enhancing 
rural tourism as the preservation of culture, heritage and traditions. There are also possible chances 
of negative impacts of environmental pollution, displacement of locals and large carbon footprints 
due to unbridled infrastructure development and unhindered expansion of rural tourism. However 
an integrated and sustainable approach which is so crucial to rural tourism can help avoid damage to 
the resource on which it depends.                                                                                                           ?
Page 4


3 Kurukshetra       April  2024
A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 6 | Pages 52 | April 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ?? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? t hiruvananthapuram - Press 
Road, Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. 
Towers, Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, 
Bengaluru - 560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 
(0612-2675823) ? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, Sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) 
? Ahmedabad - Sales Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, 
Ashram Road, Ahmedabad Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669) 
CHiEf EDitor  
Kulshrestha Kamal
SEnior EDitor  
Sukhchain Singh
SuB EDitor  
Akshit Malik
Joint DirEC tor (ProDuC tion)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
Co VEr DESiGn 
Neeraj Ridlaan
EDitoriAL offiCE 
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals unit  
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAx: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
22 Postal Heritage
Converting Postal Heritage into 
Tourist Attractions
Rashi Sharma
Crafting Rural Cultural Trails 
through Tourism
Hemanth Menon
28
5
Rural Tourism
Catalysing the Multifold 
Developments in Rural India
Dr. Kamakshi Maheshwari
Mr. Chandradeep Singh
11 Redefining Tourism
Festivals, Cuisine, and Music  
of Northeast India
Dr. Tapati Baruah Kashyap
17
Amenitisation of Rural India  
for Nature Tourism
Prof. (Dr.) Virendra Kumar Paul
34
Blooming J&K Tourism
Towards Growth and Development
Irtif Lone
40 Rural Fairs & Festivals
Dr. Suyash Yadav
46 Different Hues of Rural Tourism
4 Kurukshetra       April  2024
In India the Rural tourism has immense potential to support local economies and preserve the 
local cultures while experiencing the authentic and traditional lifestyle of rural communities. The 
rural tourism has certain typical characteristics that it is experience oriented, the locations are less 
populated and mostly dominated by natural environment, it meshes with local events and seasons 
and most importantly it is based on preservation of culture, heritage and traditions. It is a form of 
tourism that goes beyond city breaks and popular tourist attractions.
This issue of Kurukshetra looks into the role and potential of tourism in the socio-economic 
development and regeneration of rural areas. All the articles in this issue touch upon the different 
aspects of Rural Tourism. The article ‘ Amenitisation of Rural India for Nature Tourism’ discusses 
that how we can make the Nature Tourism more popular in India by providing enabling amenities 
in villages in the form of Affirmatory, Supportive and Value adding amenities like basic healthcare, 
sanitation, digital service, travel connectivity, hospitality skill set and village Kutir udhyam etc.
Article ‘Crafting rural cultural trails through tourism’ delves into the idea of opening up 
the rural cultural heritage trails ranging from exquisite handloom weaves to vibrant music passed 
through the generations of rural India. When local festivals and dances of rural India are built by 
local community in local environment, it gives genuine feeling and immense pleasure to the tourist as 
well to the local community. 
As Rural tourism in India is emerging as a catalyst for economic growth and community 
empowerment, the government is focusing on developing the border and far flung areas to sustain 
rural tourism aiming at the well-being and empowerment of local communities. The article ‘Rural 
Tourism: Catalyzing the multifold Development in Rural India’ focuses on how the Government 
efforts are fostering economic growth of these areas while preserving the cultural and traditional 
values of rural India. 
Rural Fairs and festivals are the mainstay of rural tourism which delivers economic and social-
cultural benefits to the country. The article ‘Rural Fairs and festivals’ encompasses the role and 
importance of festivals in reinvigorating the heritage, sustaining Indian arts and facilitating rural 
produce while enhancing the economy.
Touching upon the unusual aspect of the subject, the article ‘Converting Postal Heritage into 
Tourist Attractions’ suggests that how the colonial era postal heritage buildings can be converted 
into museums or tourist attractions turning them revenue earners which can be used for maintenance 
of these heritage buildings thus opening more vistas for tourism.
Rural areas often lack basic amenities such as good roads, electricity, and healthcare facilities, 
which can deter tourists from visiting. So adequate infrastructure is as much necessary for enhancing 
rural tourism as the preservation of culture, heritage and traditions. There are also possible chances 
of negative impacts of environmental pollution, displacement of locals and large carbon footprints 
due to unbridled infrastructure development and unhindered expansion of rural tourism. However 
an integrated and sustainable approach which is so crucial to rural tourism can help avoid damage to 
the resource on which it depends.                                                                                                           ?
Rural tourism in India is emerging as a catalyst for economic growth and community 
empowerment. Government initiatives, competitions, and international recognition, 
such as UNWTO awards, spotlight successful models like Pochampally and Dhordo. 
The Vibrant Village Program focuses on comprehensive development in border areas, 
and capacity-building efforts aim to sustain rural tourism, fostering collaboration and 
resilience for the well-being of local communities.
