GSI LISTS GEO­TOURISM SITES IN NE

Syllabus Section:  Environment and Ecology (GS Paper III)

Importance: UPSC Prelims

Why in News?

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified certain geological sites across the Northeast for promotion of geo­-tourism.

About:

• Twelve locations in the Northeast are included in the 32 approved geo­tourism or geo­heritage sites in the country
• Of the 12 sites, three are in Meghalaya, two each in Assam and Tripura, and one each in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim

Geotourism:

• Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the distinctive geographical character of a place—its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the well-being of its residents.
• This tourism conducted to those geo-sites, which exhibit unique objects of geological, geomorphological or geographical interest.
• Of the three simple attribute of any environment i.e., abiotic, biotic and cultural the principal focus of geotourism is mainly on the “abiotic” aspects.

• It may comprise:

1. simple geomorphic landforms such as rocky over-bridge or an exotic balancing rock.
2. a fossil occurrence site like a fossil wood park
3. any other structure of huge geological significance

Problems:

i) Poor Communication systems, especially transport as the region is landlocked and is connected to the rest of the country by only a 22 kms narrow ‘chickenneck’, and at times of natural crisis such as landslides, floods, etc, the region gets completely cut-off from the sub-continent.

ii) Rigid laws and restrictions for travellers into the region are another impediment.

iii) Infra-structure is less developed and hotels are few in number and they need to be improved and village homes and country-stays should be encouraged.

iv) Government Policy and general stability and security are a very important factor and stability in all the states and are necessary for any long-term sustainable eco-cultural-tourism plan in the region.

v)Less Awareness:  Lack of proper advertising, marketing, networking and publishing of materials relating to the N.E. region of India is yet another problem. Very few travellers, even in India, have little idea about the region and consider some of the states to be alien and dangerous.

vi) The lack of documentation and protection of heritage sites and monuments in the region.

Source: The Hindu