SYNOPSIs REPORT

Developing Eco-Tourism
and
Interpretation Facility
at Keshopur Chhumb Community
Reserve (KCCR), District
Gurdaspur, Punjab.

Submitted By:
Ruksardeep Kaur.
Roll No. 1346461.
10th Semester, B. Arch.
Thesis guide :
Ar. Mona Sood
Ar. Vishal Sood
CONTENTS:
1. Introduction
1.1 Eco-Tourism- The concept
1.2 Principles of Eco-Tourism
1.3 Benefits of Eco-Tourism
1.4 Introduction to the Wetlands
1.5 Vision

2. Validity

3. Aim and Objectives

4. Methodology

5. Scope

6. Site Brief

7. Case Studies

8. Areas to be featured in the Complex

ANNEXURE:
1. Government of Punjab Notification No: 34/13/2007/Ft-V/6133;
Dated 25-06-2007
INTRODUCTION:

Eco-Tourism- The Concept

Eco-Tourism, which is also known as ecological tourism, is the
responsible travel to fragile, pristine and usually protected areas that
strives to be low impact and often small scale. ‘Eco’ is derived from the
Greek word “oikos” which literally means the habitat and is an
abbreviation of the term “ecology” which is scientific study of the relation
of living organisms to each other and their surroundings. Therefore, in
this view, ecotourism essentially means ecological tourism; where
ecological has both the environmental and social connotations.
NATURE-BASED TOURISM
Ecologically Sustainable
Environmentally Educative

Principles of Eco-Tourism:
 Minimizing the impact of tourism on nature and culture.
 Educating tourists to the importance of conservation.
 Promoting responsible business practices.
 Providing financial benefits for the conservation of the natural areas.
 Educating the traveller on the local community and its culture.
 Use of local building and landscape materials.
 Hiring local labour during construction and operations processes.
 Applying innovative water and energy management and conservation solutions.
 Preparation of informative environmental education programs and materials.

Eco-Tourism is therefore recognized as subset of alternative tourism

where the major motivation for travel is to use, see and experience the
natural environment. Ultimately, it is a segment of the travel industry, a
subset of nature tourism, which is in turn a subset of tourism.
Tourism is a swiftly expanding area and increasingly nature based
tourism or ecotourism has been gaining importance. The term eco-
tourism was first heard in 1980’s, the first broadly accepted definition
and the one which continues to be a valid definition was established by
the International Ecotourism Society in 1990:
“It is the Responsible travel to the Natural Areas that Conserves the
Environment & at the same time improves the overall well being of the
Local People”
Benefits of Eco-Tourism
Eco-Tourism is that alternative type of tourism which aims at minimizing
the negative impacts of the traditional mass tourism while maximizing
the benefits for the host destination and stakeholders. As an
environmentally friendly tourism, it is viable way of creating economic and
social benefits at local and national levels while concentrating upon
environmental conservation and protection. The benefits of ecotourism
vary and differ from regions to regions and also in relation to the nature of
the attractions.

