Volume2 Issuel, October 1993
Opening Up: ForWhom?
In this increasingly mobile worl4 raising questions on the purpose
-rd underlying assumptions of mobility is seen by many as an
exercise without reason. Liberalisation is heralded as the motive force
in the increased movement of capital, Bood+ information and
services. international and bilateril trade negotiations insist on
increased access to markets which are "protected". Protection is now
synonymous with conservatism, non-opennese and immobility.
From the perspective of those who can afford to be "open" the above
is trnquestionable. But from that of those who can t, questions are
many. The right to question is their first loss. \lVith that their ability
to ask, and therefore the ability to participate.
This is the context in which peo,ple who are marginalised by the
process of opming-up and liberalisation are raising their voices in
protest. A protest emerging from the hurt of being marginalised
from the consciousness of those vested with the responsibility of
providing a space for creative interaction.
Tourism, purportedly a "liberating" force, is increasingly removing
its mask, and is showing more and more its intolerance to those who
,^question its basis. It is fencing out people: their lan4 livelihood and
he contexts of their lives.
For Private Circulation Only
Special Tourism Areas (STAs), emb.odied in the National Tourism
Action Plan of.7992, are a step towards consolidating the process of
marginalisation. Kutch in Gujarat, an 84 kilometre shetdr in
Maharashtra, Bekal in Kerala, 13 sites in Tamil Nadu, the Puri-
Konarak coastline in Orissa: these are some of the targets for STA
status.
STAs are conceived of as areas of exdusive tourism dwelopment.
They will be administered by autonomous bodies which have the
tourism sector in the forefront of their plans. Ghettos of opulence
and decadence for the fortunate few, the STAs will cost the'silent'
maprity their economic, socio-cultural and even political
sovereignty.
Clearly, the time has come to close ranks and reaffirm our
commitment to reshaping existing structures as well newly
emerging ones. What is not so dear, though, is the "how", since it
is determined by the way each of us understands the "why".
Iinvite you to join us in the quest to seek altemative ways of
participating, while allowing for a diversity of responses.
K T Suresh
 he urge to travel is perhaps as old as the origin of the spirit
of enquiry in man. But when this natural instinct to travel
for pleasure is turned into an industry, it becomes one of the
vilest means of exploitation with certain far reaching consequences.
Global Developments
In the seventies tourism began to take the shape of a globally
organised industry. This development is closely linked with the
changing intemational scene after World War ll indicating a new
strategy of economic colonisation with indirect political control
replacing former colonial annexations. While the old colonies of
Asia, Africa and Latin America were enticed into the debt trap,
developed capitalist countries made great advances in industrial
production and established unquestioned supremacy over world
trade. Tourism should be understood in the context of these global
developments.
World-wide travel, which till recentll', was possible only for
section of affluent people in the developed capitalist countries is
now within the reach of the common man. Vacations, the payment
of bonus and other benefits to workers are now structured to
encourage travel. Multinational corporations have massive invest-
ments in aviation, travel agencies, hotel chains and other sectors of
international tourism. Travel allowance also comes as a component
of the service benefits to employees. But the irony is that these
incentives come fiom the sizeable profits made at the expense of the
peoples of the Third World.
For the average westerner, tourism offers a temPorary escape from
the oppression of dt'cadent values within the capitalist social
structure. The lower strata can, as a rule, afford only third world
destinations as the cost of food, accommodation and travel are
comparatively cheaper.
Third World Dilemma
While tourism received a fillip in the capitalist countries, the Third
World saw a different kind of development. Enamoured by the fiscal
aid and technology transfer offered by the imperialist countries,
third world nations entangled themselves in the debt trap.
The World Bank and the International Monetory Fund came
forward ostensibly to help these countries out of the crisis. The
conditionalities for extending assistance required these countries to
mobolise funds by cutting down on welfare expenditure,
abancloning subsidies, freezing wages and promoting tourism to
eam foreign exchange. Third World countries were quick to seize
upon tourism as the short cut to earn foreign currency.
Divergent Paths
Tburism in the
developed capitalist countries and the under'
developred third world countries manifests itself under distinctly
differcnt circumstances. In rhe devcloped capitalist countrie's,
tourism is part of the capitalist development Process. Cultural
clomination arising from tourism clevelopment is not an issue for
countries who have for long established their political, economic
and cultural itlentities. But in third lvorld countries, though colonial
rt.rle no longer exists, the situ"rtion in many rvays is that of political
subse'rvience. Iiarning forc'ign cxchange through tourism is the only
cscape from thc de'bt trap. Given this situation, an objective
asscssmL'nt ol'tht'rmpacts of tourism does not exist in these
cor.rrt trit's.
A
AtrW
II{IIA SION
Tourism as Colonisation
KVENU
Murky Scenario
It would be relevant now to look at the third world experience with
tourism. In countries Thailand, Malaysia and I'hilippines, economic
liberalisation had given a boost to the tourism industry. Despite the
massive influx of foreign tourists, much of the earnings are
appropriated by multinationals controlling the industry and profits
a
flow out for the import of consumer goods required by the foreign
tourists. Though affluent locals manage to profit in the process, the
condition of the common people becomes worse. The lifestyle of the
foreign tourists leads to inflationary trends. Again it is the common
people who have to bear the brunt. Unregulated construction or
tourist resorts and golf course cause irreparable damage to th,l
environment. Even worse is the commoditisation of indigenou
culture for consumption by foreign tourists.
The breakdown of social relations and crosion of moral values in
the developed capitalist countries have disrupted the family
structure and sexual mores. Tourism is often seen as an escape from
this vitiated atmosphere and as an outlet for sexual urges. The
emergence of sex tourism is systematic to this phenomenon.
Thailand and Philippines are the mute victims of this new brand of
tourism. Child prostitution has reached frightening proportions in
Thailand. In a vast country like India about 20,000 children are
estimated to be involved in prostitution. In Thailand, which is as
large as one of our states, it is between three and eight lakhs !
Advertisements offering the services of girls between eight and
sixteen years are a common feature. Drug trafficking, which is also
rampant is an attendant evil of the flesh trade and together strike at
the very foundation of society. Malaysia and the Philippines are no
exceptiorrs.
In India, Goa is on the verge or becoming another Thailand. Drug
trafficking ancl prostitution floursihes here. Kovalam in Kerala '-.
not fa r behind. Most young people i n the village have become either
drug pushers or addicts while prostitution has made Kovalam a
virtual clearing house for Aids in Kerala.
God's Country
What is the nature of tourism promotion in Kerala as we see it today
arrd what are its consequences? The cultural pageantry that the
Kerala tourisrr, department puts up for the foreign tourists is a gross
affront to its helitage. Nothing can match the cultural perversions
that have reduced the Onam festival to a mere decorative
electrification. In addition, lakhs of rupees are looted to host lifeless
cultural extravaganzas. Those who claim that tourism in its present
form could be remodelled along more benign lines are deceiving
themselves and others.
The Bekal beach in Kerala is one of the six areas identified for
intensive tourism development. Official announcements indicate
that the tourist facilities proposed in Bekal is very much on the lines
 of what we see in Goa and Kovalam. An initial government
investment of about Rs. 1000 crores is envisaged with further
substantial private investments in luxury hotels, swimming pools
and golf courses. The building of these massive facilities may fetch
the local people some employment. However, once the
infrastructure is complete, most of the remunerative openings
would go to outsiders. What would then follow is the culture of
prostitution, pimping and drug peddling.
Cultural Servitude
According to the officials, our "cultural backwardness" necessitates
such S-star facilities for the foreign tourist who is more advanced
than us ! No doubt, the cultural context of the West is very different
from that of ours, but the creation of exclusive tourist resorts will
further distort our own cultural fabric. When people from the third
Tourism
and
NEP
he National Action Plan for Tourism, announced by the
Government of India in 1992 outlines a major plan to
establish Special Tourism Areas (STAs) in different regions
with nine travel circuits and six travel destinations identified for
development. Several new facilities for foreign tourists are
envisaged with encouragement to private and foreign initiatives.
Existing restrictions would also be relaxed to make travel trade free.
The government would invest in airports, airline services,
communication networks, railways, banking services etc.
lnternational hoteliers would be given concessions to set up luxury
hotels and foreign airlines, travel agents and tour operators also
would be encouraged.
The Action Plan should be viewed in the context of the principles of
liberalisation and globalisation which presently guide the new
economic poliry. Liberalisation refers to the creation of a liberal
-'onomic environment where market will be the decisive force and
6overrunental restrictions will be less. The private sector will
dominate; Disinvestment in public sector equities is one step in that
direction.Through fiscal policymeasures the govemment is reducing
public investment by withdrawing subsidies to essential items like
food, fertilizers, water, electricity etc. and cutting down expenditure
on health, education, drinking water, employment generation and
poverty alleviation. Several tax concessions for big industrial houses
are on the anvil. The allocation and utilisation of investible financial
resources are left to the market. It would reduce the reach of the
banking system in rural areas whle expanding them in the urban
areas. Loans to priority sectors including agriculfure would be cut
fromthe 40% of thetotal bank lending today toonly 10%.
Liberalisation. is thus changing the structure of the economy by
reducing the role of the state and making the economy rely more on
market mechanism. Globalisalion refers to the integration of our
economy with the world economy. By opening up our economy the
entry of foreign goods, services and capital is facilitated with little
restriction. Industries have been given incentives for export
world travel to developed countries, they usually take pains to
adjust to the environment there. Why is it then that we feel
constrained to provide special facilities for their comfort when they
travel here? This only reflects the cultural domination we have
surrendered to, a situation more abiect than actual colonial
subjugation.
Only an overall development approach built on self-reliance can
even envisage tourism as a beneficial industry. The policy
propensities of treating tourism as the main source of our foreign
exchange have to be completely revamped. A new approach to
tourism is possible only when we stand firmly on the foundations
of self-reliance and see tourism only as cultural exchange. I
Translated & excerpted from The Matltrubhumi Weekly, Onam
Special, September 1 993.
activities, though this would not improve remarkably owing to the
protectionist atmosphere in the capitalist West and the decade long
recession there. Following trade poliry reform, imports of foreign
goods and services, especially luxury items are going up.
The more far-reaching impact of globalisation is iikely to be on the
service sector. Foreign banks and insurance companies, inter-
national telecommunication corporations, foreign airlines and
travel agents will have an upperhand. Developed capitalist nations
are at an advantage owing to the sheer size of their corporate
organisations, scale ofoperations and technological clout. Trade in
services has now been included in the scope of GATT negotiations.
The Dunkel Draft has suggested measures to allow free flow of
services like banking, insurance, telecommunications and tourism
between nations. Once accepted these proposals will become man-
datory for member nations of GATT and it will ensure the domina-
tion of foreign capital in the service sector of developing countries.
Significantly, those services in which a country like India enjoys
distinct advantages for instance labour services, professional
-
skills, consultanry serviceshave been left out of the scope of
GATT negotiations on the- pretext that they are all part of
immigration laws.
There is a lot in common between the Dunkel Draft (especially trade
in services) and the new economic policies in India. This is evident
from the new poliry guidelines and reforms in the trade, industrial
and financial sectors. Even before signing the Dunkel Draft,
Dunkelisation of the economy is on through globalisation.
The National Action Plan on tourism states that the aim of the new
policy on tourism would be to "enaourage private investment, both
domestic and foreign". Hotels set up in "rural areas, hill stations,
pilgrim centres and specified tourist destinations", will be exempt
from expenditure tax and fifty per cent of income tax for ten years.
The new industrial policy has already facilitated automatic
approval of foreign investment in equity upto fifty-one per cent in
hotel industry. A committee has been set up to negotiate with parties
abroad to attract foreign investment especially in STAs. lnterest
subsidies will also be enhanced to set up hotels in special areas and
specif ied destinalions.
The role of the government, as the action plan asserts, shall be to
'conceptualise and deal with policy issues mainly'. ln the current
context these 'policy issues'aim at devising more and more avenues
for private initiative and attracting foreign investment in the
tourism sector. I
BYASDEB DASGUPTA
 Fiscal Incentives/Concessions Declared by the
Government of India
A) Under 80 HHD of Income Tax Act, 1961. Income
attributable to foreign exchange earnings of the hotels
50% is exempted from Income Tax straightway and the
balance 50% is also exempt if reinvested in tourism
industry.
B) Approved hotels functional after 31.3.1990 but before
7.4.7995 are eligible for Tax Holiday deductions under
80 IA.
Depreciation
hotel buildings
The are eligible for depreciation at the rate
- of 20% with effect fuom 2.4.1987 (Assessment year
1988-89). Furniture and fittings used in hotels have been
allowed a higher rate of depreciation of 75"/o against the
general rate of 10%.
Interest Subsidy
Hotel Projects 1-3 star categoryare eligible for an interest
- subsidy of 3% on the entire loan amourt. Hotel projects
in specified areas and Heritage Hotels are eligible for 5Y"
.interestsubsidy. No interest subsidy is available for 4 and
5 Hotels and other hotels in the four mehopolitan cities
of Dellii, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras.
Liberalised Exchange Rate Management System (LERMS)
Hotels, travel agents, tour operators and other
- organisations connected with tourist trade are no covered
under'LERMS. Authorised dealers release foreign
exchange for business visitt participation in Conferences,
Seminars, Training etc. Prior approval of Department of
Tourism is not necessary.
Facility to open and operate Exchange F-aciers Foreign
- Currency (EEFC) Account extended to hotels, travel
agents, tour operators, etc. Under the sdreme, L5% of
inward remittances in foreign exchange can be credited to
this account and utilised for specified purposes.
The purpose for which EEFC account can be utilised
- include travel abroad, expenses for foreign hospitality,
participation in trade fairs,/exhibitions abroad,
advertisement publicity, promotiory market studies,
publication of brochures, folders, etc. agency commission,
service chargeg fees payable to foreign technicians and
any other payments including imports subject to
regulations.
5. Imports
Capital goods, raw materials, components etc. can be
- imported without any restriction except tothe extent such
imports are regulated by the Negative List of Imports.
Import of special items required by hotels, restaurants,
- travel agents and tour operators permitted against a
licence on the recommendation of Director General of
Tourism. Recognised hotels, travel agents, tour operators
and restaurants are entitled to such import licences upto
avalue of 70"/o of the foreign exchange earned by them
during the preceding licensing year.
6. Concessional Custom Dutv
Custom Duty on specified items has been reduced to the
- level as applicable to project imports provided the goods
imported are required for substantial expansion of the
hotel. This includes equipment for kitchen, health club,
laundry, housekeeping, energy saving devices, etc.
Equipment for Advenfure Sports can also be imported on
-
a concessional rate of duty.
Priority consideration is also given to approved projects
- in allotment of construction materials, like, cement, steel
and for telephone, tele4 LPG connections.
ExportPromotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme
Import of capital equipment (including spares upto l}%)by
Hotels and Restaurants, Travel Agents and Tour operators,
for which payments are received in freely convertible
currency, is allowed at a concessional rate of custom duty of
15% subject to an export obligation four times the CIF value
of the imports. Theobligation is tobe fulfilledwithin aperiod
of 5 years.
 TourisminKr;/ch
Chnllenges and
OpportunXies
lF"" purpose or rnls worKsnop $ ro
I outline a strategy for tourism
L developmentin Kutch - a strategy
that can respect the fragile ecology of this
area while responding to the growing
visitor interest in its attractions. By a 'fragile
ecology', we mean a natural as well as a
cultural ecology. Both need protection and
enhancement. The natural ecology is often
easier to understand, and difficult enough
y'o secure. The cultural ecology- is far more
.ompler; both in terms of the delicate
relationships which comprise it, as well as
in developing the protective responses
whidr it needs.
Tourism is an industry, and needs to be
understood in terms of the infrastructure
which this 'smokeless industry'requires :
the quality of attractions that can sustain
tourists demand, the efficienry of services
(hansportation, accommodation, guides,
food, shopping entertainment) that visitors
need and demand, the implications of
developing sudr infrastructure and of
maintaining it. The demand factor is
important to understand. 'Tourists' are not
one homogenous group. Tourist traffic has
to be segmented by interest and budget (and
not merely by citizenship) if infrastructure
is to respond to existing demand, or new
-iemands are to be created and sustained. It
rs here that choices exists, and need to be
exercised with sensitivity. Tourism may be
'smokeless' in the physical sense, but it has
pollution factors that are often difficult to
control. Unplanned and uncontrolled,
tourism can quickly destroy the very factors
that attract travellers in the first place.
'Cultural Tourism' is the term now used to
describe the task before us.
Tourism itself is not a choice. Peo'ple will
and do travel. The freedom to travel is basic
to our society. The choice is a qualitative
one: what kind of tourism? How much
tourism? Holiday travel is a major
'phenomenon for India's burgeoning
middle class as well as for visitors from
overseas.The industry is searching for 'new'
destinations. Kutch is one of them. flts crafts
alone have been so vigorously promoted
at every Festival of India abroad, at every
-
5trolling tor le i:ure"l"
opportunity at home
- that each
Kutchiproductis a resplendent
sale of a
invitation to
a visit.) So, what kind of tourism will be I was strolling down the path
positive for the Kutch of tomorrow, and by the fields after my meals.
how can it be planned and built? I met Anton who told me
he couldn't have any fish for
his meals
Our exercise here could well begin by because it was too expensive.
making an inventory of the tourist'product' The five-star hotels,
whidr Kutch represents. What (and where) he said, were r€ady to pay
are the attractions (phyrsical, natural, social) the higher price for the fish.
that drawvisitors? What opportunities and Then I met Marh who was
what problems do each of these attractions standing pensively
represent? What has been the tourism by the well sucked dry
experience so far, both positive and by the five-star hotel.
negative? What directions or questions does
She was thinking, she said,
past erperience suggest in terms of future
of the long walk
the next morning for water.
decisions? Can one attempt to prioritise
these attractions in terms of development?
Then I heard Meena
coughing badly
What infrastructure/attitudes/slills / bud- and her door was open;
gets do they need for development or So I dnopped in. She had gone
protection, or both? What hazards are being to fetch the doctor, she said,
in the cold night for her hubby
experienced, or are feared? What is the
having a running anus.
quality of socio-economic information now
available on tourism in Kutch who earnt Water-bome disease,
- by how the doctor opined,
who is employed, who benefits,
Any dirty Water? careful about it.
much? What investments havebeen made,
by whom, and what investments are
He was stem in his caution!
The seu'age, Shankar said,
needed? was beirrg let out
into the Sal river, by a starred hotel
I walked further down
If tourism is to be sensitive to Kutch, it must
I wanted leisurg
first respect its people. Are they involved in my peace of mind after my meals.
decisions which will determine tourism's
But, then, Shanta
fuhrre here? If so, can this involvement be Oh, no!
strengthened? If not, how can we ensure At her door, her husband was
that it takes place now? It is for thc citizens beatin g her mercilessly,
of Kutch to understand this industrv. and to "They are taking our land",
Shanta said, running to me,
decide what it is about theirland which they
"for the golf courses",
wish to share and with whom (and they and Moti won't fight.
may not wish to share). There are important
Moti wouldn't fight against those
implications here for citizens representation
taking his land.
and actiorL and for heritage institutions. He was taking out his frustration
on his wife.
Inevitably, the concept of Tourism Carrying Just see/ Shanta sighed,
Moti is violent and
Capacity must be extended to Kutch. lt is a
the golf course prcmoters
concept coming into its own globally, but
are even mone violent,
largely neglected in India. The tourism
carrying capacity of a place is its ability to Outcame Lilliput,
their son of fourteen years;
serve andhold a numberofvisitors for short
he was drunk at the bar
spans of timg without causing stresses on newly-setrrp ne(t door.
the socio<ultural and physical environ- Bars are required,
ment. The moment sudr stresses are Shanta said for tourism
observed the carrying capacity of a place and to keep our people drunk.
can be said to have readred its limits. What Then fiveStar Hotels
is the evidence in Kutch? What capacity can make merry, and tourism
sfudies are needed here, before maior can flourish
while our people perish.
decisions are taken? Due to little food
and cirrhosis of liver
and concr€te to breathe
and exhautation from
This papo was ye*nted W Mr. A*olce extrawork,
Chattaje, Executiae Ditector of the National
Institution of Design at awo*shop conwnd by
Mrs. Uroashi Dmi, Minister of State for Vt ASlilGOBtll(ARNE
Tanisltt, Gujmat at Bhui in April,7993.
5

