What is the importance of fairs and festivals in the development of tourism? In the era of mass tourism.

many third world countries have adopted an export led model of development. For most of these countries, which d o not have access to foreign markets for their manufactures, tourism becomes an option. In tourism development therefore, strategies replicate the format of sourcing markets for the traditional exports of these countries, and trade fairs or event marketing become typical methods of promoting ones goods and services. However, critics have pointed out that such an approach has reduced tourism to a product. An illustration of this aspect is the demand for western facilities in Asian countries. Is such an approachldemand valid? or When we transfer a conceptual strategy from one sector of the economy to another we must assess if such a transfer is both conceptually and practically valid. Tourism is a complex experience and lifestyle representation. I t is in this context that an attempt has been made in this Unit to understand the role of trade fairs and travel marts and critique their role in developing a market for new destinations. Besides this critique this Unit also familiariscs you with the role of travel marts and festivals in tourism marketing. ' Uuife often we find that new trends in tht: industry are creating impacts on demand and supply structures in the practice of tourism. Even a healthy tourism destination is not free of problems which are generated not only in the origin markets but also in the manner in which the Lravel trade finds short term solutions to its own problems. For example, Air India offers groups of women travellers a significant discount to Singapore and Hong-Kong, and this generates the demand for special facilities for women travellers from India. Although Air India's discount was operable in the lean season, it creates a new trend. Trade Fairs are there fore means by which the practitioners of a particular sector can meet at a rallying point and watch the functioning of their peers, leaders in the sector and their competitors, regulate such a vast and definitionally woolly product like tourism and encourage and develop entreprenurial freedom. A trttvel mart is a place where the producers, sellers and buyers (mostly intermediaries)'of tourism ~ r o d u c t s and services meet face to face to transact b u s i n e s . It also showcases the tourism product of a country or a region whilst also focussing on the concerns of the different sectors of the industry, like

the issue of tariffs, commissions, clearances for investment and tax incentives, etc. A trade fair or a travel mart is the combined effort of the seller, the buyer and the State to ensure that tourism prospers and realises the benefits that a r e possible In India, our membership of the Pacific Area Travel Association, introduced us to the concept of a travel mart, when PATA conferences were held in different locations and countries of the region. The country in which the conference was located was showcascd for the delegates from the rest of the world, and a particular destination was selected because there was a need to focus on the problems and the solutions required to make that destination play its role in the field of tourism in the region. The PATA mart has been discussed as a case study in Unit 25 of TS-2. A Tr ade Fair or Travel Mart also becomes possible when travel agents and tour operators begin to form trade and professional associations, which then can lobby for the particular demands of the sector concerned. The major focus of the trade fair or travel mart is to give and t o seek information to promote tourism both to and from the region, country or a group of destinations. Thus such events attract not only the professionals but the public at large. These events a r e professionally planned and organised taking into account the infrastructure, operations, and business transactions. For example: the sellers buy space in advance, . appointments a r e pre-booked, and schedules are set for participating organisation, etc The Department of Tourism, Government of India listed 72 festivals in its 1995-96 Annual Plan for tourism promotion. South Australia is known as the 'Festival Statc' because of its deliberate policy of adopting festivals as intcgral to tourism marketing. In fact more and more countries, through the concept of tourism festivals, arc showcasing the cultural wcalth of a country, region or a community. The Western countrics had encouraged a number of street

festivals and cultural events for tourism promotion. 'Today most of the third wcwld countrics are trying to appropriate the same form of cultural representation with the addition of their 'so called' cultural tradition. In India we find a calendar of fcstivals to be promoted for thc purpose of tourism. Hence, the erstwhile local community cclebrations arc being converted into tourist attractions. This has given birth to another form of tourism. Donald <;ctz has mentioned that: "Event tourism is concerned with the roles that festivaIs and special events can play in destination development and the maximization of an events attractivcncss to tourists." What is the reason of profiling the tourist? When you meet an unknown person you do ask certain questions like which country or region s h e comes from? What are the hobbies? What type of food is liked by herlhim etc. Similar queries would be there if a guest is expected. You raise such questions in order to better understand the person & to make hisher stay more comfortable. Now imagine the situation in a service industry like tourism where eveqf service segm"ent must know in detail about the clients to be served. Here the profiling aspect becomes vital. This Unit starts with defining the concept of profiling of tourists; It goes on to explain the aspects covered in the profiles of foreign tourists and how the profiling is done. It also examines the flows in international tourism along with a mention of highest earners and spendas of revenue in tourism The sustained growth of any business/service, including tourism, invariably involves product development according to market needs. A primary requirement in this regard is to understand the distinctive features of consumers and their preferences. It is also important in the context of tourism to establish effective communication with potential visitors for attracting them to the destination. The achievement of the same, however, involves the identification of specific segments of such visitors, their preferences and needs, effective communication means to reach them and to know the geographical areas

of their concentration. The statistical analysis of these factors in relation to any destination i s known a s profiling o f tourists. Tourists profile also facilitates improvements in: Planning and deciding on deve t opment priorities, marketing strategies of tourism products, and services. Today, the profiling is also helpful for understanding guest-host relationships apd tourism impacts. f Regular visitor surveys are always necessary to obtain tourist profiles. Periodical surveys are also conducted with specific objectives. For example, the 1988-89 survey o l :international tourists in India was conducted keeping in view the following objectives . i) To assess socio-economic and demographic particulars of intemational tou 1st~. ii) To ide~tify the factors influencing their choice of India as a place to visit. I iii) To estimate tha expenditure pattern of international tourists on various items ':ke accommodation, food and drinks, entertainment, shopping and internal travel. 1' ir) Tc identify the b c e s visited by them and duration of stay and accommodation used 1 . at each place. v) To assess preference for type< of accommodation, tariff rates, various facilities and services. vi) To assess the levels of satisfaction of tourists in respect of various factors associated with tourism. I' ;. vii) To work-out a weighting hagram for construction of a consumer price index for international tourists. viii)To assess the demographic particulars of the transit tourists and identify the reasons for their not visiting India. The specific characteristics usually analysed in profiling,of tourists include the following:

