Tripura Mountain Tourism 
AK.Deb,IAS (Retd)
From IT City Bangalore

      Tripura is a state situated in the corner end of the north eastern part of India having one million hectares of land of which 0.7 million hectares fall in mountain areas with a population of one million out of three millions nearly residing in these hill areas.  This fact   signifies that one-third population stays in the two third areas.  The reasons may be various   (a) food insecurity (b) trends in economic development have led to an exodus of population from hill areas to urban centers. (c) Poverty statistics show that an high percentage of the population in high mountain areas live in poverty, and that to escape this poverty they move to the urban points looking for better opportunities   (d) the backwardness in the economic activity in the mountain areas led to shift their homes near to plains  (e) lack of facilities of medical health care, education, (f) younger generation seeking to chase the urban life, needing extra money for furtherance of their day to day goals of high livelihood (g) tired of the toils of mountain life and seeking better economic and educational opportunities, young people move to the city, compounding over-population and poverty in urban area  (h) youths preferring to take weapons in hand  in absence of live economics and  to choose for the easy way to earn for livelihood  and so on.   Un even, undulating   peaks and terrains, soft green slopes, cool forests of high economic value, carrying the aroma of herbs and wild fruit, quick-flowing rivers and crystal-clear water bodies, springs and bio reserves, rare plants, and small picturesque villages with living traditions and folklore every Tripura hill has its own characteristic appearance, fascination and beautiful name.  This artisticity in the naming is rarely found elsewhere in the world, like lonterai, kalajhari, sakangthan etc apart from the traditional names like baramura meaning big hills, athara mura meaning eighteen hills, deotamura meaning hill of gods etc. 

Covering about one fourth of the world’s land surface, mountains provide a direct life-support base for about 12 per cent of the world’s population as well as essential goods and services to more than half of humankind.  Many of the world’s most impoverished and food-insecure people live in hills and mountains, which are crucial to life. They host more biodiversity than any other eco-region on earth, and provide most of the world's freshwater and are often called, nature's water towers. More than 3 billion people rely on mountain watersheds for their supplies of fresh water. Mountains are a source of key resources such as minerals, forest products and agricultural products and of recreation   As a major ecosystem representing the complex and interrelated ecology of our planet, mountain environments are essential to the survival of the global ecosystem The year 2002 was declared as the UN international Year of the Mountains. For the first time in history representatives of the worlds mountain communities came together in one forum to express their solidarity. At this summit global issues facing mountain communities were presented as a united front and rather than facing local problems individually, mountain communities were able to come together and share common issues
International tourism organizations, including World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and World Tourism Organization (WTO), have jointly found an important role in raising awareness about issues of sustainable tourism in the mountainous areas of the world, Others, including UNEP, UNDP, UNESCO and ICLEI addressing tourism as a only tool for sustainable development and conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage Mountains have become a magnet for tourism, which is the most rapidly growing industry in the world  which  has seen an increase in annual turnover of 4.7% over the 1990s, and is anticipated to grow at a rate of 4.1% annually over the next twenty years. Mountain tourism constitutes 15-20% of worldwide tourism, and around 90 billion dollars per year Mountain tourism plays a significant role in national economies, relative to mountain economies' generally small contributions. Tourism is vital to the conservation and development of mountain regions.   By the year 2010, the World Tourism Organization predicts that there will be one billion international tourists and more than US$1,500 billion generated in revenue. The tourism is increasing in mountain regions around the world, The impacts of tourism on mountain ecosystems and biological resources are of great concern, however, both at the local and global scales, because of the high degree of biodiversity and environmental sensitivity of mountain areas. The positive and attractive points are immense altitude changes and associated climatic conditions result in great variations in temperatures, precipitation, soils and vegetation, breeding a rich diversity. The development of mountain tourism can help reverse the trend of migration from the mountainous areas to the urban centers, but the challenge is to develop tourism in such a way that urban economy finds a way in changing its direction to the rural and rich mountain economy resulting the benefit, of mountain communities.
Tripura has potential to develop mountain tourism. Though it does not have the extreme climate and very high altitudes like Himalayan foothills areas or Kazakhstan area, but its favorable climate of non-extremity serves the purpose of it’s having the neutral climate behavior. It has six hill ranges and all are under north south direction, which has an advantage of not very cool or warm in any conditions. The east west wind is obstructed rather north south wind is easily passed   with enabling to have it a comfortable weather unlike extreme climate areas of south or north India The hills and mountains are not very inaccessible though, a few areas are in fact tough to reach.   The ideal places for mountain tourism according to the tourism industry is places with height 500 meters above sea level (The simple definition of mountain tourism is all kind of free time activities in the mountain areas which are above 500 m above sea level). The Tripura Jamul hill range is all above 500 meters the highest peak is 1000 meters. The ranges in sakhan, lontarai, debtamura etc are all above 500 metres of sea level. Taking all its resources, natural and manmade, development of mountain tourism may give boost to the barren economy, which depends only on loans and grants from National govt. To maintain thirty million people with the help of culturing of one million hectares of very good land and of which two thirds are hills and mountains is no hard   job if the mountain areas people are taken into confidence. Unless the economy of the hills, of indigenous people, those who are from time immemorial deprived by the elite class like from Sarders, Talukders, zeminders tribal chieftains, mahajans, feudal lords, kings, monarchs, and democrats, by providing genuine relief can be passed on to them by way developing/ generating higher stages of economic activity by sustainable mountain tourism which has been accepted by many countries now to boost their economy, the poor residing in those regions will remain poor and become further poorer day by day.
Some of the characteristics of mountains that hinder development and conservation, such as isolation, limited access, ruggedness, altitude, climate, etc. are also qualities that make mountains attractive places for tourism, and also help to protect bio- and cultural diversity. One way to keep mountain tourism activities within an appropriate scale and impact level is to build upon the natural strengths and assets of the area and the people living there. This "asset-based approach" also reinforces the modern day concept of promoting a "unique (tourism) selling point”.