.....\:-
--__s
----:-R--_ -t-
--l\.
RIVATE property. Tiespassers will people in Shendrem and Agonda
be prosecuted", says the untidily
scrawled signboard. Drawn below
it is a waming skull and crossbones sign.
This one case comes from Naqueri-Betul,
where the Goa Government is thinking of
acquiring and taking over a few thousand
square metres of land for a luxury hotel's
golf course project. But, such exhibition of
anBer is frequently seen across this small
ofthe
State, as villagers detest the takeover
land they depend on, for a number of
projects of dubious utility.
Golf course-related protests are only the
latest of a series of issues in Goa, over which
villagers have protested even if in an
expectedly
- marurer
not too articulate
-
over the change in land control and
land-use which would adverselv affect
them.
Dr Wilfred de Souza
Goa Chief Minister
recently raised questions about the
legitimacy of anti-golf course protests. He
said he did not find the objections raised by
the "environmentalists" on these issues
convincing. But the fact is that to dismiss
themasbeing merely environmental ones is
to miss the point, in a bid to perhaps
deliberately duck the matters raised.
Before the issue of the golf course, there was
also the question of the impact of the plan to
give a big boost to luxury tourism along the
Goan coastline.
ln 1987 and after, there were even protests
staged against the large-scale expansion for
luxury tourism in this State. Goa, apart from
attracting much attention as a tourist-
paradise, also began to draw international
protests because of the opposition sparked
off by the tourism projects.
Besides this, two massive tourism projects
which weresought tobe putup in Canacona
Taluk were affected by protests by the
€NC'!<OAC+-IM€NT
ONF,\I<^^L,\ND
Mhc,|il RaSaNT6r-r-
villages.
In Agonda, though the project was initiated
in the early Eighties, it has still not been
completed, in large part due to the public
protests.
OLDPROCEDURES
One factor which has aggravated the
antagonism felt towards major tourism
projects here has been the use of British
colonial- designed land acquisition laws by
the State Govemment to take over land for
such luxury projects, as empowered by law.
Sometimes acquisition proceedings are not
resorted to, but the threat to use them is
wielded as a weapon to make the villagers
sell cheaply.
Even the recent major row over the Konkan
Railway route in Goa reflects, to some
extent, the fears as to the manner in which
land prices and land availability would be
affected in an already-overcrowded region
in central coastal Goa.
Not too long ago, in the late Eighties, the
multinational giant Du Pont was also hit by
similar protests by villagers who were
against a plan to have a Nylon 6,6 plant in
theirvillage, Keri in PondaTaluk.Oneof the
major issues was the way in which the land
was sought to be taken over for the project,
with the help of the govemment.
In a few taluks property ownership is very
skewed, and a few landholders control vast
areas. But in most of the densely- populated
regions of Goa, land holdings are tiny and
distributed among a
large number of
people. So, the pinch is widely felt when
there is any move to start big projects on
local villagers' lands.
Another aspect which is little understood
outside Goa is that this State is not a large
city, as is widely believed. It is made up of a
few towns (around or under one hundred
thousand population each) and a number of
6
FREDEHCKNORONTIA
outlying villages. This .only means that
unlike, say in Bombay, here land is still a
vital resource. Given the lack of appropriate
technology, villagers still need large areas of
land to take care of their basic needs for
-
paddy fields, cattle grazing, coconut groves,
housing, providing firewood and other
Purposes.
Both tourism and the Govemment's plan ^
to lure industries here have aggravated the
land crisis in this small State. Added to this
have been proposals which choose places
like Goa for being the site for a 'free port'-
an idea which seems to be virtuallv dead
now.
,HOLIDAY HOMES'
Goa's beauty and its recent tourism
successes which may phase out like any
fashion
-have drawn much attention and
-
built up much media-hype around the
place. This has led many persons to dream
of 'holiday homes' in this so<alled
'paradise'.
The real estate business has thus been
booming, thanks to local level corruption,
which both boosts the realtors' clout anC^
itself depends on it. Land-conversions hav.
been undertaken at a rampant pace,
particularly during the former Ravi Naik
regime, further shrinking the agriculture
and green land available.
Some big builders, who have a
none-too-clean reputatiory have moved in
from cities like Bombay. Given the massive
speculative profits which one can skim off
the real estate business, and the fact that it
is one of the better investment options after
the stocks scam hitshare prices, their impact
on the region and the pressure of their
money power is quite obvious.
Advertisements in local newspapers these
days give open hints to land owners that
they should 'act now' to perhaps neuhalise
their tenants. Even agricultural lands are from Goa, or by people from other regions
offered to be bought off by realtors who have fallen for Goa's 'paradise' image.
obviously for anything but agricultural
- So, a number of such flats are later simply
activity, though it is against the law to put kept shut after purchase, even when the
up buildings for activities other than housing problem in the State is acute for the
farming on agricultural fields. corunon man.

