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Rural Tourism

Context

Rural Tourism and Rural Homestays (CNA – RT and RH) under the Ministry of Tourism has identified six niche experiences for tourists wanting to visit rural India, including agritourism, art and culture, ecotourism, wildlife, tribal tourism, and homestays.

• The Ministry of Tourism is also working on launching the State assessment and ranking criteria to help foster competition and reach the overarching objectives of promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.

What are the Key Points of the Move?

• Objective:
  • The push aims at sustainability, avoiding large-scale infrastructure development.
  • It aims to rope in local resources and communities to provide a unique organic experience and bolster employment opportunities in villages.
  • The Ministry of Tourism is in the process of formulating a budget, with certain training modules at district levels being 100% centrally financed, and other aspects being 60% Centre and 40% State financed.
• Village Clusters:
  • Clusters of five to seven villages will be identified in close proximity.
  • A cluster will offer more tourist attractions than rural tourism projects of individual villages separated by long distances.
  • It can also aid in the marketing of local products of a group of villages through craft bazaars.

What is the Concept of Rural Tourism?

• About:
  • Rural tourism in India is a form of tourism that focuses on exploring and experiencing the rural lifestyle and culture.
  • It involves traveling to rural areas and participating in various activities such as farming, handicrafts, and village walks, to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and way of life.
    • For instance, Tamil Nadu’s Kolukkumalai is the highest tea plantation in the world; Kerala’s Dewalokam is a yoga centre on the banks of a river; Nagaland’s Konyak Tea retreat takes visitors on a trip through tribal culture etc.
• Scope:
  • India's rural tourism potential lies in its diverse and vibrant culture, handicrafts, folk arts, festivals, and fairs.
  • U.S.-based market research firm Grand View Research estimates that agritourism alone will develop at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.4% from 2022 to 2030.
• Significance:
  • Not only can rural tourism revitalize local art and crafts and prevent viable traditional occupations from being displaced, it will also help redevelop rural areas and rejuvenate rural life, create jobs and new business opportunities.
• Benefits:
  • Reduce out-migration, Increase alternative business opportunities
  • Increase entrepreneurial scopes
  • Helps in poverty alleviation.
  • Community empowerment
  • Art and Crafts sale
  • Heritage Preservation

What are the Challenges for Rural Tourism in India

• Lack of Infrastructure:
  • Rural areas often lack basic amenities such as good roads, electricity, and healthcare facilities, which can deter tourists from visiting.
  • Inadequate infrastructure can also make it difficult for local communities to provide quality services to visitors.
• Limited Awareness:
  • Lack of awareness about rural tourism among tourists and local communities can hinder its growth.
  • Many people are unaware of the potential of rural areas as tourist destinations and the benefits that tourism can bring to local communities.
• Low Income and Unemployment:
  • Rural areas often suffer from low-income levels and high unemployment rates.
  • This can make it difficult for local communities to invest in tourism infrastructure and provide quality services to visitors.
• Threat to Ecology:
  • Rural tourism has the potential to have a negative impact on the environment and local communities if not managed properly.
  • Overcrowding, pollution, and destruction of natural habitats can harm the local ecology and culture, which can deter visitors in the long run.
• Safety Concerns:
  • Rural areas can be perceived as unsafe by tourists due to a lack of proper security arrangements, which can make it difficult for them to enjoy their experience and create a negative image of the destination.

What are the Related Initiatives?

• The Government is exploring organic agriculture areas developed under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCD-NER) for development as rural tourist spots.
• Best Tourism Village Competition Portal was launched recently to select the best tourism village from across the country, and also to promote rural tourism in the country
  • The ‘Best Tourism Village Competition’ will be held in three stages, and will seek entries at district level, state level and finally at the national level.
• The Ministry of Tourism has launched Visit India Year 2023, focusing on inbound travel to India, to highlight varied tourism offerings of our country and showcase them to the global tourists.
• PRASHAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual and Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2015.
  • Till date, under PRASHAD scheme, a total of 45 projects for an amount of Rs.1586.10 Crore have been sanctioned.
• Swadesh Darshan scheme in 2014-15 with focus on integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
  • 76 projects were sanctioned for an amount of Rs.5315.59 Crore under various themes such as eco, heritage, Himalayan, coastal theme etc.

