Social Monitoring Report - Asian Development Bank · 2020. 1. 17. · Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri district, construction of banquet hall and tourist hostel in Trichy district and renovation

Social Monitoring Report

This social monitoring report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Project Number: 40648-037 November 2019 Period: January 2019 – June 2019

IND : Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism-Tranche 4

Submitted by Program Management Unit, Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism (IDIPT), Tamil Nadu

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Semi Annual Social Monitoring Report

Loan Number : 3717-IND

Reporting Period : Upto June‘2019

Infrastructure Development Investment Program for

Tourism (IDIPT) Tranche-4: Tamil Nadu

Prepared by : PMSC, Kitco Ltd.

Implementing Agency : PIU (TTDC, HR&CE, DoM, DoA)

Executing Agency : PMU, DoT

Month : October‘2019

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Preface

This social safeguard monitoring report has been prepared based on the

objectives and scope of the project. This report outlines the progress made

so far and the current status of the project in line with the ADB safeguard

policies.

Both primary sources and the secondary sources have been used to

prepare this report. The primary sources of available documents in the

departments concerned and the secondary sources of direct observation

through field visit and interview with the various stakeholders were followed

for the data collection.

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INDEX

Sl. No Contents Page No

1. Project Background 4

2. Project Description 4

3 Expected Outputs of the Project 4

4 Scope of the Report 5

5 Subproject Description 5

6 Purpose of the Report 8

7 Field Observation

7.1 Scope of land acquisition and resettlement, Indigenous peoples

7.2 Summary of resettlement impact

9-11

8 Key Findings

8.1 Gender Issues:

8.2 Status of labour at the site

8.3 Health and Safety Training to Workers:

8.4 Strategies to reach expected outputs

8.4.1 Enhance the quality of natural and cultural attractions under Private sector participation

8.4.2 Strengthen the livelihood activities of the local communities

8.4.3 Participation of local communities in managing the tourist destinations and attractions

11-13

9 Conclusions 14

10 Annexure 1-5

15-49

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Social Safeguard Monitoring Report

1. Project Background

Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) for

the Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism covering four

participating states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu.

The

Investment Program supports the government‘s development strategy to achieve

inclusive economic growth through the development of tourism-related infrastructure

and livelihood generation. The Investment Program was in alignment with government's

11th Five–Year Plan 2007-2012 and continued to be relevant for the government in its

12th Five–Year Plan that emphasized pro-poor tourism heritage preservation and

improving access to such tourist attractions. The recent Three-Year Action Agenda

(2017-2018 to 2019-2020) launched by the NITI Ayog, Government of India envisages

hospitality, travel and tourism sector as a major driver of growth and employment

worldwide and especially in India.

Tranche 4 supports the preservation and development of natural and cultural heritage,

create tourism support and connectivity infrastructure, and provide capacity building for

improved destination management and marketing.

2. Project Description

Tranche 4 contributes to the tourism sector to sustainable and inclusive economic

growth in Tamil Nadu. The Program is being implemented through different subprojects.

The expected outputs of the project and the summary of the different subprojects under

Tranche 4 are given below:

3. Expected Outputs of the Project

The expected outputs of the Tranche 4 are:

Enhanced quality of natural and cultural attractions;

Greater participation by local communities in tourism-related economic and

livelihood activities;

Improved basic urban infrastructure and incidental services at tourist destinations

and gateways;

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Improved connectivity to tourist attractions; and

Strengthened capacity of sector agencies and local communities for planning,

development, management and marketing of tourist destinations and attractions

and promoting private sector participation and small businesses.

4. Scope of the Report

This report is prepared for the subprojects under the Infrastructure Development

Investment Program for Tourism (Tranche 4). Of the 18 subprojects, the scope of the

report is confined to 11 subprojects. The subprojects that involve procurement and do

not involve in any civil work do not involve in any land acquisition or involuntary

resettlement related impacts.

5. Subproject Description

This section describes each of the subprojects—its components, location and its

specific purpose.

A. Subproject 1

Subproject 1 aims to provide energy saving, low maintenance, bright lights (LED) street

lights in 98 tourist cities and towns covering 18 districts in the state. The street lighting

will be done along the right-of-way (ROW) of government roads. For street lighting,

octagonal poles, high-mast poles and decorative poles will be erected.

The existing

towns, places and pilgrim centres have very poor illumination facility and are often not

functional. Existing street lighting has open cables and poor workability.

B. Subproject 2

Subproject 2 will involve supply and installation of retro-reflective signage boards at

228 major tourist cities/towns in 32 districts for guiding the visiting tourists and easy

navigation. These will be way finding signs, information boards and tourists maps, etc.

C. Subproject 3

Under subproject 3, tourist accommodations and tourist reception centres will be

constructed at Alangudi in Thiruvarur districts and development of basic infrastructure

facilities in Arulmigu Vedaraneswarar Temple, Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam District. The

tourist accommodations or Yatri Nivas will be two-storied dormitories and two-storied

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cottages. Provision of the pilgrim rest area, rooms, toilets, dormitory halls, kitchen and

storerooms are envisaged under basic infrastructure facilities. The facilities are being

constructed on land belonging to Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments

(HR&CE) Department.

D. Subproject 4

Subproject 4 aims to construct a tourist rest house comprising dormitory blocks, dining

hall with kitchen, office blocks including road works and other basic facilities at

Kanchipuram under Kanchipuram District. The subproject proposes dormitory blocks

(G+3), one with 28 rooms and other 63 rooms along with driver's dormitory, utility

rooms, common areas and internal roads. Construction of the assets will be on the land

belonging to the HR&CE Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.

E. Subproject 5

The proposed subproject 5 intends to develop Sri Ramanujar's birthplace in

Sriperumpudur in Kanchipuram district through the construction of tourist information

centre, theatre, cultural centre, hostel building, dormitory halls, library and bookshops

and road along with other facilities. The facilities are being constructed on the land

owned by the HR&CE Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.

F. Subproject 6

Subproject 6 plans to construct of pilgrim tourist rest house, dormitory and tourist

reception centre along with other basic facilities at Chidambaram in Cuddalore district.

The rest house comprises of 41 rooms. The facility is being constructed on government-

owned (TTDC) land that is free from any encumbrances

G. Subproject 7

The subproject intends to improve tourist guest house and information centre at

Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri district, construction of banquet hall and tourist hostel in

Trichy district and renovation of the heritage tourist centre in Kanyakumari. The

subproject is planned to be constructed on government land and mainly involves in

improvement of existing structures.

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H. Subproject 8

Subproject 8 involves in development and improvement of infrastructural facilities at 8

temple locations in Trichy, Thiruvenkadu, Keelperumpallam, Kumbakonam, Alangudi,

Thingalur, Ammapettai and Azhagarkoil across 6 districts of the state. The infrastructure

work involves in the construction of dormitory hall, toilet blocks, tonsor hall, overhead

tanks, pilgrim rest sheds and providing cut stone flooring at the temple complexes. The

facilities will be built on the land owned by the HR&CE Department, Government of

Tamil Nadu.

I. Subprojects 9 and 10

Subproject 9 and 10 are not under the scope of this report as both the subprojects

involve procurement of transport facilities for tourism development. Subproject 9

proposes to purchase two ferries (one each of 75 and 150 seater150-seater capacity).

Poompuhar Shipping Corporation Ltd will be the asset owner after completion of the

subproject. Subproject 10 comprises the purchase of buses and boat for Tamil Nadu

Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). The Line agency TTDC will be the asset

owner after completion of the subproject. All components will be procured through

National Competitive Bidding.