Many of the flats which come up in this

manner end up by being bought by NRIs DeccanHerald 2 October 1993

TheQuepemCoastalVillagePeople'sWelfareActionCommittee
has been campaigning against the proposed golf courses in the
Goan villages of Betul, Canaguinim, Quitol and Naqueri. In July,
a two hundred strong group of women along with members of
Bailancho Manch and Jagrut Goenkaranchi Fouz (fGF) held a
protest 'morcha' in Margoa. The following is the abstract of a
memorandum dated fuly 21, 1993 submitted by the QCVPWAC
to Dr. Carmo Pegado, Tourism Minister of Goa.
Honourable Minister.
We theresidentsof Betul, Canaguinim, Quitol and Naqueriplace
for your consideration the following:
7. Some ten years ago, without any consultation with the
people of the locality a large area (about L00 hectares) has
been acquired again without informing the villagers and at
present one finds the said area surounded by a high
compound wall and the sign board of the Oil and Natural
Gas Company Commission (ONGC)
-
8. The residents of this locality also fail to understand way the
prime areas which have pristine beauty which is our
cultural heritage and which we have sustained should not
be reserved for us the residents of the localify and why
such...areas should be converted for the entertainment and
activity of persons alien to the locality and to the detriment
of the villagers.

1. Within the village Panchayat of Naqueri, Behrl there has 9. We were shocked to hear from the Members of the Village
been a spurt of activity... several persons coming to the Pandrayat that the proposal for Hotel was not even hinted
village in cars and measuring lands without the permission at to the members of the village Panchayat which is the local
of the owners... (or the) villagers. body duly elected.

2. (We have been told) that the Government of Goa has
decided to acquire the lands belonging to the villagers...
(and that) the villagers shall have no say whatsoever into
the Proceedings except to accept a Pittance as
compensation... (and that) the Goa Govemment... has
already approved in principle thatsetting upof a golf course
and a hotel within the limits of the village.
3. For, almost a decade the residents of these villages have been
requesting that a health centre be opened ... since there are
no doctors anywhere close by... this demand of the villagers
has never materialized thanks to the wrong priorities of the
Government.
10. May we express our sincere apologies, if by any stretdr of
imagination you were led to believe that we have
hlpothecated our rights to life and livelihood and our rights
to self determination when we voted in the elections.
11. We also lodge our protest against the move to force us to sell
the landed properties which are required for us for our
residential purposes, for us to construct a school, for us to
have other amenities which are essential for the healthy
growth of the residents of these villages and of the
surrounding villages and consequently the growth of the
State of Goa and consequently the growth of the Indian
Union.