The mountain tourism should be community based as a matter of first principle. Community-based mountain tourism should not be seen as an industry capable of single-handedly sustaining the economic and socio-cultural frameworks of a community. Community-based mountain tourism should be considered as a supplementary means of income and used in combination with other sustainable livelihood sources. Community-based mountain tourism should be viewed as having potential to benefit more than just the economy. It should be designed to enhance quality of life through heightened self-esteem, cultural pride and environmental responsibility.  It is important to note that this has been historically difficult to achieve, and may initially Tourism development should not be imposed upon communities who do not wish to have it. Policies and practices that safeguard local knowledge, establish links between traditional and scientific knowledge systems, and protect communities against unwanted change can promote conservation as well as the potential for enhanced enterprise development.  
The Good side.   Many high altitude plants have medicinal properties that are important to mountain people's well being, and have potential economic value that can boost mountain economies. The declining health of mountain ecosystems not only threatens the survival of highland species and economies, but also affects downstream watershed management, water quality and supplies, agriculture, climate, wildlife migration patterns   Due to isolation and limited access (i.e., physical access, as well as access to education, markets, communications, etc.), many people living in mountain areas lack sufficient skills and the resources to invest in and benefit significantly from tourism.   Mountain peoples tend to suffer social and economic marginalization because of ethnic and politically discriminatory attitudes, practices, and laws. . Unfortunately, a commonality across nearly every locale and culture is the lack of current (or any) tourism development and management plans for mountain regions. Mountain parks often have resource management plans that are based on a heavy regulatory process, whereas funding and staff for implementation are lacking. Guidelines for planning for sustainable tourism are needed. Tourism in sacred mountain areas: Visitors of any religious background and both genders are welcome at some sacred mountain areas while not at others; behavior or dress appropriate at one site may be inappropriate at another. Tourism plans must respect local beliefs and practices by consulting with local experts and practitioners.

Effective tourism plans issues

"High-tech" recreational tourism activities utilizing motorized equipment or major infrastructure such as alpine skiing, off-road-driving, mountain biking generally have more immediate and intensive impacts on the natural environment than do lower intensity recreational activities e.g., hiking, camping, mountain climbing. Many developing countries now strive for these high-tech, higher-investment, potentially high-return, also high-risk tourism activities that also have high adverse environmental impacts (high energy needs, road construction, etc.). Planning for mountain tourism must assess the short and long term environmental impacts of development, and give priority to tourism activities that benefit local people while generating sustainable revenues and support for conservation.

In some cultures, mountain households were traditionally open to travelers, serving up free hospitality and a meal, as the forerunner of mountain tourism. Other cultures have restrictions about people of other religions or ethnicity staying or taking a meal in their home. Such issues affect a culture's (or household's) ability to partake in small-scale enterprises such as home-stays and need to be reflected in tourism plans.

