Tourism, Recreation and Culture

8.1 Policies on Tourism and Recreational Development in

Asansol – Durgapur Planning Area

More tourists mean more The Asansol – Durgapur Planning Area (ADPA) presents great opportunity
business for local people in
for tourism and recreational development with its existing natural, historic,
retail and service sectors.
Thus it will also create a religious and cultural resources. Most of the existing or potential areas have
strong economic base through ‘one day travel’ possibilities from the main urban cores. Overnight staying
various types of out-door
facilities for people at these tourist spots may not be a strong proposition
recreation.
though adequate provisions for day care facilities ( like eating places,
temporary rest shelters, toilet facilities, STD booths, local tourism information
centers, retail outlets for local handicrafts etc.) are absolutely essential for
the same.

The comprehensive planning proposal for tourism and recreation

development aims to strengthen tourist attraction through improved publicity
and facility upgradation. More tourists mean more business for local people
in retail and service sectors. Thus it will also create a strong economic base
through various types of out-door recreation.

According to the existing scenario analysis of ADPA, it has been observed

that the following categories of tourism have immense potentialities for this
region:

A. Nature based outdoor recreation and eco-tourism for riverfront /

derelict mines with undulating landforms including picnic spots,
sight seeing, camping sites etc

B. Cultural and heritage tourism with annual / seasonal traditional

village fairs and festivals, folk or tribal socio-cultural events with
arts, crafts, music, dance etc.

C. Religious tourism with historically important temples and other

worshipping areas in the vicinity.

D. Educational tourism with forest / mining area / geology /

physiography based study or excursion activities for school/college/
university students and researchers.

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8.2 Integrated Approach towards Tourism Development

While planning for tourism and recreation in various zones of ADPA, a

systematic integrated approach will be attempted with protection of
environment, safeguarding religious interests, improving the imageability of
the area to the local and regional tourists (from neighbouring districts),
economic development for local people, augmentation of utilities and
services including better accessibility to remote but historically/culturally
important areas etc. Table 8.1 gives a picture of the resources available and
the corresponding tourism potential in different Planning Units of the entire
planning region. (Refer Map No. 8.1)

In the religious perspective, famous Kalyaneswari temple, which has been

drawing devotees and tourists since long time, requires facility upgradation
at the earliest. Support facilities will include rest shelters, pilgrimage
information centers, hygienic eating places, adequate bathing and toilet
facilities along with appropriate parking space for buses and private vehicles.
Emergency medical services, Police posts are also required for the area.
Imaginative landscape design with proper lighting in and around temple can
help in positive image building for the area.

Ichai temple on Ajoy river bank can also be developed into well designed
complex of Architectural Heritage. Access roads to this temple have to be
improved in widening and surface treatment along with provision of minimum
roadside facilities. Right balance of development has to be planned to
maintain the serene environmental character of this place.

Sustainability should be the prime focus while planning for environmental

protection. A detail analysis for assets and liabilities from various zones of
ADPA indicates the varied carrying capacities, sensitivity and ecological
fragility in the developmental zones.

Maithon Dam surroundings, the reserve forest areas at the north of Kanksa Sustainability should be the
prime focus while planning for
block, require careful eco-sensitive planning towards tourism. The overall
environmental protection. A
environmental ambience maybe disturbed by excessive tourist flow (if not detail analysis for assets and
controlled by limiting use permits), unrestricted tree cutting, soil excavation liabilities from various zones
of ADPA indicates the varied
or rock extraction etc. Suitable protective and legal (punitive) measures
carrying capacities, sensitivity
should be prior planned for saving these natural assets in Eco-tourism and ecological fragility in the
development. Besides, control of hunting birds and rare species, ban on use developmental zones.

and disposal of non-biodegradable objects (such as plastic, metal, or rubber

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goods etc) and restriction on automobile movement in certain zones
(especially for sensitive Flora and Fauna infested natural zones) have to
exercised while inviting tourists for this area. A slow moving forest trail route
can be planned with bends, paused and different points of arrival.