Place of residence 1 Age and Sex . ~ducational status, Economic activity status, Occupation, Purpose and frequency of visit, md . Factors influencing the chc: d desanation. The place of residence of a person is defined as "that place wher Ile has lived for mas t part of the past year (12 months) or for a shorter period but intend, to return to that place within 12 months to live in that place". It is usually ascertained from the visitor through administrative documents like EmbarkationDisembarkation cards or through surveys. For the purpose of profiling, age is always recorded in terms of completed years on the . last birthday. The educational status of a person refers to the highest level of education completed by him. Usually the visitors are classified into 'one of the following categories Profiling Foreigs Tourlsts of educational status: No schooling Completed primary education, Completed secondary education, Completed university or college graduate studies, and - Completed other stuhes. Write an essay on the Taj Mahal? Love at first sight. Such a sensation does exist as one approaches the purely, white, marble Taj Mahaland is overtaken by its immense size and beauty [Fig. 1]. The Taj Mahal can be referred to as a symbol of eternal love since Shah Jahan built it for his princess upon her death in 1631 A.D. Located in Agra, India, and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World; the Taj Mahal was built by Prince Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Empress Mumtaz Mahal. The funerary complex is located on a plot of land along the banks of the Yamuna River and it

encompasses more than forty-two acres of land. Shah Jahan is said to have bought this piece of land either for its peacefulness or for its spectacular view. Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj Mahal is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj Mahal as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna River. A Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife and queen built the Taj Mahal at Agra, India. The society at the time was very productive and created a lot of success and hope for the Indians there. When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he build the Taj Mahal; second, that he should marry again; third, that he should be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary. He kept the 1st and 2nd promises. The construction began in 1631. The expert craftsman from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed. They constructed the monument over a period of twenty-two years, with employment of 20,000 workers. The total amount spent on the beautiful and sacred monument was 32 million rupees. The problems and issues of the Taj Mahal was very difficult back then. Actually, it was two main issues, but they were very burdensome. The only issue was the death of his wife and getting the beautiful monument done. The lengthy wait and the overcoming of her death was too much for Shah Jahan, but he had promised to his loving wife that he would eventually complete the sacred monument in her name. Everyone has their own favorite time to see the Taj Mahal. Crowds will distract you from the cool, serene presence of this flawless monument. The best way is to try arriving just as it opens or as it is about to close. A few minutes alone in the perpetually echoing inner sanctum will reward you far more than several hours spent on a guided tour. The sensuously curving lines of the temple of love demand to be savored without interruption, then the presence of the building itself will impart its own message. The event has triggered being part of the wonders of the world. It started to attract many people from other cultures because of its beauty and the mystery behind it. It intrigues people on how one person designs a monument for his wife and tries to accomplish the promises she gave before she had died. People wonder how that much love from one man to his wife can show that there is always hope in a relationship even after the significant other dies. Negative events were not really triggered in this situation. In this case, Mumtaz Mahal was in love with her husband, Shah Jahan. She wanted to have the love continue and that is why she had given those four promises to help realize that the love can still grow strong. The monument symbolizes the love that Shah Jahan had for his deceased wife, Mumtaz. Mumtaz wanted this monument more than anything. She wanted to be remembered with a monument, which symbolizes eternal love. Discuss craft and folk arts role in propagation and preservation of culture The development of tourism in India is being viewed as an industry and as a major foreign exchange earner. T h e temptation would be to create overnight the kind of

infrastructure that is presumed to bring in earnings from travellers who demand the comforts available in economically powerful western countries. In a fast changing cultural landscape the cosmopolitan cities of India present a face of India that has adapted to an international culture. Language, dress, consumer goods and commercial entertainment are a mix of India and an amorphous cultural' context. "Endianess" thus is a mix of the regional ethos blended with the occasional influence of Bombay films, ."Punjabi" dress, "Mughlai" food, Chinese restaurants and video pop music. Shops selling fancy goods, advertised by fancy means is the language of cosmopolitan fol,klore. In the midst of this there a r e historical buildings and monuments, cultural centres for traditional and contemporary arts, handicrafts and textile shops and large number of 'local' restaurants serving regional fbod to serve the local palette. There are always religious festivals taking place that give rise to heightened activity, whether commercial or cultural. In rural areas the rhythm and pace of life is very different. The hub of activity is cultivation. The soil water, forests, animals, climate, custom and folk tradition are unselfconsciously linked. This is the India that the tourist visualizes. This is also the India that does not have the kind of facilities the tourists expect. The development of tourism and the approach of those who a r e connected with it must be sensitive to the maintenance of India's essence. In the creation of infrastructure if the Indianess is either made false or is destroyed, what is offered to the tourist will be an "untruth." The area of . folk art and craft, emerging o h of the social systems of communities, is caught between the need to be preserved for tourism development, and yet is in the . process of getting effaced as a result of other forms of development taking over. How much is preserved, salvaged, revived, protected or nurtured is a matter for analysis for those concerned with both tourism and the preservation of culture. This Unit discusses:

Folk art and Craft as ingredients for tourism, Improvements and Revival of dying traditions through tourism, Tourist visits to folk art and craft Museums and Shilpgarns, and Folk festivals and crafts. In the last quarter of the 20th century many private and public institutions have been set up to collect, nurture and display artefacts from different sections of our living cultures. There are museums that also have live displays and demonstrations of folk skills, and cultural centres that house museum like displays amongst programmes for theatre arts, workshops, study centres and music performances. They also serve the purpose of , organising temporary festivals and fairs in order to bring together various cross cultural elements in a presentation of unity in diversity, the essence of India's cultural image As an ingredient for tourism, it is best exemplified in Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of Orissa, the North Eastern States and in Jammu and Kashmir. In the villages and sections of the smaller towns the habitat, dress and artifacts of everyday use are still made by the people themselves or by local artisans. There may be an entire village of weavers or potters or toy makers. Tourists form a vast metropolis in one of the economically advanced nations or from the many similar towns of Western Suburbia imagine that the entire length and breadth of India is made up of villages and pictured in the photographs or travel posters of desert areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The fact is that while rapid change is taking place, India's five hundred thousands villages still mirror the past in all its diversity. One typical natural habitat where traditional folk art and craft are still much a way of life is the Banni area in Kutch district. A semi-arid desert off the main highway to the north of its capital town, Bhuj, it is one of the more accessible yet rugged, unspoiled yet worldlywise areas where the beauty of the people, their resplendent traditional dresses and the

uniqueness of their village homes each vie for the visitor's attention. There are buses and taxis which can take tourists to this area within 1 and 112 hours to visit villages such as Hadka, Ghorewali, Dhordo and Birindara. Women will not come out and reveal their faces before the menfolk, but if the visitor is a woman it is easy to strike up a pleasant exchange of greetings and ask for a look at the various embroidery pieces stored away for trousseaus or for sale. Except for a few modern additions like a transistor, a tiled roof, a headcloth of synthetic fabric, the items of daily use surrounding them are wooden ladles, brass pots, earthern cooking pots and the most brilliant and intricate embroideries done on brightly coloured fabric for blouses, skirt borders, headcloth and quilts..Without being set out for tourists, with all the conveniences supposedly required by them, this area in the remote north-western part of an industrialized, and modern Gujarat is a repository of folk culture so loved by tourists.

