Q1. Tourism as a sector despite its enormous potential suffered heavily due to the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the systemic weaknesses in the sector. But lifting of lockdown norms led to revenge tourism resulting in uninvited problems. Discuss. Mention the interventions of the government to promote tourism. Highlight how tourism can be made more sustainable and remunerative for holistic development. 15 marks, 250 words)
Topic- Tourism sector:
Introduction:
India is the world’s most populous country with both intra and interstate tourism getting a fillip amidst growing per capita incomes. In this backdrop, tourism as a part of the service sector has been a go to option for lakhs for a steady employment. Of late the sector as a whole has come global scrutiny for its disastrous impacts on environment. Further, the systemic issues plaguing the sector has also gained spotlight necessitating further reforms.
Body :
- Potential of the tourism sector
- Systemic weaknesses in the sector
- Interventions by the government to promote tourism
- Making tourism into a More sustainable venture
- Way Ahead
Conclusion :
Tourism can enhance income, develop heritage and project soft power of a country; but it faces certain challenges including seasonal nature, poor policy support and poor skill quotient among the service providers. These systemic issues need holistic redressal before turning the Dharamsala Declaration into a living reality. Supporting schemes like UDAN, Bharatmala and Sagarmala which address the ‘access’ dimension of the tourism sector should also be given due emphasis to make tourism a thriving sector satisfying the developmental aspirations.
UPSC Syllabus Tourism sector:
Why was this question asked?
Q. The issue of tourism in core areas of tiger reserve forests in the country is a subject matter of debate. Critically examine various aspects of this issue, keeping in view relevant recent judicial pronouncements. (UPSC CSE 2012)
Introduction
India is the world’s most populous country with both intra and interstate tourism getting a fillip amidst growing per capita incomes. In this backdrop, tourism as a part of the service sector has been a go to option for lakhs for a steady employment. Of late the sector as a whole has come global scrutiny for its disastrous impacts on environment. Further, the systemic issues plaguing the sector has also gained spotlight necessitating further reforms.
Body Status :
Potential of the tourism sector:
- Employment: As per The Ministry of Tourism, Travel and Tourism as a sector had provided 8 crore direct and indirect jobs in the year 2019-20. Thus, tourism is a major sector to exploit demographic dividend of India.
- Cultural preservation: Cultural circuits like Kashi Vishwanath Circuit, Buddhist Circuit and Sufi Circuit induces the regional governments to culturally preserve these places to garner more revenue out of incoming tourists.
- Awareness: Tourism is a tool to raise awareness regarding declining natural resources. Jungle Safaris are not just an adventure activity; they are learning experiences of a lifetime. Further, tourism increases the soft power of a country.
- Security: Jammu and Kashmir faces sky-high unemployment. This drives youth towards militancy. Exploiting the full potential of tourism in such places can curb the unemployment in turn mitigating the militancy.
Systemic weaknesses in the sector:
- Fragmented: The sector as a whole is fragmented, unorganized and unskilled. Lack of competency in foreign language further affects the attractiveness of Indian tourist destinations.
- Unsustainable: Revenge tourism after COVID-19 and traffic jams in remote Joshimath and the issue of land subsidence there has further affected the sustainability credentials of the sector.
- Seasonal: Tourism is mainly seasonal. Examples like Amarnath Yatra, eco-tourism, etc. are seasonal. They don’t provide jobs year round highlighting the inherent vulnerabilities in the sector.
- Variety: India has an underdeveloped adventure, academic, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) and tribal tourism sector despite inherent advantages India enjoys in these themes.
Interventions by the government to promote tourism:
- Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Infrastructure and human capital development along with destination management is done under the scheme that was launched in 2015.
- Dharamsala Declaration: It envisages long term revenue goal of $ 1 trillion through tourism by 2047. It aims at making India a global leader in tourism.
- PRASHAD Scheme: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive provides financial assistance to the State governments for infrastructure development at tourist destinations.
- VISA on arrival: e-VISA and VISA on arrival have been extended to the citizens of 167 countries in medical, AYUSH, business, tourist categories.
- Dekho Apna Desh Initiative: Promotional activities are undertaken to increase tourism in more than 50 destinations across the country.
Making tourism into a more sustainable venture:
- Judicial activism: National Green Tribunal and Judiciary have been active in regulating tourism by inviting writ petitions. Taj Trapezium Zone to regulate polluting vehicles and industries around Taj Mahal was a result of judicial verdict.
- Entry pass: Carrying capacity of environmentally and geologically sensitive places must be calculated beforehand and entry passes must be fixed in a year to promote sustainable tourism.
Way Ahead
- A separate tourist police trained in specifics of hospitality must be conceptualized to ensure safety of tourists amid rising concerns regarding fraud and sexual harassments against foreign tourists.
- Foreign language training, sensitization of hawkers, sellers and hoteliers apart from unions among workers of tourism sector can regulate prices of various services while improving bargaining power of these unorganized workers.
- Further standardization of destinations through certifications like Blue Flag verification for beaches can help ensure more tourist outfall at a destination.