Way Forward

• The rural tourist destinations should be specific and near to places where people usually visit.
• Accessibility to destinations should be the first criteria for selection of destinations to be developed for rural tourism.
• Advertising the destinations will help artisans to sell their products better and proper marketing of the project is required to increase tourists.
• The income generated from tourism can be utilized in preserving ethnic forms of art, dance and folk songs. It will safeguard rural people’s interests and will reduce the pressure to earn a living miles away from their homes.

ASI Discovers 1,300-yr-old Buddhist Stupa

Context

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found a 1,300-year-old stupa in the middle of a mining site in Odisha’s Jajpur district from where Khondalite stones were excavated for the project around the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

About

• The stupa could be 4.5 meters tall and initial assessment showed it may belong to the 7th or 8th century.
• The newly discovered stupa was possibly disfigured in an earlier period. The ASI would now attempt to fully retrieve the structure’s archaeological heritage, restore it to its original form and undertake the protection of the site.

Khondalite Stones

• Khondalite is a foliated metamorphic rock. In India, it is also called Bezwada Gneiss and Kailasa Gneiss. It was named after the Khond tribe of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh because well-formed examples of the rock were found in the inhabited hills of these regions of eastern India.
• Khondalite stones were supplied for the beautification project around the 12th Century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
• Khondalite stones were widely used in ancient temple complexes, all the heritage projects in Puri will be developed by using the Khondalite stones to maintain the Kalinga architectural style.

Stupas in Buddhism

• Stupa is a commemorative monument usually housing sacred relics associated with the Buddha or other saintly persons.
• It is a hemispherical structure, with a spire at the top, sometimes situated on a base that varies in shape and size.
• Buddhist stupas were originally built to house the earthly remains of the historical Buddha and his associates and are almost invariably found at sites sacred to Buddhism. 
• The Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, is the most famous and best-preserved early stupa in India.
• Types of stupas: Stupas are classified based on form and function into five types:
  • Relic stupa: Relics or remains of the Buddha, his disciples, and lay saints are buried.
  • Object stupa: Objects belonged to the Buddha or his disciples, such as a begging bowl or robe, or important Buddhist scriptures.
  • Commemorative stupa: Built to commemorate events in the lives of Buddha or his disciples.
  • Symbolic stupa: To symbolise aspects of Buddhist theology.
  • Votive stupa: Constructed to commemorate visits or to gain spiritual benefits, usually at the site of prominent stupas which are regularly visited.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• ASI is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation under the Ministry of Culture. 
• Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance is the prime concern of the ASI. 
• It regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, of 1958. It also regulates the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, of 1972.

Dickinsonia Fossil

Context

A Dickinsonia fossil found at Bhimbetka, previously believed to be one of the world’s earliest animals, and has been identified as a decayed beehive.

About Bhimbetka

• The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site in central India that spans the prehistoric Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, as well as the historic period.
• It exhibits the earliest traces of human life in India and evidence of Stone Age starting at the site in Acheulian times.
• It is located in the Raisen District in Madhya Pradesh about 45 kilometres (28 mi) south-east of Bhopal.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of seven hills and over 750 rock shelters distributed over 10 km (6.2 mi).
• At least some of the shelters were inhabited more than 100,000 years ago.
• Some of the Bhimbetka rock shelters feature prehistoric cave paintings and the earliest are about 10,000 years old (c. 8,000 BCE), corresponding to the Indian Mesolithic.
• These cave paintings show themes such as animals, early evidence of dance and hunting.
• The Bhimbetka rock shelters were found by V S Wakankar 64 years ago. Since then, thousands of researchers have visited the site, but this rare fossil went undetected.

What is Dickinsonia?

