A Pro-Poor Tourism as a new Approaching to Populace Development in Murshidabad Town: A Case Study

 

Majrul S k1, Sakti Mandal2*

1Guest Lecturer, Department of Geography, RDK College, Jiaganj

2Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Sripat Singh College, Jiaganj

*Corresponding Author Email: tomblo.sakti@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

Pro-poor tourism is a new concept of tourism geography that featuring new idea in tourism that has been creating employment and generate a self help affiliate to improve socio-economic status of poor people by eradicates poverty. It is to increase communicate line between the tourism trades and native poor people that’s native poor people improve their self-sufficient income. It is a decision making process that can access or develop any one of local people, small company, small lodge and local tourist operator. The essentials salient feature are not a type of company or not a type tourist operator, the local people direct involve the poor local people and benefits from tourism. There are not needed a lot of money investment, just a few money invest and more and more benefits or profits earn from this tourism. The main objectives of this paper that to enlighten brief concept about Pro-poor tourism, to highlight the tourist spots attraction in Murshidabad district, to elaborate human livelihood through the GDI and HDI and through the Pro-poor tourism in this area economic development of the local people is incredible. The data base mainly, primary data have been collected from the field survey and secondary data collected from various books, journals, internet, webpage, different govt. office. In general hypothesis, the higher value of composite index so also tourist potential is higher. The analysis may vary from person to person based on the individual choice and interest. This paper relates tourism development for good of living livelihood, living standard and wellbeing of poor rural people which may achieve by a set of effectiveness, participant, and earnest cobwebby of rural work force for development of tourism potential areas.

 

KEYWORDS: Benefits, Creating employment, Development, Tourism Potential.

 

 


INTRODUCTION:

Pro-poor tourism is a new branch of tourism geography. It’s mean improve the economic earn of native people in the developing country. It is to increase communicate line between the tourism trades and native poor people that’s native poor people improve their self-sufficient income. It is a decision making process that can access or develop any one of local people, small company, small lodge and local tourist operator.

 

The essentials salient feature are not a type of company or not a type tourist operator, the local people direct involve the poor local people and benefits from tourism. There are not needed a lot of money investment, just a few money invest and more and more benefits or profits earn from this tourism (Binns, T. and Nel, E. 2002)1. “It is one of the important approaches for the development of backward and poor classes of the society in the underdeveloped and developing countries of the world. It does not only strengthen local economy but also engage people in work participation actively with interest and devotion. This sort of approach from those people is an important indicator in societal and economic development of an area. Pro-poor tourism helps poor people of the society to acquire a new identity of livelihood and survival, and to get proper honor in so called civilized society through active engagement in work and decision making processes (Ashley, C. 2000)2

 

The introduction of ‘Pro-poor tourism’ concept is the result of partial failure of nature based tourisms regarding development of poor classes of the society. Consequently, human development of poor people comes into consideration as a challenge to developing and third world countries. The district of Murshidabad has a rich and deep historical background. Each and every stone of the district has a story to tell about its past. The past is endowed with untold mysteries, suspense and explored the rare jewels of the district. The rulers of the area contributed a lot in the growth of its rich culture and heritage, which of late has been a source of constant attraction for the visitors. The glamour and elegance of glorious past are reflected through the palace, temples etc. built by different rulers in space-time lattice. These moments of the vigorous past carry and tell the story of their inception, beauty, grace, love, passion, art and architecture. Pro poor tourism does not only help to know about an area from the very beginning and the splendor that the area once enjoyed simultaneously opens income opportunities to the local poor . That is why; the paper highlights the opportunities generated from this tourism potential district considering community development particularly for poor people to strengthen local and regional economy via tourism promotion.”(Roy, 2010; Saha, et.al.2010)3

 

OBJECTIVES:

The main objectives of this paper are…

1.     To enlighten brief concept about Pro-poor tourism.

2.     To highlight the tourist spots attraction in Murshidabad district.

3.     To elaborate human livelihood through the GDI and HDI.

4.      Through the Pro-poor tourism in this area economic development of the local people is incredible.


 

Historical Place of Murshidabad:

 


DATA BASE:

Mainly, primary data have been collected from the field survey and secondary data collected from various books, journals, internet, webpage, different govt. office, Google and archeological survey of India.

