Exploring The Potential and Benefits of Tourism in Madhya Pradesh

 

Dr. Qamar Izhar1, Unhar Ul Gull2

1Retd. Principal, Govt. T.S.S. College Naigarhi, Distt. Rewa (M.P.)

2Research Scholar (Economics), Govt. T.R.S. Autonomous College, Rewa (M.P.)

*Corresponding Author E-mail:

 

ABSTRACT:

Tourism is a socio-economic phenomenon consisting of the activities and experiences of travelers and visitors away from their home environment and served by the travel and tourism industry and host destinations. Madhya Pradesh with its scenic spots has a huge potential to promote tourism. Tourism is a source of direct and indirect employment in Madhya Pradesh. In that article, out of the six districts identified, i.e., Gwalior, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Ujjain and Panna, the first two were selected as they were found to be representative of the region. It  also stated that  (MPSTDC) Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation must protect and explore new destinations to promote tourism, where the tourism department manages all the resources and does all the related marketing.

 

KEYWORDS: Tourism, Potential, Madhya Pradesh.

 

 


1. INTRODUCTION:

The word "travel" refers to "Tour" which is derived from the Latin "tornus". Tornus is a term that describes a circle or wheel. From this word was born the nation of the tour, or ready trip, which is a very important aspect of tourism. Tourism is a collection of activities, services and activities that provide a travel experience, including transport, accommodation, restaurants and bars, retail shops, entertainment establishments and other hospitality services provided to individuals or groups traveling from home.

 

Tourism has grown significantly both economically and socially. The fastest growing economic sector in most industrialized countries in recent years has been the service sector. One of the largest segments of the service sector, although generally unknown in some countries as a whole, is travel and tourism. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (1992),  "Travel and Tourism" is the largest industry in the world by almost all economic measures including; total output, value added, capital investment, employment and taxes.

 

Most of the sites that were evaluated had good tourism potential like Gwalior fort, Tomb of Tansen, lakes in Bhopal, van vihar, TajulMasajid which have both blend of cultural and natural resources and had also potential for development of better tourism. Ecotourism is totally lacking in the state. It was also found that there is a need of govt agencies (MPSTDC) for enhancing tourism industry by doing all the marketing/ publicity of it.

 

2. TOURISM IN MADHYA PRADESH:

Tourism has grown significantly worldwide. Tourism reached new records with half a billion tourist arrivals worldwide, despite the economic downturn of previous years. Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) with its landscape, biodiversity, heritage sites and adventure has enormous potential for promoting tourism. Madhya Pradesh is known as the heart of India due to this region being the center of the nation. It was home to the social heritage of Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism etc. Countless attractions, finely carved shrines, Stupas, forts and castles can be found all over the state. Madhya Pradesh won the Best Tourism State award in 2012. The state is also called the “Heart of Incredible India” (Madhya Pradesh Tourism, 2014). Madhya Pradesh recently announced Madhya Pradesh Film Tourism Policy (2020) to facilitate shooting of feature Film, Web Series, TV Serials and Reality Show, Documentary and to Promote Private Investment in Film Tourism and to create more employment opportunities through film industry in the state. The State has announced an investor friendly Eco-Adventure Tourism Policy 2001-02, which facilitates private sector participation in developing MP as a center for Eco-Adventure Tourism. Eco-Tourism is that form of tourism in which the tourist is able to enjoy nature and see wildlife in its natural habitat, in quiet and serene surroundings.

 

3. TOURIST CIRCUITS IN MADHYA PRADESH:

In this study we take only their important circuits of Madhya Pradesh they are follows:

3.1. Gwalior circuit:

3.1.1 Gwalior Fort and Tourist Spots:

Gwalior Fort is one of the most beautiful and famous forts in India. Author Taj-UI-Maseer writes about this fort: "A swift wind cannot touch its peak and swift clouds cannot cast a shadow on its PARKOTA. It is located 110 km south of Agra. This stone mound is instead made of a strange solid stone .This fort is more than 300 feet Wide from east to west. There is a need of proper garbage system and private/ govt. taxi stand which will in turn boost the place by visiting more and more tourists.

 

3.1.2 Tomb of Tansen:

Near the grave of Mohd. The tomb of the famous singer Tansen is located there. Building has carved Gumbas on its roof. Every year "TansenSamaroh" was held here. This tomb is very simple but has beautiful handmade feet (Dutt, 1991).Thus there is a need of more entry points at the place and more folk and festival programs.

 

3.1.3 MotiMahal:

MotiMahal is one of the must see palaces which was once the secretariat of Madhya Bharat Govt. The current board currently has several offices. Colored glasswork is very nicely done. In some of its rooms and there are many  wall paintings depicting Hindu Puranas, RAG Ragnyon, the sessions of maharaja like  drawers and various demonstrations of maharaja jiwajiRao etc.