In the development of Ajay riverside, the idea of chained lagoons may be

presented for certain stretches near Faridpur fringe, Kanksa north and even
Chittranjan north-west portion. In the full monsoon the extra water spill in
Ajay river could well be directed to these interconnected lagoons. These
lagoons as retention ponds with bed pitching and wall hiring, surrounded by
dense trees (to reduce evaporative loss by controlling direct solar insulation)
may serve the local tribal folk in their daily needs, partial agriculture and
farming. Besides, these water bodies (area 10-15 acres each) in series with
peripheral landscaping may bring forth wonderful opportunities for nature
tourism with camping sites, nature observation parks etc. In the lean season
this stored water could well be used for various agro based and other needs.

Table 8.1: Tourism Potential of Planning Units

Planning Unit Resources Available Tourism Potential

1 Chittaranjan Locomotive Works Technical Excursions

2 Maithon Dam, Undulated landform
3 Vast land under Reserve forest with rich Flora & Fauna
4 Derelict Mining Sites
5 Old colonial structures and bungalows
7 Long stretch of river front
8,9,10,11 Derelict Mining Sites
12 Growing Trade and Commerce, Improved Life style
13 Available open land, Long stretch of River front
Vast land under Reserve forest with rich Flora &
14
Fauna, High tribal population, Long stretch of river front
Planned City Center, High percentage of students
16
and young professionals
17 Proximity to Durgapur MC, River front
Eco-tourism Camping Sites, Film Shooting Sites
Eco-tourism.
Camping sites and day care facilities.
Botanical & Zoological garden
Educational Excursions, Landscaping through
social forestry
Club towns, Recreational Centers
River based recreational activities
Educational Excursions, Landscaping through
social forestry
Shopping Malls, Entertainment Parks, Clubs
Farm houses, Recreational Clubs
Cottage industries, Training institute for cottage
industries, Eco-tourism, Camping sites and day
care facilities, Botanical and Zoological Garden
River based recreational activities
Shopping Malls, Entertainment Parks, Clubs
River based recreational activities, High end
luxury hotels

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The small islands amidst Ajay river may be shaped in to interesting picnic
sites with basic minimum facilities (like drinking water, toilets etc.). In winter
with the lean flow of river, these island picnic spots may turn into most
favorable areas for tourist destination. Same islands (developed due to
change in river course) in Damodar river too offer immense potentialities for
picnic spot development.

8.3 Recreational Development for Abandoned Mines and

Subsidence-prone Zones of Asansol-Durgapur Planning
Area

The mid stretch of ADPA comprising part of Jamuria, Pandabeswar,

Raniganj and Faridpur block offer new challenges for recreational
development. Due to vulnerable nature of local earth crust with rock fissures,
voids (created due to subsidence or due to illegal mining) this area needs
minimum interference. Outdoor recreation can be planned with creative
landscape design (both trees & shrubbery), water bodies as catchment
reserves, natural exposed rock strata along with minimum park accessories
(like benches, lighting etc.). Educational tourism for mining and geological
students, researchers, nature study groups etc. may be planned in the most
appropriate manner for these special environmentally sensitive areas.

For enjoying panoramic views for multi coloured rock strata interspersed with Educational tourism for mining
planned landscaping, an elevated ‘Cable Car system’ may be introduced for and geological students,
researchers, nature study
the tourists. Existing structures of ropeway (which used to function for groups etc. may be planned in
carrying coal at upper level) may be fruitfully utilized with addition or the most appropriate manner
alteration for carrying Cable cars. This Cable Car ride for this derelict mine for these special
environmentally sensitive
zones with landscape transformation may create new revenue earning areas.
possibilities with unique styles of entertainment. Some stilted watch towers
may be made here for enjoying wide distant views in photographers delight.
These sunken landform with multilevel terraces may also be ideally
developed for eco-tourism.