4. The residents of Canaguinim have been residing in the said It is therefore submitted that the people of the villages of
village for the last five hundred years and these villagers Betul, Naqueri, Quitol and Canaguinim do not desire to
and their predecessors have brought under cultivation large have any golf course and hotel projects set up in their
tracts of land with their sweat and toil. villages.

J. When the residents... demanded a road some forty years
ago, the Govemment of Goa has been lethargic... as a
consequence of which these residents have to travel on foot SignedW
a distance of about 4 kilomehes.
6. The Govemment of Goa has some time in the year
constructed a wind turbine...imported from Dangreon
Windkraft A/s Denmark and after having spent several
lakhs it has been kept unutilized. Neither has the
Government explained what has gone wrong with the
turbine.
The Citizens
1. Mrs. Sushma Lone Betul (Sarpanch) Betul
2. Mr. Shaikh Abdul Mutalib (Dy. Sarpanch) Betul
1988 3. Mr. Santosh Desai (Panch) Naqueri
4. Mr. Ermigilo Lobo (Panch) Naqueri
5. Mr. Antonio C. Simoes (Pandr) Naqueri
6. Mr. Charles D'Silva (Convenol, QCVPWAC)
wind 7. Mr. Santosh Desai (Secretary, Naqueri)
8. Miss. Sandra [,obo (Treasurer, Naqueri)

7
 fter crossing swords over the Chilka Aquatic Farm, the
TATA's almost shelved the multi<rore Pralvn Project in
Chilka lake, the environmentalists and the Orissa
govemment s€em to be heading for yet an other showdown over
theJanata Dal govemment's ambitious plans to set up a beach resort
and a hotel complex between Puri and Konarak.
plans for beach tourism were implemented, the objective of
increasing theflowof foreign tourists to the statreinthecomingyears
would be frustrated. He fails to understand w$ such a hue and
cry has been raised when his government is taking steps to adhere
to the guidelines prescribed by the Union Environment and Forest
Ministry.

While the State Government has roped in the Hotel and Restaurant The minister disclosed that the Puri-Konarak coast line has been
Association of Orissa (HRAO), the environmentalists have sought identified by the Union Govemment's Tourism Department as a
the help of parliamentarians of almost all political parties to fight Special Tourism Area. He called for a halt to the opposition to the
their case at different levels. No wonder, the issue has snowballed project on the grounds that Orissa had still no tourism project of
into a major controversy in the state today. this scale whidr were alreadv there in the other states of Goa,
Thmilnadu and Kerala.
The revolt against the govemment's project is led by Mr Banka
Bihari Das, a former minister, social worker and mvironmentalist The Campaign
who heads the Orissa Krishaka Mahasangha (OKtvt). It may be re'
called that the Mahasangha played a major role in the local people's Political observers feel that, like the agitation against the TATA
agitation against the TATA groject at Chilka, the stir against
project at Chilka. Mr Das '{.f"lilfiior.r{tloon""-- fhe present project is likely to be
announced that like the Prawn _ -' \ intensified as the agitators have
Project at Chilka, the beach
resort and hotel complex project r*i already managed to get much
needed support of
will also be resisted tooth and
nail. His organisation
already launched a campaign to
awaken the local people about
has
3N"'li,t$$i,ffi parliamentarians.
members of
Thirteen
Parliament of
different political parties have^
urged the Prime Minister, P \
the dangerous consequences Narasimha Rao to reject the state
that they would face if the govemment's proposal.
govemment implements the
project. Excuptedftom ST Beuria's " Sttong
Oppo si tion t o B each Resw t P roj ect ",
Deccan Herald,T October 199i.
Threat to the Forest
It all started in August when Biju Mr Banka Behari Das,
Contact:
the Patnaik led government in President Orissa Krushak
the state sought clearance from Mnhasangha, 74, Ashok Nagar,
the Union Forest and Bhubanawar-9, Orissa.
Environment Ministry for the multi-crore project. According to
Mr Das the Forest and Tourism Department of Orissa have already
admitted that there are 5,17,778 trees ir the proposed site for the
complex.

The project report states that2,227 acres of land will be acquired for
the implementation of the first phase of the project. The second
phase, when it comes up, may destroy the entire reserve forest in
the area (Konarak-Balukhand Sanctuary) and affect the ecological
balance. The OKM has released the names of L6 companies who
have applied for land to build hotels and beach resorts in the
proposed complex.

Mr Das expressed surprise that big hotel groups had applied for
100-300 acres when most such big hotels could be built over five
acres of land. Meanwhile the HRAO has alleged that Mr Das was
acting on behalf of "vested interests" who were opposed to the
development of tourism in the state. The HRAO further says that
the expansion of tourism should not be opposed as it was the only
sector which would give employment to thousands of unemployed
youth besides generating foreign exchange. The prgect envisages
the construction of 2000 hotel rooms and is projected to provide
employment to 50,000 people.