Cultural Vulnerability: Some cultures hold their basic cultural values well in the face of tourism, while others do not. Cultural factors may be at play, or circumstances such as strong community or religious leadership or education. It is important to understand the cultural factors at play in planning for successful tourism management.

Removal of vegetation both on a large scale i.e., for roads, land clearance for ski areas or hotel construction, etc. or small scale i.e., collection of plants, trampling and disturbance to sensitive vegetation by uncontrolled tourists, even by well-meaning "colorists" watching for wildlife or studying plant-life.

Disturbance to wildlife and reduction of wildlife habitat area: Mountain tourism is fast growing: tourists and tourism infrastructure are going further into remote and isolated high altitude areas. Tourism organizations sell opportunities to view wildlife, which, unless properly managed, can interfere with wildlife critical needs and life cycles. Some wildlife may respond by retreating; others become accustomed to humans and human food.

Wildlife poaching and trade in wildlife parts is sometimes masked by the increased presence of tourists in wilderness areas where local people work as tour guides or porters and smuggle illegal wildlife parts out for sale.

Increased incident of forest and grassland fires from tourist activities: A tossed cigarette is all it takes. With increased numbers of visitors, unaccustomed to high fire dangers, forest fires are a real and serious impact of tourism in mountain areas.

Degradation of forests from cutting of timber and fuel wood for tourism: The increasing number of local trekking lodges in the high Himalayas promotes firewood cutting by the local people, resulting in forest degradation. Firewood is used to cook food and provide hot showers to tourists. Trekking porters uproot high altitude shrub to burn for cooking and keeping warm, causing serious damage to the exposed slopes The number of tourists, with porters and staff, visiting the Everest region each year is four to five times the local population, hence more pressure is exerted on the forest, particularly outside of park boundaries where forests are unprotected. Impacts are evident down slope as well, i.e., soil erosion and reduction in land productivity. Moreover, the villagers are compelled to spend more time in meeting their own needs of firewood from a rapidly receding forest.
Other side impacts of the mountain tourism are improper and inadequate garbage and human waste management: Tourism generates a high volume of garbage and waste which mountain communities are unprepared to process.
As mountain tourism has grown, and other sources of livelihoods and market demand have declined, some mountain economies are becoming overly dependent on tourism. Agricultural communities have given up their sustainable practices and the cultivation of a variety of products and have converted to growing single, often exotic crops that tourists buy. If and when tourism declines - or exotic crops fail -- economies (and agro-diversity) suffer inordinately

In some mountain areas and cultures, however, tourism has availed higher socio-economic status and independence for women. Their skills in hospitality, cooking, and care giving to travelers are valuable commodities in tourism. Trekkers in Nepal ranked cleanliness and "friendliness of hostesses" as the priority factors in selecting a lodge.

Women also have key roles to play in conservation of natural and cultural resources. They may gain confidence and economic power, they will be becoming more active in community life, taking on leadership roles, and raising their status in the communities The potential growth in mountain tourism is high, but again, that depends on how it is measured. Increasing numbers of domestic tourists in countries like India and China are just beginning to travel to the mountains, and with such large national populations, shifting trends can have monumental and immediate impacts on tourism destinations

Planning for mountain tourism should be undertaken by governments, with the aim of producing a five to ten year sustainable mountain tourism plan that addresses national/state level policies and strategies, as well as regional and local action plans for tourism development and management. Local plans should be developed by communities, assisted by NGO or government as needed, and coordinated with neighboring localities. Such plans should build upon the uniqueness and assets of individual sites, with the aim of spreading visitors throughout the area in order to share opportunities for benefits and to minimize impacts, while collaborating to promote regional destinations for repeat or longer-stay visits. Domestic and regional tourism markets should be recognized and cultivated. Tourism development planning should be integrated with other community development and conservation plans in order to promote a diversification of livelihood opportunities in mountain areas, rather than an over-dependence upon tourism.

Tripura   --  Strengths   

Natural conditions: mountain scenery, water bodies, rivers, variety of flora and fauna

Preserved natural environment and local culture

Support for tourism initiatives by government and international aid organizations    and       most democratic panchayats and autonomous bodies 

Opportunities

Potential new markets from the growing interest of people as mountain tourists from different worlds countries especially those who live in plain areas and never seen or experienced hills or mountains,

Still many virgin or near undeveloped mountain areas

Large youth population that could be trained for tourism

And Potential of Internet to advertise and communicate with customers

 Lastly it should be an effort of the active State govt, and tourism houses for protection of environment and culture