J. Subproject 11

Under subproject 11, improvement works in the Government Museum will be

undertaken; the Egmore Museum is located in Chennai. The improvement works

involves -face-lifting of an exterior view of the buildings, provisions of signage at suitable

locations, provision of story post, provision of pavements with water drains and cable

ducts, lawns, garden and children play area, internal roads, car parking and provision of

the security system through modern gadgets. The museum is under the ownership of

Department of Museums, Government of Tamil Nadu.

K. Subproject 12

Under subproject 12, solar lights and photovoltaic panels will be provided in TTDC

tourist complexes. Small poles will be provided (within the TTDC tourist complex

premises) to hold the steel fabricated structures on which the panels would rest.

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L. Subproject 13

Under subproject 13, conservation and restoration of heritage and important monument

of state archaeological Department and Renovation of Governor House at

Tharangambadi Town Panchayat are proposed.

6. Purpose of the Report

The purpose of social monitoring report is to check the ownership of the land, the details

of the land acquired if any, the issues related with social safeguards concerning the

progress achieved and current status of the reporting period and the capacity training

programs organized to the beneficiaries living in the tourist destinations.

7. Field Observation

The following elements have been observed through field visits to the subproject sites

and the interaction with the various stakeholders.

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7.1 Scope of land acquisition and resettlement, Indigenous peoples

Subproject No

Locations Present status The pattern of

land ownership Involuntary settlement Indigenous People

IDIPT/TN/P4/ T4/ICB/01/ 2017-18

98 Tourist Cities/Towns in 18 Districts

The work is just started and not reached the completion stage

Urban Local Bodies, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR & CE), State Archeology Department

All works are being carried out within the right of way (ROW) of government roads. The erection of poles or shafts are done on vacant, unused space within the ROW. No permanent impacts are found and none is allowed. Access to businesses is ensured during construction, business hours avoided (for construction) and the construction period minimized to avoid any temporary income loss. Subproject implementation is being closely monitored by the PMU and PMSC to avoid the impacts

No indigenous community lives in this location

IDIPT/TN/T4/ ICB/02/2017

228 tourist locations across 32 districts

The work is just initiated

District Administration Urban Local Bodies, HR & CE, Department of Archaeology, Department of Museums.

All works are going on vacant and unused government sites. No involuntary resettlement impacts are found


Alangudi, Thiruvarur District Arulmigu Vedaraneswarar Temple, Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam District

The work is just planned

HR & CE, Government of Tamilnadu

All works are proposed on government lands and no non-titleholders are present at the sites. No involuntary resettlement impacts anticipated.

No tribal community is affected


Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District

Construction work is going on in full swing

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu

All works are being carried out on government lands and no non-titleholders are present at the sites. No involuntary resettlement impacts are found

No indigenous community is affected


Sriperumpudur, Kanchipuram Dt.

Construction work is going on

H.R. & C.E Department, Government of Tamil Nadu

All works are being carried out on government lands and no non-titleholders are present at the sites. No involuntary resettlement impacts anticipated.

No impact on indigenous people

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Subproject No

Locations Present status The pattern of

land ownership Involuntary settlement Indigenous People

IDIPT/TN/P4/ T4/ICB/06/ 2017-18

Chidambaram at Cuddalore district

The work is just started and not reached the completion stage

TTDC, Government of Tamilnadu

All works are being done on government lands. Improvements to existing government buildings are being executed. No non-titleholders are present at the sites or buildings. No involuntary resettlement impacts are observed.

No indigenous community lives in this location


Hogenakkal, Trichy, and Kanyakumari

Construction is going on in Hogenakkal and Trichy. work is not yet begun at Kanyakumari

TTDC, Government of Tamil Nadu

All works are being done on government lands. Improvements to existing government buildings are being executed. No non-titleholders are present at the sites or buildings. No involuntary resettlement impacts are observed

Though the tribal community live in Hogenakkal, their life or livelihood is not affected by these project activities


Trichy, Ammapettai, Azhagar Temple, Thingalur, Thiruvenkadu, Alangudi, Keelperumpallam, Thirunageswaram

Not yet started H.R & C. E Department, Government of Tamil Nadu

All works are proposed on government lands and no non-titleholders are present at the sites. No involuntary resettlement impacts are documented

No indigenous community in this area


Chennai Construction work is going on in full swing

Department of Museums, Government of Tamil Nadu

All works are on government lands. Improvements to existing government buildings are proposed. No non-titleholders are present at the Sites or buildings. No involuntary resettlement impacts are reported.

IDIPT/TN/T4/ NCB/12/2017

Solar lights The initial identification work is going on in some places, in other places, the work is not initiated

TTDC tourist complexes.

Small poles are created for solar lights and panels within the TTDC sites. No involuntary resettlement Impacts are anticipated

No indigenous peoples are residing in this location

IDIPT/TN/T4/ NCB/13/2017

Governor House, Tharangambadi

The work is yet to start

State Archaeological Department Government of Tamil Nadu

Improvements to existing government buildings are proposed. No non-title holders are present. No involuntary resettlement impacts are reported

No indigenous community live in this are

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7.2 Summary of resettlement impact

Works under Tranche-4 project are being undertaken on the Tamil Nadu government Land

vacant, municipal land, HR &CE Land, TTDC Land and existing premises of Museum land. It is

found that there is no private land acquired to execute this project. It has been seen and

observed that during the execution of sub-projects, no impact on private properties like housing,

shops, commercial buildings, religious and community infrastructure as well as livelihoods of

local community and indigenous peoples are observed. Non-title holders (NTHs) were not

identified in the areas where the work is being carried out.

8. Key Findings

The key findings derived from the data are discussed here:

8.1 Gender Issues:

1. The contractors have been instructed the importance of gender sensitivity and the

legislations protecting the women such as sexual harassment of women at workplace

(prevention, prohibition and redressal) Act 2013, equal remuneration Act 1976, The

Factories Act 1948 etc. Awareness of Gender and social issues are carried out at the sites

where construction work has been started. It is carefully observed through the periodical

field visit. The contractors are further intimated about the Gender Action Plan prepared

under ADB guidelines.

2. It is found that a considerable number of women labourers have been engaged in civil

works. The provision of safe drinking water & separate toilet has been witnessed at the site.

The women workers were interacted and found that there were no gender-related issues

come up. Rest shelters/camps are available for the workers especially for women.

8.2 Status of labour at the site

Mostly the local labourers are recruited. The contractors employed many permanent labourers

in these projects who worked in other projects of the same contractors. A few workers from

other states also were employed and they were residing in the temporary labour camps erected

by the contractors near the construction sites. The contractors have been instructed to avail

rented building near the sites to accommodate the labourers migrated from other districts of

Tamil Nadu and from other states. No child labour was found in the site and all the contractors

are strictly informed not to employ any child under the age of 14. Child Labour (Prohibition and

Regulation) Act 1986 was apparently explained to the contractors. If any children between 15 to

18 years old are employed, the contractors are intimated to keep a separate register and to

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follow the provisions for the adolescent employees under The Factories Act 1948.

8.3 Health and Safety Training to Workers:

Various visits to the construction sites were made to have interaction with the contractors and

their representatives to ensure their level of awareness on health and safety measures to be

followed while construction is going on at the site. The contractors are informed to follow the

mandatory labour welfare orientated legislations. A detailed explanation has been given on The

Factories Act 1948 in which the provisions available for health and safety were explained to

them. The need for wearing the safety measures such goggles, gloves, boots, helmets and

jackets are clearly instructed to the contractors and the usages of their measure have been

varied to site to site, hence the labours are instructed to make use of the services. All the

contractors are strictly instructed to keep first aid box available at the construction site all the

time.