 

LOCATION:

Murshidabad district is located in the northern hemisphere of the globe .It’s latitude is from 240 50’ 20” N to 230 43’ 30” N and longitude 880 46’ 00” E to 870 49’ 17” E are respectively. It is surrounded by Bangladesh in the eastern part, north and south Dinajpur in the northern part, Bardhaman and Birbhum in the Western part and Nadia is the lies in the southern part of the Murshidabad. The elevation of the district is 23 meter above the mean sea level and category is Cities. The entire area of this district is 5324 Square/kilometer.

 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

The name “Murshidabad” derived in 1704 by Murshid Quli Khan. The capital of Bengal transformed by the Aurangzed in 1704 to Dacca (The present name is Dhaka capital of Bangladesh). Then this city renamed Murshidabad his own name. It’s ancient name was Mukhsusabad (Mukhsusabadis also called Mukhsedabad) means the select city. According to the ancient history of the city has been made in “Brahmanda section of the Bhavishyat Purana” (C.A.D. 15th -16th century). The Murshidabad was inaugurated by a yavana that is a Musalman. Another hand, the name Musumabazar was founded by many noble’s wife, the word Masuma means Chaste lady. It’s also called Market town.

 

Sabastier Maurique (A.D. 1629-1643)  also writes : “The city Masumabazar stands on the banks of the swift ganges, which is separate it from the city of Balighata…I noticed the household necessaries…besides many kinds of cotton goods, drugs, tobacco, opium etc”. Then after Riyazus-Salatinwas brother of Said Khan, Governor of Bengal under Akbar (A.D. 1587-1595) and served in Bihar-Bengal. In the Patna district at hajipur built a mosque that made by a Mukhus Khan who may have been erected by him. Yet another account, Seir-ul-Mutakharin (C.A.D. 1786) who was first called  “ Colaria then” Macsoodabad and terminal point out that Moorshoodabad. Colaria is a most important market town that is exist where Murshid-quli-Khan had his home town or recidence.The town was taken and plundered by the Afgan insuregents during the rising commonly known as Subha Singh rebellion, and at last Murshid-Quli-Khan the Diwan of Bengal, the headquarter of the Diwani in place of Dacca and three year after, Murshid-Quli-Khan appointed  for deputy Nazim and really whole power of Murshid-Quli-Khan and then himself fully called the name Murshidabad capital of Bengal.

 

TOURISM POTENTIAL OF MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT:

The comparative analysis has been made historical tourist spots in Murshidabad district. A few parameter choices for calculating and measurement of the composite index sited some tourist potentiality of the place and consideration of visitor or traveler 4(Cornia, G. A. 2006). In general hypothesis, the higher value of composite index so also tourist potential is higher. The analysis may vary from person to person based on the individual choice and interest.

GEOGRAPHICAL SETUP:

The Murshidabad district existed in the lower part of the Ganges. The West Bengal is divided by the Bhagirathi River into two parts; they are North Bengal and South Bengal. The Murshidabad exist in the South art of the Bengal. The geographical setup in this area is throughout covered by the consolidated sediments rocks and whole region cover by older alluvial and becomes the area lies moribund deltaic part. The river Bhagirathi (Ganges) following from north to south and Murshidabad divided two part, they are Western part and Eastern part. The Western part is known as “Rarh” which is totally substantial a continuation of sub-bindhaban and its numerous   swamps and beds of old rivers. On the other hand, the Eastern part is known “Bhagri” it’s covered by recent alluvial. The soil character in this area is numerous. The western part of “Rarh” covered by hard soil that is less fertile and Eastern part is totally alluvial soil that is more fertile. Murshidabad is belongs to Monsoon climatic region. These region rainfall in occurs 88% by the south-west monsoon rainfall and annual rainfall is about 1000 mm. The mean annual temperatures in summer are 320 C and winter 170 C respectively.

