Sunderban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited
Sagar Island (also known as Gangasagar) lies on the continental shelf of
Bay of Bengal situated about 100 km south of Kolkata is not only a part
of the unique eco-system of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve but also one of the
most sacred places of pilgrimage for the Hindus because of its association with
the mythological and cultural heritage of Kapil Muni Temple which was first
constructed by the Queen Satyabhama in 430 AD. The island is large - with an
area of around 300 sq km. It has 43 villages scattered in 8 Gram Panchayats and having
a population covering of over 2,00,000. Gangasagar is the place where Ganges
empties herself to the sea. It is also rich in mangrove swamps, waterways and
small rivers. Every year on the day of Makar Sankranti (mid of January),
thousands of Hindus gather to take a holy dip in the concourse of Ganges and
offer puja in Kapil Muni Temple. The relevance of Ganges and its main nerve
centers manifested as important pilgrimages which includes Gangasagar predates
any periodization as it marred with mythology intertwined with the
civilizational progress of the Indian society.
Hindu pilgrims from every nooks and crannies of the country horded in
Sagar to wade through the freezing sea water in order to seek penance and the
divine benediction. Gangasagar pilgrimage and fair is
considered to be the second largest congregation of mankind after the holy
Kumbha Mela. Apart from the thread of spiritualism the scenic beauty and
tranquility of Sagar is somewhat outlandish and it can enthralled the pilgrims
so that they can visit Sagar in a recursive manner.
Sagar
Island and its Potential of Eco-Tourism Development
The ICZM Project
intends to develop tourism activities in the vicinity of Kapil Muni Ashram and
elsewhere in Sagar Island while keeping in view the fragile ecology of
Sundarban. Hence, the need for developing eco-tourism facilities flow in
conformity with the prevalent environmental rules and regulations including the
Forest Conservation Act and Coastal Zone Regulation Act. Potential for
development of eco-tourism in Sagar Island has been judged in terms of its
geographic location and access, ecology, demographic, economic status of the
host community and also the cluster of development initiatives inter alia to be
implemented. The focal point is how through the development of eco-tourism
there will be a steady influx of inbound tourists at Sagar and thereby the
local populace can be engaged in a host of economic activities in a sustainable
manner which will enhance the momentum of value chain through multiplier
effect.
Sundarban Infrastructure Development
Corporation Limited (SIDCL) which functions under the control of Sunderban
Affairs Department undertakes the construction of roads, bridges, buildings,
jetty, sinking of tube-well etc. in the Sundarban area. SIDCL will execute the
Eco-tourism project in Sagar Island involving quality civil constructions.
While
the guidelines of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Organization
of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) laid stress on integrated management of coastal
areas for ecologically sustainable development. The World Bank guidelines are
designed to “ensure that development and management plans for coastal zones are
integrated with environmental (including social) goals and are made with the
participation of those affected”.
Therefore
the proposed eco-tourism Project has the following objectives to attains:
● protecting environment in
line with the existing rules and regulations
● enhancing
the image of the main product (Kapil Muni Ashram)
● creating
sustainable eco-friendly marketable products
● highlighting
local culture and heritage
● ensuring
increase in volume and duration of stay of the quality tourists
·
ensuring participation and empowerment of the
host community through the formation of SHGs
● participation
of local people in the planning of various tourism products
The
master plan for the Sagar Eco-tourism Project has been prepared connecting and
integrating three project sites in such a manner so as to present a well-knit
tourism spot providing both the religious and recreational activities. Each
project site is independent of the other, complete with interconnecting road
network and other support services. The planning has been undertaken on the
principle of eco-tourism for conservation of nature and local culture,
simultaneously making the products attractive to the tourist. The evolution of
plan takes into account the preservation of nature and culture in its original
form without least impacting the eco-balance by using local materials as much
as possible. As the site lies in the vicinity Coastal Regulation Zone-I, the
guideline of CRZ have not been overlooked and so a plinth level as high as 2100
mm. from the general ground level has been provided to make the buildings safe
during the time of high tide. The Sagar Eco-tourism Project has been proposed
in consonance with the above ICZM principles and within its ambit following
will be constructed:-
1. Nat Mandir: The
existing temple (constructed in 1971) is located beyond 500 mt. away from the
sea shore. Since this temple is the main attraction (USP) of the Sagar Island
and the single most conglomerating point of a large number of pilgrimage
tourists, any attempt for tourism development in the island without considering
proper renovation and refurbishment of the Temple would be a futile exercise.