As a measure in the health aspect, the contractors were intimated to provide adequate toilets for

labourers and separate toilets for women labourers. The drinking water facility and rest shelter

and accommodation facilities are ensured during the field visits. See the Annexure 1

The following suggestions were given to all the contractors invariably whether the construction

work is small or large.

Maintenance of a separate register for tracking the accidents related to untoward incidents.

Workers Complaint registers and complaint drop boxes must be available at the site.

Housekeeping cleanliness needs to be improved.

Signboards should be erected at different locations and contact numbers for concerns/

complaints

All the emergency number in the Tamil language should be at site emergency prevention.

All safety rules at work and Provision of adequate health and safety measures such as

water, food, sanitation, personal protective equipment, workers insurance and medical

facilities should be provided to all the needy labourers

Accident and Grievances Register should be maintained at sites.

Proper waste collection and disposal system should be in practice

Provision of adequate mobile toilets on-site, and a creche for labourers‘ children if

necessary. On-site orientation was given to contractors, staff and labourers on Health,

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Hygiene, HIV, AIDS, VD, STD and safety norms & rights wherever the construction work is

initiated.

8.4 Strategies to reach expected outputs

Different strategies have been adopted to yield the expected outputs. The meetings, trainings

and awareness camps were organized wherever the work is initiated.

8.4.1 Enhance the quality of natural and cultural attractions under Private sector

participation

The Government Museum at Chennai is one of the natural and cultural attractions considered

under this project. The quality of the location has been enhanced by involving the volunteers of

Tata Consultancy Services under its Corporate Social Responsibility Program. It is an

achievement of participation of Private sector in tourist destination improvement work. The

detailed report is attached in the Annexure.2

8.4.2 Strengthen the livelihood activities of the local communities

A few training and awareness camps were organized to strengthen the livelihood activities of

the local communities living near to the project destinations. The detail report is attached in the

Annexure 3

The role of women in tourist destination areas is vital in supporting their household income.

Many women with the support of their self-help group involve in livelihood activities. These

women were given proper capacity enhancement training. the details about the training is given

in the Annexure 4

8.4.3 Participation of local communities in managing the tourist destinations and

attractions

The Hogenakkal waterfall is known as Niagara of India. The waterfalls are one of the major

attractive tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu. However, many tourists frown their eyes after

experiencing the pollution in the waterfalls area. The river is intolerably polluted which needs a

drastic initiation to keep the waterfalls pollution free. A youth forum is promoted in this area and

the aspirant youths were involved in river cleaning camp.

The details are available in Annexure-5.

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9. Conclusions

No private land acquisition and involuntary resettlement impacts are identified and no tribal

community is affected by the implementation of the project. It is found on consultations and

observations through field visits. The civil works are being undertaken within the compounds of

land owned by different government departments and within the ROW of government roads.

The contractors are instructed to ensure construction only on available vacant space within the

ROW For facilities such as street light poles or shafts; no permanent impacts are found and

none is permitted. Temporary access disruptions to the community, pedestrians and tourists are

being avoided using recommended simple mitigation measures during construction. Subproject

implementation has been closely monitored by the PMU and PMSC to ensure adherence to

proposed impact avoidance and mitigation measures.

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Annexure-1

Health and Safety-related Safeguard Training to Construction Labourers at TTDC,

Hogenakkal

1. Introduction

The health and safety of construction labourers is a prime important component while

executing the Asian development funded project. Hence it is one of the duties of PMSC

to look after the welfare of the labourers working at the construction sites. Adequate

awareness training would be organized in all the construction sites.

Like the beginning, the TTDC construction site at Hogenakkal was selected to provide

awareness training camp to the labourers. A detailed training was provided to the

labourers

2. Objectives

To provide adequate awareness about the available labour welfare legislation to the

construction labours

To explore the specific measures to be provided to women labourers

To inculcate healthy and safety-related personal protection measurers among the

labourers

3. Methodology

Discussion with the Labourers

The one to one interaction with the

labourers and the direct observation of

the conditions at the site and a detailed

discussion about the labour legislation

were the different methodologies

followed.

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4. The content of the program

The contractor and project implementation unit were given prior intimation about the

awareness camp to be organized for the construction labour.

A one to one interaction

with the labourers was

done so as to understand

the present working

environment at the site.

Construction Site

Dissemination of Project Information

Labourers attending training camp

As many as fifteen labourers (nine

male and 6 female labourers) were

working on the site. The labourers

were first informed about the

enactments of different labour

legislation in order to protect the

welfare of the labourers.

The Acts such as factories act, child labour prohibition Act, industrial dispute ACT

(Grievance redress mechanism), employees compensation act, minimum wages act,

payment of wages act, ESI, EPF, equal remuneration act was elaborately discussed with

the labourers

The importance of different safety devices such as goggles, hand gloves, shoes and

helmet were explained to the labourers. The availability of the first aid box and the

contact number for any medical emergency is also disseminated to the labourers.

The labourers and the public were informed about the functions of the three tiers

Grievance redress mechanism in order to address the grievance of the labourers and the

reporting system of the grievances pertaining to the air pollution, water pollution, noise

pollution and the traffic regulation are intimated to the public.

The contractor and his staff are instructed to ensure the availability of the attendance

register, payment transaction details, accident register and the grievances redress

register all the time at the site

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5. Observation

It is explored that most of the labourers come from nearby villages.

Female labourers attending training camp

All the women labourers are from

the local area only. It is found that

the male labourers were paid Rs

550 per day which is above than the

minimum wage; however, the female

labourers were paid Rs 350. The

contractor was directed to pay the

women labourers too equally.

It is found that a separate register for entering the accidents was maintained with

attendance register. Since there were no women labourers delivered child, there was no

need for a nursing break and no crèche is required as all the women labourers come from

the nearby villages where the in-laws and relatives would take care of the children during

their absence.

The first aid box was checked and it is observed that the temporary labour camp was

constructed near the site as the site is located in hill station it is too difficult to find a rented

house nearby.

6. Conclusion

The labourers were instructed to contact the safeguard expert and the environmental

specialist for any necessary related to environment, health and safety issues. The labourers

were delighted as they now learnt the different Acts enacted to protect the interest of the

labourers.

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Annexure-2

Promotion of Private Participation at Egmore Museum With Tata consultancy services Limited under Corporate social responsibility

1. Introduction

As one of the expected outputs of Tranche 4 program Under IDPIT In the Department of

Tourism, the PMSC team of social (Key and Non-key) experts- safeguard and Resettlement and

community development team explored the possibility for the promotion of private participation.

In this connection, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was approached by Mr.Bosgo for availing

their voluntary service under their corporate social responsibility program. The firm evinced

keen interest to work with PMSC team under their corporate social responsibility program.

Name of the Project Improvement Works in Government Museum at Egmore, Chennai- 1) Rainwater harvesting, 2) open-air theatre, 3) Plaza

Technical Sanction Amount

11.70 Crores

Name of the Place Government Museum at Egmore, Chennai

Package No IDIPT/TN/T4/NCB/11/2017

Project Implementing Unit

Department of Museum, Government Museum

Name of the contractor M/s., Amirtha Infra Projects, Adyar, Chennai.

Contract No. & Value IDIPT/TN/PIU/Museum/3250/2015/B3/2019 Rs. 10,48,75,233/-

Date of Visit 23.06.2019

Location

Government Museum, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai -600 008.