 

The flora and fauna associated in this region to include Bamboos, ferns, fungi, mango, jackfruit, lion, got, buffalo, hen, cow, pig, birds etc.

 

TOURISM ATTRACTION OF MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT:

Hazarduari Palace:

Hazarduari palace is the most important monuments in Murshidabad. This monument was building start in 1829, 29th august and this monument was complete in 1837, 12th December. So this monument was completely made in 8 years and also expenditure had 16.5 lakh in eighteen century. Hazarduari palace has 425 feet long and 200 feet width and this monument was made by Nawab Humayunja. Hazarduari palace has 900 principal door and 100 sham door, Hazarduari palace have totally 1000 door that’s call Hazar (one thousand) door i.e. Hazarduari (Photograph No. 1). 

 

Katra Mosque:

Katra mosque is one of the most important monuments in the Murshidabad. It was built in 1723 by Murshid-Quli-Khan and also here have tomb of Murshid-Quli-Khan. This monument was built according to the Mucca drawing. Actually Katra means economic market and there had many room surrounding Katra mosque (Photograph No-2) whither the market was sit in this room every day. Thinking, this name came from. It is located 1.2 km away from the Murshidabad station. There have two largest corner tower having loopholes for musketry.

 

Katgola Began:

Katgola began is a most important ecological tourist spots of Murshidabad. It is located away from rail station about 7 km. Here have lived a various species bird and a different species fish attend here and also live here various type of species tree. In this place are located behind the Nasipur Palace. Here also have attend a small museum that various kinds of attend here. A long tunnel attend here from Katgola began to Bhagirathi river. Nawab Sirajuddoula escaped through this tunnel from opponent.

 

Nizamat Imambara:

Nizamat Imambara is also most important sculpture in Murshidabad. This sculpture is build starting in 1846 and end in 1847. Nizamat Imambara was made by Feradunja and also its expenditure 7 lakh rupees. Nizamat Imambara (Photograph No- 3) is also important for fiction of Imam Hasan and Hussain. This monument is open only two day in the year that’s in Maharam day is fully open.

 

Motijheel or Prokriti Tirtha:

Prokriti Tirtha is the only total tourist spot of Murshidabad catering to the tourism needs of all age groups. It is basically a humble attempt to promote tourism in historically famous heritage town-Murshidabad, by adding another ‘Tourist Spot’ to the number of many other heritage or historical tourist spots that already exist here. This tourist spot, however is a modern and contemporary one designed to satiate the diverse tastes and flavors of tourism, of the tourists at a very competitive and affordable cost. The exclusivity of Prokriti Tirtha (Photograph No- 4) is in its unique blend of vividly green eco-friendly ambience with a fine flavor of Murshidabad Nawabi history and a smooth touch of amusement items like Boating, Toy-train, See-Saw, Swings etc.

 

Khosh Bagh:

Khosh bagh is located right bank of the Bhagirathi river and away from station about 4.3 km. Khosh bagh (Photograph No- 5) means the garden of happiness, the burial ground of the last Nawab of Bengal. There have tomb of Nawab Ali Bordi Khan, Nawab Sirajuddoula and their family.

 

Nasipur Palace:

According to the department of tourism of West Bengal that Nasipur palace which is said to be a miniature replica of Hazarduari palace, was built in the 1900s by Raja Kriti Chandra Sinha Bahadur. This age-worn palace continues to exude a mystical beauty with its wide ranging depictions of Hindu iconography. The Raj Bari (Photograph No- 7) occupies a large area and comprises the Thakur Bari, in the principal temple of which the family deity, Sri Ramchandra Deb Thakur, is located. The main building of the Raj Bari, which is a two storied house with a grand flight of stairs, has an imposing façade. The festival celebrating the divide love of lord Krishna and Radha is held in this palace every year.