8.4 Tourist Accommodation

The tourist development for ADPA essentially calls for day care facilities for
visitors at various locations of interest. The main night stay will still be
confined in to major urban centers like Durgapur, Asansol, Raniganj, Kulti
etc. Existing hotels in these areas mainly cater for business tourism. Sight
seeing with a day long travel circuit may really be an interesting proportion

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for the incoming visitors who frequent the aforementioned urban centers in
and around steel city for their business. So more specialized hotels (3-4 star
category), motels, guest houses, dormitories, lodges should be constructed
in the aforementioned urban centers for the business tourists. For
educational tourism youth hostels, log huts, eco-trails, camping sites, trailer
parks may be developed in comparative remote locations amidst natural
surroundings with basic infrastructural facilities. Selective areas along
Damodar and Ajay river, part of the reserve forests at north of Kanksa block,
Maithon dam may be correctly chosen for the same purpose. Illegal
mushrooming of hotels near scenic natural spots must be strictly controlled
and transit accommodation facilities should be permitted at strategic
locations only near important modal transfer points.

Incentives like tax Incentives like tax concessions, special F.A.R. allowance etc. may be
concessions; special F.A.R. extended to private developers for boosting up tourist accommodation
allowance etc. may be
facilities in this planning area. This new accommodation for greater
extended to private developers
for boosting up tourist occupances will also address the need for increasing investors, who will be
accommodation facilities in coming for education and IT sector on regular basis.
this planning area.
The traditional fairs and 8.5 Tourism with Art, Architectural and Cultural Heritage
festivals, music and dance,
living style vernacular The Kole, Bheel, Munda, Orang, Zodha and Santal habitat at the fringe of
architecture and décor of ADPA present immense possibilities for development towards Tribal cultural
these tribal people – all can be
tourism.
presented into a marvellous
tourist package.
The traditional fairs and festivals, music and dance, living style vernacular
architecture and décor of these tribal people – all can be presented into a
marvellous tourist package. Tourist participation may boost up the local
economy, create a better market for their traditional art and craft, and bring
positive technological and hygienic awareness for those hither to neglected
rural folk.

Regular monitoring of the tourist influx is very much required for these areas
so that excessive tourists may not disturb the indigenous social fabric and
their natural pace of their living style.

Tribal representational centers or Tribal Art and Handicrafts centers can be

developed for covering both the interest of rural tribal folk and tourists. This
will give enough information about their unique lifestyles, culture and creed,
preferences, and obsolescence (social backwardness) to incoming tourists.

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On the other hands, tribal people will also come in contact with the urban
folk, publicize their own creation and also be able to come in to vocational
training for improving their quality of life. Traditional work cum living centers
with activity demonstration (like pottery, basket weaving, gunmetal work,
handicrafts etc.) can be really a very interesting source of infotainment for
the tourists. Vernacular eating joints can also be developed along with these
centers. North fringe of Jamuria, Pandabeswar, Kanksa and Barabani block
can be ideally chosen for the same purpose.

Nazrul Memorial Complex can be developed in relation with literary and Traditional work cum living
social contribution of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the great Bengal poet at his birth centers with activity
demonstration (like pottery,
place at Churulia. Relevant supportive facilities like a museum, rest shelter
basket weaving, gunmetal
with toilets, gardens for fair outdoor activities can also be created to attract work, handicrafts etc.) can be
more visitors towards this historically significant area. Accessibility for this really a very interesting source
of infotainment for the tourists.
area has to be improved first to ease consequential development.

8.6 Outdoor Recreation with Organized Open Spaces in and

Around Urban Centers of ADPA

Existing play grounds and parks for respective active and passive recreation
distributed in major urban centers of ADPA require constant monitoring and
value upgradation. Kumarmangalam park, Troika Park, water park at
Durgapur, Lamya park at Burnpur are some of these specialized parks which
require best maintenance and augmentation of facilities.