Government's Case

When the matter became very controversial the state tourism

minister Mr A U Singhdeo, issued a statement saying that unless

c)N AWA}I^/ARI)
|itJa+{w^y,,. T|;le
EAST UI45A RC)AI)
The April issue of the ANletter carried an inhoductory note on the
construction of a major coastal highway from Madras to Cuddalore
as part of the East Coast Road from Madras to Kanyakumari. We at
EQUATIONS have been keenly following the progress of the
campaign against this monumental transgression of human and
ecological well being that is euphemistically called the East Coast
Road.
A well documented critique of the East Coast Road (ECR) has been
brought out by the Pondicherry chapter of INTACH. It highlights
-the economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts that the
road is going to have on the area and the people. tn addition it offers
a sound and practicable alternative route that will riot only be
_'v.t
cheaper to build ancl maintain, and be fraught with less adverse
consequences but will also service a greater number of people.
Of the current stretch of the ECR from Madras to Cuddalore that
has been approved by the Government, work is in process on two
stretches of 15 kilometers each. The estimated coet of construction
stands in the proximity of a phenomenal 50 lakhs/km. The
-construction of the road brazenly flouts legal as well as
environmental guidelines whilebeing callous about the livelihood
of the people. Thousands of trees have already been cut along the
route with little sustained effort at planting and taking care of the
trees planted as replacements. To compound the problem an
abysmally low survival rate ensures that few saplings survive the
difficult coastal climate.
A coordinated campaign against the ECR was initiated early this
year. An Action Committee on the ECR was formed with over 20
NGOs, many of whomare based close to theroad, and some affected
individuals. Thecampaign on the ECR has been taken up on several
fronts. There is an attempt to generate a wide base of local awareness
amongst the people who are going to be affected by the ECR. To
reach out to and be understood by the local people powerful
communicative means such the street plays, culturals, discussions
and cycle yatras are employed.
A couple of months back a play based on the negative impacts of
the ECR and on the way the Governrnent is handling the project was
prepared by some youths from Pudupattinum. The actors and the
organisers felt that the play was well received by the people and
that such a form of communication was graphic and potent. SomE
songs relating to the impacts of the road were also composed in
Tamil and sung after the play. Very recently a cycle yatra from
Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry was also organised to spread the
awareness message of what the ECR implies to the area.
The issue is also being fought legally by member NGOs sudr as
INTACH, CAG and by concemed individuals from Auroville. A
stay on the cutting of hees has been obtained from the Madras High
Court. An application has been filed in the court to extend the stay
to cover the construction of the actual road. The Government in tum
has filed a petition to vacate the stay on the cutting of hees.
Land acquisition is being carried out in a high-handed manner. The
Govemmenthas introduced a provision by which it no longer feels
the need to follow the required procedures in order to acquire land
for a public project. Monitory compensation to the displaced people
is rarely if ever paid. In fact one of the reasons for the choice of a
coastal route for a major highway was that land acquisition then
would be cheapcr.
The Campaign does not say no to a coastal road. The existing road
needs to be repaired and maintained. What it is opposed is a
massive highway that will drastically alter land use patterns and
villale lives, will displace thousands of
people, dramatically increase the
pressure on the fragile coastal
li.ti';.,
oa
igns
t0
ecosystems and natural resources, impinge on and harm many
sensitive ecological zones and encourage an unbridled
industrialisation of the area and a spurt of resort based mass
tourism. Moreover the ECR is being built in the absence of a
masterplan for an integrated and sustainable coastal zone
development. The urbanisation and industrialisation that such a
highway can encourage will permanently upset the ecological
balance of the area.
Thequestion is can a harmonybe worked outbetween developrnent
and genuine needs of the people that the developmental plans are
supposed tobenefit. r
RASAVAFIqT' HEBBALU
ZOO
TheCoimbatore Human Rigtfts Forumhas raised objections against
the proposal to establish a zoological park at Anaikatti in
Coimbatore district by a private organisation called Coimbatore
Zoological Park Society. Three hundred acres of forest land which
is the basis of subsistence for the Adivasis (indigenous peoples) of
the area and 100 acres legally held by the Adivasis is sought to be
acquired for the park. The Adivasi hamlets of Thoovaipathy
(population: 300), Aranattukkadu (population: 200) and Goodanur
(population: 300) come within the area to be acquired.
The Human Rights Forum also alleges that at Thoovaipathy 40.96
acres of the Adivasi's land has been fraudulently obtained by the
Park Society and two houses of the Adivasis were demolished by
musclemen employed by the Society. Complaints to authorities
have been futile.
The real motive behind this 'conservation' venfure is promoting
tourism and making profits for the Park Society, the Human Rights
Forum points out. A brodrure put out by the Park Society states that
"...the Coimbatore Zoological Park and Conservation Centre '..is a
Tourist Centre, a recreational outlet for Coimbatore residents and
visitors; tours to see highly endangered primates in the wild... will
be one of the extras the zoo offers visitors; opportunities for
individual and corporate sponsorship are being made available..."
The Human Rights Forum believes that the park is only a business
venfure.
Another matter of concern is the apparent attempts of the Park
Society to manipulate the official machinery and regulations to their
benefit. The Human Rights Forum suspects that the exPerts
committee set up by the Central Ministry of Environment and
Forests to determine the viability of the zoological park had
members who had special interests in the venture. This suspicion
is based on the fact that some members of the experts committee
were also members of another private organisaion called ZOO (Zoo
Outreadr Organisation) based in Coimbatore. G Rangaswamy,
Secretary of the Coimbatore Zoological Park is the President of
ZOO. The Human Rights Forumalso suspects that many members
of the managing committee of Z@ could have been the members
of the expert committee also and the Forum has requested the
Ministry to reject the recommendations of the committee on this
basis if the suspicions are found true. r demand was a moritorium on further licence being issued to any
For more information, ask EQIIATIONS fot:
j, Mmch 1993.
Tourism Alternatfua Exchange,Issue
"5.xist"
Touriswt Slid.
Withdrawy"r
The Ministry of Tourism in New Delhi has withdrawn a slide in an
audio-visual show meant for tourism promotion abroad in the
withdrawal was conveyed
face of protest about its "sexist" tone. The
to the Regional Director of Tourismby the Union Ministry.
of this sexist
Bailancho Saad had protested agianst the use
audio.visual presentation in India at the International Tourism Fair
held in March this year. This incriminating slide was spotted by
vigilant joumalist from Switzerland Ms Christine Pluess. Ms
Sabina Martins of Bailancho Saad said that several magazines
abroad have depicted Goa as a place where you can have "fun and
pleasure" for the asking. The State Tourism Department has also
been accused of promoting Goa as a "pleasure spot".
10
This wrong promotion of tourism in other parts of India gives a
misleading image of Goan women in the minds of other Indians. It
also leads to tourist misbehaving in Goa. I
GoaWo*.enPtotest
Agail.ts+ Bc',r^s
Women in Goa, the state traditionally known for its hospitality and
"feni" (country liquor), have mounted a campaign against alcohol
and proliferation of bars.
Several women's groups have come together to combat the menace
of alcohol consumption whidr has become part of lifestyle of a
section of the population.
Goa boasts of over 6,000 licenced bars there are many unlicenced
ones too
-
catering to a population of 1.17 million. The ratios of
-
bars to population is probably one of the highest in the country.
Bailancho Saad, Nari Annyaya Nirmulan Samiti and Peaceful
Society (women's wing) are involved in this campaign against
alcoholism.Ms Albertina Almeida of
Bailaicho Saad said that the
movement has alreadv r
eceived a positive response from various rural based women.
Ms Bharathi Bhandekar of the Peaceful Society said that their main
form of liquor outlets. She also demanded strict implementation of
laws relating to liquor outlets since these laws are being flouted by
the licencing authority themselves.
Isolated struggle against alcoholism have been fought in several
villages. This is the first time, however, that a concerted drive il
-
being launchedbywomen's groups to fighton a commonplatform.
They admit that their campaign against alcohol was spurred by
similar movements in Andhra, Haryana and Kamataka.
One of the struggles whidr the campaign has taken up is the fight
against the setting up of bar in a small village of Tivrem in Ponda
Taluka, South Goa. According to Ms Mamata Gaonkar, a member
of theZuarwaddoNagarik Samiti, the villageisafflictedwith alarge
number of alcohol addicts and the opening of one more bar would
only add to this. She explains "we need a flour mill and not a bar".
Shebelieves that the indifference of the government to this menace
was because alcohol is a significant source of revenue and the bars
were necessary for tourist traffic, according to local officials.
Women's groups point out that bars are seen, or so made out to be
for promoting tourism.
a necessity I
Excerptedfrom: Ashley D'MeIIo's article by the sami title,Times of lndin,
L lune L993.
 of Sabah, famed for its rich flora and fauna. Pariticipants will also
be exposed to the fascinating culture and customs of its peoples."

The idea of the Camel hophy is German and it is managed by the

sister company Star Cooperation with the help of a public relations
aSency.

G,vnpoig^ Agoinstthe In Germany Reynolds Tobacco and Star are based in Cologne. Phone
in Germany: 0221 / t6M455
R.yr",old= Tobocco In U.K. all enquiries should be directed to the coordinator fardine

Caontel Tto phy' n 5 ob oh

' i
PR Ltd., Brassey House, New Zealand Avenue, Walton-on- Thames,
Surry KTt2 1Qd, Tel. 44(0) 932 253 535 (which doesn't work from

(//talaysio) Germany).

it is to promote the travel items of their "Camel Shop" (clothes, bags,

watches etc.) The Reymolds Tobacco advertisement campaign, while
glorifying macho males and tough terrains, commodifies
indigenous culture. The Papua New Guinea rally advertised thus:
"A challenge to all adomtures Black jungles, crocodiles,hardly any roads,
warlilce natioes a real challnrge 1.000 miles through the stone age."
- -
journalists who accompanied the rally in 1990 in Siberia (Russia) Pv^olest in Phuket
_were pampered with expensive gifts and persuaded to give an
'nthusiastic For three days in December 1.992, villagers from phuket's (Thailand)
coverage. Only a few reported/filmed the local
Bang Thao Beach blocked the access road to the Laguna Beach
reactions to the rally Protesters (with women in the forefront) who
Resort, owned by the Singaporean Thai Wah Group, in order to
tried to stop the rally which they called "immoral" and blocked the
protest against the resort owner's continuous attempts to close the
roads carrying banners like "No advertising for Camel cigarettes",
"Protect our holy lake: Baikal" (the rally even wanted to cross a river public roads passing through the property and to deny local people
access to the public beach. In a promotion campaign to restore its
during the fish spawning season). To avoid further protests, the
image, the Thai Wah Group draws attention to the fact that in 1992,
Russian media played down the incident.
its Laguna Phuket Resort comprising three five-star hotels and a
golf resort won -the International Hotel Association
News about the Camel Rally drew attention only in 1991 in the (lHA)/American Express Environment Award for successfully
Indian Himalaya rally. Due to a sustained campaign in Germany transforming an old tin-miire into Asia's first integrated resort.
with the help of Indian journalists (and publications elsewhere) the
rally got shifted to Tanzania although the aim was to stop it once However, it is alleged that corrupt provincial officials have issued
and for all. Since then it has been impossible to get information apart unlawful land documents for over 3000 of public land at Bang Thao
from a postbox address (Camel trophy, Postfach 6000, D{100 Beach to the Thai Wah Group. Local environmentalists also charge
Darmstadt). In Tanzania there are no contacts. In Sabah, the route is that the resort complex has aggravated water shortage problems in
not known either. Only the dates are announced: May 5th to 16th nearby farming areas and damaged the cohstal vegetation and
1993 Start and finish in Kota Kinabalu. The Camel Trophy is also marine eco-system. The Banyan Golf resort, which is being
listed in the "Calander of Events 1993" in Malaysia, which states expanded isset tocause additional ecologicalproblems suchas todi
"This intemational went will take participants to the tropical forests contamination of soil, underground water and the sea.
11

On 8th-Ivlay 1993, theopeningof the Sheraton Grand Hotel, the latest
addition to the Laguna Phuket resort comPlex spurred new conflict.
Thai Wah in cooperation with the Phuket Chamber of Commerce
staged a "We love Phuket Charity Concert" on May 7th to gain
popularity. The Group for the Protection of Phuket People's Rights
laundred a protest against the campaign questioning the legality of
Thai Wah's land ownership.
Bear Intemational Inc.) on a milliondolhr contract which would require him
to supervise the prcieci to comPletion in the next two years.
The project will include "luxury time-share aPartments (affiliations with
Resort Condominiums Internatbnal, USA and Ketbring U.K. anticipabd),
spacinus residmtial villas (a medranism to self-finance the project along
with club mernberships), club house with sports complet fu[y equipPed
health spa ("also authentic Ayunreda with westem comforts"), a 100'room
luxury hotel, and a futuristic convention centre'.