 

House of Jagath Seth:

It is an ecological place and located away from the rail station 6 km. This house made by the Jagath Seth.

 

Photograph No- 1 Hazarduari Palace

 

Photograph No- 2 Katra Mosque

 

 

Photograph No- 3 Nizamat Imambara

 

 

 

Photograph No- 4 Motijheel

 

 

 

 

Photograph No- 5 Khosh Bag

 

Photograph No- 6 Jahan Kosha Camon

 

 

Photograph No- 7 Nashipur Rajbari

 

Footi Mosque:

Footi Mosque is one of the most important monuments in Murshidabad. It has tree minar that every day doing salat in past. This monument is located away from Murshidabad station about 1.5 km. Footi mosque (Figure 7) made by Nawab Sarfaraj Khan in 1738.

 

Jahan kosha Cannon:

Jahan kosha cannon is a located topkhana from station 1.2 km. Jahan kosha cannon is a war cannon established by Murshid-Quli-Khan in 1637 and also made by Janardhan Karmakar . Jahan kosha cannon are 12 hands longest and it has 84.8 quintal weight. Jahan kosha (Figure 8) means universal winner.

 

In this section relative analysis has been made on some selected tourist spots of Murshidabad. A few parameters chosen for the analysis of composite index of the tourist potential of the Murshidabad. The general hypothesis is that the higher value of composite index, the higher potential of tourist. This analysis varies from person to person on the individual’s choice and interest.


Table: 1 Composite index of historical tourism potential of selected spots of Murshidabad.

Tourist Spots

Historical

Attraction

Accessibility

Marketing

Facility

Fooding and

Lodging

Adventure and

Entertainment

Composite Index

Hazarduari Palace

4

4

4

4

3

19

Katra Mosque

3

4

2

1

1

11

Katgola Began

3

3

2

2

1

11

Nizamat Imambara

4

4

4

4

3

19

Motijheel

4

4

2

2

3

15

Khosh bagh

3

2

1

1

1

8

Nasipur Palace

3

3

1

1

1

9

House of Jagath Seth

3

2

1

1

1

8

Footi mosque

2

3

1

1

1

 

Kiriteswari Temple

2

1

1

1

1

6

Jahan kosha Cannon

3

2

1

1

1

8

Jafarganj Cemetery

3

2

1

1

1

8

Source: Calculated by author

 


POVERTY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN MURSHIDABAD:

Poverty means the scarcity or lack of sufficient money or lack of a certain amount of multifaceted things which is including food, cloth and habitation there are most important fact of mankind for livelihood and habitat. According to Business Dictionary that the poverty is basically two types, they are absolute poverty and relative poverty. Relative poverty is synonymous with destitution and occurs when people cannot obtain resource (measure in terms of calories or nutrition) to support a minimum level of physical health. Absolute poverty means about the some everywhere and can be eradicated as demonstration by some equally (Basu Roy, P Saha, S. and Dutta, B. (2009)5. Relative poverty occurs when people do not enjoy a certain minimum level of living standards a determined by a government (and enjoyed by the bulk of the population) that vary from country to country, sometimes within the some country relative poverty occurs everywhere, is said to be increasing and may never be eradicated. Now-a-days many people all of a ages are living in poverty line. As per Indian Rural Development Report, 1999, the state of West Bengal belonged one of the poverty prone state in India. If the spatial variation of poverty in West Bengal is considered, there is again found disparity as per NSS reports where it has been noticed that the poverty ratio is 31% in West Bengal Central Plain, 43% in West Bengal Western Plains, 58.7% in West Bengal Himalayan Parts and 41.7% in West Bengal Eastern Parts. The measuring of poverty in this district following indicators has been used to interpret the poverty situation in the Murshidabad district.

i.         Population growth

ii.        Low literacy rate

iii.      Regional imbalance

iv.      Human development index and gender development index.