• Dickinsonia is an extinct genus of basal animal that lived during the late Ediacaran period in what is now Australia, Russia and Ukraine.
• The individual Dickinsonia typically resembles a bilaterally symmetrical ribbed oval.
• Its affinities are presently unknown; its mode of growth is consistent with a stem-group bilaterian affinity, though some have suggested that it belongs to the fungi or even an “extinct kingdom”.
• The discovery of cholesterol molecules in fossils of Dickinsonia lends support to the idea that Dickinsonia was an animal.

Cambrian Explosion and Dickinsonia

• The ‘Cambrian Explosion’ is the term given to the period of time in history when complex animals and other macroscopic organisms such as molluscs, worms, arthropods and sponges began to dominate the fossil record.
• Researchers from Australian found the Dickinsonia fossil since its tissue contained molecules of cholesterol a type of fat that is the hallmark of animal life.

Keeladi findings

Context

• Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has presented a report on the findings at the Sangam-era site of Keeladi and their significance.

About

• Keeladi is a village in south Tamil Nadu along the Vaigai river near the temple city of Madurai.

Findings:

• In the eight rounds of excavations, over 18,000 artifacts have been unearthed from the site. 
  • Over 120 potsherds containing Tamil Brahmi inscriptions have been found.
  • Spindle whorls, copper needles, terracotta seal, hanging stones of the yarn, terracotta spheres and earthen vessels to hold liquid suggest various stages of a weaving industry
  • Gold ornaments, copper articles, semi-precious stones, shell bangles, ivory bangles and ivory combs reflect the artistic, culturally rich and prosperous lifestyle of the Keeladi people

Significance of findings 

• Keeladi and Sangam age:
  • Keeladi’s excavations from 2015 prove that an urban civilisation existed in Tamil Nadu in the Sangam age on the banks of the Vaigai river.
  • The unearthed artifacts from Keeladi belong to a period between sixth century BCE and first century BCE.These  findings pushed the Sangam age to 800 BCE .
  • Keeladi  adds to the credibility of Sangam Literature.
• Keeladi and IVC:
  • The unearthed Keeladi artifacts have led to conclusion that the site is a  part of the Vaigai Valley Civilisation
  • some of the symbols found in pot sherds of Keeladi bear a close resemblance to signs of Indus Valley 
• Academics while acknowledging the cultural gap of 1,000 years between the two places, hope that further excavations give a clearer picture about the south indian iron age  that currently  links both.

Archaeological Survey of India

• The ASI is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the country.
• It functions under the Ministry of Culture.
• The prime objection of ASI is to maintain the archaeological sites, ancient monuments, and remains of national importance.
• It regulates all archaeological activities as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
• It also regulates the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.

Sangam Age

• The area lying to the south of river Krishna and Tungabhadra experienced  a period between the 3rd century B.C. and 3rd century A.D. known as the Sangam Period.
• It has been named after the gathering of poets (Sangam) held during that period under the royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai.
• The sources for this age are largely literary, though archaeological evidence has started to come up.
• Kharavela’s Hatigumpha inscription (155 BCE) provides the earliest epigraphic evidence referring to a confederacy of Tamil states.

Vaigai River

• It originates in the Western Ghats (Varushanad Hills).
• It travels through the Pandya Nadu region of Tamil Nadu.
• Its main tributaries are Suruliyaru, Mullaiyaru, Varaganadhi, Manjalaru, Kottagudi, Kridhumaal and Upparu.
• The Vaigai  finally empties into the Palk Strait near the Pamban Bridge in Ramanathapuram district.

Mutiny Memorial tells the Story of 1857 Revolt 

Context

Mutiny Memorial (New Delhi) was initially built in 1863 to honour those who fought from the British side during the Revolt of 1857 but 25 years after Independence, they re-dedicated it to the memory of those Indians who lost their lives fighting the British.

• The monument has an indifferent gothic design with arched marble-backed recesses on all sides of the octagonal tower.

What was the 1857 Revolt?