As a response, police commandos were called in to keep peace in
Phuket and the Charity Concert went on amidst tight security and
reports of harassment among local residenb putting uP Posters.
Instead of investigating the lawfuLness of Thai Wah's land
documents, the govemment demonstrated its massive state Power
toprotect the interets of the foreign investors showingthat freedom
of expression and people's participation in the development process
are still not guaranteed in this country. Such action only deepens
existing conflicts and prevents development which benefits the
majority of the people and the environment. And this at a time when
thenew political leaders conscious about Thailand's image abroad
promised to develop a truly democratic society after last year'sMay
massacre,
Letters may be sent to the Govemor of Phuket, the Tourism
Authority of Thailand and newspapers to condemn theuseof police
forces against peaceful protesters in Phuket and to ask for the
following:
Unrestricted access of locals to the land, claimed as
property, until legal authorities have clarified on the land
ownership issue;
An open and public environmental and social review/auditof
Thai Wah's Laguna Phuket resort cornplex and
improvement of la+rrs to make Environmental Impact
Assessments @IA) mandatory for all new resort and golf
course prcjects;
Withdrawal of the IHA/Amex Environmmt Award to Thai
Wah for the company's unethical practices
environmentally damaging activities.
Thai N etuto* on Touristtt (TMI).
(Addresses; Mr. Yuwat Vuthimethi, Governor of Phuket, Sala Klang
Changwat Phuket, Amphoe Muang Phuket 300fi), Thailand;
Tourism Authority of Thailand (fAT), Ratdtadamoen Avenug
Bangkok 10100 ,Fu<:66-2-2245221. THE NATION daily newspaper,
44 Moo 1Q Bangna- Tfat Rd., km 4.t Bangkok 702ffi, Fax (6('.2)
3772077).
Chawla has it all figured out. His customers: Corporate€t(ecutives, film stars,
politicians, foreiggr tourists and non- resident Indians ("dernands an aire of
exclusivity"). His project financing: loans'from the Tourism Finance
Colporati6n of India, monies raised by selling villas and dub menrbership.
His vision: making Shangri-la a 'Jewel in the crcwn of the queen of cities
(BangalorQ" and bring prosperity to the thrce villages surrounding it He
also has some very fantastic ideas such as utilising the nearby Air Force Base
to airlift golfers with IAF choppers from the Bangalore airporl
Chawla has been happy about the fact that the Govemmmt has been very
supportive and enabled smooth conversion of land. Though he held on to
his ophion that theland acquired for theproiectwas never undercultivation
(conversion of agricultural land and village commons to non-agricultural
purpos€s is illegal) field investigations proved otherwise.
In what can be seen as a classic repetition of the modus operandi of golf resort
development in Japarl Malaysia or lhailand, clandestine deals involving
politicians, bureaucrats and land grabbers (real estate developers) have
come into play hele impacting directly on the sustenance base of the villages.
The whole proiect is to come up on illegally converted village commons
(which the Government had tenured to landless/poor farmers for.-
cultivation) under the patronage of a local liquor/construction indust4
baron who also is bound to have a mairr share of the Shangri-la construction
Thai Wah's
contract Most villagers have absolutely no idea of what will come up on
their land and are reigned to the possibility of relocating en masse.
The Karnataka Govemment Drought Monitoring Cells recent status r€port
on Groundwater exploitation asserts that "groundwabr utilisation in
the Devanahalli taluk (where the project site is) has exceeded the limit of
replenishable recharge and that immediate steps be taken to stop drilling of
wells either by private individuals or institutional finance till such time the
water levels are restored". This is a fact that has been simply glossed over.
Recently the proi€ct was inaugurated at The Oberoi, Bangalorc by
Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde, ex-Planning Commission Chief and former Chief
and Minister of Karnataka, a man who has been accused of direct involvement
I in several illegal land deals and who is now trying to reemerge in the
National political scene.
In the prcmotional brochure of Shangri-la, Mark Hesemanrt general
manager of Nicklaus Design claims that "lndia has been identified by
developers as an idml market for golf course resorts and private
communities. By securing (Nicklaus) golf courses and top resort facilities,
developers are able to capitalize on the lucrative travel and real estate
markeb." Not too surprisingly, The Oberoi, Bangalore was again the vmue
for the culnination of a series of seminars on golf course dwelopment in
India.
Oryanised by Addgrowt[ a consortium of American and Malaysian
companies, the serninar was conducted by Ronald Fream and his Golfplan
Design Gmup. Addgrowth has sinceset up its office in Bangalore and will

Golf i,.'AeN'? r€prcsent serreral multinational companies including Weyerhauser (US

