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Tourism and Hospitality Management 3.222

Ajith Vengolickal Soman– GDTM – Semester II

Title: - Physical Carrying capacity in Lakshadweep Tourism
Student ID(211)

Word Count: - Submitted To: - Jonathan Spring

Definition of Tourism Carrying Capacity
“Tourism Carrying Capacity is defined by the “World Tourism Organization” as the maximum number of people that may visit a tourist destination at the same time, without causing destruction of the physical, economic, socio-cultural environment and an unacceptable decrease in the quality of visitor satisfaction”

Introduction
Lakshadweep known as the coral paradise of Arabian Sea constitutes a group of islands lying scattered as distance of 220 to 460 km away from South Indian cost. The Lakshadweep archipelago is the smallest union territory of India, the mainland city of Cochin in Kerala. The early settlers in the islands were Hindus and Budhist, who were converted in Islam by around 7th centuary.Lakshawdeep remains as the only union territory of India whose local resident are entirely Muslims. Lakshadweep has a tropical climate with summer temperature ranging from 35 to 22 degree centigrade
The traditions lifestyle and language of the people of island have close resemblance with that of Kerala. Due to large social backwardness, remoteness from the mainland, low levels of resources and development potential, and the population of these islands is classified as scheduled tribe. During the time of British rule, these islands were administered from Mangalore (South India).After Independence administration headquarters shifted to South India (Calicut, Kerala) in 1964 it is shifted to capital Kavarati. The Union Territory was formed in 1956 and it was named Lakshadweep in 1973.There are 36 islands (Including 12 atolls,3 reefs and 5 submerges banks)covering all area of 32 km with lagoons occupying about 4200 km.They comprise the only atolls in Indian territorial waters. Of these, only eleven islands viz. Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bangaram, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavarati, Kiltan and Minicoy are inhabited. Kavarattiis the administrative headquarters. A resort, catering to international and local tourists, has been set up at Bangaram to promote tourism. In addition, tourist huts have been erected at kavaratti, kadmat. All islands come under single district four Tehesils and five coconut development block.All visitors to Lakshwadeep for tourism as any other official duties require entry permits from Lakshadweep administration. The main occupation of the islanders is agriculture (coconut, cocos nucifera) and fisheries (skipiak tuna, Satsuwomas pelamis). Island do not have any worth while inter cropping facilities. Fishing is the major activity in the island, due to the low carrying capacity of the islands (density of population is extremely high in all islands) and the limited resources (drinking water, geographical area) all developmental activities need to strictly abide by the environmental parameters.
One of the most spectacular tropical island systems in the world is Lakshadweep’s tropical island system. In the marine wealth thirty-two sq.km of land spread over 36 islands surrounded by 4200 sq.km of lagoon rich in marine wealth. The precious heritage of ecology and culture is supported by an extremely fragile ecosystem. Committed to the cause of Eco tourism Union Territory of Lakshadweep has consciously followed a middle path between tourism promotion and environmental conservation.
During the past few decades there has been rapid development on these islands which has resulted in the degradation of coral colonies on the reef flats as well as in lagoons. In other words Lakshadweep have coral reef attained or crossed their carrying capacity. In order to analyze this problem, quantitative time series data on human Activities and live coral cover are required. Unfortunately no quantitative data on coral Cover is available. Qualitative changes that have occurred over the years in the Environment of the Lakshadweep bio data described. In seventies, the distribution of live coralline lagoons of several islands war reported to be extensive. It appears that the Carrying capacity of the reefs was attained in the eighties. In this essay attempt is made to quantify and analyze human impact on the islands, relief it to the degradation of reef sand estimate the carrying capacity of the reefs.
