Ecotourism Efforts by : Aagman Saini, Mayank Malhotra,

Shiven, Kartik Singhal, Dhruv Goyal

Ecotourism ,Guidelines for eco tourists, tourism in Guwahati,Tourism in Kolkata,Tourism in Shillong,Tourism in Gangtok.

Things we are going to discuss on..

Ecotourism is Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. 

What is eco tourism?

Stay on trails:- Don't wander into the brush the trails are there for a reason. Leaving the pathway, you might unknowingly disturb wildlife habitat, or endangered or threatened plant communities.

Reduce, reuse and recycle:- The same idea that works at home, work and school works when you're in natural areas. Think of ways you can cut down on waste. For example, instead of taking all those plastic forks and paper plates when you go camping or picnicking, use items that you can wash and reuse.

Put waste where it belongs: in a trash can:- you don't have much waste left, but what you do have should go in a trash can. Wherever there's also a recyclables can, use it. And don't leave food out for animals, like raccoons, to eat.

Leave plants, animals, rocks, logs, etc. alone:- That flower may be the most unusual you've ever seen, and that little critter may look really cute, but they're not there for you to pick or to pet. You're in their home. Wild animals are wild, and they need their space. Give animals plenty of room when viewing them.

GUIDELINES FOR ECO-TOURISTS…

GuwahatiGuwahati in the modern era is the largest city of Assam, a major riverine port city and one of the fastest growing cities in India, situated in the South Bank of river Brahmaputra.

As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Guwahati in 2011 is 957,352; of which male and female are 495,362 and 461,990 respectively. Although Guwahati city has population of 957,352; its urban / metropolitan population is 962,334 of which 498,450 are males and 463,884 are females.

Guwahati is not a district, and Dispur (capital of Assam is a part of Guwahti).Guwahati is a part of Kamrup district. Guwahati and its surroundings have lot ancient Hindu temples e.g. Kamkhya temple, Umananda, Rudreshwar temple, Madan Kamdeva etc. Guwahati is a hub for 8 Northeastern states and a fast growing metro

Places To Visit in Guwahati• Temples of Hajo The religious village of Hajo is situated on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River. About 30 kilometres away from Guwahati, Hajo is an ancient pilgrimage centre for Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims. There are quite a few temples in Hajo and all enjoy the reverence of their devotees.

• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Situated in the floodplains of the mighty Brahmaputra River, the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the endangered one-horned-rhinoceros. Although quite small for a sanctuary, the density of rhinoceros in Pobitora is quite high

• Kaziranga National Park A World Heritage Site, the Kaziranga National Park is one of the most, if not the most, visited attractions of Assam. Kaziranga National Park has over 1800 one-horned-rhinoceros roam freely through the dense jungles and vegetation of the park. The Kaziranga National Park was declared as a ‘Tiger Reserve’ in 2006 owing to the high density of tiger population in the park.

• Kamakhya TempleThe current structural temple, built and renovated many times in the period 8th-17th century, gave rise to a hybrid indigenous style that is sometimes called the Nilachal type: a temple with a hemispherical dome on a cruciform base.[The temple consists of four chambers: garbhagriha and three mandapas locally called calanta, pancharatna and natamandira aligned from east to west.

Tourism in KolkataKolkata  is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it is the principal commercial, cultural, and educational centre of East India, while the Port of Kolkata is India's oldest operating port and its sole major riverine port. In 2011, the city had population of 4.5 million, while the population of the city and its suburbs was 14.1 million, making it the third-most populous metropolitan area in India. In 2008 its gross domestic product was estimated to be US$104 billion, which was the third highest among Indian cities, behind Mumbai and Delhi.

The Durga puja festival, held in accordance to the Lunar calendar of 'Bangabda' in September-October, is the most vibrant time in Kolkata. Durga Puja is the most important, most popular and largest festival of Kolkata. Kolkata is famous for its vibrant nightlife and glamorous cultural activities during Durga Puja which continue till Kojagori Lakshmi Puja. Shops, restaurants and eateries stay open all night. Songs and mantras are chanted through loudspeakers. This Hindu religious festival commemorates the mythology of Goddess Durga and her trusty lion steed overpowering and killing the demon Mahishasura .The first ceremony takes place on Mahalaya, the day the Goddess was conceived, and ends on Bijaya Dashami (the victorious tenth day), the day the Goddess finally kills the demon in battle. Puja is performed only on the sixth to the tenth day.