World Conservation Union (IUCN) in 1996 describes

ecotourism as:
“Environmentally responsible travel and visitation to natural areas, in order
to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features,
both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor
impact and provide for beneficially active socio- economic involvement of
local bodies.”
Introduction to the Wetland:
Keshopur Chhumb Community Reserve (KCCR) is located around the
latitude 32° 5’ N and longitude 75°24’ E at an altitude of 245 meters above
sea level adjoining the town of Gurdaspur, District Gurdaspur, Punjab. Total
Area of the reserve is 845 Acres, comprising of a fresh water marsh (Natural
Wetland). The entire area of this community reserve (CR)
is owned by the five village panchayats- Maini, Dalla, Keshopur, Matwa and
Magarmudian. These Wetlands once consisted of thousands of acres lying
between river Ravi and Beas but have now shrunk due to increased
agricultural practices in the region. The Community Reserve has been
notified under Section 36 C of Wildlife Protection Act,1972 (amended 2006)
as Community Reserve vide Government of Punjab Notification No.
34/13/2007/Ft-V/6133 Dated 25-06-2007. (Refer: Annexure 1)
However, the ecological boundaries of this ecosystem lie much beyond the
notified boundaries of the CR and this entire tract serves as an important
habitat for migratory waterfowl. Scores of migratory bird species from Central
Asia and Siberia have been using this natural wetland as their winter home
since centuries. The wetland has been on
the verge of extinction due to inadequate emphasis placed on protecting this
rare bird habitat and State Heritage.
Past Conservation Efforts:
The Forest Department in its earlier attempts tried to declare the wetland area
as Wildlife Sanctuary way back in 1998. Later an initiative was taken and
moved again in 2003. It was after the creation of a separate wildlife division
in March, 2006 that through a participatory approach and a series of
meetings with local villagers and conservationists, the proposal was revived
and this area was declared a Community Reserve under the provisions of the
Wildlife Protection Act in 2006.The Keshopur Wetland was officially notified
as the in June 2007 as the first CommunityReserve of the country.
State of Significance:
The CR is rich in biodiversity and the most prominent among them
recorded so far have been the avian, fish and floral diversity. As per the
existing records and preliminary surveys undertaken by the planning team,
42 species of fish including 15 endangered have been identified in the
wetlands. This landscape is an abode for migratory birds (about 40,000
birds belonging to about 45 species) that flock the area during the winter
season starting from November till March every year. Wetlands are also
breeding ground for a number of resident water birds. The area also
recorded 344 species of plants.
The major source of water for the wetland is from rainfall and run-off from
the surrounding catchments. This recharged ground water is critical for
sustaining agriculture in the area which is practiced throughout the year
especially the cash crops like Lotus and Trapa (Singhar).
This area has a potential to develop as an important eco-tourism
destination and as a centre for conservation education.
 Vision:
To develop Keshopur Chhumb Community Reserve and adjoining
landscape as an area which is paradise for migratory and local bird’s
population, a unique destination for the national and international
eco-tourists, a centre of nature conservation education and an
ideal Protected Area where nature and local people supplement each
other. This should be quoted as an important area where biodiversity
conservation and livelihoods of the local people are interwoven.
The Project shall focus on creating KCCR as an important eco-
tourism destination featuring an Eco-Resort which would stand true
to its name and also provide research and interpretation facilities. The
Eco-Resort shall further feature guest rooms, suits, cottages,
restaurants, conference halls, natural therapies, meditation facilities,
spa’s etc. with special emphasis on the use of Green building
techniques, minimum power consumption and maximum use of
renewable sources of energy. Additional facilities such as research
centers, awareness centers, bird watching towers, water boats etc
shall also be featured in the complex.
The complex shall provide an opportunity to the nature lovers,
research scholars, students and general public to develop sensitivity
for nature and preserve it for the generations to come.

Punjab on Fast Track Eco Tourism:

“Seven km from the gushing waters of Beas in Gurdaspur district, the Keshopur
Chummb community reserve, home to about 40,000 migratory birds of about 45
species and fish of 42 species, is now preparing to welcome visitors of a different
kind. To be developed as an eco-destination by the Punjab government, the
reserve will be spruced up to attract tourists as part of the government’s grand
tourism plan.” Courtesy: Punjab Heritage and Tourism Development Board ( PHTPB )
 VALIDITY:
The Keshopur Chhumb Community Reserve with its marsh lands, fish ponds, endless
stretches of paddy, fields and the diverse bird species has a lot of potential for becoming
an important tourist or eco-tourist destination. And as a result, has the potential of
generating alternative or additional income, and raise the conservation awareness
amongst the people visiting the local people as well as the tourist visiting the place, which
would benefit the community as a whole.
This site has the potential to cater to the serious eco-tourists (eg: bird watchers) as well
as the general tourists who just want a tour of the country side. In a report on the
promotion of eco-tourism in Punjab, The KCCR has already been identified as an
important site.
The Department of Tourism, Punjab in association with the Wildlife Institute of India,
Dehradun has proposed to initiate an innovative project for developing eco-tourism
destination at the Keshopur Chhumb Community Reserve.
The site lies at a distance of 70 Kms from the Holy City of Amritsar where the world
famous “Golden Temple” withdraws around one lac tourists every day with the reaching
three-fours lacs on the festivals. Hence this can become an important tourism destination
for the people coming to Amritsar from rest of India and abroad.
Therefore, this would be the first of its kind project in the state of Punjab which would
make the state stand at par with the national and international eco-tourism move.
AIM AND OBJECTIVE:

Aim:
The main aim of Eco-Tourism in KCCR is to ensure ecologically
responsible tourism and also to promote awareness amongst the
visitors and the local people through Conservation Education and
Interpretation.