What are the different incentives provides by department of tourism to promote the scheme of heritage hotel In three earlier Units of this Block our effort has been to learn from the experience of some reputed tourism projects nmning currently in the country. Here too we have taken up for a detailed study one of the foremost and commercially quite successful tourism project viz. the Heritage Hotels. It is to the credit of the architects of this scheme that they have succeeded in twin objectives - of running an attractive project f ~ r promoting tourism, and at the same time successfully and meaningfully preserving some of India's most valuable monumental heritage. The two achievements of this project have been largely complementary to each other. In the following sections we have given you details of the scheme and also made an attempt at

appraising the performance of the project, both commercially as well as from the viewpoint of historical presentation. 31.2 HISTORY OF HERITAGE HOTELS The concept of heritage hotels is not new the world - particularly Eufope where the French chains of Relasis et Chateaux, the,British chains of Small Lmwy Hotels, the Spanish Paradores and several o t h k link some very historic and exquisite pa)p;irtles into hotel chains. These are usually visited by couples, families and small groops offriends ratha than hordes of tourists in busloads because the buildings of heritage hotels were never intended for habitation or hospitality on a large scale. 'Bey, in fact, mostly cater to the S p e d d Interest tourism. At the time of India's Independence in 1947, over 500 ruling princes combined their lands to join the erstwhile British territories and form the new, dem&c nation of India. Following the Independence, however, things began to change. ' h e royalty which had allied too i closely with the British and which were often seen by the nationalists as the puppets of the foreign rulers were first rnargmaked by the ruling government In 1950, the Jagmhri system was abolished and the erstwhile rulers and nobles had m lean to earn their living. Then, (what is seen ' - by the supporters of royalty as a breach of trust), the privy purses were discontinued in 1970 The Heritage Hotels and the titles of the rulers were abolished by law, making them common Indian citizens. The host of forts, royal palaces within and outside their cities, shikar badis or haunting palaces, out houses, water palaces, mountain retreats and beach houses began to be neglected b d fall into

disrepair. For most of the erstwhile rulers, this change was not easy to take and it seemed a matter of pride to hold on to these properties rather than think of doing something constructive with them. When Maharaja Man Sing I1 of Jaipur (1922-1949) first toyed with idea of sh~fting out of the sprawling Rambagh Palace to a smaller one which used to be lived in by the British Resident, he was sure to be met by a strong opposition even from within his family. On 8 December 1957 the Ram Bagh Palace Hotel was formally opened and the Maharaja of Jaipur became the first active princely hotelier in India, setting a trend which has continued down to the present day. Ram Bagh Palace was expanded in 1969, from twenty-six rooms to eight and, in 1972, came under the management of the Taj Group of Hotels. Udaipur followed soon. From 1961 to 1969 the Jag Niwas Palace was transformed from a crumbling palace to the stunning Lake Palace. In 1971, India's oldest hoteliers the Tatas took over its management under the Taj Group of Hotels. The first restoration, construction and extension included only 20 rooms at the back but later, many more were added and the entire character of the garden palace was changed. Perhaps it can be reasoned that it is better to transform a ruin by changing its end use when no constructive use can be made of a crumbling ruin. For travellers the Lake Palace Hotel is an undeniable boon, providing an incomparable and voluptuous glimpse of the pleasures that once were the preserve of princes. To open one's eyes in dreamy freedom upon the broad waters of the Pinchola as the Ranas were wont to do is a privilege not to be missed.

The concept of heritage is being applied in other ways also. For exainple, a hotelier got the traditional wooden houses of Kerala dismantled from different places. They were put up again near the back waters in an area and a new resort 'Coconut Lagoan' came into existence. In Goa also some of the traditional villas that housed Portuguese officials or landlords are being onverted into hotels. Write short notes in about 250 words on each of the following? Khajuraho Festival of Dances: The famous temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh are famous for its archaeological excellence. The temples were built during the Chandela Dynasty between 250 and 1050 AD. The Temples of Khajuraho strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. In the year 1986, UNESCO designated this group of temples as a world heritage site. Khajuraho Temples are very famous among tourist coming to India on cultural Tours. Every year in the month of February - March, Khajuraho Dance Festival is organized by the Kala Parishad under the Madhya Pradesh government. Famous Classical Dancers from all over India performs during this Dance festival at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. The aim of organizing this event is to promote cultural heritage and traditional dances of India. Dancers from abroad also perform during this week long festival in Madhya Pardesh. Live performances of classical dances like Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri and Mohniattam are the major attractions of these dance festival. The Khajuraho Dance Festival is internationally recognized by international dancers and academies. A large number of foreign tourists come to India for a culturally enriched show of classical dances like Khajuraho Festival of Dances. Held every year from 25th February to 2nd March, Khajuraho Dance Festival takes place at the open-air auditorium in front of the Chitragupta Temple dedicated to the Sun God and the Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. They are situated in the Western Group of temples, which is the largest, well maintained and most easily accessible temple group of Khajuraho. Started regularly since 2002, this weeklong festival has already become legendary with its outlandish classical dance performances presented in a dreamlike setting of splendidly illuminated temples. Khajuraho temples present sculptures depicting various skills and arts of courtly love including dance and music in stone and what venue can be more befitting to hold the cultural festival highlighting the various classical dances of India!

The mountain guide Today, ,the Himalayas are no more just the destination of pilgrims, explorers, surveyors, soldiers or a handful of mountaineers. A huge number of trekkers, climbers and nature lovers frequent the treks, trails and peaks and the name given to this is Himalayan

Tourism. Caption M.S. Kohli has defined it in the following words: it means tourist traffic both domestic 'as well as international, to ... the Himalayas. Such tourists could be W e n , mountaineers, photographefs, botanists, zoologists, writers, artists, poets and even scientists. It also includes those who visit Himalayan towns and stay-put, merely \ enjoying the grandeur and scenic beauty of the mountains. Cap. Kohli worked with Air India for the promotion of Himalayan Tourism - particularly the adventure component of trekking and climbing. Today, besides Air India practically every State Tourism Department and a number of qavel agents and tour operators promote it in a big way. Treks and trails are offered as products to be experienced. College students are picking fast trekking as a hobby and already in metropolitan towns it is becoming a fashion to speak about the trek one went to or experienced. A number of write ups appear in papers and magazines giving live experiences and many books have been wrimen by experts on the subject. Ironically, most of these gloss over or just have a passifig reference of the role played by the locals as guides orland path finders in making the experience a success. You should remember that not every one can put on sports shoes, hold a stick, hang a sleeping bag and go out on a trek or climb. For this kind of activity a certain amount of skill is required along with proper briefing and quidance. Quite a few mountaineering training institutes have come up over the years and the services of professionals are also available. Yet it is the local who leads the trek. Guide is person who directs or leads in any sort of activity. The guide in the Himalayan region is ofttn a local person who is familiar with tk termin and routs and is thus able to