Vijay Chawla leans back in his luxurious leather chair, crosses his legs over
his desk and comments, "I am an NRI (Non-Resident lndian) attracted by
the liberalisation of the Indian economy, and for a long time I have had ideas
about investing in my country. Initially I wanted toPut uP aHealth Farm
but eventually decided on a world-class golf resort, the first of its kind in
Asia."
Chawla has no qualms about flaunting his wealth, as is evidmt from his
luxurious apartment in Bangalorc, or the fact that he is here to serve the "rich
and famous". He believes that the rich deserve to be pampered with a
prcductof quality and "it is about time they got it athome". And what exactly
is his quality prcduct?
Coming up about3O minutes drivefrom Bangalore is the Shangri-la Resorts
over250 acres of pastural,/agricultural land (Chawla claims that it was never
cultivated) at a whopping cost of $22 million (Rs. 66 crotes). The prciect is
to be designed by f ack Nicklaus Il, (of Nicklaus Desigrr, a division of Golden
12
forestry giant, supposedly the second largest landowner after the Federal
Government, to market wood mulch for controlling soil erosion due to golf
courses), Parkway Research Corporation (US pesticide company), Farmers
Marketing Corporation (US seed company to market hrrf grasses), etc,
There are plans in the immediate future to develop two other golf resors in
or around Bangalore, as also intentions of upgrading existing golf courses
intro resorts. Nicklaus has now signed (?) two other contracts, one with Leeh
Kerrpinski for their golf course in Goa, and the other for the ITC group h
Delhi Ronald Fream has already begun with the faies Golf Resorts in Jaipur
and several such projects are being planned all over India. Earlier this year
the Indo-Australian Golf Expo alsg organised several golf-orianted
senrinars.
Golf resort devebpment as an industry is set upon making a big mtry into
India. This defrritely calls for a great deal of networking and information
sharing amongst groups affiliaed with GAGM,/the Global Anti Golf
Moverrmt, or those who share their concerns, I
tEoF.sAtDAl{HA
 ometime agowe were visiting
indigenous native grouPs
throughout the Pacific as active
participants in the burgeoning
"Appropriate Technology Movement". This
movement, in line with E. F. Sdrumacher's
Small b Bemtttful, w orks to develop low-cost
tedrnologies, to help grass-roots
entrepreneurs start locally owned business.
While visiting one of the better known A.T.
Centers in Papua NewGuinea we were told
that the native director had had to retum to
his remote village because a number of his
relatives had mysteriously died.
The story that was revealed later was that
the relatives had been killed by the local
medicine man at the behest of the village
elders because they had violated the
indigenous culture. They had become
one
successful entrepreneurs; making
wicker fumiture for exporf another
gathering valuable chemicals
from the rainforests; anotherwas
cM
dtyt.g tropical fruits for sale
{ocally. All were using low cost,
small-scale tedrnologies' in
grass-roots businesses. Tech-
nologies passed in to them from
theA.T. network.
The problem was that the culture
was based on community and
cooperation; the "appropriate"
technologies were fostering
T ship", "wealth", "development",
materialism, competition and M/qRG/IRETMCMAIOII ELUS At{DWlLLlAM N. Etlls
individualism. The successful
entrepreneurs had put self ahead
of societv.
We leamed a lot from that experience. Not
only did we learn that even our most
sensitive efforts in "development" are often
misguided, but that many of the highest
ideals for our own culture, many of the
-'oncepts we talk about for the "new
paradigm ', have long been existent in Third
World cultures.
In the highlands of Papua New Guinea the
roads were maintained by the 'Village
men's house", who did all the workbut the
moneypaid by the govemmentwmt to the
elders for community projects. The same
sense of community and cooperation were
evidenced in a dance group at a posh hotel
in Tonga. Everyone in the village dressed in
native costume and performed for the
tourists, but the pay went to the village
elders again. And in Fiji we participated in
a sea cucumber harvest in which nearly
every village member took part, but no
individual benefited, proceeds from the
export tolapan came back to the community
for use for the commorr good.
Another concept we found misunderstood
by even the most socially responsible
tourists was that of "ownership". In Papua
New Guinea land ownership seemed to be
unknown, rather many different people
might have rights on the same land. O4e
group had the right to harvest a particular
mango tree, another to hunt fruit bats,
another to cross the land for ceremonials.
No one claimed ownership. Australian
Aborigines' went one step further and held
that theywere the "ownees" of the land; that
is, that the territory owned them and they
hld to live by the rules and forces of the
place they lived.
Ownership was even further removed in
the culture of Tahiti. Before the coming of
the "discoverers" ownership was unknown.
All items and favours were free for the
taking, whoever needed a tool or a service
rfterely took it. The first Europeans who
landed could comprehend neither the
lavishness with whidr they were treated,
nor the "thievery" by which the natives
carried off any tool or trinket to which they
took fancy.
Inlapan we ran into another uniquecultural
practice ata |apanese home. Each guestwas
expected to be sure that her/his neighbors'
glasses and plates were kept full. We have
practiced this in our own American home
on occasion only to find that sudr practices
are so foreign to our belief in the primary of
"self-interest" that the practice of
"mutual-interest" leaves us hungry.
Culturally sensitive havel has become a
keystone of'the better world movement.
But, we don't yet see that culfural
experiences have impacted on the
movements for social transformation to the
extent they might. Professional
anthropologists or activists do not even
recognize the tool that travel can be in
13
re-examining our own cultural
shortcomings and helping to promote the
paradigmshiftwe need if we are to move to
the next phase of human develppment.
One exception is Frendr philosopher
Dominique Temple who has studied the
economic systems of many indigenous
peoples. He has noted in particular that only
the EuroAmerican culfure is hooked on
"exchange", 'barter", and "trade". Other
culfures have been based on some form of
"gifting" or "reciprocity", which is the
practice of giving rather than accumulating.
In fact one's material possessions only
prove that one has done less for the
community than s,/he were able. Rather,
one competes for the prestige of having
given the most to society. Rather than
individualism, materialism, accumulation,
consumerism, and competition, the
reciprocity culture is based on giving,
cooperation, human
relationships and reverence for
the Earth.
If we are to gain the most from
our tourism we should recognise
that nearly every word in our
vocabulary is a blinder and
hurdle to our ftrll appreciation of
the people we visit. "Owner-
"democracy", "rights", "pro-
perty" and other ideas that we
take for granted, bias and limit
our ability to participate in
dialogue with others.
Our own culture is in houble. Many
progressive thinkert social activists, and
Gaian philosophers are searching for ways
to make our world a better place to live. We
are hindered in our search for solutions bv
the same blinders that hinder us from
making the most out of our foreign travels.
Perhaps by being more socially responsible
travellers we can also better participate in
orrr own culfural transition. I
Mnrgaret, and BilI EIIis, (an anthropologist and
physicist/futuist) , are the founders ofTRANET
(PO Box 567,Rangeley Me04970 USA;(207)
864-2252), a transnatianal nefwork of social
actiuists from around the world.
 itual is an event upon which its
participants depmd; theatre is an
event which depends on its
participants, The process is not cut-anddry.
But evidence of the hansformational steps
by which theatre emerges fro.m ritual
which an efficacious event in which -by
the
participants depend on the performance is
transformed into an entertainment in whidt
the entertainers depend on an audience
is not locked in ancient or medieval - as a theatrical entertainment.
documents. The transformation of ritual
into theatre is occurring today.
Asaro is a village about seventy miles east
of Kurumugl (Australia). There the famous
dance of the Mudmen is performed as a
tourist entertainment three times a week. It
was not always so. The villagers originally
performed only when they felt threatened
by attack. Before dawn village men went to
a local creek, rubbed their bodies with white
mud (the colour of death) and constructed
grotesque masks of wood frames covered
by mud and vegetation. Emerging from the
creek at dawn, possessed by the spirits of the
dead, the dancers moved in an eerie, slow,
croudring step. Sometimes they wmt to the
village of their
enemies and frightened
them, thus preventing attacki sometimes
they danced in their own village. The
dances took less than ten minutes;
preparations took most of the previous
night. The dance of the Mudmen was
performed occasionally, when needed.
After pacification by Australian authorities
there was less need for theMudmen.
However, in the mid-sixties a photographer
from the National Geographic Mngazinepaid
the villagers to stage the dance for him.
These photos became world famous
- and
it was not long before tourists demanded to
see the Mudmen. (Even the name
'Mudmen' is an invention for tourists)
Tourists pay up to $20 each to see the short
dances; of this sum the Asaroans get 10 per
cent. Because the 10-minute dance is not a
long enough show by Westem standards,
the dancing has been augmented by a
display of bow-and-arrow marksmanship,
a photo session and a 'market'.
Thepeople of Asaro don't know what their
dance is any more. Surely it's not to frighten
- it attracts tourists. It has no
enemies
relationship to the spirits of the dead who
appear only before dawn, and the tourists
come a little after midday. The social fabric
of Asaro has been torn to shreds. Despite the
exploitation of the village by the tourist
agencies, the meagre sums paid the
Asaroans are needed desperately during a
period when the barter economy has fallen
apart. Future changes in the dance will
make it longer, more visually complicated,
possibly adding musical accompanimen!
will improve,
the craft skills of the villagers
or they will import stuff to sell; their
percentage of the take will rise. In short, the
dance will approach those Western
standards of entertainment represented by
the tastes of the audience, and the bmefits
will rise accordingly. Presently, the
Asaroans perform a traditional ritual
emptied of its efficacy but not yet regarded
Joan Maclntosh and I arrived before the
tourists and stayed after they left. The
villagers lmked at us curiously we were
taking pictures of the tourists as- well as of
the dancers. At Kenetisarobe, we met
Asuswe Yamuruhu, the headman. He
wanted tourists to come and watch a show
whidr, he assured us, was much better than
the Mudmen. We agreed on a price $4 a
person-andatime. - so-called 'genuine' performances
The next aftemoon we arrived with two
friends, paid our $16, and saw a dance
consisting of very slow steps, as if the
dancers were moving through deep mud,
their finge$ splayed and their faces masked
or tied into grotesque shapes (probably an
imitation of yaws, a disfiguring disease
corunon in the area). The Grassmen of
Kenetisarobe were very like the Mudmen of
Asaro.
Asuwe staged them for us
- he knew that
Asaro was making money from its dance,
and the Kenetisarobe show was modelled
on the Asaro formula: slow dance,
grotesque masks, plenty of opportunity for
photographs and a follow-up after the
dance. What the people of Asaro did with a
minimum of self-awareness, Asuwe did
with a keen sense of theatre business.
Examples of the same pattrem abound. In
Bali touristversions of Barong and Ketdrak
arc everywhere alorg the Denpasar to
-
Ubud road sigru advertising these
performances are as frequent as movie
marquees in America. Signs, in English,
often read: "Traditional Ketchak
Monkey Dance Theatre
-Holy
at 8", or
"Barong -Tonight
Wednesday at 8 on the
-Eadr
FROMRIruALTO
ffi
Theatre comes into existence uhm a sqaration
occuts between audience anil paformerc
14
Temple Steps". The Balinese, with
characteristic sophistication, make separate
tourist shows and k*p authentic
performances secret. Tourists want to drive
to their entertainments; they want a
dependable schedule; and they want a way
to leave conveniently if they choose to go
early. I saw two such performances in Bali.
The daytime ceremonies definitely had the
feel of an entertainment: outsiders came in,
shops were open and doing brisk busine*s,
the dances were carefully choreographed to
the gamelon music. At night the operation
was different each aspect of the ceremony
was privatized and done notwith an eye to
its prettinessbut to its correctness; tirne gaps
between elements were longer and more
