HOME ABOUT US FROM THE INDIAN STATES THEMATIC AREAS CAMPAIGNS EVENTS RESOURCE CENTER TOURISM IN THE NEWS SIGNUP CONTACT US

CAMPAIGNS

Submission To Justice Verma Committee On Tourism's Role In The Exploitation Of Women 
January 31, 2013

In our quest for tourism that is more equitable, sustainable and just we have had on our radar the impact that current forms of tourism development have on women’s lives. The last decade of tourism development has undeniably placed a much greater emphasis on women. The claims and commitments made at national and international level to uplift the status of women have been stronger.

---

A Robin Hood Reversal – Facilitating The Powerful and Punishing The Weak 
October 30, 2012

The Department of Tourism had announced the Draft Karnataka Tourism Trade Facilitation Act, 2012 in September 2012. This document is the critique of the Draft Act along with our suggestions and recommendations for change in the Act.

---

Changing Stripes - A Call to the MOEF to Walk Its Talk 
August 23, 2012

Submission of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to the Supreme Court on August 22, 2012 in the case of Ajay Dubey vs. National Tiger Conservation Authority & Ors. (SLP (Civil) No (s). 21339/2010) asking for permission to review the existing guidelines for conservation of tigers.

---

Kerala Tourism Policy 2011 (Draft) Participatory? - YES! Inclusive? NO!-30 Nov 11 
November 30, 2011

The Kerala Tourism Policy 2011 (Draft) issued by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala in November 2011 recognises the role of local self governing institutions in tourism development. The policy also visualises sustainable development through involving local panchayat and communities. Both these are welcome moves. What needs a perspective change is the excessive tourist focus without consideration of the impacts on local communities. The objectives of the policy seem to be primarily about the role and functions of the Department of Tourism and the formal sector of the tourism industry while the informal sector of the tourism industry that constitutes a significant part of the industry and economy has been ignored. EQUATIONS’ critique highlights the need for tourism impacts to be considered in policy formulation and implementation.

---

EQUATIONS Response to the National PPP Policy, 2011-Draft 
October 13, 2011

The Ministry of Finance issued the draft National PPP Policy, 2011 on September 27th and had invited comments/suggestions by October 15th. EQUATIONS has submitted it comments from the point of view of tourism. There are 5 key inadequacies/issues that need to be addressed: inadequate review for the need for PPPs, inadequate impact studies on PPPs, PPPs are driven by economic interests and returns on investment, impacting the access of under-privileged to basic services like health and education, clubbing of all tourism projects as public purpose being problematic as many of the PPP projects are in the high-end sectors and finally lack of basic documentation on the outcomes of existing PPP projects. While highlighting these issues, the comments also propose specific changes that need to be made in the text of the policy.

---

Call For Protection Of People's Right Along with Heritage Conservation In Hampi 
August 17, 2011

We condemn the inhuman and illegal eviction and demolition at Hampi Bazaar:  Hampi has been more than just a collection of ruins scattered in a magnificent landscape. It is part of the historical and ancient city of Vijayanagara, which has survived as a living site. Here visitors (domestic, foreign, pilgrims, researchers etc) experience the dynamism and colour of a vibrant bazaar. Today the Hampi Bazaar is facing a crisis, with it having been illegally demolished. Eviction notices were issued a few hours before the demolition, giving no time and opportunity for people to respond and react to the notices. Neither alternate housing nor clear guidelines for conducting business were issued prior to the eviction.  The fallout of this demolition has been that many families, some with small children and some with aged people have been pushed on to the streets, do not have a place to lives, and livelihoods have been affected. To endorse this statement please send a mail to campaigns@equitabletourism.org.

---

We Seek Stringent Regulation Of Tourism In And Around Protected Areas 
June 30, 2011

The (Draft) Guidelines for Ecotourism in and around Protected Areas were issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests on June 2, 2011 and comments invited by June 30, 2011. Through detailed comments and documentation, we have recommended that the Ministry recognise the primacy of the Gram Sabha and the various committees formed under The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 in forest governance. A proposed structure for the guidelines, a note highlighting the realities of ecotourism in the context of conservation and livelihoods form important parts of the documents sent to the Minsitry.

---

Protecting Livelihoods and Regulating Street Vending in India – Widen Scope and Make Process Inclusive! 
June 30, 2011

The Supreme Court in October 2010 directed the state governments to enact a law before 30th June 2011 based on the Model Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill 2009. EQUATIONS highlights the need to make the Bill more inclusive, contextual and holistic . We recommend an inter-ministerial collaborative approach.

