Title: ENDOGENOUS AND SPICE TOURISM UNDERTAKEN BY WIA (WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE) SUPPORTED BY UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Author (s) : Mr. JINU JOY
Ms. MARY GEORGE VALLIKKAPPIL
Ms. MINIMOL PUNNACKAPADAVIL
Faculty Guide: Ms. SANTHIMOL M. C.
Endogenous tourism under taken by WIA (women in agriculture) supported by UNDP
In October 2004, 25 energetic and enthusiastic women of Anakkara started a new venture, WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE (WIA), with an aim of improving their life style by providing their own contributions to the family income. The people of Anakkara depend on agriculture for their daily bread, because of this reason WIA mainly concentrated on agricultural activities like cultivating cardamom, various vegetables, ginger, turmeric, tapioca etc in their own farms as well as on lease land. WIA is registered under Charitable Society Act in May2005. WIA has members of age between 25 – 60 with the educational qualification varies from SSLC to PG.They sold their products in local market and got good profit, motivated from this and they want to diversify their activities. In 2005, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) selected Anakkara as one of the Spice Tourism circuit destinations, for that UNDP wanted a non governmental organization for implementing the activities. The reason for involving the non government organization(WIA) in the UNDP programmes is to avoid the interference of any governmental or elected bodies which could hamper in the development of these endogenous projects .In 2006 WIA got the sanction for this project. The present agricultural officer of Chakkupallam Grama Panchayath, Mr.N.S.Josh, is the main project coordinator of WIA.He is supporting them both agricultural and tourism activities. A retired teacher, Mrs.Elizebath John acts as the team leader of WIA.
Anakkara is a serene hamlet in Idukki district in Kerala, the GOD’S OWN COUNTRY. It lies in between Munnar and Periyar wild life sanctuary. Spice plantations are the major attractions over here. Anakkara provides a calm and salubrious environment in land of spice plantations. It is a picturesque picnic spot atop of the Sahyadri ranges in the Western Ghats with a unique area of balanced eco system. It is located at Chakkupallom and Vandanmedu Panchayathu in Udumbanchola Thaluk, Idukki district. It covers an area of 47 sq. km with the population of 22000. The specialty of this destination is its altitude-1000 to1800 metres above sea level. The temperature varies between 150C to 310C and the annual rainfall it receives ranges from 2500 to 3000 mm. The rich and varied flora and fauna of this place makes it an ideal and perfect picnic spot. The expansive loamy plantations of coffee, tea, pepper and fragrant cardamom can be seen side by side with natural vegetations, all these are the primary attractions that enhance the natural splendor of this tourist spot. The major attractions of this place are rocky caves and steep mountain valleys of Chellarcovil, view point and picnic spot of Valiyapara and Ottakathalamedu and water falls of Aruvikuzhi.The mist clad hills and valleys, lush tropical vegetations, high cliff with sylvan cascade, panoramic view of Tamil Nadu plains give Anakkara an idyllic and distinctive charm and beauty. It makes the activities of WIA easier.
The joint Venture of Government of India and UNDP, Endogenous Tourism Project has decided to promote the local culture and craft for sustaining the livelihoods, thereby promoting an integrated rural development in their 10th Five Year plan. Eventually the focus will shift towards women, unemployed youth, and disadvantaged groups. The Endogenous tourism is a type of tourism in which both domestic and international tourist visit the destination not only for pleasure but also for broadening the tourist’s experience platform, in which the source of attraction lies within the host community or environment. It attempts to transform attitudes and mind sets, imparting local pride and visitor appreciation of diverse culture, heritage and environment of the region.
Major objectives of Endogenous tourism:
(1) Promotion of human development and gender equality.
(2) Capacity building for decentralization.
(3) Poverty eradication and sustainable livelihoods.
Anakkara though being an endogenous destination has also been actively promoted in the Spice Tourism Circuit. To visit the spice farms of Kerala is a thrilling experience for a tourist. The promotion of this unique tourism experience has been promoted not only by the UNDP, but also by WIA. The majority of the spice cultivation takes place in the Western Ghats, as the climate is favorable for their cultivation. The tourists can experience fresh green spice gardens and wild life besides spicy cuisine and homestay accommodation. WIA provides accommodation for the tourists in the form of home stays, there are currently six such homes operating in Anakkara, with the capacity of 20 rooms. The owner of these home stays, WIA members consider the tourist as their own family members and serves them with traditional Kerala food. These home stays provide the tourist with safety, hygienic stay and protection from anti social elements. They provide a bed and break fast for Rs.1500/- per day. They also provide tree top lunch and candle dinner. During their stay they can also visit the spice gardens which is a unique experience of its own, as most of the tourists come from the concrete jungles, they prefer those areas which offer peace, fresh air, water and natural scenic views.
The endogenous tourism project scheme is divided into two: Hardware programme and Software programme. Government of India provides the hardware fund (Rs. 50 lakhs per site, as developmental fund) under the Rural Tourism Scheme. UNDP supports the software activities (Rs. 20 lakhs per site) under the Endogenous Tourism project. The software consists of providing awareness to the local people, training in the field of various soft skills etc.Hardware consists of basic infrastructural development. These amounts are in the account of District Collector of Idukki, who is acting as the focal point of this project. Till now they spend around 35 lakhs for various activities.