• Indian Revolt of 1857-59 was a widespread but unsuccessful rebellion against the rule of British East India Company in India during Governor General Canning’s regime.
• It was the first expression of organised resistance against the company led by sepoys of the company, eventually securing the participation of the masses.
• The rebellion of 1857 is referred to by various names, including the Sepoy Mutiny (according to British historians), the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion (according to Indian historians), the Indian Insurrection, and the First War of Independence (as per Vinayak Damodar Savarkar).

What were the Causes?

• Immediate Causes:
  • Greased Cartridges: The Revolt of 1857 was triggered by the use of new Enfield rifles whose cartridges were believed to be greased with cow and pig fat, leading to the refusal of both Hindu and Muslim sepoys to use them.
  • Repression of Grievances: Mangal Pandey's refusal to use the cartridges in Barrackpore and subsequent hanging, along with the imprisonment of 85 soldiers in Meerut for similar refusal, were among the incidents that sparked the Revolt of 1857 in India.
• Political Causes:
  • Doctrine of Lapse: The political causes of the revolt were the British policy of expansion through the Doctrine of Lapse and direct annexation.
    • The dislodgement of number of Indian rulers and chiefs and annexations including annexations of Satara, Nagpur, Jhansi, Jaitpur, Sambalpur, Udaipur and Awadh led to growing discontent against the Policy of expansion. Further many nobles, officials and soldiers were left jobless.
• Social and Religious Causes:
  • Spread of Western Civilization: The rapidly spreading Western Civilisation in India was alarming concerns all over the country.
    • An act in 1850 changed the Hindu law of inheritance enabling a Hindu who had converted into Christianity to inherit his ancestral properties, which was seen as an attempt to convert Indians to Christianity
    • Even the introduction of the railways and telegraph was viewed with suspicion.
  • Challenge to Orthodoxy: The abolition of practices like sati and female infanticide, introduction of western education and the legislation legalizing widow remarriage, were believed as threats to the established social structure.
• Economic Causes:
  • Heavy Taxes: Peasants and zamindars, both were infuriated by the heavy taxes on land and the stringent methods of revenue collection.often leading to loss of ancestral land.
  • Grievances of Sepoys: Large numbers of sepoys belonged to the peasantry class and had family ties in villages, so the grievances of the peasants also affected them.
  • Ruins of Local Industry and Handicrafts: After the Industrial Revolution in England, there was an influx of British manufactured goods into India, which ruined industries, particularly the textile industry and handicrafts of India.
• Military Causes:
  • Unequal Remuneration: Indian sepoys formed more than 87% of the British troops in India but were considered inferior to British soldiers and paid less than European counterparts.
  • Posting In Far Areas: They were required to serve in areas far away from their homes and across the seas. Crossing the sea was seen by many as losing the caste.

What was the British Response?

• The Revolt of 1857 lasted for more than a year. It was suppressed by the middle of 1858 through severe repression.
• On July 8, 1858, fourteen months after the outbreak at Meerut, peace was finally proclaimed by Lord Canning.

Why did the Revolt Fail?

• Limited Uprising: Although the revolt was fairly widespread, a large part of the country remained unaffected by it.
  • The Southern provinces and the large princely states, Hyderabad, Mysore, Travancore, and Kashmir, as well as the smaller ones of Rajputana did not join the rebellion
• No Effective Leadership: The rebels lacked an effective leader. Although Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope and Rani Lakshmi Bai were brave leaders, they could not offer effective coordinated leadership to the movement.
• Limited Resources: The rebels lacked resources in terms of men and money. The English, on the other hand, received a steady supply of men, money and arms in India.
• No Participation of the Middle Class: The English educated middle class, the rich merchants, traders and zamindars of Bengal helped the British to suppress the revolt.

What were the Impacts of the Revolt?

• Direct Rule of the British Crown: The Government of India Act, 1858, ended company rule in India and brought it under the direct rule of the British Crown.
  • The India office was created to handle the governance and the administration of the country.
• Religious Tolerance: It was promised, and due attention was paid to the customs and traditions of India. British support to religious reforms took a backseat.
• Administrative Change: The Governor General’s office was replaced by that of the Viceroy.
  • The rights of Indian rulers were recognised.
  • The Doctrine of Lapse was abolished.
  • The right to adopt sons as legal heirs was accepted.
• Military Reorganisation: The ratio of British officers to Indian soldiers increased but the armoury remained in the hands of the English.