However, the existing Kapil muni Temple proper is being controlled by Ayodhya
Hanuman Geri Trust, the owner of the property. Discussions with the temple
representatives reveal that the Trust would like to undertake any renovation
and refurbishment of the temple proper on its own and would not allow any other
agency to do the same. They have, however, no objection if any development work
is done outside the Temple proper area. Therefore, it is found prudent to leave
the responsibility for renovation and refurbishment of the temple proper to the
Ayodhya Hanuman Geri Trust Board only. All the development works have,
accordingly, been planned on Govt. land outside the Temple proper area.
The
existing Temple complex does not have any ‘Nat Mandir ’where the pilgrims could
gather and wait for offering puja and chanting religious songs before the
deity, a religious culture observed in most of the temple of the India.
Therefore, in order to improve the image and attraction of the Kapil Muni
Temple, construction of the Nat Mandir in the Temple Complex (outside the temple
proper area) appears to be a logical proposition as a part of development of
tourism un the island. Accordingly, one Nat Mandir, having a capacity of
accommodating about 250 pilgrims, has been planned by the side of the approach
road leading towards the sea. The Nat Mandir will be designed in synergy with
the local culture and using locally available materials used in the island.
2. Creation of planned facilities for
providing better marketing opportunities to the exiting Stall-owners near the
Temple Complex-Dala Arcade
The
present day Kapil muni temple complex is encircled by a large number of stalls
who are vending varied puja accessories required for offering puja to the deity
to the inbound pilgrims. These stalls are scattered in somewhat haphazard formations
around the Temple complex and in the process it is restricting the movement of
pilgrims especially during the rush hours. The entire state of affairs much to
the inconvenience to the pilgrims turned to be chaotic, muggy for the pilgrims
who have come all the way to pay their obeisance to the ultimate manifested
through Kapil muni. It has been proposed to construct a ‘Dala Arcade’ on
government land adjacent to the Temple Complex where the stall-owners will be
rehabilitated for running their businesses with better facilities all through
the year. This will not only improve the overall ambience of the complex but
also entice the tourists to purchase some artifacts, clay sculptures,
carpets, terracotta vases apart from the various stuffs like
vermilion, rudraksha, colourful beads, conch shells, utensils required for
offering puja to the deity.
3. Dress-changing Rooms for Pilgrims:The
pilgrims who have to shove each other to take the holy dip at Gangasagar
especially at Makar Sankranti and Magipurnima don’t find any changing rooms
except some ragtag shanties. This situation doesn’t auger well with respect to
human dignity for attainment of divine bliss. The ICZMP proposes to construct
dress changing rooms- temporary structures with lightweight fiber for the
inbound tourists / pilgrims (10 for gents and 10 for ladies).
4. Emergency Medical Unit with office for
Mela Authority: Sagar does have some basic health care facilities but
this existing service is inadequate to cater to the medical needs of the mammoth
crowd during Gangasagar Mela. However in order to augment facilities pertaining
to emergency health care services to the tourists, construction of the
Emergency Medical Unit with an office near the Temple Complex has been planned.
Facilities in this emergency medical unit will be similar to a Primary Health
Centre where there will be provision for two beds for the patients for
providing medical treatments in case of emergency.
5. Toilet Blocks-Open
defecation during the time of Gangasagar Mela is a common thing to happen where
people in large numbers congregate in a place devoid of any washroom
facilities. The ICZM Project proposes to
build two toilet blocks in a bid to restore some semblance of hygiene and
sanitation.
6.
Meditation Centre (cluster of 2 Meditation Hall) –A dome-type cluster
of 2 Meditation Halls capable of accommodating 60 pilgrims at a time has been
planned to be executed. The meditation centre designed as a hemispherical domed
structure will have a landscaped garden all around with water bodies to create
an environment conducive to meditation.