Resource persons

PMSC Team: 1. Dr. T.Babu - Social Expert- Safeguard & Resettlement 2. Dr.S.Nirmala - Community Development expert 3. Mr.A.Bosgo -Safeguard Expert Social

Mr.Mukesh and Team -TCS volunteers

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2. Government Museum, Egmore, Chennai:

This museum started in 1851. It

is the second oldest museum in

India after the Indian Museum at

Kolkata. The museum's

collections had its origin from a

gift of a collection of 1,100

geological specimens by the

Madras Literary Society to the

Government in 1851.

Amongst the additions is the Connemara Public Library, built with stained glass windows, ornate

woodwork and elaborate stucco decorations, formally opened in 1896. Both the museum and

the library benefited greatly from the efforts of the Madras Literary Society, the Oriental

Manuscripts Library and the Records Office. The museum complex consisting of six buildings

and 46 galleries covers an area of around 16.25 acres (66,000 m²) of land.

The objects displayed in the museum cover a variety of artefacts and objects covering diverse

fields including archaeology, numismatics, zoology, natural history, sculptures, palm-

leaf manuscripts and Amravati paintings.

Since August 2004, the museum is also a designated "Manuscript Conservation Centre" (MCC)

under the National Mission for Manuscripts established in 2003. The museum has taken

preventive care of about 19,007 manuscripts and given curative conservation treatment to about

7,402 manuscripts.

The museum for children in the complex houses several static exhibits such as galleries of dolls

adorned with costumes of various nations and civilizations and also exhibits pertaining to

science, transportation, and technology. As of 2013, the children's museum is visited by 1,000

people a day, and the number of visitors increases during weekends. An air-conditioned 3D

theatre, the first of its kind facility in a state museum, is constructed at the children's museum in

the museum complex at a cost of ₹ 4 million. The equipment was provided by the National

Council of Science Museums, Kolkata. The theatre is used to screen science-oriented films. It

screens a 20-minute-long film and plays five shows a day. In 2018, the Department of

Museums started evaluating bids for renovating the museum as part of an Asian Development

Bank-funded scheme under IDIPT, Government of Tamil Nadu, Dept of Tourism- Rainwater

harvesting, open-air theatre and plaza to be completed on or before June 2020.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archeologyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numismaticshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoologyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_historyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sculptureshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuscripthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amravatihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Mission_for_Manuscriptshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata

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3. Tata Consultancy Services Limited

TCS on its own and as part of the Tata organization adopted this concept for its holistic

development and actively implements programs and initiatives for the betterment of various

communities by involving associates and their family members through the unique concept of

―Volunteering‖. TCS-Maitree serves as the platform for this endeavour and has identified major

focus areas as

1. Education / Skill Development

2. Health Awareness

3. Environment

Education – the following areas under education are focused: Communication skills, computer

literacy, career counselling and motivational sessions, science and math skills, RTE and Child

rights awareness to adopted school and community children

Health – Health camps, blood donation camps, safe health and hygiene sessions, animal

welfare initiatives.

Environment - Cleanliness & Eco-friendly campaigns, Beach clean-up, Tree Plantation &

Adoption etc., Wall painting on social message, Forest conservation program, Plantation

maintenance, setting up of Organic & vegetable garden in schools

Both IDIPT-PMSC team members (Social safeguard Key and Non-key Experts and Community

Development Expert) and TCS volunteers decided to initiate the natural protection initiative at

Government Museum in Chennai. They all assembled in the Museum for the purpose of making

‗Nature Walk‘ on 22nd June 2019.

4. Nature Walk

All the volunteers arrived in the

museum at 9.30 A.M. Mr.Mukesh

Head of the TCS team, welcomed

the volunteers. Mr Bosgo (social -

safeguard and resettlement)

delivered orientation speech about

the PMSC work to develop the

tourism industry in Tamil Nadu

state.

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Then the team decided to go for a nature walk in order to observe the treasured collection of

Plants and birds at the Museum.

Dr.Nirmala had an elaborate

discussion on identifying the possible

role that could enhance cleanliness,

women safety and children protection

and preserve the green environment of

the museum with the volunteers to

assert the feasibility of working

together in future endeavours.

Dr T.Babu concluded the program with his valedictory address.

5. The outcome of the program

To identify the volunteers from the TCS team

Volunteers will work together to preserve

natural and cultural sites, as well as to raise

awareness among local communities about

the preserve the heritage spots

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Engage volunteers for Creating

awareness to the general public at

Heritage locations through wall painting

of social messages, clean-up drives and

garden maintenance etc.

Organize community health awareness

programs and conduct village sports for the

youth of the local community for a sustainable

tourism community.

Extend the volunteering support from TCS for

community sustainable programs.

Website Development - Create a new

website or enhance the existing website

with online facility and information about the

prime tourist spots with details about the

place and neighbouring community.

23

6. Main Observations and suggestions

The following observations along with the appropriate suggestions were given by the team to

make the museum a remarkable tourism spot.

Sl. No

Observation Suggestion

1 Shortage of dustbins -disposal of garbage near the pond

Dustbins and stone benches and drinking water facility shall be made available after the renovation of pond

2 Mural Wall paintings-near the restrooms Support can be extended from TCS

volunteers

3 indoor plants –can be kept behind the restrooms

TCS volunteers will do

4 Awareness on proper disposal of garbage for the in-house service providers is required

Awareness camps can be conducted

5

Plantation of saplings and fruit-bearing trees like sapota (It attracts the birds to come and stay inside the museum)

As the place is flooded with tourist, control of children on climbing of trees (safety issue) unavoidable. Further, the fruits will be taken away by tourist and not useful for birds, hence proper maintenance should be ensured

6 keep water feeders-for birds But the identification of the undisturbed

location like terrace was suggested

7

Bird-nest at different locations or hanging them in trees can be installed.

Not advisable. As the place is already occupied by Bat and other dominated birds species. It will add aesthetic effect but won‘t occupy by small birds

8 Create many water pools with aquatic plants, bird nests can help in beautification of the surroundings to attract Tourist.

Think about water scarcity. Maintenance will be very hard for the museum department

9 Provision for benches under the shade to help the elderly tourist to move around and enjoy the nature

It will be intimated to department concern

14

Adopt efficient waste disposal techniques like vermicomposting of organic waste and the organic manure can be used for maintenance of the garden.

Identify the place and TCS team will train the persons responsible

15 Create eco-friendly kids play area with recycled materials like used vehicle tyres etc with minimum cost.

The place will be identified

16

Conduct Sensitization programs like Fairs, exhibitions, carnival, special days festival and documentary videos about the location to the general public all weekends

Required funds will be collected from available sources

17 clean up Support from TCS volunteers will be

extended

24

Antique Sculpture Cleaning on 29th June 19

1. Introduction

As an executing part of the discussion held

at the first interaction between the PMSC

team and TCS-CSR Volunteers, the team

decided to involve in the antique sculpture

cleaning drive at the Museum.

The team TCS volunteers and PMSC is ready to start the sculpture cleaning process.

The team of TCS volunteers are cleaning the sculptures

The team of volunteers came with adequate

safety devices to clean the sculptures.

One among the volunteer team of TCS is cleaning

the sculptures.

The team led by Ms.Manjula had a fruitful

interaction with Ms.Gandhimathi, Assistant

Director of Museum. They all together

decided to carry out the activities suggested

by the assistant director.

The future activities have been jointly

planned while interaction with AD by

PMSC and TCS volunteers. The

major activities are given below.

25

The activities are as follows:

1. To conduct a need assessment survey for the staff of the Government Museum to understand

the importance of self- development.