Conclusion

The uprising of 1857 was a remarkable occurrence in the British era India. Despite failing in accomplishing its intended objective, it laid the foundation for Indian nationalism and brought together various segments of society to a certain extent.

Hybrid Gamosas

Context

A scarf – a hybrid creation of an Assamese gamosa and a Bengali gamcha – became the subject of controversy in Assam.

Assamese gamosa/gamusa (Body wipes or Towel)

• It is generally a white rectangular piece of cloth with primarily a red border on two sides and red woven motifs on the other two sides.
• Although the cotton yarn is the most common material for making/weaving gamosas, there are special occasion ones made from Pat silk.
• It is a symbol of the culture and identity of Assam and had received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022.

Kharchi Puja

Context

Kharchi Puja, a significant festival celebrated in the state of Tripura, has recently garnered attention in the news.

• The festival commenced on June 26 this year and will continue until July 2.

What is the Kharchi Puja?

• About:
  • Also known as the 'Festival of 14 Gods,' this traditional event involves the worship of Chaturdasa Devata, (housed in the ancient Ujjayanta Palace), the ancestral deity of the Tripuri people.
    • During the festival, the Tripuri people also worship the earth along with their 14 deities.
  • An important ritual in this festival involves the construction of the Chaturdasha Mandapa, a structure that symbolizes the royal palace of the Tripuri kings.
  • On the day of the Puja, the 14 gods are carried to river “Saidra” by the members of “Chantai” (royal priests). The gods are bathed in the holy water and are brought back to the temple.
• History:
  • The word ‘Kharchi’ is derived from two Tripuri words– ‘khar’ or kharta meaning sin and ‘chi’ or si meaning cleaning.
    • Although the festival has tribal origins, it is celebrated by both tribal and non-tribal people of Tripura.
  • It is believed that the Mother Goddess or Tripura Sundari, the presiding deity of the land who protects the people of Tripura, menstruates during the time of Ambubachi, which is observed in June.
    • There is a popular belief that the Earth becomes impure during the menstruation period of the Goddess.
    • Hence, Kharchi Puja is observed to ritualistically clean the Earth after her menstruation is over and wash away the sins of the people in the land.

Rani Durgavati 

Context

Home Minister Amit Shah and PM Narendra Modi will attend the six-day “Veerangana Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatra” (to honor 16th-century Gondwana kingdom queen Rani Durgavati) in Madhya Pradesh.

About Rani Durgavati

• Aspect: Details
• Rani Durgavati (1524 – 1564) was the ruling Queen of Gondwana from 1550 until 1564.
• She is chiefly remembered for defending her kingdom against the Mughal Empire.

Heritage

• Belonged to the Chandel dynasty known for its brave king Vidyadhar and architectural marvels like Khajuraho.

Marriage and Alliance

• Married Dalpatshah, the Gond dynasty’s eldest son and son of King Sangramshah.
• She strengthened the alliance between the Chandel and Gond dynasties.

Leadership

• Assumed leadership of the Gond kingdom around 1550 after her husband’s passing.

Defeating Bajbahadur

• Defeated Bajbahadur, who took control of the Malwa province in 1556.

Interactions with the Mughals

• Direct interaction between Rani Durgavati’s realm and the Mughal Empire.
• Abdul Majid Khan, a Mughal subedar, invaded Rani Durgavati’s realm with Akbar’s approval.

Battle

• She defended her realm from the Mughal army and set up camp in Narrai valley.
• She refused to leave the battlefield and killed herself with a dagger.

Legacy and Honors

• Renamed the University of Jabalpur as Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya.
• Commemorated with a postal stamp by the Indian government.
• Durgavati Express, a train, and ICGS Rani Durgavati, an Inshore Patrol Vessel, named after her.
• She is hailed as a patriotic ruler and defender of culture, becoming a symbol of pride and honor.