7. Kapil Muni Mythological Interpretation
Centre – The
interpretation center will portray mythological story related to the Ganga,
Bhagirath and Kapil Muni to be depicted in this centre through different
paintings, statues (both static and dynamic) coupled with light and sound
programmes. The interpretation center is expected to be one of the main
attractions for the religious-minded tourists visiting the island.
8. Sundarban Bio-Diversity Interpretation
Centre – This
will provide a rare opportunity to the tourists to have a glimpse of Sundarban
Biosphere Reserve which represents a unique ecosystem known for its rich
biodiversity.
9. Marine Aquarium-cum-Museum – This
aquarium has been planned not only to show marine species but also various
other varieties of fishes available from estuarine water in the nearby
Sundarban region. This will definitely improve the attraction of the site to
all cross sections of tourists, particularly the younger ones.
10. Green House for
floral species especially Sundarban varieties – Tourists will get an
opportunity to appreciate the local flora in this Green House. This will be a
great attraction to the nature-loving tourists.
11.
Handicraft Centre – This
centre will help in promotion of local handicraft items. Local handicraft items
may be displayed and sold by the artisans here. This will aid in generating
some employment through direct and indirect means.
12.
Folk Entertainment Centre (Open-Air) – This centre will help in the promotion of
local folk music and dance. Tourists will get an opportunity to witness the
rich folk culture of the Sundarban region. This will also provide an
opportunity to the local artists to opt for an alternative livelihood.
13. The existing ponds
will be illuminated along with the sitting arrangements- all these to lure
the tourists to stay for longer periods at Sagar.
14. Provision of Landscaping will be there for with internal pathway and lighting.
15.
Water Supply System: The drinking water will
be sourced from underground aquifers by sinking deep tube wells. The water will
be drawn by electricity-operated submersible pumps and will be stored in
overhead storage tanks for maintaining round-the-clock water supply. The water
will be supplied to different consumption point at a minimum terminal pressure
(0.1N/mm2) to effect satisfactory flow rate through a designed
distribution pipe networks. To maintain an uninterrupted water supply in case
of failure of any pumps or tube wells, interconnection between the headers of
the pumps has been proposed to supply water from the working pump.
16.Sewage
Disposal System: In order to maintain a green environment,
efficient treatment of wastewater has been propose through (a) primary
treatment of sewage by anaerobic system in septic tanks and (b) proving
secondary treatment of the effluent of septic tanks by installing up flow
anaerobic submerged filters. Finally the wastewater with BOD5 concentrate
less than 30 ppm will be disposed of either by land absorption or by
discharging into the water bodies created inside the project sites. The top
surface of the beach area being silted with sand, land absorption by installing
soak galleries will not create any pollution hazards, particularly when the
potable water of the area is obtained from much deeper aquifer.
The disposal of
storm water will be effected by land infiltration through soak galleries or by
discharging into the nearby water bodies by means of surface drains. Since no
disposal is planned in coastal waters, the carrying capacity of waters (6.5 to
7 mg/l DO) will not be exceeded as per primary water quality criteria spelt out
by CPCB for coastal waters.
17.
Solid Waste Management
Solid waste management has been considered
to be an integral part of clean environment. The solid waste to be generated
daily by dumping of litters and trashes by day-trippers will be collected in
bins. Biodegradable organic matters will be sorted out and will be treated by
constructing vats for Vermicomposting and other materials not reclaimable will
be transported and disposed of by land filling. There will be no disposal of
solid waste in coastal waters. Thus, BOD of creek and river waters will not be
affected.
Operation
and Maintenance Planning for the Eco-Tourism Complex
The Sagar eco- tourism project clearly
delineates its Operation and Maintenance through a clearly crafted plan of
action. It suggested the assets that will be created will be maintained
initially by SIDCL but revenue generation mechanism through levy of appropriate
user charges will be enforced in a calibrated manner. Local NGOs /CBOs can also
be engaged in ensuring the service quality of different facility junction
points. A well-structured revenue
recovery plans with dedicated tariff charges for water and power supply,
sewerage systems etc. together with some state subsidy will ensure the
fructification of the project. It has also been proposed that through MIS
monitoring and tracking of the Project Accounting, Assets Management, etc. will
be done in real terms.