 

 

 

 

i.      Population growth:

Murshidabad district ninth most populated district in India and having a population 7.103807 million (according to 2011 census). This vast population day-by-day increase due to natural increase and early marriage policy of people. Positive growth of population or indicated in the table-1 has increase unemployment, per capita consumption of resource available, which is lead to poverty to a most extend. As sure as fate that is noticed in 1901, the rural population and urban population of the district respectively were 1246578 and 75908 and are 5703115 and 1400692 in 2011 respectively. Whatever, a very great in amount of growth of population in the district especially in the rural areas is indicated due to the reasons as stated.

 

Table-2: Population growth of Murshidabad district.

Year

Total Population

Urban Population

Rural Population

1901

1322486

75908

1246578

1911

1345073

83483

1261590

1921

1224181

87885

1136296

1931

1370677

91808

1278869

1941

1640530

120449

1520081

1951

1715759

134927

1580832

1961

2290010

195464

2094546

1971

2940204

248425

2691779

1981

3697552

346018

3351534

1991

4740149

494347

4245802

2001

5866569

732734

5233825

2011

7103807

1400692

5703115

Source: District statistical handbook, 2011.

 

ii.       Low literacy rate.:

Education is the most important factors of well being of people for which is improve their poverty, improve their development and implemented and taken several nation based program but in this factors i.e. education or literacy rate is low of Murshidabad district. Here, the general literacy rate 66.59% among which male literacy rate is 69.95 and female literacy rate is 63.09% that stated table-2. The women education is very low as compared by the male population that directly involved socio-economic status and unemployment of them. The quality of education is also most important factors that people can improve their income opportunities and status of an individual life style. The study has been suffering both from qualitative and quantitative infrastructure.

 

Table-3: Status of Literacy in Murshidabad district.

Category

No. of Persons

Percentage (%)

Total Persons

4055834

66.59

Male

2177187

69.95

Female

1878647

63.09

Source: Census of India, 2011.

 

iii.     Regional imbalance.:

Every regional planning was made for the equal distribution of resource, development, government all facilities etc. so regional imbalance is the most crucial factors for growth and development of Indian society. When the regional imbalance is prevented by the people or govt. the everywhere and there development is make or create equally. In this study area, this imbalance is peculiar, they are found that development has been take place within the city area but basic services and benefits to rural people are neglected the agencies and magnitude of poverty is increase steadily day-by-day in rural areas.

 

iv.     Human development index and gender development index.:

HDI report, West Bengal also represents a figure of imbalance (Table-3). Being one of these districts with low income index, health index and education index. It also reflects that work participant of women is low which indicates the boarder prohibited to women’s economic participate and employment of them. Thus the district has been declined gender development index day-by-day. At now, the rank of Murshidabad district 16th in West Bengal to GDI and HDI index of Murshidabad district is 15th that’s a results is very bad situation. In case of rural people are main occupation agriculture and marginal work are transport, small shops mason labor in construction. In this area, the people are increase of early marriage policy day-by-day. The most of the people earn their revenue from native small shops and agricultural purpose. Farming has been the main source of livelihood of the rural population in the Murshidabad district. As per WBHDR 2004, it has been found that there is no equal distribution of resource and other. Spatial distribution in this place of rural poverty and human development over the Murshidabad. Analysis of the entire dimension of poverty and human development through increase by the population growth directed by the HDI and GDI of the district. The rural areas are need development by the reduction of intra-state of poverty and regional imbalance but which strategy should be improve this? MNGREGA, BAIF, IDB AND NABARD are the several developmental activities going on but actual or real development is very hardly possible. Whatever, featuring new methods through tourism development by the native poor people and native rural people make their local building and also emphasize individual capacity and also provide income opportunities.


 

Table-4: HDI index and GDI index of Murshidabad district.