irregular with many discussions conceming
how to do certain things.
Surely the tourist trade has influenced
in Bali
and elsewhere. I have no contempt for these
changes. Changes in conventions, theme,
methods and styles occur because of-
opporfunism, audience pressures,
profussionalism (itself often a new concept)
and new technology.
Theatre people imitate popular imported
modes, and the locals respond to the
demands of rich visitors or local
-
audiences demand changes because they've
absorbed the tastes of alien cultures. From
one point of view these changes are
- azoos
clamour is raised to
corruptions
establish cultural in which the original
versionsof age-old rituals canbe preserved.
But even traditional performances vary
greatly from generation to generation
- an
oral tradition is flexible, able to abso'rb many
personal variations within set parameters.
And the cultural-zoo approach is itself the
most pemicious aspect of tourism. I hate the
genocide that has eradicated such cultures
as that of the Aushalian Aborigines. But t-
see nothing wrong with what's happening
in Bali and New Guinea, where two systems
of theatre exist. The relationship between
these is not a simple division between
tourist and authentic. More studies are
needed on the exchangebetweenwhat's left
of traditional performances
and emerging tourist shows.
And at what moment does a
tourist show become itself an
authentic theatrical art? I
Reproduced in edited form from
" Perfwmatioe Circumstwrces
-
from the Avant Garde to RMiliIa",
Richard Schechner, Swgull Books
7983.
 avanadurga is a tinY settlement in
Magadi Taluk about 50 kilometers
South-west of Bangalore cify'
Situated at an elevation of 1?26 meters it is
a pilgrimage spot in a Reserve Forest
bearing the same name. The vegetation in
Savanadurga is dry deciduous and scrub
forest, and the region is considered to be a
conservation zone for medicinal plants.
Two monolithic granite hills rise steeply
over Savanadurga on which portions of
age-old fort walls can be seen winding up.
Savanadurga was once the second capital of
the Kempegowdas, until it was conquered
by of Mysore, Tipu
the legendary king
Sultan who in turn lost it to combined
armies of Lord Cornwallis.
There are some ancient temples around the
place, one of which is still being visited by
devotees. This temple dedicated to Sfui
Veerabhadra, has now been dismantled by
a Bangalore registered organisation in order
,lg'rebuild and strengthen it'. Interestingly,
.le Archaeological Survey of
India,
Bangalore branch, was blissfully unaware
of these modemising plans of the
organisation. The Forest Department has
also bulldozed an ancient temple dedicated
to Shri Kashi Vishwanath in an amusement
park it has built to attract tourists.
The present Savanadurga settlement has
developed around the relatively recent
temple of Shri Laxmi Narasimha. The
temple lies at the foot of the hills and is a
pilgrimage destination for devotees from as
far off as Bangalore. An average week sees
500 people coming to the temple, mainly as
day visitors. During the temple festivals
thousandsof people throng theplace, many
oFthem to stay for a day or two. A number
of choultries close to the temple afford basic
accommodation to these.
.ivo dargas are being built in Savanadurga.
The Muslim festival of Urs that is celebrated
here for two days in a year draws many
thousands of devotees.
The Savanadurga settlement consists of 20
families of varied castes and professions.
Many of these families depend on the
visitors for a living. Agriculture also
sustains a few families. In season, that is
during the first few months of the year, the
Forest Department employs the people
from the surrounding villages to collect
minor forest produce.
At the entrance of Savanadurga the Forest
Department has built an amusement park
called Kempegowda Vanadhama to attract
tourists to Savanadurga which is already
Saua lad u.rga
-
Yet Another
Developmenta I Woe?
quite famous for its temple. The park has a recently, even within the boundaries of the
Iarge open wire mesh enclosure with three Reserve Forest.
deers, a ftrlly caged enclosure for peacocks,
and a fencedoff, unshaded areawith a tiny, An encouragement of mass tourism in the
shallow granite bottom puddle for middle of a reserve forest could well spell
crocodiles. There are plans to start a boating doom for yet another shetch of protected
facility in a pond that is fed by a few forests area. Any tourism plan here should first
streams. There is also a children's play carry out a feasibility study in which
ground with equipment like see-saws and a important questions such as the socio-
merry-gq.round that is already installed. economic, cultural and environmental
The Forest Department also proposes to carrying capacities of the region shall be
build a few cottages around the ruins of the studied. The initiation of any hasty or
te.gple of Shri Kashi Vishwanath to serve as unplanned developmental projects that
guest houses for the tourists. does not fit into a broader regional
development masterplan and that does
Savanadurga's attractions to tourists are its consider the judicious use of the local
archeological structures, its temples and its natural resources are bound to have
forests. Apparently no attempts are being damaging effects on the cultural and
made by the Archeological Survey of India economic lives of the people as well as on
and the Forest Department to conserye the ecology of the area. t
these monuments. The latter has in effect
dismantled temples, while theformer feigns Excerptedfrom a report by Basauaraj Hebballi
ignorance of these developments. More- requested for by SAMUAD, Bangalore.
over, human presence in the forests is
becoming more and more evident. The
park, the temple and the entire stretch of
road leading to the settlement afford direct
entry into the Reserve Forest of
Savanadurga. A large number of people
simply wander in and leave behind all sorts
of rubbish; plastic bags, wrappers of all
kinds, discarded tin cans and beer bottles
are a common sight here. Such thoughtless
callousness not only makes the place less
attractive for a second visit but also poses a
serious threats to wildlife.
At present the touristic inflow peaks twice
a year. The problem would take alarming
proportions if this peaking increases in
frequency, if the average number of visitors
rises discernibly, if these people stay over
for a longer period of time or if settling here
catches the imagination of visitors. All or
any of these factors could put increasing
pressure on the forest resources.
Vehicular access into the Savanadurga
Reserve Forest and to the temple is only
through Nayakanpalaya gate, which
remains open in the day only. This
arrangement does help in checking
unlawful activities in the forest to an extent.
However, illegal felling of trees does occur
with depressing regularity. Granite
quarrying was a chronic problem until
15
 TURKEY
like a king in Turkey", that is how
"Feel
Imholz Reisen, a Swiss travel agency,
promotes joumeys, which Gaby Fierz and
Anne.Lise Hilty have described as
"holidays under military guard". Th"y
visited the booming tourist country in
sununer 1991 and reported about their
survey in the book "Tu*ey resort
-holidayMmion
or torhfie clmmb*". The co-editot
Mordey andseven other airthors contributed
further chapters about the situation of
refugees leaving Turkey has to do with the
stream of tourists heading for Turkey.
Tour operators tempt more and more
tourists with dleap offers to visit Turkey. 5.4
million did so in 199O of which74,000were
Swiss. "Sea is sea and sun is sun", seems to
be their creed. Wthin a decade the number
of 'visitors have quadrupled. During the
same period the real wages of the locals
have been halved. This is no coincidence
and happens all over the world. Tourists,
who do notmindbarbed wire around their
hotels and the fact, that.they spend more
money in one night than the employees eam
in one month, take advantage of .this
situation and still feel that ttrey bring money
to the country after all.
Indian Peoplc's
Thibunal
Indian People's Tlibunal (IPT) on Environ-
ment and Human Rights was formally
announced on June 5, 1993, World
Environment Day, at the Wvlcshap on
Enaircnment and the law nt Bangalore whidr
was attended by more than 400 people from
around lrdia. It was clear from the
unanimity of views that the IPT should
focus on survival and ideological issues
being thrown up by peoples' groups
throughout the country. Several peoples'
groups have already confirmed participa-
tion and support, but the process will
probably require more regional meetings,
before the IPT can be formally registered.
Till then it will work as a collective.
Publi-shed by Egltglfg purism Optioru (EQUATIONS), 168, 8th Main Road Behind Indiranagar Club, Bangatore 560 01p. INDIA
Phone: 08G5582313, Fax: 6G5582527 (Attn. 020), Telex: 084F8600 CscI IN (Att. 007), Cable: EeUATIONS BANGALORE
Design & Layout by Dhanarai lGezhara and Typesetting by Verba Network Service, 139, Sth Main, 12th Cross, Malieswaram, Bangalore
HOL|DAY RESORT OR TOFTURE CHAMBER
-
In order to further tourism, the Tirrkish state
undertakes a lot of preliminary work. It
builds roads, establishes grids and mains
systems and disposes of reflrse and sewage.
Foreign investors can import goods free of
du$. They are allowed tax concession,
additional credit, favourable subvention
and free transfer of profi t. The intemational
Monetary Fund (IM$, according to the
author Res StreJrle, takes the part of the
concierge in this "grand hotel" of world
eq)nomy, whereas the General Agreement
on Tariffs and Tiade (GAm) function as
porter, the World Bank as cashier and NATO
as caretaker. The restrucfuring of the
e@nomy has already been initiated and
airrp at deregulation and export. Instead of
diversifying the home market and making
it more dynamic, it gets limited. As a result
large parts of the population become
impoverished, migration from the land and
repression increase. In her chapter Snsan
Bns uncovers Swiss "neutrality" and
"humanity". "In this country, we ought to
build hospitals and schools, not these
goddamned fivestar hotels," said the
engineer on $e building site of a holiday
resort owned by the Swiss firmHapimag on
the Aegean coast. Many unfinished
buildings already disfigure the coast,
because of over capacity and there is no
money to pull thebungalows down. This
kind of "development" still goes on,
of as "soft tourism".
sometimes passed
luergen Hammelehle criticises the
environmental rhetoric. Michael Ruhlanil
Objectioes:
1. TO HIGHLIGI{T THE IMPEMiNVES
OF EQUITY AND HUMAN DIGMTY
IN THE SEARCH FC'R TRUE
DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDE AN
AUIERNATME VISION FOR TFIE
BENEFIT OF OUR JUDICIARI by
interpreting existing legislation and
documents sudr as the Constitution of
India in a manner that protects
individual and collective environmental
and social rights, particularly those of
adivasis and dalits
rather than the
-
convenience of the establishment.
2. TO HIGHLIGHT TFIE ENVIRON-
MENIAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
ABUSES b'eing perpetrated on
communities and individuals bv the
ruling elite in p*ruat of
""
uruustainable'development' objectives.
16
demonstrates how nature is elploited.
Yet, in some places, tourism offers an
income and some kind of security to
multinationals, who are less exposed to the
controls by the state authorities in holiday
resorts. "The tortoises are fine, the Green
Party takes care of them," mocked
somebody, "but what about the workers?"
(A rare species of tortoises caused great
discussions in Turkey. Environmentalists
fought for their protection and against
hotels.)
Ceylan OezerengirL a joumalist living in
Istanbul, wrote about trade unions and
working conditions of hotel ernployees.
Cihan Altay, a social education worker
Iiving in efle in Switzerland, described the
years he had been waiting as an applicant
for political asylum. The author Nilaf
Belrmn, who lives also in Basel, and wl-
recenly was refused a grant by the city.u
literary commissiory reflects on his
experiences in Switzerland: "We got used to
'foreigners out!'" he writes. "The reports on
attacks agairst homes for refugees are
getting more. Silence, toq has its voice.
Remaining silent means to agree." I
I.'ELIMAEDER
Can be ordered at:
Arbeitskreis Tourismus und Entwicklung
Missionssto 2l
CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
3. TO ENCOURAGE VICTIM COMMU-
NITIES TO FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS
by empowering them with informa-
tion.... putting them in touch with legal
. counsel.... and presenting them with tc-
cases against which they can evaluar-
their own varied circumstances.
4. TO SENSITISE PUBLIC OPIMON
through the media to the fact that issues
of environment and human rights are
inextricably linked.
5. TO HIGHLIGT{T THE CONNECTIONS
BETWEEN UNSUSTAINABLE CON-
SUMPTION PATTERNS AND DEGRA-
DATION; so as to awaken the public to
thefact that thespiritandletter of thelaw
are often violated by vested interests to
adrieve their financial and consumerist
ambitions. Needless to add, the IPTwill
also serve to network groups around the
560 003, pho re:3g66u2