2. To Initiate Basic computer skill training on MS Office (MS Word, MS Excel and MS Powerpoint

and the basic technical knowledge on hardware maintenance

3. To conduct motivation and personality enhancement session to establish a public-friendly

relationship among the staff and the visitors

4. TCS Employees will provide technical support to upgrade and improvement of website and

mobile app for the benefit of international and local tourists

5. TCS Employees would coordinate the contest to be conducted for students on different tourism

and heritage related themes.

6. Request technical support for a documentary film to be displayed for the benefit of visitors and

initiate LED show on weekends which will attract more young tourists

7. Engage TCS Volunteers for creating awareness on Vermicomposting nurseries and distribute

organic saplings to tourists and government offices with minimum cost

8. Provide volunteers for sapling plantation for the restoration of Eco green space surrounding the

lake and beautification of the lake to attract more tourists.

9. Associate and collaborate for volunteering support from TCS on every Saturdays

26

Annexure-3

Sustainable Livelihood through Responsible Tourism:

Exploring the feasibility on the creation of Tourists‘ Hotspot in Hogenakkal, Pennagaram

Taluk, Dharmapuri Dt, Tamil Nadu

27

INDEX

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Aims

2.1 Methodology

3. The present scenario of Hogenakal

3.1. Unhygienic Surrounding

3.2 Tiny Dining Hall

3.3 Broken Boating House

3.4 Filthy Oil Massage

3.5 Littered Women bathing and dressing area

3.6 Inadequate Security personnel

3.7 Insanitary Cooking

3.8 Zigzag Parking

3.9 Unprofessional Tourist Guides

4. The process of the Intervention Strategy

4.1 Collaboration with NGO

4.1.1 Women Self Help Groups

4.1.2 Joint Livelihood Groups

4.1.3 Farmers Producers Organization

4.2 Outsourcing Operation and Management


4.4 Massage Center

4.5 Rest Room Maintenance

4.6 Licensed Photographers

5. Tourist Hotspot -A Model Supply chain for Community/SHG Engagement

6. Conclusion

28

1. Introduction

Community ownership is a vital element in ensuring sustainable tourism. The enhancement

of the local community livelihood through tourism is one of the key objectives of the Asian

Development Bank while funding to the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu

to develop the tourism-based infrastructure.

Hogenakal, selected under IDIPT, otherwise called Niagra of India, is a potential tourist spot

located in Pennagaram block in Dharmapuri, the most underdeveloped district in Tamil

Nadu. The economy of the block would definitely be scaled up if Hogenakal is developed as

a pleasing and promising tourist spot.

2. Aims

The aims of the site visit are

To explore the various means to attract Intra-state, Interstate and International tourists, to

increase their level of satisfaction, their enjoyment while visiting Hogenakal and to make

Hogenakal as a responsive tourism spot.

To create comfort to both TTDC hotel accommodators and Non-accommodators

To identify the appropriate NGO to work in coordination with the project

To find out the ways to strengthen the livelihoods of the local community particularly the

women by making use of this project

To organize the unorganized service providers such as cooks, massagers and guides and

to form groups among them in order to avail government schemes and work with

professional dignity

To create the community ownership in operation and maintenance of the tourist spot so as

to increase the inflow of the tourists

As responsive tourism believes in mutual benefit, the tourists are given with utmost

hospitality and in turn, the local community including the women will get strengthen their

livelihoods by increasing the inflow of tourists. Construction of a TTDC hotel with the

support of ADB is initiated in Hogenakal. This will bring more tourists and increase the

number of tourists staying at Hogenakkal, whereas there are certain obstacles which hinder

the tourists to feel content and to reconsider their aspiration to repeat their visit. This paper

analyzes those obstacles and the possible means of removing them by identifying

appropriate strategies.

2.1 Methodology

The secondary data were gone to understand the socio, economic, political and cultural

elements of the district. The primary data were collected through direct field visits to tourist

destinations.

The interaction with the stakeholders such as the guides, cooks, tourists, massagers paved

the way to understand the present health and safety conditions at the tourism spot.

29

Challenges

Throwing used

dress, plastic

bottles and carry

bags

Unhygienic dressing

room and filthy oil

massage centre

throwing food

parcel, Unhygienic

kitchen

Unprofessional Guides,

Untrained cooks, untrained

massagers, Lack of securities

No user-friendly toilet,

No two-wheeler

parking, no Help Desk,

Defunct information

centre

Drinking alcohol

in public places

Ways to

address

Pollution

n:

Hygiene Facilitation Amenities Behaviour

Women security

personnel, eco-

friendly bags

Maintenance of

dressing room,

Massage centre,

kitchen by women

Trained Guides,

Cooks and

Massagers

Tourist Hotspot,

Maintenance of

toilet, parking slot

by women

Uncompromising

strict vigilance

Output Community Participation, community engagement, women

involvement, increased tourists, tourists’ satisfaction/comfort,

preservation of resources

Outcome

Strengthening sustainable livelihood, community

ownership, responsible tourism

30

3. The present scenario of Hogenakal

3.1. Unhygienic Surrounding

The present scenario of Hogenakal is not tourist-friendly. The surrounding area is highly

polluted and the nuisance made by the male tourists is not controlled by the local securities

including the police.

The plastic usage is unrestricted and the male tourist drinking alcohol in the waterfalls can be

frequently seen.

3.2 Tiny Dining Hall

Lack of dining-hall makes the tourist eat their food here and there and throwing the food waste

and food parcels haphazardly.

There is no RO water plant in the Hogenakal area. Ironically speaking, Hogenakal drinking

water project is a major project providing drinking water to Dharmapuri district, Hogenakkal

31

witness severe drinking water scarcity. The available drinking water is contaminated and tourists

should depend on the pet-bottles for drinking water. The mountain of these plastic pet bottles

proliferates the pollution in the area.

An article in Economic Times dated 8th May 2016, released news that an RO-process purified

drinking water vending kiosk in Pennagaram bus terminus was opened in hurry but it has never

been functional.

3.3 Broken Boating House

The waiting place of the boating house is

not properly maintained. The iron chairs in

the waiting room are broken. Visitors,

during peak days, tend to wait for hours

together to go for boat riding. Since the

chairs are broken, the visitors are scared

to use the broken ones. Furthermore,

there is no restroom for the boaters. They

will use the open place for their natural

calling.

3.4 Filthy Oil Massage

The oil massage is a potential business for

the local community, however, the

massagers are not properly trained and the

rate fixed by the massagers is not uniform

which results in cheating the innocent

tourists. No printed tariff card is given to

the tourists. Many tourists are unhappy

with the unprofessional way they are

treated by the oil massagers. Though a

separate room is allotted for lady‘s oil

massage, the room is filthy and left without

proper adequate amenities.

32

3.5 Littered Women bathing and dressing area

Though a separate place in the waterfalls is

allotted for women tourist to take bath, that area

is highly polluted with thrown away of used

dresses. Many tourists throw the dresses on the

falls after taking a bath. The area where women

are allotted to take bath is below the plane

water where many tourists prefer to take a bath.

The dresses thrown by the tourist taking a bath

in the surface area will fall on the head of the

women tourists who take bath in the falls. To

add, the male tourist after drinking beer, break

the bottle and throw on the falls. The women

tourists many times have seen the pieces of

beer bottles fallen on their head while taking a

bath.

3.6 Inadequate Security personnel

The number of securities available in the falls is very limited and the tourist will not listen to

them. Hence the Women self-help group members can be trained and appointed as security in

female bathing areas. The condition of the dress changing room is very pathetic and unusable.