---

Act on a ACT! Not a CRZ Notification! 
March 17, 2011

In May 2010, EQUATIONS sent detailed comments on the Pre Draft Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 2010 issued by Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF). We specifically focused on tourism development issues vis-à-vis protection of coast. In September 2010, we reiterated our concerns on the Draft CRZ Notification 2010. Though the process evolved by MoEF in drafting the Notification was welcome, we were hopeful that through this process MoEF would issue an Act for the important extensive coastline of India. On 6th January 2011, MoEF still took the route of coming with another Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011 under Section 3(1) and Section (2)(v) of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and Rule 5(3)(d) of the Environment (Protection) Rules 1986, superseding the CRZ Notification issued on 19th February 1991. CRZ Notification 2011 recognises the need to protect the interest of people on the coast and the protection of the coastal ecology. But a Notification is weaker than an Act when it comes to protection of the coast. This brief analysis of the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011 in relation to tourism seeks to secure the protection of the coastal eco system and the livelihood of the communities directly dependent on it. We continue to stand by our call on the necessity for a strong Act to prevent violations instead of the current easily amendable Notification.

---

Tourism Regulation in Ecologically Sensitive Areas 
January 11, 2011

In a letter to Shri. Sujit Banerjee, Chairman, Committee – Guidelines for Forest and Wildlife Ecotourism set up by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), we raise certain issues such as the need to expand the scope of regulation of tourism beyond tiger reserves, the composition of the committee, non-acknowledgement of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 in the Terms of Reference (ToR) and on the process of finalising the guidelines.

---

Tourism Leave Our Coasts Alone! 
September 27, 2010

On World Tourism Day  2010, EQUATIONS calls for a re-examination of the claim that tourism and biodiversity are mutually dependent. Documenting numerous instances of  tourisms irresponsible development on the coast, we reiterate the urgent need  for stringent regulation to protect our coasts and the rights and livelihoods of coastal communities. To endorse this statement please send a mail to campaigns@equitabletourism.org.

---

IMPLICATING Tourism in the 2010 Commonwealth Games Delhi 
July 27, 2010

This is the Press Release from the Press Conference held in Delhi on 27 July 2010 on the release of our Report "Humanity-Equality-Destiny? - Implicating Tourism in the Commonwealth Games 2010".

---

Concerns Intensify as Government Proposes to Amend Kerala Tourism (Conservation & Preservation of Areas) Act 2005 
July 07, 2010

Equations has expressed concern over the Kerala Government’s move to amend the Kerala Tourism (Conservation & Preservation of Areas) Act 2005 through an Ordinance and later by a Bill in the Assembly in June 2010 on the grounds that it will usurp the powers and mandate of local self-governing institutions. We had raised concerns on the Kerala Tourism (Conservation & Preservation of Areas) Act 2005 on similar grounds in 2005 and 2007. The Ordinance route now taken by the government with hardly less than 15 days left for the Assembly session intend to exclude dialogue with people and their representatives and thereby evade public scrutiny. We have sent in appeals on our concerns on these developments to the Honourable Governor Shri. R.S. Gavai, Chief Minister Shri. V.S. Achuthanandan and Subject Committee Members on Tourism of the Legislative Assembly. We expect debate to be raised in the Assembly on the issue.

---

Oppose plan for Section 144 during CWG 2010 for the uninterrupted movement of the Commonwealth Games officials and athletes 
June 25, 2010

We are alarmed at this proposal of Delhi Traffic Police. Imposing Section 144 CrPC is unreasonable, unjustified and a disproportionate use of a provision that has been provided in the criminal justice system to deal with emergency/urgent situations like riots and arson. It is a complete mockery of the law that Delhi Traffic Police proposes to impose such a section for controlling traffic in Delhi during the CWG 2010.

---

Scrap the Islands Protection Zone Notification 
June 03, 2010

In the continuing saga on amendments to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) made public the draft Islands Protection Zone (IPZ) Notification, applicable to the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. This letter and the accompanying note with our concerns related to this proposed Notification, highlights the need to make the CRZ notification even stronger and ensure tourism is regulated in the fragile island ecosystems

---

Letter to Shri. Jairam Ramesh on Pre Draft CRZ Notification 2010 
May 28, 2010

This is our letter to Shri. Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Environment and Forest (MoEF), on our comments on the Pre Draft CRZ Notification 2010 in the context of tourism. We continue to demand for a comprehensive legislation and not a notification to regulate coastal activities, to protect coasts and the livelihoods of the coastal communities dependent on it.

---

EQUATIONS Comments to MoEF on Draft Summary Report of the World Bank assisted Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project 
December 28, 2009

This is our letter to Shri. Senthil Vel, Additional Director, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), demanding that  proceedings on Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZM) should stop until the public consultations on Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification are completed. The public consultations were started by the MoEF to strengthen the CRZ Notification following the lapse of the draft Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) Notification, 2008. The MoEF had invited public comments on the Draft Summary Report of (ICZM) Project to be piloted in three states of Gujarat, Orissa and West Bengal.The backdoor entry of the ICZM is unethical.