lead the group along known routes. He also acts as the local liaison man who helps in organising porters, provisioning of ratioas, finding suitable accomodation etc. Thus, he is a guide and an esuxt both. Path finder is a term the was made popular by the early seulers in Arnetica. In those days a person who was skilled in negoiiating the wilderness and thus could fmd a path in unfamiliar terrain through which groups of early settlers could be taken to greener pasawes was called a pamh fmder. In the Himalayan region, it denotes a person well versed in climbing skills who is required to open a route in such a way that c4imbers or trekken under his care can safely negotiate the route with his help and guidance. The man difference be- a guide and the path furder is of the skills possessed by them. Traditionally a path finder is also more of an adventurn who has taken the role of path findex for the sheer joy of it and q t s V c l a l remunexation to sustain his sense of adventure. On the other hand, a guide takes on his role mainly as a means of earning a livelihood h d utilises his famillaw with terrain along with his natural skills towards W i n g this ,god. Howleva, the romantic image of path finder no longer holds true in tha context of the Himalayas.

Jim Corbett national park Corbett National Park situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the newly created state of Uttarakhand is haven for wildlife lovers in India. The present area of the Corbett national park is 1318.54 sq. km. including 520 sq. km. of core area of and 797.72 sq. km. of buffer area. The core area of the Corbett tiger reserve forms the Corbett National Park while the buffer contains reserve forests (496.54 sq.km.) as well as the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary (301.18 sq.km.) Flat valleys are interspersed with hilly ridges and the Park's rolling

grasslands provide an excellent view of its rich eco system. Corbett National Park is one of India's most beautiful wildlife areas has a tiger population of around 160, which makes this park as the last and the most important bastion of this endangered species in India. Corbett Parks 1318.54 square kilometers of virgin forest and jungle are home to numerous other species of fauna. The rich biodiversity of the park is a perfect place for bird enthusiasts; the area is considered one of the best bird-watching areas in India, with some 600 species having been sighted in the park. The different habitat types of Corbett Park i.e. mountains, Sal forests, chaurs (grasslands), khair-sissoo forests, and rivers have their distinct assemblage of plants. More than 600 species of birds, trees, shrubs, herbs, bamboos, grasses, climbers and ferns have been identified in the Corbett Park. The most visible trees found in Corbett Park are Sal, Sissoo and Khair. Many other species that contribute to the diversity are found scattered throughout the Corbett park. Chir Pine is the only conifer of the Park and is found on ridge-tops. The upper reaches near Kanda ridge have Oak growing, which is essentially a Himalayan species. Other major tree species seen in and around Corbett park are Bel, Kusum, Mahua, Bakli. The Accommodation & packages to Corbett national park for 01 Night for 02 people with / without Meals at Corbett Park. For instant and online Reservation call on +91 97 19 25 19 97 or email at corbettpark@gmail.com Total Area of the Corbett National Park: 1,288.32 sq. km Corbett National Park : 520.82 sq. km Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary 301.18 sq. km Reserve Forest at the Corbett Park: 466.32 sq. km Altitude of the Corbett Park: 400 mt. - 1200 mt. Main flora in the Corbett National Park: The main vegetation found at Corbett Park is Sal, khair, ber, kuthber, bel, chbilla, dhak, semal, khingan, kharpat, rohini, bakli, pula and bamboo. Rivers at Corbett National Park: For the survival of such a remarkable gamut of floral and faunal species in Jim Jim Corbett National Park , water is a crucial factor. The Ramganga river forms the most prominent hydrological resource, supplemented by tributaries, most prominent of which are the Sonanadi, Mandal and Palain rivers. The river Kosi runs proximate to the Park and is also a significant water resource for nearby areas. Wildlife is dependent on rivers, more so in the dry season, for they provide drinking waters and also forms home to several key aquatic species. Wildlife at Corbett National Park: The Corbett National Park is very rich in wildlife, the major wildlife found in Corbett park Tiger, leopard, elephant, spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, hog deer, barking deer, sloth bear, wild boar, ghural, langur and rhesus monkey.

Birds at Corbett National Park: At Corbett National Park more than 600 species and subspecies of birds are found, the major birds are Peacock, pheasant, pigeon, owl, hornbill, barbet, lark, myna, magpie, minivet, patridge, thrush, tit, nuthatch, wagtail, sunbird, bunting, oriole, kingfisher, drongo, dove, woodpecker, duck, teal, eagle, stork, cormorant, falcon, bulbul, flycatcher,redstartandgull. Reptiles at Corbett National Park:Corbett National Park is no less when it comes to aqua fauna and reptiles. The most found reptiles are Indian marsh crocodile or mugger, gharial, king cobra, common krait, cobra, Russels viper, python and monitor lizard. The fishes found here are golden mahsheer fish and Goonch Catfish other than many more found. What role can the local bodies and officials play in tourism development? Let us examine the following two situations: 1) A group of tourists was to spend three days at destination A: Two days before their departure comes the news that cases of gastro-entrites have been reported there and the water supply was affected. The municipality was being I held responsible for this. The group cursed the municipal authorities. However, the of visit was changed to destination B. The local population of destination A, besides facing health hazards also suffered economic losses because the money these tourists (along with many others who also must have either changed their itinerary or dropped the idea to visit) would have spent there was now spent at destination B. 2. At destination C everything is fine and running smoothly. Suddenly large number of tourists start amving. This leads to:a traffic chaos, a water scarcity, a parking problems, a shortage of eatables, and increase in prices, etc. The local body and officials responsible for administering the town are blamed for this by both, the residents as well as the tourists. Tourism: Planning and Policy There are and can be many more situations like this. Hence, it must be noted that the role of local bodies and officials is crucial in tourism planning and development. Many developers and planners ignore this or turn their eyes away. This is disastrous in the long run. This Unit attempts to highlight the role and functions of local bodies in tourismdevelopment, sustenance and promotion. It pinpoints their failures and weaknesses, locates the reasons for this and suggests measures for improvement. Today, in India, we have various kinds of local bodies functional in their respective areas.For example, Municipality or Municipal Corporations, village panchayats and zilaparishads, etc. These are representative bodies for the members are elected from among and by the people. Besides these there are certain other bodies also at the local