WIA members got training in various cultural activities like Kolkali, Karakattam, Chendamelam (especially by women), Tug of war, Theyyam, Thiruvathira and the musical rendering of Mrudanga, Violin etc, and these performances are held exclusively for the tourists visiting the place. The locals are also given training in various types of handicrafts, fabric painting etc and they impart this training also to the tourists. The members of WIA started a sales outlet for value added and organic products. Through this they sell various spices in small packets of 100g, 250g etc which are hand picked from their own organic spice gardens. They also sells various home made and natural products like Soap, Oils, Pickles, various Indian Masalas, Honey, Cashew nuts, Tea powder etc. all these activities help to sustain themselves thereby developing the society.
Usually the tourist from Canada, Netherlands visit Anakkara. The thrilling experience and the efficient hospitality provided by WIA encourage them to repeat their visits to this destination. Sree Sankara Gardens, which is one of the strong supporters of this project, is an organization known for its Ayurvedic treatment and packages especially for the tourists. Currently tourists are visiting this destination to conduct a research on this alternative type of treatment. The Marketing and promotion of this destination is undertaken by WIA. They have collaboration with travel agencies in Cochin and other places. At present, the tourists have hosted a website for the same. Anakkara is also known for its plastic free environment with the continuous efforts of WIA. It has taken waste management initiatives like recycling of waste; preparing eco friendly bags from the cut pieces which are discarded from the seamstress.
A lot of tourists are visiting these areas. It is a sort of participatory tourism programme. The tourists get opportunity to get involved in all activities of the region. The Endogenous Tourism Projects has facilitated in capacity building, thereby enabling low income people, especially WIA members to create and articulate their skills from within. Endogenous Tourism projects are designed to minimize the negative impact of tourism and promote conservation and socio economic development of the region.
Anakkara is being spontaneously developed to a new destination for sustainable spice tourism by the efforts of a group of enthusiastic women farmers of Anakkara. Even though the program has been well established, there have been some difficulties with relation to infrastructural problems like the absence of good roads, medical facilities, educational facilities and other such similar facilities. According to the WIA members, even if we are in 21st century, some members of the local community are not ready to accept all the activities done by woman. So in the initial stage the people are not encouraging such women centric organizations like WIA which has been actively involved with the endogenous tourism projects.
The WIA tackled most of the problems through their continuous efforts and now they are getting better support from the society and they are proud of themselves because now they also playing a crucial role in their families’ financial activities.
Key words:
1. Chendamelam
Chendamelam is the ritual drum performance, especially during the festivals of Kerala. Mainly it is performed in temples as part of religious events.
2. Kolkali
Kolkali is a folk art performed in Kerala. The dance performers move in a circle, striking small sticks and keeping rhythm with special steps. The circle expands and contracts as the dance progress. The accompanying music gradually rises in pitch and the dance reaches its climax
3. Karakattam
Karakattam, also known as Karagam, is a popular folk dance of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This dance form, generally conducted in August, is originated as a ritual dedicated to Mariamman, the goddess of health and rain. Karakattam is popular in villages during temple festivals.
4. Theyyam
The Theyyam or Theyyattam is a popular ritual dance of north Kerala.The term Theyyam is a corrupt form of daivam or God. It is a rare combination of dance and music and reflects important features of a tribal culture. People of these districts consider Theyyam as a God and they seek blessings from Theyyam. Kerala, south India
5. Thiruvathira
Thiruvathirakali is a very popular dance form of Kerala. It is usually performed in connection with the Native festival called Onam and Thiruvathira. The festival Thiruvathira comes in Dhanu Maasam (January). Thiruvathirakali is also called as “Kaikottikali”. According to Hindu mythology, Parvati performed rigorous penances in order to win Shiva as her husband. Shiva, pleased with her commitment agreed to take Parvati as his wife on this vary day of Thiruvathira. Therefore, on this day, married and unmarried women perform the dance yearning for the well-being of their husband and for acquiring a good husband respectively. It is a kind of ritual performed to ensure happy and harmonious marital life.
6. Mridanga
Mridanga which means body of clay is the most ancient of all percussion instruments. It is commonly used in south India as an accompaniment to the vocal and instrumental performances. In the north India mridanga is known as pakhawaj and a slight difference is observed in both. The mridangam is hollowed out of a block of wood and is about 60cm in length. It has the shape of a barrel with the bulge slightly to one side and the right face is smaller than the left. The left face which is called ‘tappi’. The outer one is a flat ring of leather and at its periphery attached to a plait known as the pinnal. This layer holds on its inner side another parchment which is a circular piece and has a diameter approximating to the outer skin.
Courtesy:
Mr.N.S Josh, Agriculture officer, Chakkupallam, Kerala
Ms.Simi Mary Devasia, DCSMAT, Vagamon