---

Letter against railway’s plan on exclusive coaches for foreigners 
November 02, 2009

The Economic Times, dated 27.10.09 and Times of India, Bangalore edition, dated 29.10.09 reported that the Ministry of Railways plans to add exclusive coaches for foreign tourists in normal trains. The idea of ‘exclusive’ coaches for foreigners, in our opinion, is deep rooted in imperialism, racism and casteism. We do not object to better facilities in general, but object to exclusive facilities on the basis of nationality and citizenship.

---

Demand for improving availability of information on environmental clearance letters on the Ministry of Environment & Forests website 
September 30, 2009

This is our letter to Shri. Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment & Forests, demanding transparency and public access in environment clearance process. Media reports that the MoEF revamped its website in July 2009 to improve transparency in the environment clearance process. Reasons raised are: unavailability of  environmental clearance letters of projects cleared by the Ministry, data deficiency on ‘new construction projects and industrial estates’ project category on MoEF’s revamped website as on July 2009, no data on projects denied environmental clearance and inaccurate listing of projects cleared.

---

Our Culture is not for Sale! 
September 27, 2009

On World Tourism Day 2009, we call upon global tourism institutions like the UNWTO, National and State Tourism Boards and the Industry to comprehend and accept the existence of the negative impacts of tourism on host cultures. We urge bodies like the UNWTO not to so quickly celebrate tourism’s role as protector of culture…tourism has some serious soul searching to do before it awards itself that accolade!

---

Zones of Contestation - Call for a Moratorium on Mega Resorts 
February 24, 2009

Not only do "land grabs" by resort and real estate developers pose a rampant problem the world over, "sea grabs" for the development of commercial water-based tourism activities such as cruising, boating and diving, have also become common place. The rapid proliferation of mega-resorts that often include hotels, residential housing, golf courses, marinas, shopping centres, entertainment facilities and even landing strips for private jets, wreaks havoc on the natural environment, affects the lives and livelihoods of millions of small-scale farmers and fisher-folk around the world. It is time to demand an end to the global mega-resort and real estate boom. Land and natural resources are part of our collective commons and should belong to all people in a country. They must be preserved and used wisely to benefit local communities.

---

Demand for Public Hearing before Commencement of Work on Artificial Reef at Kovalam 
February 16, 2009

This is our letter to Shri. N. Mohana Kumar, The Chief Engineer, Harbour Engineering Dept., demanding a Public Hearing before commencement of work on artificial reef at Kovalam. Reasons raised are: inappropriate use of funds from Tsunami Rehabilitation Plan to promote a tourism product, loss of fisherfolk livelihood, and the basic question as to whether an artificial reef is of any protection against a Tsunami.

---

No More Holidays from Accountability! - We Need Stronger Environmental Regulation for Tourism 
September 27, 2008

On the World Tourism Day, 2008, we call for accountability by the tourism industry and stringent environmental regulation for tourism in India. Citing a series of examples to demonstrate the nexus between the industry pushing for a no regulation regime, we demand that the tourism and travel industry walk their talk on their commitment to environment.

---

The Proposal to Remove Restricted Area Permits and Inner Line Permits 
June 12, 2008

This is our letter to Shri Sitaram Yechury, Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism & Culture. We highlight our concerns to him on the proposal to remove Restricted Area Permits (RAP) and Inner Line Permits (ILP) in the North East Region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Our concerns are around the following issues: The lack of clear tourism strategies and lack of data and data based analysis (economic, tourist profile and arrivals, employment and revenues based data) on which such plans and recommendations are made. The lack of consultation with local people prior to making these recommendations. Issues of carrying capacity and ecological sensitivity which needs inclusion if tourism is sustainable.  The fact that tourism plans take no cognisance of  long standing demands of the people on issues such as withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and go ahead with a denial of the realities political, social, economic, demographic of the region.

---

The Proposal of Promoting the Northeast as a Destination to Leave Travel Concession (LTC) Travelers 
June 12, 2008

This is a letter to Shri Mani Shankar Aiyer, Minister for Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India. We enumerate the concerns about the proposal of promoting the NorthEast as a destination to Leave Travel Concession (LTC) travellers. We base our concerns on the disastrous consequences that a similar move had on the Andaman Islands. Some of the consequences were (Based on the research ‘Building a base for advocating Sustainable Tourism in the Andamans’): A flood of “tourists who had less interest in visiting the region but more in availing a air travel facility”. This led to severe pressure on the existing water crisis, transport and connectivity crunch, travel agencies abusing the LTC system and negligible perceivable benefit to the local economy. We appeal against a similar quick fix  proposal for the NorthEast as positioning of tourism in any region must take into account a variety of factors - the nature of the tourism product, sustainability and impact, the aspirations and constraints of local communities, the availability of adequate capacity and clear tangible benefits to local communities and the local economy.

---