Most famous festival Durga puja

Tourist attraction in KolkataVictoria Memorial was Lord Curzon's

brainchild as a memorial to the Empress of India and Queen of the United Kingdom, Queen Victoria after her death in 1901, the Victoria Memorial was modeled on the Taj Mahal and was commissioned in 1906Howrah Bridge is a suspension type balanced cantilever bridge commissioned in 1943 and is a famous symbol of Kolkata and West Bengal.Nehru Children's Museum is named

after Jawaharlal Nehru, The museum has a collection of dolls and toys from across the globe, and has a doll - based retelling of the Indian  epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Established in 1972 close to the Victoria Memorial, and commonly referred to as "Nehru Children's Museum",

It is the capital and hill station of Meghalaya, also known as "The Abode of Clouds", one of the smallest states in India. It is the headquarters of the East Khasi Hills district and is situated at an average altitude of 4,908 feet (1,496 m) above sea level, with the highest point being Shilling Peak at 6,449 feet (1,966 m). Shilling is the 330th most populous city in India with population of 143,007 according to the 2011 census.[4] It is said that the rolling hills around the town reminded the European settlers of Scotland. Hence, they would also refer to it as the "Scotland of the East".

shillong

Shillong was capital for composite Assam during the British regime and later till a separate State of Meghalaya was formed. David Scott, the British civil servant of the East India Company, was the Agent of the Governor-General North East Frontier. During the First Anglo-Burmese War the British authorities felt the need for a road to connect Sylhet and Assam. The route was to traverse across the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. David Scott overcame the difficulties his administration faced from the opposition of the Khasi Syiems — their chiefs and people. Impressed by the favorable cool climate of Khasi Hills, they negotiated with the Syiem of Cherra in 1829 for a sanatorium for the British. Thus began the consolidation of British interests in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills.

history

Motphran: The “Stone of France” which is locally known as "Motphran" was erected in memory of the 26th Khasi Labour Corps who served under the British in France during World War I. It bears the words of the famous Latin poet Horace "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" which can be roughly translated as "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country."Shillong Peak: A picnic spot, 10 km from the city, 1965 m above sea level, offers a panoramic view of the scenic countryside and is the highest point in the state. Obeisance is paid to U Shulong at the sanctum sanctorum at the peak's summit every springtime, by the religious priest of Mylliem State.Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum: For those interested in ethnic tribal culture and tradition this government museum offers insights to the lifestyle of the people. This museum is in the State Central Library complex where monuments for the great patriots of the state were erected besides the statue of Smt. Indira Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Places to visit

GangtokGangtok is a municipality, the capital and the largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. It also

is the headquarters of the East Sikkim district. Gangtok is located in the eastern Himalayan range, at an elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 ft). The town's population of 100,000 belongs to

different ethnicities such as Nepali, Lepchas and Bhutia. Nestled within higher peaks of the Himalaya and enjoying a year-round mild temperate climate, Gangtok is at the centre of

Sikkim's tourism industry.

Gangtok rose to prominence as a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site after the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840. In 1894, the ruling Sikkimese Chogyal, Thutob Namgyal, transferred the capital to Gangtok. In the early 20th century, Gangtok became a major

stopover on the trade route between Lhasa in Tibet and cities such as Kolkata (then Calcutta) in British India. After India won its independence from Britain in 1947, Sikkim chose to remain an independent monarchy, with Gangtok as its capital. In 1975, after the integration with the

union of India, Gangtok was made India's 22nd state capital.The precise meaning of the name "Gangtok" is unclear, though the most popular meaning is

"hill top".[3] Today, Gangtok is a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning, with the presence of several monasteries, religious educational institutions, and centres for Tibetology.

Road The Teesta River runs along the National Highway 31A connecting Gangtok

to Siliguri National Highway 31A by the night. Taxis are the most widely available public transport within Gangtok. Most of

the residents stay within a few kilometres of the town centre and many have their own vehicles such as two-wheelers and cars. The share of personal vehicles and taxis combined is 98% of Gangtok's total vehicles, a high percentage when compared to other Indian cities.[15] City buses comprise less than one percent of vehicles.Those travelling longer distances generally make use of share-jeeps, a kind of public taxis. Four wheel drives are used to easily navigate the steep slopes of the roads. The 1 km (0.6 mi) long cable car with three stops connects lower Gangtok suburbs with Sikkim Legislative assembly in central Gangtok and the upper suburbs.

Transport

CULTURE Apart from the major religious festivals of Dashain, Tihar, Christmas, Holi etc., the diverse ethnic populace of the town celebrates several local festivals. The Lepchas and Bhutias celebrate new year in January, while Tibetans celebrate the new year (Losar) with "Devil Dance" in January–February. The Maghe sankranti, Ram Navami are some of the important Nepalese festivals. Chotrul Duchen, Buddha Jayanti, the birthday of the Dalai Lama, Loosong, Bhumchu, Saga Dawa, Lhabab Duechen and

Drupka Teshi are some other festivals, some distinct to local culture and others shared with the rest of India, Nepal, Bhutan and TibetRumtek Monastery, located

on the outskirts of Gangtokone, is one of Buddhism's holiest monasteries.

A popular food in Gangtok is the momo, a steamed dumpling containing pork, beef and vegetables cooked in a doughy wrapping and served with watery soup. Wai-Wai is a packaged snack consisting of noodles which are eaten either dry or in

soup form. A form of noodle called thukpa,[47] served in soup form is also popular in Gangtok. Other noodle-based foods such as the chowmein, thenthuk, fakthu, gyathuk and wonton are available. Other traditional Sikkimese cuisine include shah-phaley (Sikkimese patties with spiced minced meat in a crisp samosa-like

case) and Gack-ko soup.[48] Restaurants offer a wide variety of traditional Indian, continental and Chinese cuisines to cater to the tourists. Churpee, a kind of hard

cheese made from cow's or yak's milk is sometimes chewed