Districts

Health Index

Income Index

Education Index

HDI

HDI Rank

GDI

Rank

Kolkata

0.824

0.320

0.783

0.78

1

0.642

1

Medinipur

0.683

0.323

0.728

0.62

7

0.578

4

Hooghly

0.764

0.259

0.720

0.63

6

0.581

3

Haora

0.773

0.294

0.742

0.68

2

0.570

5

24 Parganas(N)

0.721

0.219

0,752

0.66

3

0.564

6

Bardhaman

0.740

0.270

0.669

0.64

5

0.560

7

Darjeeling

0.731

0.356

0.714

0.65

4

0.600

2

Bankura

0.662

0.215

0.605

0.52

11

0.494

10

Nadia

0.649

0.215

0.653

0.57

9

0.506

9

24 Parganas(S)

0.705

0.192

0.666

0.60

8

0.521

8

Jalpaiguri

0.614

0.281

0.581

0.53

10

0.492

11

Birbhum

0.533

0.178

0.595

0.47

14

0.435

14

Cooch Behar

0.497

0.287

0.628

0.52

11

0.471

13

Purulia

0.606

0.161

0.506

0.45

16

0.424

15

Dinajpur

0.616

0.291

0.527

0.51

13

0.478

12

Murshidabad

0.566

0.176

0.527

0.46

15

0.423

16

Malda

0.491

0.291

0.465

0.44

17

0.416

17

Source: West Bengal Human Development Report, 2004

 


INTRODUCTION OF PRO-POOR TOURISM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:

“The following diagram analyses how can a chain interaction from Central to Panchayat level help to mobilize local people in tourism activity by building their capacity in this work providing financial assistance both from Government and Private level and also suggest for its implementation. Apart from this, this schematic diagram also indicates native people may be responsible to keep the local environment attractive to the tourists. While analyzing this diagram, it should be mentioned that different Governmental enterprises may take responsibility by providing financial support to introduce self-help program like sale of local industrial product, handicrafts, income generation by native cultural program by women, setting up hotels and restaurants by native poor people , tour operation by local youth etc. Similar activities may be performed by the people of tourism potential areas without the assistance as stated earlier .In this case they have to be educated and sincere applying their work force for earning. In addition, Private enterprises, NGOs may help the poor people by introducing the same for multi-tier benefits that go in favor of both investors as well as economically weaker people to improve the rural economy”(Roy, 2010; Saha, et.al.2010).


 

 

 

 


CONCLUSION:

The whole discussion of this paper relates tourism development for good of living livelihood, living standard and wellbeing of poor rural people which may achieve by a set of effectiveness, participant, and earnest cobwebby of rural work force for development of tourism potential areas. This spark advance to know a place or tourism spot since its beginning, a place sustainably to attempt their utilize resource, allow for income opportunities chassis soul capacitance and finally result becomes reduce regional imbalance, regional backwardness and regional deprive. Bestow rural development retention in mind map (Gould and White) that the rural poor people of the any country are adequate possible for creating gross domestic product (GDP) and human development index of any country.

 

REFERENCE:

1.        Binns, T. and Nel, E. (2002) “Tourism as a local Development Strategy in South Africa”, The Geographical Journals, Vol. 168

2.        Ashley, C. (2000), “Methodology for pro-poor tourism case studies”, Overseas Development Institute, London Perspective”, in Prem Singh, G. (ed.), Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

3.        Basu Roy, P Saha, S. and Dutta, B. (2009), “Millennium Development Goals – A Social Science

4.        Cornia, G. A. (2006), “Potential and limitation of Pro-poor Micro economics: An Overview”, IDEAS and UNDP conference, Chennai, India

5.        P. Basu Roy, T. Basu Roy and S. Saha (2010), “Pro- Poor Tourism as an Approach towards Community Development: A Case Study”, South Asian Journal of Tourism and Heritage (2010), Vol. 3, No. 2

6.        District Statistical Handbook (2006), Murshidabad District, West Bengal, India

7.        Human Development Report (2004), West Bengal, India.

 

 

 

Received on 13.01.2018          Modified on 26.03.2018

Accepted on 17.04.2018      ©A&V Publications All right reserved

Res.  J. Humanities and Social Sciences. 2018; 9(2): 415-422.

DOI: 10.5958/2321-5828.2018.00071.2