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.