 

3.1.4 DargahKhwajaKanoon Sahib:

Khwajakanoon sahib naguar was resident of Marwad. He came to Gwalior in 1483. Later he started living here. His full name as carved on his tomb was sayedsaiyudinkanoonrehmatullahalehchishtiya. But he was popular here with name as khwajakanoon. HazratKhawajakanoon sahib left for heavenly abode in 940 Hijri i.e. in between 1521-25 nearby. Carvings on the inner parts of the tomb one of the matter reveals “have belief that in 940 HijriKhawajaKanoon Sahib attained aternal spirit. Visitors with full faith and avichalshradha and firm confidence visit for 40 days and you will fulfil your aim/desire. The then historians have written much about Khawajakanoonshahib. He was a sufi saint of the highest order. Even today people of various religious faiths daily offer their prayers and AKIDAT.

 

3.1.5 SasBahuka Mandir:

This temple is 32 meters long and 22 meters wide. In the center of that temple is the altar of Vishal. Mandaps are in three directions and Devalayai are in directions. There is hardly a palace without sculpture. At the gate of the Brahma temple is Vishnu, Mahesh in stone. SasBahuka Mandir is small in size and beautiful is an example of Central India Vastukala. There is a Vishnu mandir. the front part of the rock extends before it, which can be explored in  three directions. There is the need of maintenance of the temple and maintenance of surrounding.

 

3.1.6 Sun Temple:

Surya Mandir or Sun Temple is one of the grandest shrines and an architectural marvel that graces the city of Gwalior. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to the holy Sun God and was built in 1988 by the famous industrialist G.D. Birla. Built on the lines of the legendary Sun Temple in Konark, Orissa, the Gwalior Sun Temple is a stunning blend of stunning red sandstone and pearly white marble architecture. If you look towards the outside of the building, you will see the sun-red sandstone front door. A temple built in stages, with openings extending to the top of the facade. A large idol of the Sun Lord is enshrined in the temple. Although it was not built long ago, it is one of the most revered shrines of the ancient city, attracting tourists and devotees from all over the country. There is need of proper hotels, publicity and future marketing.

 

3.1.7 Padavali and Bateshwar:

Situated around 40 km from the main town of Gwalior, Padavali is an fortress comprising many ancient temples. The temples have intricate carvings and one of the temples also have erotic carvings and hence famous as mini Khajuraho. There is need for maintenance of the monuments and tourism department does all the marketing associated to it.

 

3.2. Bhopal Circuit:

3.2.1. Rock shelters of bhimbetika:

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, "Bhimbetka Caves" is one of the "must see" attractions in Bhopal’s locations. Bhimbetka Caves are the most famous destinations in the country. caves happened to be the dwellings of prehistoric man during the Paleolithic era. Cave paintings show the evolution of humanity over time. This site has immense historical significance as it is home to the rarest prehistoric paintings ever found in India. The unique feature is that most of these paintings are still in good enough condition to be studied. There are about six hundred caves framed by exquisite prehistoric paintings. Currently, only 12 of the 600 caves are open to visitors. The caves are located in the middle of salt and teak forests. The historical and cultural significance of the caves along with the actual archaeological importance of the area led to the Bhimbetka Caves becoming a prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. MPSTDC should work out target and target circle.

 

3.2.2 Sanchistupa:

This place needs no introduction and is perhaps a well-known and mustse e monument not only in India but across the world. SanchiStupa has a great historical connection with King Ashoka and Gautam Buddha. The place is said to be one of the oldest stone structures in India and contains Buddhist relics.  This is one of the most popular Buddhist sites after the Ashoka Pillar. The picturesque scenery of the place and beautifully erected Buddhist landmarks make this place worth visiting. In the gigantic spherical domes you can see the remains of the Buddha. The place is simply irresistible and presents the ancient history of Buddhism in the country. Folk culture programs and targeted advertising are needed by the state agencies.

 

3.2.3 Bhopal is a city of lakes:

Bhopal has seven lakes, Upper Lake, Lower Lake, Munshi Husain Lake, Shahpura Lake,  Motia Lake, NawabSiddiqueHasan Khan Lake, Lendiya Lake. Upper Lake Also known as 'Bhojtal', the 'Upper Lake' is one of the most popular places in Bhopal and definitely a great place for a picnic with friends and family. Near the "Upper Lake" is the "ChhotaTalaab" or "Lower Lake" and both the upper and lower lakes form the "Bhoj Wetland". Besides being  popular tourist destinations, these lakes also have great religious, social and cultural awareness among the local population; Lakes  are an important source of water that meets the daily needs of almost 40% of  city residents. During various festivals, local people gather on the banks of these lakes to pray and worship. Improve existing tourism services and infrastructure.