Theme parks on various themes (industrial development for the region, The rural folk may be
mock colliery village, railway parks etc.) may be developed at suitable appropriately trained and
engaged in handlooms,
locations with entry ticketing systems. Thus some fund can be generated
handicrafts (like basket
towards the beatification drive new facility promotion and proper weaving, gun metal work, clay
maintenance of the existing asserts of the park. pottery, bamboo work etc.) and
forest based product
The rolling greens of IISCO town at Kulti present latent opportunities for 16 recycling. Special training may
also be extended to them
points Golf Course, skaterboard deck with changed Landform along with
regarding guidance and
clubs or pubs (to be based in existing British colonial style Bungalows), hospitality in rural tourism and
Besides outdoor meditation camps, aerobics centers or jogging tracks can as well as towards their
indigenous cultural
also be explored at the sprawling greens of this rundown industrial
performances (music, dance
brownfield. Damodar riverside parks can also be created at certain strategic etc.)for incoming tourists.
locations with intense visual experience. Picnic huts, Jogging track, Aviary,
flower gardens, Musical fountains Orchid and Cactus gardens, spray pools,

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splash pool or padding pools can enrich the travel experience of local and
neighboring regional tourists throughout the year.

Sole aquatic parks with various forms of water based recreation are being
popular day by day. Amusement parks with private sector sponsorship can
also be major hit at fringe locations of the Asansol-Durgapur planning area.

Sponsors advertisements have to be regulated with the scale of

development. Appropriate signage system has to be planned in their
directive, regulatory, warning land interpretive format and property
distributed in natural or Built environment Graphical expression will be given
more importance than linguistic expression for easy understanding of all
types of tourists from various places and cultures.

8.7 Cultural Development for Asansol Durgapur Planning

Area

Planning for cultural development for ADPA must be attended through two
approaches:

a) Manpower or skill development for the rural and tribal population in

the fringe area.

b) Augmentation of existing cultural facilities in distributed urban

centers throughout the planning area.

8.7.1 Manpower Development

Rural level cooperatives At present, the poor rural folk and tribal population, residing at village in the
should be formed for
planning area fringe are not exposed to alternative avenues of earning.
extending help to individuals
and groups – farmers, Special drive should be initiated to impart vocational training for skill
peasants, small scale industry upgradation in traditional sector. The rural folk may be appropriately trained
workers and mining workers.
and engaged in handlooms, handicrafts (like basket weaving, gun metal
Knowledge for legal rights,
environmental awareness, work, clay pottery, bamboo work etc.) and forest based product recycling.
latest technology to improve Special training may also be extended to them regarding guidance and
out by reducing negative
hospitality in rural tourism and as well as towards their indigenous cultural
issues, fiscal resources and
loan repayment provisions performances (music, dance etc.)for incoming tourists. Periodic fairs and
may be imparted through festivals may be organized in certain picturesque natural locations along
these multilevel cooperatives.
Damodar or Ajay river to boost up their cultural publicity, to give confidence
for social acceptance and mainstream participation and to open up the new
possibilities of additional earning through selling their products before a
better manner.

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8.7.2 Women empowerment and child education

Tribal cultural centers will also highlight the socio-cultural issues of tribal life
to the visitors.

Development of rural level co-operatives to address individual and group

interest –

• Legal rights.

• Technological development for best output.

• Fiscal resources.

Financial supports and incentive schemes through soft term loans must be
arranged along with their training programme to encourage micro-
entrepreneurship and additional employment generation. In this regard,
strategic partnership among govt. agencies, private sectors, NGOs, and
local co-operatives has to be strengthened for research, training, marketing
and development for these backward rural areas.

ƒ Rural level cooperatives should be formed for extending help to

individuals and groups – farmers, peasants, small scale industry
workers and mining workers.

ƒ Knowledge for legal rights, environmental awareness, latest

technology to improve out by reducing negative issues, fiscal
resources and loan repayment provisions may be imparted through
these multilevel cooperatives.

ƒ Sports training centers for budding players in new sports complex

at Durgapur, Burnpur, Chittranjann, Asansol areas.

ƒ Science centers for generating scientific awareness among

common people.

8.7.3 Augmentation of Cultural Facilities in Distributed Urban

Centers in Asansol-Durgapur Planning Area

New facilities for cultural upgradation in Urban centers within ADPA will be
provided through the creation of;

I. New public library with electronic library component at Durgapur.

II. New art gallery cum exhibition center at Durgapur.

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III. New Auditorium for theatrical performance, experimental drama,
choreography for the culturally awakened people at Durgapur.

