Rethinking Tourism and Sustainability-Developing Chandubi as a tourist destination

Abstract

The ancient concept of travel is now popular as tourism in today’s consumerist society. People travel to different places for rejuvenation of their health, for a change from the daily monotony of life, to learn about new places, besides their interest in learning and experiencing the new in different places from the point of view of culture, environment, heritage, etc. The 21^st century has seen more movement of people across the globe to see and experience the attractions of various places. Due to the growth of mass tourism, the fragile ecology is facing a threat; besides the age old heritage resources are being challenged due to constant invasion by natural and man-made issues. Under such circumstances it is essential to practice tourism in any destination with a view to maintaining sustainability. The example of Chandubi is cited here to understand the features of tourism and sustainability for the growth of any destination. Chandubi is a remote place in South Kamrup, located about 58 kilometres away from the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport of Guwahati in the North East Indian state of Assam. The region is blessed by tea gardens and tall teak forests besides being surrounded by fresh green hills all around. It is an abode of flora, fauna and waterfalls and is home to the Rabha and Garo communities. Their traditional life and associated culture besides a beautiful fresh water lake is a feast for the eyes of the tourists. Chandubi attracts tourists all the year round and is a favourite tourist destination. Assam is well known as a tourist destination but the need of the hour is to popularise other destinations which are not oft beaten tracts. Chandubi with all its added features can encourage all forms of tourism and enable the tribal communities to participate in the same for their economic, social, and cultural wellbeing. The study is an attempt to develop the lesser known Chandubi as a destination by practicing sustainable tourism and by embracing all stakeholders including the local communities, visitors, government, and the industry.