Objectives:
1. The nature-based Eco-friendly design shall aim to enhance the
sensitivity of the eco-tourist, scientist or student, as well as to
provide respite and comfort in environments that are otherwise
hostile to humans.
2. The Complex shall disseminate the idea of environmental
conservation, by virtue of being in harmony with the site
features.
3. The architectural design shall take the maximum advantage of
site potential in terms of orientation, topography and view
establishing man’s relationship with the nature at an intimate
human scale.
4. The form and architectural expression of the complex shall be
evolved in tune with indigenous architectural character of Punjab
in terms of architectural features/ vocabulary and materials.
5. To promote active participation of the people in the built
environment by evolving spatial experiential sequences through
movement, linkages and enclosures and to induce the feeling of
being in the lap of nature.
6. To formulate a harmonious relationship between the place, the
visitors and the host community.
7. To achieve an eco-friendly design of complex based on energy
efficient techniques.
METHODOLOGY:
SCOPE:
 To prepare the layout scheme of the site keeping in view the
complex as the focal point of the entire community reserve
development programme which would act as the base station for
all the activities.
 To give a detailed proposal of all the building of
the Eco-Resort.
 To give the preliminary design proposal of the research and
the interpretation
centre.
 To give the design of the special features related to the eco-activities
at the CR level such as bird watching towers, bird watching circuits etc.
 To give the preliminary estimates of the energy consumption
and the solutions to meet the same.

Target Areas for the Eco-Resort Complex:

 Sun & Wind Powered Buildings.
 Rainwater Harvesting and re-using.
 Use of Local & Greener materials
 Use of recycled wood.
 Use of biogas.
 Bio-swimming pools.
 Organic Farming
 Herbal and Medicinal plants farming
 Use of more of natural and handmade products.
 Solid waste management & re-use at the site itself
 Research and interpretation facilities.
SITE::

“The wetland is strategically located as the new bye pass on

Jammu-Amritsar Highway is
being constructed right along these villages.”

Approx. Site Area: 25 Acres

Site Proximity: 6 km from Gurdaspur City (NH-15)
12 km from Dinanagar (NH-15)
Approach and Access:
The CR is approachable by air, rail and a good network of roads. The CR
lies at adistance of 70 Kms from the Religious centre of Amritsar and at
the Distance of 40 Kms from the City of Pathankot. There are airports in
Amritsar and Pathankot which are well connected nationally as well as
internationally (Amritsar Airport being an International Airport). The Maini
Village side is approachable from main highway between Amritsar and
Pathankot at Dinanagar (12 kms) to reach Dalla or from Gurdaspur to
Magarmudian side. A network of village roads also exists within the area
that connect to the CR.
CASE STUDIES:
 THE KIKAR RESORT, NURPUR BEDI, ROPAR, PUNJAB.

 CHOKHI DHANI, JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN

 THE WIND FLOWER SPA AND RESORT, VYTHIRI, KERALA

.
AREAS TO BE FEATURED IN COMPLEX:

RESIDENTIAL:
 SINGLE COTTAGE
 STUDIO APPARTMENTS
 2 BEDROOM COTTAGES
 TREE HOUSES
RECEPTION / LOUNGE
CONFERENCE HALLS
DINING / RESTAURANTS
OPEN-AIR RESTAURANTS
AYURVEDA/ HEALTH CENTRE
YOGA CENTRE
MEDITATION BUILDING WITH MEDITATION CELLS
NATURAL BIO SWIMMING POOLS
FISH FARMS- FISH PONDS
ORGANIC FARMING
NIGHT SAFARI / ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
CULTURAL CENTRE – PERFORMING ARTS
HANDICRAFTED MARKET (HAAT)
EXCLUSIVE BIRD SANCTUARY PREVIEW AREAS
INTERPRETATION AND RESEARCH FACILITIES