or regional levels which cater to the development needs of the area. For example, Delhi Development Authority, Gathwal Vikas Matidal, etc. In the following Sub-sections we look at their evolution, functions and relationship with the state.The evolution of local self government and local bodies in India from the pre-historic times to the present has a chequered but a fascinating history. They emerged through various stages and phases with regional and local variations. For example the ruins ofthe Harrappan civilisation testify to an efficient and organised municipal organisation of a township. The jataka stories mention flourishing townships. The Arthashastra of Kautilya gives details of municipal as well as rural administration. The Vedic and Sangam literature have ample references to local bodies. In preindependence India statutory institutions were established in the area of urban local self government. Ever since the establishment of the Madras Municipal corporation there has been a proliferation of municipal bodies. After independence the Government of India gave due weightage to the principle of local self government and a number of improvements were introduced in this regard. Today the local bodies, urban as well as rural, have a vital role in the process of development. Before we go further into the functions of local bodies it is worth mentioning that the urban areas are administered by different types of local bodies: Corporations,Municipalities, Boards, Town Area Committees, and Notified Area Communities, etc. Besides many other characteristics like density, population, occupations, amenities etc. the 1961 census, while defining a census township, included places of tourist importance which have been recently sewed with all civic amenities. Here one must remember that local government is a state subject as per the Constitution of India. Hence, these bodies are created through legislation by the State Government. The functions and responsibilities are all defined in the legislation and they vary state to state. As a matter of fact, functions to be performed by the municipal committees and the municipal corporations are similar in nature. The real difference lies in their powers and resources. Their jurisdiction and area of operation increases when the municipalities are raised to the status of municipal corporations. The functions of local bodies can be divided as: obligatory functions, and iscretionary functions. what are the threats and obstacles to tourism in india? In relation to tourism very often you come across such statements that: the country has tremendous tourism potential but no development is taking place in thisregard there has been a fall in tourism arrivals, so and so destination is no more an a m t i o n the way it used to be, etc. Such situations emerge because of certain obstacles and threats. Obstacles are generally understood as those procedures and policies that block, interrupt or reverse the free flow of tourism. At the same time studies have shown that even cultures and perceptions can-

alsobecome insrruments of obstruction. Similarly, the threats to tourism can be located in the very nature of tourism, attitude of the tourists, operations of the travel trade, tourism itnpacts,tourism policy and planning or the attitudes of the host population. This Unit attempts to delineate these threats and obstacles and make you understand their relevance in the context of tourism development. The relationship between the self and the other is a dominant factor in tourism. Here, the self is generally understood as the Western or rich tourist. Hisher identity is defined by creating an alternative other than the host or the resident. In this sense the tourism text is full of thelanguage of 'them' and 'us'. In the field of International Tourism, the discourse resembles the essential content of colonialism. In the context of domestic tourism, the text determines the relations between classes, communities and cultures that serve to define themselves in terms of the other. The approach of the WTO is to facilitate tourism as the fastest growing inducuy in the world and its emphasis is on the expansion of tourism for political, economic and income gains. Anything that interrupts these aims is a threat or an obstacle to tourism. The approach of the Travel Trade is to match a range of choices with a range of products by a number of producers operating from a variety of destinations. Anything that interrupts this relationship is a threat or obstacle to the business of tourism. However, tourists and residents do not view the threat tolfrom tourism or the obstacles that emerge as a result of its development in such a one sided manner. On the one hand we have the relationship between the Tourism Industry and the consumer while on the other, we have the political, economic, sociological, anthropological and cultural encounters between tourists, their destinations and residents. These encounters can also be a threat or an obstacle to tourism. Generally, threats and obstacles are perceived only at the destination and not at the point of origin. To understand the true meaning of a threat or an obstacle to tourism, we have to locate the conflict. This is not simple. Conflict can be physical, psychological, cultural or ideological and, therefore, will be both specific (between two people, two nationalities or two regions) or generic (between the West and the East). Therefore, the threat to tourism is located at the point of origin as well as the destination. For example, India's Tourism Year 1991 was not successful because we were unable to promote India as a safe destination. This was because America and West European countries issued travel advisories to warn their natiohals not to travel to India in the light of theanti-reservation in the northern parts. Now we in India do not issue travel advisories against America when there are race riots in Los Angeles or tourist murders in Florida. This is because we see India only as a tourist receiving country and not a market for world tourists. The perception of our government is determined by viewing India as a destination only. In defining threats and o b s w l e s to tourism, we have to go deeper into the nature of tourism and see the different levels at which they operate rather than only at the surface level of the operation of tourism.From the point of view of the Tourism Industry civil unrest is amajor threat to the business of tourism. In this context are cited incidents like: suikes in airlines or hotelsagitations or civil disturbancescommunal riots, and activities of militantslterrorists, etc. It is a fact that tourists are very much concerned about their safety. Hence, they would avoid a destination that is not regarded safe. The cancellations immediately after the Ayodhya

incidents of 1 9 9 2 or the decline of domestic as well as foreign tourist traffic to Kashmir Valley are examples in this regard. However, the losses have to be looked in totality. It is not only the tour operators, airlines or travel agents who suffer a loss but the local population is also a victim. The tour operator can negotiate or arrange for changed itineraries but what alternativehas the location population? In most of the cases destinations have a seasonality. Failure of one season leads to extreme hardship - particularly for those who belong to the informal sector or depend on providing subsidiary services. Crime at a destination is another threat. For example theft, molestation or cheating, all bring a bad name to the destination. In certain cases the inflow of tourists is severely effected when news reaches home about a molestation incident and so on. This is common to both foreign as well as domestic tourists. As mentioned in Sec. 35.2, the big powers use arm twisting methods in relation to Third World countries by issuing travel advisories. They declare countries out of bound for their citizens as per their own discretion. Many a times they have used civil unrest and terrorism as an excuse to issue such advisories. It is worth noting here that often the duration of such advisories is very short. This raises the question whether the situation was really so bad or it was used as an excuse for twisting the arms of small nations for political reasons. The American governmenl's [ravel advisory about Indiajust bcthre the PATA Conference was to start inNew Delhi (1993) is one such example. The dates of the conference had to be shifted because of this. As a professional in the area of tourism you must remember that India is a vast country. Disturbances in one part do not mean that whole of India is effected. In case of a crisissituation you must try to bring home this fact to your clients. At the same time you mustcontribute towards communal harmony Describe The Main Features Of The Performing Arts Of Any Region In India Dance and music as ancient performing arts have always been a part of the life of Indian people. Our religious literature recognized dance as an important activity in the human search for god. The relics of earliest civilization in India clearlydemonstrate the importance of dance. In the later period too dance remained at theforefront of all the performing arts. We learn about it from the sculptures, from the paintings, as also from numerous textual treatises on the art of dance. Music too has an old and long tradition. It has also enjoyed patronage of the peoplein general. In fact the birth of music lay, in the ancient past, in the religious activitiesof the people - the chanting of scriptures and paying musical offerings to gods is a well documented activity. It was also discovered then that the sound produced fiom different parts of the human body - the abdomen, lungs, throat and head made a system by itself. The ratios and proportions which sound patterns displayedsoon developed into an order called sruti. Gradually the musical scales were standardized and laws were framed to regulate the practice of singing and instrument playing. This allowed the evolution of melodies and a system of musical notations