Conclusion
Tourism can enhance income, develop heritage and project soft power of a country; but it faces certain challenges including seasonal nature, poor policy support and poor skill quotient among the service providers. These systemic issues need holistic redressal before turning the Dharamsala Declaration into a living reality. Supporting schemes like UDAN, Bharatmala and Sagarmala which address the ‘access’ dimension of the tourism sector should also be given due emphasis to make tourism a thriving sector satisfying the developmental aspirations.
Q2. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) have been most marginalized among the tribal groups. Enumerate the criteria to be designated as a PVTG. State the issues faced by these groups after 7 decades of Independence. What are the government interventions that have been undertaken to ameliorate their concerns? Suggest further measures to improve their plight. 15 marks (250 words)
Topic- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):
Introduction
75 PVTGs are spread over 17 States and one Union Territory. These are the most vulnerable and backward among the 705 Scheduled Tribes. They face a range of issues from health to unemployment. Further, lack of targeted programmes has affected their upliftment demanding concrete measures to improve their socio-economic status. They are designated as PVTGs through a well-defined criterion that was conceived during the Fourth Five Year Plan period.
Body
- Criteria for a group to be designated as a PVTG
- Issues faced
- Government interventions to ameliorate conditions:
- Measures needed to improve plight
Conclusion
The development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) has been ignored for decades. Their concerns got further buttressed by the industrial expansion, deforestation, dam building, Left Wing Extremism etc. This has called for innovative measures involving regional and Union governments. Providing them political voice through enfranchisement and following Tribal Panchsheel laid down by Pandit Nehru can act as broad pillars for overall development of PVTGs.
UPSC Syllabus Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):
Why was this question asked?
Q. The Central Government frequently complains on the poor performance of the State Governments in eradicating suffering of the vulnerable sections of the society. Restructuring of Centrally sponsored schemes across the sectors for ameliorating the cause of vulnerable sections of population aims at providing flexibility to the States in better implementation. Critically evaluate. (UPSC CSE 2013)
Introduction:
75 PVTGs are spread over 17 States and one Union Territory. These are the most vulnerable and backward among the 705 Scheduled Tribes. They face a range of issues from health to unemployment. Further, lack of targeted programmes has affected their upliftment demanding concrete measures to improve their socio-economic status. They are designated as PVTGs through a well-defined criterion that was conceived during the Fourth Five Year Plan period.
Body
Criteria for a group to be designated as a PVTG
- As per the Dhebar Commission Report, a criterion for identifying PVTGs has been laid down. These are –
- Pre-agricultural level of technology – like practicing shifting cultivation or animal rearing to sustain themselves without modern machinery.
- Low literacy level – below the national average threatening their socio-economic development.
- Economic backwardness – per capita might be below the national average affecting their standard of living.
- A declining or stagnant population – with total fertility rate declining below the replacement level in the long run.
Issues faced
- Genetic diseases: Many PVTGs are vulnerable to genetic diseases like sickle cell anemia, Turner’s Syndrome etc. They neither have the awareness of the disease nor have access to quality care.
- Difficulty in access: They reside in remote regions infested with Left Wing Extremists in many cases which affects the reach of the public administration.
- Loss of tribal culture: Sanskritization has been ongoing among the tribal with the loss of primitive forms of worship like Sarnaism.
- Political voice: Since they are scattered with strong tribal allegiance, political influence of these tribals is nearly nil.
Government interventions to ameliorate conditions:
- PM Van Dhan Yojana: Tribals are grouped into Self Help Groups to improve the processing of forest produce and improve economic security of PVTGs.
- Aspirant Districts Programme: An umbrella programme covering health, sanitation, financial inclusion, education etc. under the scrutiny of Central Prabhari Officers has been brining overall development of tribals especially PVTGs.
- Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana: Mandates all States to prepare ‘Conservation Cum Development Plans’ for PVTGs for their holistic development.
- Regional Initiatives: Jan Swasthya Sahyog by Chhattisgarh has been driving health revolution among the PVTGs covering nutritional and health requirements of PVTGs.
Measures needed to improve plight
- Database: A national database of PVTGs can help gather crucial insights into the problems faced by these PVTGs aiding data driven policies.
- National Mission: A mission like PM PVTG Mission with Rs. 15,000 crore outlay is of great relevance. Implementing it in letter and spirit is necessary.
- PVTGs outside the V and VI Schedule Areas: PVTGs outside the Scheduled Areas suffer from housing, sanitation, health and employment issues. Tending to their concerns by State level identification is a sine qua non.
- Education: Extending the reach of Ekalvya Model Residential Schools through greater outlay and State support can improve the human resource potential of PVTGs.
Conclusion
The development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) has been ignored for decades. Their concerns got further buttressed by the industrial expansion, deforestation, dam building, Left Wing Extremism etc. This has called for innovative measures involving regional and Union governments. Providing them political voice through enfranchisement and following Tribal Panchsheel laid down by Pandit Nehru can act as broad pillars for overall development of PVTGs.