Lakshadweep’s precious heritage of ecology and culture is supported by an extremely fragile ecosystem. Committed to the cause of Eco tourism Union Territory of Lakshadweep has consciously followed a middle path between tourism promotion and environmental conservation. Administration is carefully monitoring the environmental impact of coastal tourism and has taken steps to promote tourism in a way that is consistent with ecological concerns. As an effective strategy to avoid pressure on ecological environment, the efforts to promote tourism have been synchronized with the carrying capacity of the islands. Though all the islands are endowed with the beauty of coral reef, sandy beaches, unpolluted and clear water and hospitable settings, most of these differ in terms of facilities and services offered.
Some islands have been promoted for diving and water sports; still others have been developed so that people enjoy the charm of relaxation and natural enjoyment. Since the land is precious and scare it is avowed policy of the Administration to relieve pressure on land and promote water based tourism. The motto being admires and not exploits that natural beauty. The dispersed Island situations and small size of Islands put unavoidable constrains to physical development. Islands are forced to support independent infrastructure and amenities and import almost all requirements to develop such facilities besides items of daily need. However, Lakshadweep has used the situation as an asset rather than a constraint through promotion of quality tourism.
The policies and guidelines prepared by the Union Territory of Lakshadweep to promote sustainable tourism can be categorized into four groups. a) Impacts of physical environment b) Impacts of ecological environment c) Impacts of human values, and d) Impacts on quality of life values.
In order not to adversely affect the physical environment emphasis of the administration is to promote tourism only in those islands that can sustain it keeping in view the concept of carrying capacity. The facilities are developed in such a way that they do not result in loss of bio-diversity. No development is permitted in geologically unstable zone. Adequate buffer zone has been provided between development and existing shoreline. The construction of high-rise structures banned. The policy is allowing structures that are in harmony with natures. It is ensured that construction materials and methods are compatible with environment and height, shape and location of building merge with the natural vegetation.
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Physical Carrying Capacity
This is the maximum number of those areas actually able to support. In the case of an individual tourist attraction it is the maximum numbers that can fit on the site at any given time and still allow fit on the site at any given time and still allows people to be able to move. This is normally assumed to be around 1 pm per person “physical carrying capacity per a day” area (in meters squared) X visitors per metre X daily duration (Mow forth and Mont) this is a formula which has been used to calculate the physical carrying capacity.
The Tourism sector is the newly developed sector in Lakshadweep .From 1956 to 1962 there was no ship or any mechanized vessels operating between islands and mainland to carry even the local passengers. In the year 1974 a full fledged all weather ship M.V Amindivi, started journey in the Islands. This was the first all weather ship in the island. This was not sufficient for the movement of passengers. The coming of Amindivi and two weather ships M.V. Bharatseema and M.V. Tipu Sultan during 1988 created a favourable condition for the movement of tourists. And also joined M.V.Minicoy the fleet recently has helped the movement of tourists further. The Hotel Corporation of India was looking after the affairs of Bangaram island resort up to 1982. The tourists on those days were coming by ship Amindivi. During 1978-tourists came by chartered ship 'M.S. Europa'. But in the absence of a permanent set up, the flow of tourists were not encouraging. After the Hotel Corporation of India wound up their business the sports was directly dealing with the tourist activities both Indian and foreign. The Casino Group of hotels, Cochin entered the field of Lakshadweep Tourism through a lease deed dated 22nd October 1988 with sports for operating the Bangaram Island Resort. Encouraged by the Bangaram experiment, the Lakshadweep administration has gone ahead with Tourism promotion in the Islands of Kavaratti, Kadmat, Kalpeni and Minicoy were opened for domestic tourists in 1983.