The cleaning and maintenance can be given to women SHG members who will collect a

minimum amount and will give security to the women in the dressing room which is now used by

nobody.

3.7 Cooking

The fish curry prepared by the local women in the waterfalls area is a very famous dish. The

woman cooks do on a voluntary basis the tourist to get the order to prepare both vegetarian and

non-vegetarian food.

Though a sizeable number of women work as a cook, the tourists are not much satisfied as the

maintenance of the common kitchen is not hygienic which forces the cook to cook the food

outside the kitchen.

33

Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods are cooked in the same place which hinders the

vegetarians to eat over there. Some cook charge heavily and in turn, sometimes the tourists

refuse to pay the cooking charge as they deliberately complain that they are not satisfied with

the food preparation. Normally the tourist would pay after eating their meal; hence the cook

cannot be stubborn in collecting the charge they asked before the meal preparation. In this way,

either the cook is cheated or the tourist is cheated.

3.8 Zigzag Parking

Since there is no separate parking slot available

for two-wheeler parking, the man-made traffic is

not uncommon in this area. Some outside

Photographers can be seen only during peak

seasons. Since there is no fixed charge for prints

of the photo snaps, the photographers charge as

they like

34

3.9 Unprofessional Tourist Guides

Though several tourist guides are available, they

are not professionally trained and no dignified

system of approaching the hosts has been

followed in the way of approaching the tourist.

The tourists are many times cheated by the

guides. The cost of these services varies from

one person to another person which eventually

makes the tourist unhappy and cripple their

interest in repeat visits. There is no help desk

functioning to help the tourists who need details

about the guide, cook, oil massage etc.

4. The process of the Intervention Strategy

35

4.1 Collaboration with NGO

A local NGO, Jeyam

Community resource centre

– promoted by MYRADA

(pioneer NGO in India) is

identified to work in

collaboration in making

tourism sustainable in the

Hogenakal area.

Meeting on collaboration between PMSC Experts and NGO staff

This NGO has already promoted around 220 Women SHGs, 50 Joint Liability Groups, 4 Joint

Livelihood Groups and One Farmer Producer Organization. This organization works for the

rural poor and to strengthen the livelihoods of the women.

4.1.1 Women Self Help Groups

Self-help groups, also known as mutual help, mutual aid, or support groups, are groups of

women who provide mutual support for each other. In a self-help group, the members share a

common problem to find a common appropriate solution. Jeyam CRC has 220 self-help groups

in Pennakaram block. SHG is a holistic programme of micro-enterprises covering all aspects of

self-employment, organization of the rural poor into Self Help groups and their capacity building,

planning of activity clusters, infrastructure build-up, technology, credit and marketing.

4.1.2 Joint Livelihood Groups

Jeyam CRC established this concept in 2017. It means the formation of groups among the

members who involve in common livelihood. Here, Livelihood is defined as a set of activities,

involving securing water, food, fodder, medicine, shelter, clothing and the capacity to acquire

above necessities working either individually or as a group by using endowments (both human

and material) for meeting the requirements of the self and her/his household on a sustainable

basis with dignity.

4.1.3 Farmers Producers Organization

A legally-constituted group of farmers and growers organized under the Company Act. Producer

organizations assist in the distribution and marketing of products. They also promote a higher

quality of products and encourage their members to adopt good environmental practices.

Producer organizations have been legally encouraged since 2016 in the millets, minor millets

and vegetable sector, and since 2017 in the milk sector

36


As discussed above, pollution is a major obstacle in attacking tourists. The operation and

management of the waterfalls area can be outsourced to the local panchayat organization or

women self-help group members. The responsibility of the cleanliness of the waterfalls makes

the women SHG members work vibrantly. The vendors who sell the plastic-wrapped biscuits

pockets and other foodstuffs will be regulated by these SHGs members. A separate parking

place can be identified and the tender can be given to the Women SHG who will collect a

nominal charge for parking the cars and two-wheelers. This regular income will be created to

the women self-help groups and the man-made traffic will disappear. That will help the tourist to

save their time considerably.

4.3 Massage Center

The female massage centre can be handed over to the women self-help group members for a

nominal tender amount. The members will own the centre and keep it in proper condition. Many

women tourists who want to go for an Oil massage would change their decision after seeing the

filthy massage room. Though Many tourists prefer Herbal massage, the scarcity of the herbal

keeps the tourists desire away from making it real.

4.4 Rest Room Maintenance

The bathroom and toilet are not cleaned properly and

stinky. Tourists avoid walking some places used as an

open toilet. Available government schemes like women

sanitary complex, Total Sanitation Program can be

availed to construct good restrooms which can be

given to the women self-help groups to collect the fee

and to maintain them in good condition. There is no

tourist relaxation centre constructed in this spot.

4.5 Licensed Photographers

Jeyam community resource centre regularly conducts photography courses for the local youth.

The trained local youth and local girls, if interested, can be appointed . as licensed

photographers. They can be available with Polaroid cameras in the tourist spot with their

camera in a well-dressed uniform

5. A Model Value chain for Community/SHG engagement

Jeyam Community Resource Center is a registered NGO which works for the women

empowerment and to increase the livelihood of the local community exclusive for the poor

37

farmers. This project proposal is prepared in keeping the service of this NGO in mind to make

the Hogenakal construction project a successful one.

The Women Self-Help Groups already engage in some enterprising activities. Some Groups

plan to involve in Herbal plantation.

Since Organic cultivation is booming in the nearby

areas, the farmers‘ producer organization initiate

Organic vegetable plantation.

The artisans who prepare the handicrafts plan to

establish their own stall for marketing their products.

The members of farmers‘ production organization already cultivate millets as Dharmapuri district

is meant for its dry land millet cultivation. They want to undergo training to prepare the millet

cookies and to start their own enterprise of cookies sales. Members of a women self-help group

run a millet Processing Unit.

Some group members involved in country chicken poultry. There is a heavy demand for these

country chickens as there is no vaccination or anti-biotic medicines used. The members decide

to approach banks for availing loan to expand their activity into a big poultry farm.

The awareness among the general public about the Chekku oil (traditional way of oil extract)

usage paved the way for the initiation of certain group members to start a Chekku oil company.

After seeing the heavy demand for the Chekku oil, a group of members plan to cultivate the raw

materials of oil such as Sesame, groundnut and coconut.

A big tailoring unit is run by a group of women. They

take orders from Garments Companies, Tirupur and do

regular supply. However, their income will become

double if they involve in selling their own product. Since

they do not get any shop in Hogenakkal area, their idea

of having a garment stall is still not materialized.

Though they do not get an affirmative result from the

banks for a loan, their spirit of approaching all the

nearby banks is not subsidized.

38

5.1 Tourism Integrated Hotspot

A tourism hotspot can be opened by the Government and handed over to the NGO to engage

the local community. All the information about the places of visit, the phone numbers of

important persons, departments, offices can be easily accessed here. If the tourists want, they

can get trained tourist guide, photographers, oil massager, first aid, and ambulance service with

local medical practitioner details, accommodation facilities available at TTDC centre and a

handicraft centre in which the local artisans' innovative products can be sold. An RO plant can

be installed in the Hotspot where purified water can be sold for a cheap rate.

The differently-abled women from the women self-help groups will be motivated to take part in

these activities. The tourist will be given with an eco-friendly bag in which the tourist can keep

all the plastic paper and water bottles and finally return the filled bag while going back. This

attempts to reduce the drastic usage of plastic around the waterfalls area. There is no ATM

available around Hogenakal waterfalls. A vendor exchanges the currency with a commission.

