About

EQUATIONS envisions a just and equitable world, where all people have the freedom and the right to determine their lives and future. We envision forms of tourism which are non-exploitative, where decision making is democratised, and access to and benefits of tourism are equitably distributed. EQUATIONS believes in the capacity of individuals and communities to actualise their potential for the well-being of society.
We work toward justice, equity, people centred and movement centred activism, democratisation and dialogue.

Everyday we hear that tourism brings economic development, it creates jobs and revenues. But who really benefits from it? The local community, the village elite, or the owner?

There’s been an exponential increase in tourism in india over the last several decades, fueled by the growing economy and disposable incomes. The tourism industry in India has expanded wildly in an unregulated fashion with no regard for environmental, social and cultural impacts.

Tourism is not just a holiday, it changes the entire social, cultural and economic landscape of its surroundings. Local economies become dependent on tourism, which slowly strangles traditional occupations like agriculture, fishing, artisanal work and handicrafts. Land and beaches get taken over for construction of tourism infrastructure affecting farmers, adivasis and fishworkers. The landless are often forced to 'settle down' and become labour in the tourism industry. People who are dependent on natural resources like forests, coasts and grasslands often find themselves restricted, as tourism is developed without taking into consideration the carrying capacity of these regions. Artisans are co-opted into the tourism industry and often forced to compromise on their art to deliver cheap souvenirs. The unorganised sector which according to various studies contributes 60-70 % in tourism industry, is often seen as being a nuisance, affecting the attraction of the destination and therefore marked as something that should be removed. There are social costs. The abuse of women, children particularly those forced into sex work, trafficking and child labour because of tourism. Current forms of tourism, systemically and systematically perpetuate the caste system, with sometimes even furthering caste based occupations especially those concerning dalits and adivasis. Tourism not only maintains but furthers social hierarchies.

EQUATIONS was founded in 1985 to examine the impacts of tourism development, liberalisation and new economic polices. While the tourism industry, the middle class and the upper class of society enjoyed the benefits of this shift, what did do for everyone else? Tribal, dalits, women, coastal communities and the poor.

Would it better their lives economically and qualitatively, and would they have greater access to healthcare, education and employment? Were the natural resources on which they depend protected? Did they have any influence in any of the development decisions? Did they have a voice in policy making?

For several years EQUATIONS operated as a research centre studying the impacts of tourism on ecosystems, indigenous tribes, women and children, economy and environment. By late 90s, we had identified five key areas of tourism impact: economical, social, environmental, cultural and governance.

Through our extensive research, we initiate campaigns against unjust and unsustainable tourism leading to advocacy for policy change. One of the central underlying themes is ‘Who really benefits from tourism?’

GET INVOLVED

We almost always need volunteers and interns, to help organise campaigns and conduct research, to sort out news clippings, to proofread documents and help with our website and social media. We are grateful for any volunteer help and are flexible about the amount of time you can spend and the kind of work you would like to do.

EQUATIONS works with committed and passionate researchers and campaign organisers from varied backgrounds, we're often on the lookout for new people to join our team. Find out about current opening and opportunities below.

EQUATIONS is a research, policy, and advocacy organisation working on tourism and development issues in India. Our work has focused on the economic, environmental, social, cultural, political and administrative impacts of tourism particularly on people living in and around tourism destinations. We collaborate closely with organisations and peoples movements, to influence people-centered forms of tourism & policies that ensure significant local benefits and take into account the negative impacts of an unbridled growth of tourism.

 

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