(raag) to come into being. In its simplest and most obvious form and meaning, a dance is the physical expression of the emotive content of music. The pleasure of music is in the listening; the pleasure.of dancing is in watching that music take a bodily shape and express itsmeaning in a visual experience. In the following sections we shall take you on a journey across the wide spectrum of Indian dance and music as also through their historical growth and development. Indian performing arts, as we have old you above, are age old arts. Hence they A r t s and Aesthetics have evolved considerably over the past several thousand years. An understanding of this development is necessary for a proper appreciation of their aesthetic as well as material qualities. Music and Dance: The Natya Shastra, is a Sanskrit book that was written on music and drama during the second century that laid out the structure of music and dance. Two classical types of music, Karnataka (southern Indian) and Hindustani (northern Indian) have been influenced by bhakti(devotional) traditions that had been introduced after the fifth century. The Hindustani style was also influenced by Muslims who invaded India from the north. The Muslims Influenced the Hindustani instruments, styles and schools of performance. Dance has an important role in India as a part of worship, a pastime and as a part of Sanskrit dramas. Classical dance can be found in many different forms; manipuri, kathak, bharata natyam and kathakali. Theater and Film: Theater (drama) has been around in India for over a thousand years. The Sanskrit drama blossomed during the Gupta Era (AD 320-550) and the plays from that era are generally secular. One of the dramas that survived wasSakuntala, by Kalidasa, which is about courtesans, kings and the court. Theater is popular in Calcutta, but is struggling since the arrival of television and movies. More films come out of India than any other country and written with a formula that is expanded on with music and dancing. The themes fluctuate from social to historical and religious and the plots are rarely realistic. There are also Indian imitations of Western films. Music and Dance: The Natya Shastra, is a Sanskrit book that was written on music and drama during the second century that laid out the structure of music and dance. Two classical types of music, Karnataka (southern Indian) and Hindustani (northern Indian) have been influenced by bhakti(devotional) traditions that had been introduced after the fifth century. The Hindustani style was also influenced by Muslims who invaded India from the north. The Muslims Influenced the Hindustani instruments, styles and schools of performance. Dance has an important role in India as a part of worship, a pastime and as a part of Sanskrit dramas. Classical dance can be found in many different forms; manipuri, kathak, bharata natyam and kathakali. The kathak style started in northern India and with over a hundred ankle bells on, it's emphasis is on rhythmic footwork. Manipuri, which began in Manipur, uses graceful turning and swaying in its dances. Faces made up to look like masks, along with the use of mime are the characteristics of kathakali dance. Bharata natyam (based on the Natya Shastra) is probably the most noteworthy dance form. This is the style that comes to mind when Indian dance is

mentioned. It has graceful hand gestures, exacting movements and facial expressions, each one having its own meaning. Theater and Film: Theater (drama) has been around in India for over a thousand years. The Sanskrit drama blossomed during the Gupta Era (AD 320-550) and the plays from that era are generally secular. One of the dramas that survived wasSakuntala, by Kalidasa, which is about courtesans, kings and the court. Theater is popular in Calcutta, but is struggling since the arrival of television and movies. More films come out of India than any other country and written with a formula that is expanded on with music and dancing. The themes fluctuate from social to historical and religious and the plots are rarely realistic. There are also Indian imitations of Western films. Using the body as a medium of communication, the expression of dance is perhaps the most intricate and developed, yet easily understood art form. Dance in India has seeped into several other realms like poetry, sculpture, architecture, literature, music and theatre. The earliest archaeological evidence is a beautiful statuette of a dancing girl, dated around 6000 B.C. Bharata's Natya Shastra (believed to be penned between second century B.C. and second century A.D.) is the earliest available treatise on dramaturgy. All forms of Indian classical dances owe allegiance to Natya Shastra, regarded as the fifth Veda. It is said that Brahma, the Creator, created Natya, taking literature from the Rig Veda, song from the Sama Veda, abhinaya or expression from the Yajur Veda and rasa or aesthetic experience from the Atharvana Veda. It also contains deliberations on the different kind of postures, the mudras or hand formations and their meanings, the kind of emotions and their categorisation, not to mention the kind of attire, the stage, the ornaments and even the audience. All dance forms are thus structured around the nine rasas or emotions, hasya (happiness), krodha (anger), bhibasta (disgust), bhaya(fear), shoka (sorrow), vir am (courage), karuna (compassion), adbhuta (wonder) and shanta (serenity). All dance forms follow the same hand gestures or hasta mudras for each of these rasas. The dances differ where the local genius has adapted it to local demands and needs. ndia has a longest and richest tradition in theatre. Origin of Indian theatre is closely related to the ancient rituals and seasonal festivities of the country. The traditional account in Natya Shastra gives a divine origin to Indian Theatre According to legend, when the world passed from the Golden Age to Silver Age, and people became addicted to sensual pleasures, and jealousy , anger, desire and greed filled their hearts. God Indra, with the rest of the gods, approached Brahma, the Creator of the Universe, and begged for a mode of recreation accessible to all classes of society. Brahma acceded to this request and decided to compose a fifth Veda on Natya. From the four Vedas he extracted the four elements of speech, song, mime and sentiment and thus created Natyaveda, the holy book of dramaturgy. He asked Indra to pass the book to those of the Gods who are skillful, learned, free from stage fright and given to hard work. As Indra pleaded the gods' inability to enact the play, Brahma looked to Bharata and revealed the fifth Veda to him by God Brahma himself. Thus, when the dramatic art was well comprehended, the first drama was enacted on the auspicious occasion of Indra's Banner Day. Write brief note on the following?