 

3.2.4 Van Vihar National Park:

Spread over an area of ​​about 445 acres, "Van Vihar National Park" is one of the most popular national parks in Central India, established in 1979. It is considered one of the best places to visit in Bhopal. The park is located right next to "Yläjärv" and attracts many nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and nature photographers throughout the year. Although the park is actually a national park, when you visit it you get more of a zoological feeling, it would rather be more correct to call it a unique combination of a zoo and a nature reserve on the other hand, you will see carnivores such as tigers, leopards, panthers, lions, bears and gharials in their natural habitats, which are enclosed by trenches and walls. In addition to animal watching, "Van Vihar National Park" also offers many opportunities to see and admire the park's amazing bird life. The park has Lake Superior wetlands that help draw many colorful birds, including but not limited to kingfishers, spoonbills, egrets, spotted herons and blue herons. In winter, many beautiful birds also migrate here from Siberia, Japan and parts of Europe to enjoy the warmer weather of India. It was also recognized that for more effective ecotourism activities, it is necessary to improve the coordination between the Forestry Board and the Tourism Board, so that the Forestry Board deals with all natural resources and the tourism department with all related marketing.

 

3.2.5 BharatBhavan:

Bharat Bhavan is a multi-art independent museum located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Location is considered a visual arts center and performance institute. When you see the seats, you will notice that the scenery is beautifully done and gives a real visual impression of the volume. Gallery offers interactive activities in the field of visual, performing and musical arts. Location is considered a successful contemporary art center and has won several accolades. This is a must see for any art lover. In addition, the gallery periodically organizes various art exhibitions to show the country's talents. The place is wonderfully maintained and all activities are managed by the government, but there are no children's leisure activities.

 

3.2.6 Taj-ul-Masajid:

Often referred to as the "Crown of Mosques", the "Taj-ul-Masajid" is one of the largest mosques in India with which can accommodate 175,000 people at a time. Its large size and excellent design also make it one of the most prestigious mosques in the world. Construction of this grand mosque was started during the reign of Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar from 1844 to 1860. Work continued from 1868 to 1901 under the supervision of Bhopal Nawab Shah Jehan Begum. After that, the construction work of stopped due to lack of funds and could not resume until 1971 and was finally completed in 1985.

 

The interior of the Taj-ul-Masajid is as exquisite as its exterior, decorated with beautifully carved pillars, intricately carved arches and exquisite footwork reminiscent of the Mughal era. The government should intervene because beggars and pirates are causing inconvenience to tourists.

 

3.2.7 GinnorGarh:

GinnorGarh is a fort in Ratapani WLS. It is about 55 km from Bhopal and is about 6 km in the forest. Built by a Gond king, the fort has great architectural significance as it has 6 floors and is a complete structure with wells and water tanks and huge gates. It is currently a ruin and there is no one to take care of the area. The location of the fort is on top of the highest peak in the Ratapan area. The fort is surrounded by beautiful scenery and looks beautiful during the rainy season.

 

3.2.8 Rock climbing sites:

There are several rock climbing destinations in and around Bhopal. Major rock climbing destinations are a good opportunity for rock climbers to test their skills. There are also fine petroglyphs near Geeta Colony village on Ratapan road. There are also potential rock climbing destinations where tourists can go to enjoy the sport. In fact, the rock places near Geetavillage  can also be connected with a trek which could be started from Bhimbetka by moving along the forest,  GinnorGarh fort could be reached by  rock climbing.

 

4. BENEFITS OF TOURISM IN MADHYA PRADESH:

·       Direct and indirect employment in the state.

·       Improved infrastructure.

·       Improved facilities.

·       Improved transport and services.

·       Improvement in quality of life.

·       Conservation of Natural resources.

·       Protects areas of outstanding natural beauty.

·       Increasing awareness on nature conservation.

·       Appreciation to preserve culture for perpetuity.

·       Heritage sites and structures to be restored and preserved.

·       Education and awareness.

·       Reduce Poverty and Inequality.

 

5. CONCLUSION:

Nature tourism has grown significantly in the world. Experiencing a good environment, culture, religion, food, sports, entertainment programs and general lifestyle in a new place is a great opportunity to live life to the fullest. People travel a lot because it is a great way to live life to the fullest in Madhya Pradesh. Experiencing a good environment, culture, religion, food, sports, entertainment programs and general lifestyle in a new place is a great opportunity to live life to the fullest. Tourism is a source of direct and indirect employment in Madhya Pradesh. Government of Madhya Pradesh can be considered as the best tourist destinations in India tourism map.

 

6. REFERENCES:

1.      Bhattacharya A.K., 2005, “Ecotourism and Livelihoods capacity building for local authorities”, concept

2.      Module on ecotourism Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism development board www.mpecotourisms.org

3.      Tourism and Travel Management by Dr. Neetu Sharma

4.      Anitha, K. P., and B. Chandrasekhar. "A study on prospects and problems of heritage tourism in Karnataka." International Journal of Applied Research 3, no. 5 (2017): 107-109.

5.      Chaudhary, Manjula, and AbhishekAggarwal. "Tourist satisfaction and management of heritage sites in Amritsar." South Asian Journal of Tourism and Heritage 5, no. 2 (2012): 47-61.

 

 

 

Received on 16.03.2023         Modified on 27.03.2023

Accepted on 12.04.2023         © A&V Publication all right reserved

Int. J. Rev. and Res. Social Sci. 2023; 11(1):43-47.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2687.2023.00007