Difficulties facing Physical Carrying Capacity in Lakshadweep Tourism

Transportation between Mainland and Island

Transport bottlenecks between main land and the island, difficulties facing at embarkation and disembarkation points do not augur pleasant experiences to the tourist at all. Non availability of an international airport or even large airport cause considerable rethinking on the part of the international tourists in choice of destination, however attractive they may be.(Male Island in Maldives although the area is only 1.78 sq. kms. Accommodates a large international airport where a large number of foreign flights are operated. This provided considerable headway in developing tourism resorts in uninhabited islands. Inadequacy of inter-island ferry service in a faster and convenient manner is yet another important constraint in transport infrastructure.

Accommodation and Food

A package tour, accommodation and food are provided by the tour operator, other visitors (who are also categorised as tourists if they spent more than 24 hours at a place) frequenting the islands does not have any accommodation (leave alone “good or standard”) or eating place of acceptable quality. This is true in the case of all islands. Government bungalows available in various islands are not adequate and many are occupied by Government officials on duty. The standards of eating establishments in terms of quality accommodation and food restrict “free tourism” which is one of the critical areas of tourism development in the islands.

Land based tourism attractions
Apart from the beached and sea based activities the islands do not have any other land based tourism attractions like amusement parks, shopping arcades, entertainment plazas, fun cities, health resorts, trekking/ skiing, adventure sports avenues, etc. Absence of such divergent attractions makes the tourist arrival at a low key. One of the important side effects of the absence of such avenues is the low average length of stay of a tourist.

Very Low Carrying Capacity

Very low carrying capacity of the islands and fragile nature of the marine wealth restrict the extent of development in terms of creation of infrastructure facilities or gathering of more number of people in places of attractions/activity like beach. Very limited physical area of the land which is already crowded and dwindling due to the sea erosion, cannot be overlooked since these are going to be on an increasing scale in the years to come. Need for strict enforcement of the environment protection measures would automatically restrict the tempo of development and the tourism potential.

Institutional Constraints
Institutional constraints are too many operating in the way of tourism growth. The existing Coastal R Z Act when strictly enforced does not provide adequate space for development in certain narrow strip of islands. Restriction on entry of foreign visitors (International tourists are allowed only in selected islands) automatically brings down the number of high spending tourists. Need for entry permit to all visitors and special permit for foreign tourists. Enforcement of prohibition in all inhabited islands. Lack of policy initiatives for private sector participation in critical sectors like transportation, accommodation, etc. Some of the physical infrastructure facilities are also discussed to provide the existing level of developments in the islands.

POWER
Needless to say that there is no thermal, hydro or nuclear power generating stations in the island. The entire supply is based on diesel fired combustion engines in all islands.
Minicoy was the first island to be electrified in 1962, which was extended to Kavaratti
In 1964. Later in 1965 and 1966, Amini and Andrott got electrified respectively and by the end of Sixth Five Year Plan (1984-85) all inhabited islands and Bangaram got electrified. Although initially power was supplied only Hours, since April 1983 supply was restored to 24 hours. In Bitra, the smallest island, 24 hours supply was given only from May 1988.

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Conclusion
Key parameters such as population size, number of houses, passenger traffic, and cargo traffic and fish catch of ten major islands of the Lakshadweep archipelago are analysed to study the impact of Human activities of the reefs. Lakshadweep has the third largest population density in the country. Rapidly escalating developmental activities are largely responsible for the degradation of the reefs. Fishery resources are under-exploited and the fish catch can be augi-nented by adopting modem methods and diverting the impact of fishing boats to mainland ports. There is an urgent need to halt the degradation of reefs and reverse the trend.
References
George, P.C., Anthony, B.T. and George, K.C., 1977. Fishery resources of the Indian Economic Zone. Silver Jubilee Souvenir. Integrated Fisheries project pp79-116
James, P.S.B.R. and Pillai, C.S.G., 1989. Suggestions for establishing a national marine park in Lakshadweep. Bull. Cent Mar Fish Res Inst, 43: 248-252.
James, P.S.B.R., Pillai, C.S.G., l'homas, P.A., James, D.B. and Koya, S., 1989. Environment damage and consequences. Bull. Cent Mar Fish Res Inst., 43: 212-227.
Jones, S. and Banerji, S.K., 1973. A review of the living resources of the Central Indian Ocean. Proc. Symp. Living Resources of the seas around India CMFRI, Cochin, pp 1-17
Pillai, C.S.G., 1996. Coral reefs of India, their conservation and management. In: Marine Biodiversity, Conservation and Management (N.G. Menon & C.S.G. Pillai, Eds). Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin, pp. 16-3 1.
Pillai, P.P., Gopakumar, Ci. Yohannan, T.M. and Nasser, A.K.V., 1995. Live bait resources: present status and management. Workshop on the status of scientific database on Lakshadweep islands held in Kochi on 6th-7th Dec, 1995
Rodrigues, C. L., 1996. Taxonomic and ecological survey of the Lakshadweep for Perumal Marine Park. Project Completion Report. Goa University, 47 pp.
Smith, S.V., 1978. Coral reef area and the contributions of reefs to processes and resources of the world's oceans. Nature, 273: 225-226.