He charges Rs50 for per Rs 1000 to exchange cash. However, the tourists should travel at least

10 Km to access an ATM. Hence, The Hotspot will have an ATM or Kiosk.

6. Conclusion

The community ownership will increase community participation in keeping the tourists‘ spot

more enjoyable and retain the tourists‘ visit. The TTDC hotel can help roughly 20% of the tourist

to stay overnight, whereas the tourists who go back within a day should be motivated to stay in

Hogenakal through the hospitality shown with clean, hygienic, and with the professional and

organized services. This is possible when the community particularly the women are engaged in

the services the tourists require. The community engagement will bring ownership among the

local community. And this tourism will increase the income of the local community which

eventually will lead to the sustainable livelihoods of the local community.

39

Tourist Hotspot - A Model supply chain for Community/SHG Engagement

Tourist

Hotspot

Millet

Cultivation

Millet Processing

Unit

Cooks

Cookies

Chekku oil

Organic

Vegetables

Country Chicken

and egg

Herbal Products

Garments, bags

Massagers

Sesame, groundnut,

coconut cultivation

Information on

Cook, Guide,

Massager,

Volunteer, First

aid

40

Annexure-4

Livelihood Promotion at Tourist Destination: A capacity building training for women

milk producers at Hogenakkal

1. Introduction

Dairy is one of the most significant rural activities, which supports the livelihoods of millions

of people, especially the poor and women. It is often the most preferred diversification

activity for them. Operation Flood program of the National Dairy Development Board has

left its mark on almost every corner of India. It has built large social and physical

infrastructure across the country; it has trained a large number of people in different

activities involved in from production of the milk to its final consumption. Many

nongovernment organizations involved in promoting dairy activity among rural women.

These organizations attempted to form common livelihood groups from among the milk

producers.

Jayam also planned to organize common

livelihood groups among the women milk

producers. At present, the women milk

producers sell their milk to Hutson, a private

milk company. Since the milk is sold by

individuals, they face some difficulties.

Inaugural address

This training was given to the women milk producers'

group members to envisage their milk business as

an independent and more profitable shortly.

2. Condition of milk producers

The poor in the village had owned one or two milch animals. Earlier these women had sold

the milk to a person who would come to collect it. He would then sell it to the creamery.

Since every single producer could sell only a few litres per day maximum, they could not

justify a trip from the village to the town to sell the milk for a good price. Then they

approached Aavin, the government-owned Milk Company. However, the milk producers

would get their price only after three moths which vehemently affect to routinize their milk

business.

Here came the role of the private milk company. The company would ensure the continued

supply of milk from farmers by providing cattle feed to them in the form of advance which

41

eventually binds them to sell the milk to him only. The company was deserved to fix the

price of the milk which tends to vary from one farmer to another, from one day to another

day. For the poor producers, economic bondage, price uncertainty, arbitrary trade action

and poor infrastructure and investment in their animals remained them in bond with the

company.

3. Common livelihood groups

Jayam CRCS has promoted a common

livelihood group among these poor

women to annihilate the arbitrariness of

the company. These women were

already members of self-help groups.

They availed loan from the SHG to buy

cows. Jayam has linked them with the

local bank to avail bulk loan.

Training for Common Livelihood Group Members

The plight of the women through the arbitrariness of the company was discussed with the

Safeguard expert- social and resettlement, and community development expert of IDIPT-

Tranche IV program. Finally, it is decided to organize a one-day capacity development

training program for the women milk producers.

Training by PMSC Experts

As many as 65 women milk producers

attended the training whereas only 40

women were asked to participate. The

huge number itself showed the high

enthusiasm and morale among the women.

4. Objectives of the training program

To conduct a brainstorming among the women members to sensitize them to know

the diary sub-sector value chain

To discuss the advantages of working collectively in milk marketing

To make them introspect the vision building exercise

To make them understand the connection between common livelihood groups and the

livelihood promotion activities

To prepare them to form into a milk producers federation

42

5. Outputs of the training

Promotion of Milk producers‘ federation

The federation Availing bulk loan from the bank

The increased price of the milk sold by them by

annihilating the role of the private company

Growth in the income of the women producers

Production of value-added products of milk

Install an outlet of value-added products in a tourist

destination (Hogenakkal)

Discussion on Promotion of Milk

Producer Federation 6. Outcome

Ascertain the financial empowerment of rural poor women through tourism-based livelihood

promotion.

7. Methodology

Subgroup discussion, brainstorming, lecturing, question and answer, experience sharing

and the case study analysis were different methodologies adopted in the training program.

8. Content of the training

The women were taught how the different alternative livelihood strategies can be adopted

to increase their income. The development of dairy sub-sector was discussed. The various

strategies to sustain the livelihood was explained to the women.

The brainstorming session was facilitated

to let the women ventilate the plights they

encounter in the milk business. The

middleman arbitrariness in price fixation

and lack of knowledge in value addition to

the perishable milk were expressed by the

women.

Brainstorming Exercise The advantages of being formed into a common livelihood group were enumerated to the

participants. The participants were further enlightened about adding different value to the

milk. The different products to be made from milk were discussed. The women expressed

their willingness to go for further technical advancement training to overcome constraints

persist in the value addition of the dairy products. They realized the need for starting a milk

chilling plant on their own. The women were instructed to optimum use of available

resources like manpower, their present experience and the need to establish the linkages

43

with key players and leveraging relationships so that producers could benefit in some

concrete measure like increasing productivity and reducing market risk. Finally, the

questions of sustainability by focusing on improving upon its design and developing a

revenue model, setting in the process a cooperative framework of producers' organization

that is the building block of social and political capital, and by mitigating risks asked by the

participants were clarified.

The successful cases like SEWA, Bannari Amman, Amul were narrated to the participants

which became a motivating source for them to speculate their future course of action.

Discussion on Promotions and Functions of

Common livelihood groups

These cases made them realize the

significance of organizing themselves into the

federation.

The participants doubted how the tourist

destination, Hogenakkal, can play a major role

in providing sustainable livelihood to them.

The possibilities of installing an outlet in hogenakkal

waterfalls area, where the milk and other value-added

products selling was explained to the participants.

Feedback session

The emotional feedback of

the participants took place

prior to the valedictory

address.

Discussion on value-added products

9. Conclusion

Dairying has been traditionally an activity undertaken by women in many parts of the

country. As a result of the dairy programmes, the quantum of income in the hands of

women has increased. This, in turn, has resulted in benefits such as greater income being

spent in the family on nutrition and clothing of children rather than on liquor and inessential

consumption. In the family, the status of women has tended to rise. The only constraint of

these women is the lack of awareness of the advantages of organizing themselves. After

the training, they realized that the necessity of huge capital to start a chilling plant that can

be availed through a bulk loan if they organize into a federation. They requested Jayam to

organize training to meet out the required technical skills to be independent in their income.

44

Annexure-5

An Initiative of Igniting the Local Youths’ Participation in Making Hogenakkal a

‘Pollution-Free’ Tourist Destination

1. Introduction

Subsequent to the previous field explorative report on the present scenario of Hogenakkal

waterfalls, it is further decided to identify the aspirant local youths for getting their

participation in making Cauvery river at Hogenakkal waterfalls area a ‗pollution-free‘ tourism

destination so as to increase the flow of tourists as well as provoke them to repeat the visit

as often as possible.