Rural Tourism
Catalysing the Multifold Developments in Rural India
* Dr. Kamakshi Maheshwari
** Mr. Chandradeep Singh 
* The author is Nodal Officer , Central Nodal Agency Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India,
Assistant Professor , Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management. Email: kamakshi.maheshwari@iittm.ac.in
** The author is Manager , Central Nodal Agency Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
ural tourism is tourism that happens 
in the countryside or a rural area. 
However, it has been noted that the 
concept of rural tourism is much 
more diverse when it is dismantled 
to the elemental level. Superficially, the elemental level 
of rural tourism consists of the area that concerns the 
land use pattern, economy of the area, involvement of 
the community, undisturbed development of the area, 
and its traditional and cultural identity. 
As a practice the initiation of rural tourism at 
the global level dates back to the beginning of the 
nineteenth century, when the countryside started 
appealing to tourists as a result of rapid expansion in the 
industrialisation in the cities. Since the 1980’s after the 
World Commission on Environment and Development’s 
R
Page 5


3 Kurukshetra       April  2024
A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 6 | Pages 52 | April 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ?? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? t hiruvananthapuram - Press 
Road, Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. 
Towers, Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, 
Bengaluru - 560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 
(0612-2675823) ? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, Sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) 
? Ahmedabad - Sales Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, 
Ashram Road, Ahmedabad Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669) 
CHiEf EDitor  
Kulshrestha Kamal
SEnior EDitor  
Sukhchain Singh
SuB EDitor  
Akshit Malik
Joint DirEC tor (ProDuC tion)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
Co VEr DESiGn 
Neeraj Ridlaan
EDitoriAL offiCE 
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals unit  
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAx: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
22 Postal Heritage
Converting Postal Heritage into 
Tourist Attractions
Rashi Sharma
Crafting Rural Cultural Trails 
through Tourism
Hemanth Menon
28
5
Rural Tourism
Catalysing the Multifold 
Developments in Rural India
Dr. Kamakshi Maheshwari
Mr. Chandradeep Singh
11 Redefining Tourism
Festivals, Cuisine, and Music  
of Northeast India
Dr. Tapati Baruah Kashyap
17
Amenitisation of Rural India  
for Nature Tourism
Prof. (Dr.) Virendra Kumar Paul
34
Blooming J&K Tourism
Towards Growth and Development
Irtif Lone
40 Rural Fairs & Festivals
Dr. Suyash Yadav
46 Different Hues of Rural Tourism
4 Kurukshetra       April  2024
In India the Rural tourism has immense potential to support local economies and preserve the 
local cultures while experiencing the authentic and traditional lifestyle of rural communities. The 
rural tourism has certain typical characteristics that it is experience oriented, the locations are less 
populated and mostly dominated by natural environment, it meshes with local events and seasons 
and most importantly it is based on preservation of culture, heritage and traditions. It is a form of 
tourism that goes beyond city breaks and popular tourist attractions.
This issue of Kurukshetra looks into the role and potential of tourism in the socio-economic 
development and regeneration of rural areas. All the articles in this issue touch upon the different 
aspects of Rural Tourism. The article ‘ Amenitisation of Rural India for Nature Tourism’ discusses 
that how we can make the Nature Tourism more popular in India by providing enabling amenities 
in villages in the form of Affirmatory, Supportive and Value adding amenities like basic healthcare, 
sanitation, digital service, travel connectivity, hospitality skill set and village Kutir udhyam etc.
Article ‘Crafting rural cultural trails through tourism’ delves into the idea of opening up 
the rural cultural heritage trails ranging from exquisite handloom weaves to vibrant music passed 
through the generations of rural India. When local festivals and dances of rural India are built by 
local community in local environment, it gives genuine feeling and immense pleasure to the tourist as 
well to the local community. 
As Rural tourism in India is emerging as a catalyst for economic growth and community 
empowerment, the government is focusing on developing the border and far flung areas to sustain 
rural tourism aiming at the well-being and empowerment of local communities. The article ‘Rural 
Tourism: Catalyzing the multifold Development in Rural India’ focuses on how the Government 
efforts are fostering economic growth of these areas while preserving the cultural and traditional 
values of rural India. 
Rural Fairs and festivals are the mainstay of rural tourism which delivers economic and social-
cultural benefits to the country. The article ‘Rural Fairs and festivals’ encompasses the role and 
importance of festivals in reinvigorating the heritage, sustaining Indian arts and facilitating rural 
produce while enhancing the economy.
Touching upon the unusual aspect of the subject, the article ‘Converting Postal Heritage into 
Tourist Attractions’ suggests that how the colonial era postal heritage buildings can be converted 
into museums or tourist attractions turning them revenue earners which can be used for maintenance 
of these heritage buildings thus opening more vistas for tourism.
