Eco-tourism, a term coined by Héctor Ceballos-Lascuràin in 1983, essentially means ecological tourism, where ecological has both environmental and social connotations. Eco-tourism was initially used to describe nature-based travel to relatively undisturbed areas with an emphasis on natural and cultural education and has now gained popularity worldwide much to the delight of the tourism industry.

Vizag too is contributing to this trend with an eco-tourism project being promoted by the Forest Department and Andhra Pradesh Tourism Corporation: the Kambalakonda Reserve Forest. Located not too far from the city in Degalagedda, close to the zoological park, this nature park has been developed to safeguard the eco-system, create awareness on nature and promote tourism. The project is spread over 7,139 hectares, on the stretches of the Eastern ghats was declared a wildlife sanctuary under 'Section-18 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972' by the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment on September 13, 2002. 

The sanctuary harbours rare flora and fauna endemic to this region and is open to visitors who can have a 4.5 km long trek, go boating in a reservoir (formed by constructing an earthen bund across a stream) or observe the noises and movements of several types of birds flocking the trees and water bodies from the specially developed watch towers. Guides are also available to explain to students and tourists the significance of the flora and fauna available in the area. 

The curator of the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, B. Vijaya Kumar, who has worked extensively in the field of eco-tourism, explained the objectives for developing the nature park. He says the primary objective is conservation-education with bare minimum infrastructure, the second objective is to involve the local tribal community by making them stakeholders of the project. On a more philosophical note, he says: "We cannot have an ecological movement designed to prevent violence against nature, unless the principle of non-violence becomes central to the ethics of human culture. The motto of eco-tourism is to live and let live as said by the Mahatma (Gandhi)".

Would be visitors should keep in mind that in keeping with the nature of this project, facilities available are spartan and moving around involves physical exercise.

The state government once again got itself into the thick of controversy with its decision to hold indirect elections to the local bodies. The decision which sparked wide-spread protests from within the ruling coalition and also the opposition, drew flak from the NGOs fighting for the cause of local bodies including Lok Satta, Jana Vignana Vedika and Satyaneveshi.

In the present system which is through direct polls, people have the right to exercise two votes - one to elect their ward councilor and another to elect Mayor. But in indirect system, a person would be able to vote only once to elect the ward councilor. The elected ward councilors will choose one among them as the Mayor. What became more controversial is the Cabinet decision to give voting right to the co-option members (nominated members) in the election of the Mayor.

The NGOs who are vehemently opposing the decision opine that this would lead to horse-trading and camp politics where money and muscle power would become the deciding factors. "It is also against the spirit of 73rd and 74th amendment of Constitution brought in by Rajiv Gandhi government, which lay emphasis on strengthening the local bodies'' Lok Satta State Convener Mr. D.V.S. Verma said.

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Mr. K Keshav Rao defended the government decision stating that it is in the interest of democracy. Citing the example of Kolkata Municipal Corporation that follows indirect elections system, he said that in indirect elections there is more scope for mayor and councilors belonging to same political parties getting elected to the posts. It would also enable smooth functioning of local bodies without any hindrance.

The Government also feels that indirect elections will be a solution to the frequent complaint made by Mayors lobby that their post has become ornamental with no real powers. Even a standing committee chairman wields more power than a Mayor.

Here are some of the opinions expressed by the experts whom Vizagcityonline.com team met:

"The Lok Satta has organisd a public ballot in 75 municipalities across the State in which 1,48,000 people participated. Of them about 93 per cent voted in favour of direct elections to the local bodies. Hence, the government should immediately withdraw its decision to hold indirect elections and should concentrate on ways to strengthen democracy" 
- D.V.S. Verma, State Convener, Lok Satta 

"It is retrograde step and the cure for the ills of democracy should be more democracy and not curbing the existing democracy. Empowerment through E-Governance and the role of civil societies, NGOs and Media are likely to reinforce the local bodies in the 21st century" 
- Prof. Prasanna Kumar, Director, Centre for Policy Studies 

"The decision is completely against the spirit of democracy and giving voting right to the co-option members who are generally handpicked by the Government would give an unfair advantage to the ruling party and promotes illegal ways to gain access to power" 
- S. A. Rehman, Former Chairman of VUDA and member of TDP

"I don't understand why there is a hue and cry over indirect elections as the scope for development and social justice is more through indirect elections. Indirect elections held successfully in the states ruled by BJP and the Communists." 
- T. Vijay Kumar, Block Congress President and Ex-Corporator 