2. Objectives

To understand the magnitude of pollution in the upper area of Hogenakkal waterfalls

To identify the aspirant local youths to involve them in the cleaning process

To create a youth forum for sustainable environment development

To make public and tourists aware of the need for pollution-free Hogenakkal

To make coordination among all stakeholders including local government

To make use of mass media to protect the environment of Hogenakkal waterfalls

3. Methodology

The local youths were informed through social

media by Jeyam Community Resource Centre

Society – A partner NGO. The aspirant youths

evinced their interest to participate in the river

cleaning process.

Aspirant youths in the cleaning process

Registration

A sponsored organization was identified to bear the

incidental expenditure like lunch, gloves, etc. A

convenient date was fixed with the consultation of local

youths.

All the youths were informed to gather in the upper portion of Hogenakkal waterfalls to

initiate the cleaning process. The press media and local government were informed to

partake in this cleaning process.

45

4. Present Scenario

It is found that the Hogenakkal waterfalls has been vehemently polluted as the tourists are

not encouraged to repeat their visit. The pollution around the waterfalls is the major

hindrance in providing comfort and to make visit exquisite. Many tourists who initially plan to

stay at Hogenakkal overnight change their plan of stay after the bitter experience of the

pollution in and around the waterfalls.

Hogenakkal is the entry point of Cauvery River entering from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu and

changing as waterfalls.

The tourists normally know Hogenakkal only

as a tourist destination; however, the upper

portion of Hogenakkal has been used by the

local community as a place to perform

posthumous rites and rituals. It is a

customary practice to take bath in the holy

river after performing the rituals. However,

as a part of their practice, all the mourned

participants leave their dresses off into the

river after taking bath.

Posthumous rites and rituals by the local

community

Relatives of a deceased ready to bathe after rituals

It is witnessed that at least 100 relatives/

per deceased attend, take bath and leave

their dresses in the river itself. They do

this practice around 3 kilometres of the

upper portion of the waterfalls.

Hence the accumulated dresses

could be calculated as more than

1000 per day which makes the

local panchayat difficult to clean

all the cloths with their minimum

sources. Mountain of Dumped Clothes

46

The dumped clothes have caused pollution and obstruct the normal flow of the river. Many

times, these clothes will fall on the tourists who take a bath in the waterfalls which make the

tourists experience a bitter one.

Snake carved sculpture statue

taken out from the river

Besides to used clothes, there is another

ritual practiced by the local community.

Those who have ―Nagathosam‖ (the curse of

a snake) performed a ritual to pacify the

ferocious snake so as to get rid of the curse

from the snake by worshipping a snake

carved sculpture and keep the sculpture into

the river itself which is another hindrance to

the normal flow of the water.

5. Strategies

Keeping this in mind, the local NGO – Jeyam CRCS which already expressed its interest to

be a partner NGO to make this project a successful one, was approached to promote

Hogenakkal waterfalls a pollution-free tourism destination

Community Development Expert

Safeguard Expert – Social and Resettlement

A series of the discussion by Safeguard expert – social and resettlement, community

Development Expert with the NGO was carried out to make this endeavour a grand

success. It is decided to create a youth forum from among the aspirant youths of nearby

villages. These youths will be oriented about the need to keep the Cauvery River flowing in

Hogenakkal area.

The date of releasing Cauvery water from Krishnarajasagar dam was announced by the

Karnataka government. Therefore, a convenient date prior to the water reaching

hogenakkal was fixed with the consultation of the local youths, at the same time the local

panchayat officials were also requested to extend their support in this cleaning process.

47

Youths‘ participating in the cleaning process

50 youths gathered in the upper portion

of Hogenakkal waterfalls. Besides the

clothes, the broken pieces of liquor

bottles, some sculptures were also found

and removed by these youths.

The local panchayat was also included in the

cleaning process and they used their van to

remove the cloths from the river belt. About 15

tons of dumped clothes were removed during the

cleaning process and sent to a solid waste

management unit. Collected clothes by Panchayat van to send

Solid waste management unit

Women voluntarily joined in the cleaning

process

By seeing the youths‘ initiative, the local

women vendors also joined with the youths in

the cleaning process. The local community

who were performing the rites amazingly

enquired about the activity and they have

informed the consequences of dumping the

cloth into the river.

6. The Outcomes

The youth aspirants were identified as an initiative

of community participation in the cleaning process.

The youth collectives are interested to organize as a

youth forum under the partner NGO‘s guidance.

This activity is a base for promoting the coordination among the various stakeholders such

as the youths, women and panchayat. The business of the small vendors would be

strengthened. The level of inclination among the local community would be enhanced which

eventually create A clean, hygienic tourist destination with the local community‘s ownership.

48

7. Case Study

Anandan, who is an engineering graduate, hails from a small village 45

kilometres away from Hogenakkal. He had earlier worked in a reputed

firm as a mechanical engineer in Coimbatore.

As he was inspired by nammalvar and Masanobu Fukuoka, the natural forming pioneers

in Tamil Nadu, returned to his own village to do agriculture. He gets lots of free time here

and found it difficult to spend his time fruitfully. By hearing this river cleaning initiative, he

was very much joyful to participate in this activity. He expressed his wholehearted

support to this process and asserted that now he found a constructive means of

spending his free time. he requested the organizers to conduct this cleaning program at

least once in a month so as to keep the river clean and dirty free.

Raja, a 10 years old boy persuaded his father to give his mobile to play

video games. His father informed Raja that he was going to participate in

the river cleaning process. Raja also expressed his consent to come to the

river. When raja was interviewed, he told

‗I came with my dad, thinking that my dad would hand over me his mobile phone while

he was at the cleaning process. I thought of playing video games on my father‘s mobile

while he would be pre-occupied in the cleaning process.

But after seeing the enthusiast youths, the local women, the sisters (the NGO staff) and

officers (safeguard expert and community development expert) involving in the cleaning

process without reluctance, I was also interested to partake in the cleaning process. I

found it very interesting and requesting the organizers to keep the forthcoming cleaning

process on Sundays so that I could participate without fail. I would proudly narrate this to

my sister as she wasted a Sunday by merely sitting at home‘.

49

Mariamma is a local vendor, selling fried fish in the bank of the river. By

seeing the youths‘ cleaning activity, she voluntarily came forward to get

involved in the process. While she was asked the reason for her voluntary

involvement, she replied that all the fishes were cleaned in the river water.

Many tourists, who want to taste the fish, changed their idea after seeing the fishes

washed in the dirty water. It is a setback to their business. If the river was cleaned and

pure water flows, their business would flourish. Though she informed the concern

authorities many times to clean the river, there were no concrete efforts taken. Now she

is very much delighted to see the youths involving in the cleaning process. She now

hopes that she would get more income if the cleaning process continues periodically and

she was ready to participate in the cleaning processes take place in future.

8. Conclusion

All the participants were very much pleased. The youth volunteers requested the NGO to

continuously organize such programs in future also. They planned to inform the other

youths in their own village and ensure their participation in the future course of actions.

They further planned to mobilize their village youths to clean the water bodies, common

property resources located in their own village with the assistance of Jayam C.R.C.S.

Jayam decided to promote youth forums in all the villages to make involve them in the

development activities of the villages along with the women self help groups, producer

organizations members and children who are the members of their children parliament.

Newspaper release

The Cauvery River cleaning at

Hogenakkal waterfalls becomes the

inspiring and initiative source for the

development of the local community.

SMI- cvrpg L 3717-SMR (TN)-Jan-Jun 2019L 3717-IND SMR JJ19L 3717-IND EMR JJ19, SMR JJ19, IEE-Log 3875Social Report(SASMR)_Jan-June19-Final

Documents

Social Monitoring Report - Asian Development Bank · 2020. 1. 17. · Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri district, construction of banquet hall and tourist hostel in Trichy district and renovation