Tourism Regulations A land of stupendous dimensions-coJourful, exotic, traditional, modern... With her varied topography, picturesque valleys, high mountain peaks and cascading rivers. She never ceases to surprise tourists with her kaleidoscopic attractions.This is how India is introduced to an itineiant tourist (Tourist Information Booklet,India. ~ e p a m k n t of Tourism, Government of India). Undoubtedly this description excites Wet imagination. Matched by the unfailing warmth and hospitality 01: our people, India should naturally become a destination for tourists from all parts of theglobe. But nay! soon the excitement subsides and gives way to a realism that evokes a different regpotlse-India, a land of disorder where laxity in J! kinds of regulatiClns is a norm. This is-an image based only partially on truth, but very largely a consequence of lack of infurmation or even disinformation to some extent about the legal, regulatory control ptacticcd in the country and adhered to in the same measure as in other part of thewarld. p . . It is, therefore, an essential requirement on the part of a tourism professional to obtain and master comprehensive information on the regulations that affect tourism both , - directly and indirectly. Also important is the passing of this information on to Ihe itinerant touris& This will help to annul their misfounhed fears regarding India as a prcqwctive destination. In addition this will enable them to know about and respect the regulations during their stay in India. In this Unit our aim has been to provide you with important information in this regard. Here you must keep in mind the fact that the development and promotion of tourism in the country has largely been the responsibility of the Deptt. of Towism. Sadly, it hasbeen functioning as a regulatory authority without any supporting legislation that specifically relates to tourism. As a result it has not always been possible to ensure a co-ordinated development of the infrastructure and a uniform regulatory code for tourism. In this context it is noteworthy that Asian and European Countries, which value their tourism potential, have very successfully provided support and incentives to the tourism sectors by incorporating such features into a Tourism Act. (See Appendix A for the salient features of some of these Acts). It is extremely important for all the visitors (except from Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh) from abroad to possess a valid passport issued by their respective countries before they enter Indian territory through land, sea or air route. Currently visa is an essential requirement for people of all nationalities for entering India. There are several kinds of visas as listed below, available to foreign nationals: Entry Visa Tau* Visa Business Visa Lmg-Qrm Visa (maximum duration of five years; multiple entry facility), and 0 Csl ' Landing p e r b i t (group tourists from abroad) Indian Consular Offices in different countries issue Indian visas. The fee for this visa is US $ 5 per person. But nationals of Britain pay a Visa fee of 23 (1994 rates).

The maximum duration for which tourist visas are issued is 180 days. But if a visa is issued for a lesser duration and an application for the extension of the same is made within 180 days, n o extra fee is charged. The only requirement is submission gf a set of identical passport photographs. There is also the provision for the extension of visa beyond 180 days, but this i s exceptionally operated. In such cases then the f e e charged varies within a fixed scale 2.) How can indias biodiversity be used as a tourist attraction?explain Biodiversity conservation emerges more important due to the globalize process of worlds economy and also for survival of the world as a balance habitat. Biodiversity of an ecosystem is a vital issue of an economy. Soil, water, Clim a t i c Condition, forest cover and biodiversity are crucial in determining the renewable resource flow of an economy. The Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio de Jeneiro (Brazil) elevated the status of biodiversity and the convention on biological diversity was one of the issues resolved in the Earth Summit. This convention includes certain specific objectives of biodiversity conservation and these are conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of biodiversity and fair and equitable sharing of the benefit arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Sustainable development stresses on economic development along with the object of conservation of environment. The Bruntland Commission in its report our common future in 1983, articulated sustainable development as Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. India is one of the 12 mega diversity centres in the world. In a recent classification (Rodgers and Panwar,1988), India as a whole is divided into 12 biogeography zones, i.e. (i) Trans Himalaya, (ii) West Himalaya, (iii) Eastern Himalaya, (iv) North East India, (v) The Indian Desert, (vi)S e m i-arid Zone (vii) Gangetic plain ,(viii) Western ghats ,(ix) Deccan Peninsula (x) Indian coasts, (xi) Andaman and Nicober Island and (xii) Lakshadweep Island. North Eastern Region embraces two biogeographic zones viz.- (a) Eastern Himalayas Comprising Arunachal Pradesh and (b) North East India i.e. Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim . The Eastern Himalayas biogeographic zone is accorded as mega diversity in lant wealth. The North-East India biogeographic zone is most significant among all zones of India. This zone is recognized as the richest zone in biodiversity. The Khasi and Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya are perhaps the richest botanical habitats in entire Asia(Rao, 1994 ). Assam is one of the richest biodiversity centre in N.E. Region of India.. There are number of tropical rainforest in Assam. Moreover, there are riverine grasslands , bamboo, orchards and numerous wetland ecosystems. Many of these areas have been protected by developing National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest. The state is enriched with extensiveforest areas and famous for floras and faunas. Assam includes 5 number of National Park and 18 number of wildlife sanctuary. As per the assessment made by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), the forest cover in Assam is more than 35 percent of its geographical areas Earlier, foreign tourists required special permits to enter the areas that now constitute the state of Meghalaya. However, the restrictions were removed in 1955. Meghalaya is considered to be one of the most picturesque states in the country. It has enough tourism content to attract tourists of many different interests.

Tourism content Meghalaya has some of the thickest surviving forests in the country and therefore constitutes one of the most important ecotourism circuits in the country today. The Meghalayan subtropical forests support a vast variety of flora and fauna. Meghalaya has 2 National Parks and 3 Wildlife Sanctuaries. Meghalaya also offers many adventure tourism opportunities in the form of mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking and hiking, water sports etc. The state offers several trekking routes some of which also afford and opportunity to encounter some rare animals such as the slow loris, assorted deer and bear. The Umiam Lake has a water sports complex with facilities such as rowboats, paddleboats, sailing boats, cruise-boats, water-scooters and speedboats. Meghalaya has an estimated 500 natural limestone and sandstone caves spread over the entire state including most of the longest and deepest caves in the sub-continent. Krem Liat Prah is the longest cave and Synrang Pamiang is the deepest cave, both located in the Jaintia Hills. Cavers from United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Ireland and the US have been visiting Meghalaya for over a decade exploring these caves Cherrapunjee is one of the most popular tourist spots in North East of India. It lies to the south of the capital Shillong. The town is very well known and needs little publicity. A rather scenic, 50 kilometer long road, connects Cherrapunjee with Shillong. The popular waterfalls in the state are the Elephant Falls, Shadthum Falls, Weinia falls, Bishop Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Langshiang falls and Sweet Falls. The hot springs at Jakrem nearMawsynram are believed to have curative and medicinal properties. Meghalaya is also known for its "Sacred Groves". These have been preserved by the traditional religious sacntion, since the ancient days. The Mawphlang sacred forest also known as "Law Lyngdoh" is one of the most famous sacred forests. Its located about 25 kilometres from shillong. Its a must vist for nature lovers. Nongkhnum Island located in the West Khasi Hills district is the biggest river island in Meghalaya and the second biggest in Asia. Its 14 kilometres from Nongstoin.The Island is formed by the bifurcation of Kynshi River into the Phanliang River and the Namliang River. Adjacent to the sandy beach the Phanliang river forms a very beautiful lake. The River then moves along and before reaching a deep gorge, forms a pretty fall about 60 meters high, called Shadthum Fall. Near the Indo-Bangla Border there is a small beautiful village known for its cleanliness. Its called the Mawlynnong village. It has earned the distinction of being the cleanest village in India. Its situated 90 kilometres from shillong. Some of the interesting features is the presence of