"Why is the Chief Minister who exhibits tremendous enthusiasm in naming the schemes and projects after Rajiv Gandhi, not upholding the spirit of 73rd and 74th amendment brought by Rajiv Gandhi? The State Government should concentrate on decentralisation and devolution of powers to local bodies " 
- Dr. B. Ganga Rao, CPI(M), District Secretariat member


"The State Government is taking such a hasty decision fearing anti-incumbency. This decision will increase corruption and criminalisation of politics."
- J. Prudhviraj, State General Body Member, BJP 

"The vote to elect Mayor should be only for the elected representatives and not to the co-opted members as it is against the spirit of the Constitution." 
-Kandala Srinivasa Rao, Senior Lawyer

"The Cabinet should have gone for an open debate in any public forum before taking this decision. The decision will only amount to seizing of democratic rights of the people." 
-J.V.V. Satyanarayana, CPI, District Secretary 

However, political analysts view this decision as an attempt to delay the process of election to local bodies, as it would take some time to cross the legal hurdles in its implementation. There are indications that the State Government may review its decision and would probably amend the part which gives the voting right to co-opted members.

WHERE VIZAGITES ARE HEADED THIS SUMMER

Summer's here and with the trend of travelling having picked up tremendously in Vizag, Vizagites are getting geared up to go places. There was a time when travel during summer almost surely meant going to one's 'uru' (native place) or a temple town on a pilgrimage. Now with Vizagites in 'action mode' out to enjoy themselves and see places, several holiday packages are on offer in the market.

"Our Nepal, Far East and European packages are selling like hotcakes," says Mr. K.S. Prashant Varma of Holiday World (International)/Pelican Holidays (Domestic) in Vizag. They also offer domestic tours within India through packages like Bangalore-Mysore-Ooty and North Indian tours like Shimla-Manali, Jammu-Srinagar-Katra and Bhubaneswar-Puri-Konark. Taj Holidays to Kerala, Rajasthan and Karnataka, exclusive Kerala and Darjeeling/Gangtok tours are also available. They deal with special student and corporate packages also. Commenting on the changing holiday trend, Mr K Vijaya Mohan, a partner in the firm, said, "Unlike a few years ago, people are willing to spend on travelling. The demand for our European package has increased by 200-300% since last year. It's mainly because people realised that while a trip to the Far East costs up to Rs 1,20,000, for an additional Rs 30,000 they can visit Europe."

Summer in Vizag brings along with it a much looked-forward-to time of the year -- the marriage season. The festive air in those houses planning a wedding get a boost from kids enjoying their summer vacation. Notwithstanding the propensity of Vizagites to spend lavishly on clothes and jewellery, the importance given to it during this season sends brides' father's blood pressure soaring. One cannot help but think of the movie 'Father of the Bride'. However, no dad, Vizagites included, can say no when it is his baby daughter's wedding! And so it is that the showrooms that deal with clothes and jewellery have a field day while coming up with all kinds of 'magnanimous' schemes and discounts. VizagCityOnline.com did the rounds of leading shops to see how they were faring and what was on offer this year.

Kalanikethan is yet another showroom where people rush to in this season. With showrooms in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and the USA, the Visakhapatnam branch recently celebrated its first anniversary. "This is a festive time for all, as there is a lot of vacation shopping going on simultaneously with marriage trousseaus. Our sales go up by about 40%, especially pure silk sarees. As sherwanis are still relatively new in the south, the men usually prefer suits, which go with all occasions. While we are not into heavy advertising, we give almost up to 50% discounts to our regular customers depending on their purchases." says Mr. Mallik Panda of Kalanikethan.

The hectic pre-wedding shopping has both the bride's and the groom's families running in circles. "What with our custom of presenting sarees to the women from both sides (bride & groom), we really need to stock up on them. Looking for the perfect saree for my daughter is no small matter either" says Mrs. Raju who has only three more weeks to go before D-day of her daughter Madhavi. "More than the actual jewellery, the silver puja items are proving to be a nuisance. One just can't decide which looks better. Its the same with the clothes…everything looks good!" adds Madhavi. Mr. Raju, meanwhile, is busy with other arrangements like booking the function hall, arranging for rooms for guests, taking care of things such as catering, printing wedding cards…and the list just doesn't end! The situation is almost comic, yet all too soon, it's going to get mighty serious with the arrival of the groom.