Rural areas often lack basic amenities such as good roads, electricity, and healthcare facilities, 
which can deter tourists from visiting. So adequate infrastructure is as much necessary for enhancing 
rural tourism as the preservation of culture, heritage and traditions. There are also possible chances 
of negative impacts of environmental pollution, displacement of locals and large carbon footprints 
due to unbridled infrastructure development and unhindered expansion of rural tourism. However 
an integrated and sustainable approach which is so crucial to rural tourism can help avoid damage to 
the resource on which it depends.                                                                                                           ?
Rural tourism in India is emerging as a catalyst for economic growth and community 
empowerment. Government initiatives, competitions, and international recognition, 
such as UNWTO awards, spotlight successful models like Pochampally and Dhordo. 
The Vibrant Village Program focuses on comprehensive development in border areas, 
and capacity-building efforts aim to sustain rural tourism, fostering collaboration and 
resilience for the well-being of local communities.
Rural Tourism
Catalysing the Multifold Developments in Rural India
* Dr. Kamakshi Maheshwari
** Mr. Chandradeep Singh 
* The author is Nodal Officer , Central Nodal Agency Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India,
Assistant Professor , Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management. Email: kamakshi.maheshwari@iittm.ac.in
** The author is Manager , Central Nodal Agency Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
ural tourism is tourism that happens 
in the countryside or a rural area. 
However, it has been noted that the 
concept of rural tourism is much 
more diverse when it is dismantled 
to the elemental level. Superficially, the elemental level 
of rural tourism consists of the area that concerns the 
land use pattern, economy of the area, involvement of 
the community, undisturbed development of the area, 
and its traditional and cultural identity. 
As a practice the initiation of rural tourism at 
the global level dates back to the beginning of the 
nineteenth century, when the countryside started 
appealing to tourists as a result of rapid expansion in the 
industrialisation in the cities. Since the 1980’s after the 
World Commission on Environment and Development’s 
R
6 Kurukshetra       April  2024
report on ‘Our Common Future’ and the adoption of the 
Millenium Development Goals in 2000 rural tourism has 
been seen as the tool for the regeneration of the rural 
economy and development by the developed as well as 
the developing nations. 
Rural tourism in India is still in a nascent stage, 
emerging as a niche sector within the broader tourism 
industry. A significant portion of India is rural, with a 
substantial population residing in these rural areas, 
remaining untrodden to take tourists on a stroll to 
showcase glimpses of the authentic essence of India. 
Fostering the growth of the rural economy by creating 
employment opportunities. 
India’s villages serve as a storehouse of the nation’s 
rich culture, traditions, crafts, heritage, and agricultural 
practices. Harnessing the potential of these local 
elements through tourism cannot only generate income 
but also create job opportunities in rural regions. This 
approach is empowering local communities, youth, and 
women. Moreover, it contributes to mitigating distress 
migration from rural areas, addressing poverty, and 
promoting sustainable development.
Realising the Potential 
In India, one of the first mentions of rural tourism 
can be seen in the tenth five-year plan (2002 - 2007). 
However, rural tourism was first prioritised through 
the eleventh five-year plan (2007 - 2012) by providing 
infrastructural development in these areas as the new 
form of tourism. Within the specific time frame, out of 
the total 1003 projects 65 were specifically sanctioned 
for rural tourism.  
The twelfth five-year plan (2012 - 2017) tries to 
embrace the opportunities and opening the avenues 
for the development of the niche areas of tourism like 
medical tourism and rural tourism. 
Strategising the Way Forward 
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for 
promoting and developing rural tourism in India has 
formulated two strategies. 
The National Strategy and Roadmap for the 
Development of Rural Tourism in India and the National 
Strategy for the Promotion of Rural Homestays in India. 
Both strategies are formulated with a broader vision 
to capitalise on the potential of Indian rural tourism. 
The strategies focus on the holistic approach for 
developing rural tourism uplifting the rural economy 
alongside. To deliver the multifold benefits of rural 
tourism the strategies are based on several major key 
strategic pillars: 
I. Benchmarking of state policies and best practices
II. Digital technologies and platforms for rural tourism 
III. Developing clusters for rural tourism 
IV. Marketing support for rural tourism 
V. Capacity building of stakeholders 
VI. Governance and Institutional Framework
The Ministry of Tourism to bust the predicament 
lying in the rural areas for strategic development 
has formulated strategies focussing on providing 
multidimensional developmental opportunities 
like secondary forms of occupation, training and 
development, infrastructural development, reverse 
migration and opportunity generation, etc. 
For the effective implementation of the National 
strategies and the providing support for promotion and 
development of Rural Tourism in the country Ministry 
of Tourism has designated Indian Institute of Tourism 
and Travel Management as the Central Nodal Agency 
for Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay.
Rural Tourism for Community Empowerment & 
Poverty Alleviation
Tourism is an industry with no boundaries. Nations 
are working in harmony to reap the benefits of tourism. 
World’s largest economies came together in the form of 
G-20. Among the discussions on the numerous horizons 
the first Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting held at 
Rann of Kutch with the special focus on Rural Tourism. 
The first side event of the first TWG meeting was on the 
Rural Tourism for Community Empowerment & Poverty 
Alleviation. The discussions at this global level event 
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Rann Utsav, Dhordo, Gujarat