living root bridge and another strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock. Meghalaya also has many natural and manmade lakes. The Umiam Lake (popularly known as Bara Pani meaning Big water) on the Guwahati-Shillong road is a major tourism attraction for tourist. Meghalaya has several parks; Thangkharang Park, the Eco-park, the Botanical Garden and Lady Hydari Park to name a few. Dawki, which is located at about 96 Kilometres from Shillong is the gateway to Bangladesh and affords a scenic view of some of the tallest mountain ranges in Meghalaya and the Bangladesh border lands. Balpakram National Park with its pristine habitat and scenery is a major attraction [15] The Nokrek National Park, also in Garo Hills has its own charm with lot of wildlife. [16]. [edit]Problems and constraints The state has a relatively poor road and communication network specially NH 62. While some of the major circuits such as Shillong-Jowai, Shillong-Tura and Shillong-Sohra are well developed; the internal road networks are rather poor and inadequately maintained. There are few markets outside the state capital Shillong. Banking facilities are also limited and only a few establishments in the state accept credit cards. The Garo Hills region which has some of the most important tourist spots is not well connected with the rest of the state. Tourism in the North East in general has also suffered on account of years of insurgency and the resulting security concerns. Many governments had in the past issued advisories against traveling to the Northeast of India, worsening the security perception. It may however be mentioned that Meghalaya is perhaps the least affected by insurgency in the Northeast region. The current ground scenario for Shillong is one in which tourists are welcome to come and enjoy the beauty of Meghalaya. [edit] b) Informal services in tourism

the search for new products and new markets, like rural tourism and eco tourism have infiltrated into areas where there is little awareness of the dangers of tourism and its impact on children. In fact, when some NGO studies have pointed to the abuse of children in tourism services the administration has denied it Services account for 11.5% of child labour in India.(Unicef, 2002), out of the 1.26 crore children at work.(2001 Census). The main sectors are vending, repairing, food preparation, scavenging, shoe shine, car wash, begging, domestic services, hotels, restaurants and the informal sector in Tourism, like beach walking, selling of trinkets, water, laundry, massage and other supplementary needs of tourists at a site or destination. Many of the job descriptions overlap and require unskilled labor at exploitative wages and under poor working conditions. Now we have the addition of Medical tourism, where organ trading and surrogacy in child bearing are

becoming an important economic activity, running into several million dollars .Sex Tourism, particularly pedophilia, has already been studied and talked about, and it is only in 2003 that Goa passed the Goa Childrens Act 2003, which makes the tourism establishment responsible for abuse of children on its property or adjoining beaches and parks. (Equations paper for Campaign Against Child Labor, Karnataka). We have just come to know about the exploitation of children in civil strife and war, both by the State and the Maoist groups that are active in several states. Orissa and Chattisgarh are examples in the Salwa Judum army vs the Maoist peoples war groups.(TOI, New Delhi, March 17th,2008 Report :Children Suffer Most in Naxalite-Salva Judum Crossfire) The National Commission on Child Rights has stated that 30,000 people have had to migrate to Andhra Pradesh to escape the crossfire. They said that Naxalites took away children between the ages of 10-16 to act as informers and couriers. From the age of 12 they were given arms training. The Salwa Judum activists had showcased children as victims of Naxalite violence. This ensured that no one was safe in the villages any more. In personal interviews in Jespur, people complained that during the day the police forced children to join the SJ and at night the Naxalites forced them to procure supplies as well as to contribute one child per family to the armed struggle .No social sector activity like PDS, education and health care was allowed in these areas. Displacement also kept these IDPs out of the net of social safety nets since they had no certification. Children become the worst sufferers and find their way into the informal work force to survive. Under Indian Civil Law, Child Labor (Prohibition &Regulation) Act, 1986, no child under the age of 14 can be employed, and 15 occupations and 57 processes have been identified as hazardous, where it is assumed that employment of children will be rigorously punished. On October 10th, 2006 The Center banned the employment of children under 14 in Dhabas/hotels, as domestic help in homes, and in any form in the hospitality industry. By December 2006, 1,672 violations have been reported but no major action has been recorded against these violations. The dismal performance of the Welfare of Working children in Need of Care and Protection scheme that is being run as a formality with no commitment to the cause of the poor and helpless working children is cause for concern. Only 3.96 crore of the 45 crore allocated has been spent.( Parliamentary Standing Committee reported in Mail Today ,Working Kids Scheme in Limbo as funds lie unused May 10th, pg 15)The targets and projects set for 2006-07 were also not met. How the States fared is interesting according to current data on working children relating to Dhabas, Restaurants and Hotels and Domestic services:

According to the HT item above, child labour in domestic services and eateries in Delhi and Mumbai alone numbers over 1.5 Lakh. NGOs and Officials accuse each other of dereliction of duty, and admit that enforcement has been lax .The administration believes that implementation would improve once guidelines on rescue and rehabilitation and bridge schools have been established .A success story from Karur in Tamil Nadu shows how Physco-Trust created non formal education, employment for parents and self help groups as well as womens saving groups to resolve the problems of rehabilitation of children rescued from labor in the textile weaving industry ,laundry, and other services. Today it is an almost 100% child labour free city.(Times of India, 2 Dec,2007 :Bridging the Gap for our young work force ,Amit Bhattacharya.) What keeps child labor alive in spite of activism is the social acceptance and the low wages. Govt. Servants employed many children rescued. Bachpan Bachao Andolan did a special drive in

Bihar on children working in roadside eateries, and rescued them. But where did they go and how long before they are back? There are several reasons for this poor compliance. There is little or no awareness of the law; no ethical pressure in employing children for work which appears homely but puts the child at risk in terms of lack of sleep, malnutrition, open to sexual abuse, and accidents at work. Convention 138 which states that no child below the age of 18 can be employed in any economic activity because it is assumed that the mental and physical preparation for adult life, and compulsory schooling will only be complete at that age is not universally applied. India has not ratified the convention because our Government believes that compulsory schooling up to the age of 14 is sufficient. It also believes that poverty and skill development should be given more value than the issue of children at work. Our 1986 Act explicitly excludes children working with parents, even if the occupation is hazardous. Thus, there is no action taken if the age bar in our legislation is infringed, if child labor is a survival strategy for the poor. India has also not ratified Convention 182, which deals with the worst forms of Child Labor including slavery, bondage, trafficking, serfdom, prostitution, pornography, combat and mining. We have poor implementing legislation for these two important Conventions although many countries have ratified them as ILO-IPEC. Members .At the moment a violator pays a fine of Rs20,000/- and a rescued child is given Rs.1000/- towards rehabilitation .Government wage structures still indicate minimum wages for children in contradiction to their own legislation.