IV. A museum on development of steel industry in the region can be

developed at IISCO township at Burnpur Science center for
creative scientific awareness.

V. A well equipped convention centre in the memory of Sir Biren

Mukherjee, path founder for this areas development should be
developed to house annual business meetings and conventions
from various public and private sector companies at Durgapur or
Kulti (greater availability of developable land).

VI. New movie theaters with shopping multiplexes may be explored

both in Durgapur and Asansol following the emerging trends.

VII. Clubs for active and passive recreation, cultural movement and
public awareness campaign should be developed in and around
Kulti, Durgapur and Asansol.

Besides, more numbers of organized open spaces should be earmarked for

fair and festival grounds to encourage stronger interaction and social
participation for the general man.

These open spaces, according to the hierarchical order may well be

distributed, keeping their impact or influence zones in mind.

Variety of cultural functions and festivals may be arranged in different

locations simultaneously or in a cyclical order throughout the year for the
people residing in ADPA.

8.8 Database on Tourist Characteristics

This database, if regularly Developing a well networked tourist data base for ADPA with the following
updated will throw light on inventories:
‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ in local
tourism and help in rectifying a. Different categories of tourists.
defects and increasing
positive effects on tourists. b. Tourist behavior, preference and expectations.

c. Quantum of tourists flow at various places of attraction.

d. Frequently visited places in order of tourist priority and reasons.

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e. Feedbacks of an tourists trend experiences to the defined areas of
interest.

f. Special hazards (if any).

g. Remembering events (positive).

This database, if regularly updated will throw light on ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ in
local tourism and help in rectifying defects and increasing positive effects on
tourists. This will reveal

ƒ Which activities to be continued unconditionally.

ƒ Which activities to be continued with partial modifications.

ƒ Which activities to be totally discontinued for safeguarding

socio-physical environment.

SWOT analysis (strength/weakness/opportunities/threat) can be conducted

periodically with these updated data inputs and user feedbacks for achieving
an ideal tourist environment with least problems.

8.9 Cost of Development

The tourism potential in various planning units according to the resources

available in the given planning units has been earmarked. The cost however
is subject to change depending upon the nature of tourism potential &
infrastructural development in the given unit. The cost for development along
with the land requirement has been stated in the Table 8.2.

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Table 8.2: Land Requirement & Cost of Development

Planning Unit Area Cost

Type Area(Ha) Function
No. Required (Ha) (in crores)

1 Intensive 1700 Technical Excursion N.I N.I

2 Extensive 7800 Camping Site, Film Shooting Sites 20

N.I
Eco tourism, Camping, Sites & Day
3 Eco-Sensitive 4350 care facilities, Botanical & 50 30
Zoological Garden

Educational Tourism, Landscaping

4 Restricted 7850 50 10
through Social Forestry

5 Intensive 3800 Club Towns, Recreational Centres 45 N.I

7 Extensive 9400 River based Recreational activities 50 20

Educational Tourism, Landscaping

8 Restricted 1170 50 25
through Social Forestry

Educational Tourism, Landscaping

9 Restricted 8100 50 25
through Social Forestry

Educational Tourism, Landscaping

10 Restricted 8250 50 25
through Social Forestry

Educational Tourism, Landscaping

11 Restricted 2350 50 25
through Social Forestry

Shopping Malls, Entertainment

12 Intensive 5350 120 50
Parks, Clubs

13 Extensive 3450 Farm Houses, Recreational houses 50 N.I

Cottage Industries, Training

Institutes for Cottage Industries,
Eco Tourism, Camping Sites, Day
14 Eco-Sensitive 2780 150 60
care facilities, Botanical &
Zoological Gardens, River based
Recreational Activities

Shopping Malls, Entertainment

16 Intensive 1540 120 50
Parks, Clubs

River based Recreational Activities,

17 Extensive 1020 60 25
High end Luxury Hotels

Total 895 365

(With Reference to UDPFI guidelines)

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