Ecotourism as a field of Sustainable Rural Development: A case study of Bhor Tehsil (MS)

Eco-tourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on our vulnerable planet. It is considered the fastest growing market in the tourism industry, according to the World Tourism Organization with an annual growth rate of 9.6% worldwide and representing 8% of the world Gross Domestic Product, 11.4% of all consumers spending. Tourism or ecotourism is inherent desire of human beings, which developed with the progress of human civilization. Every man on this planet earth is very fond of tourism, hence always attracted towards nature. The mountains, hills, valleys, oceans, rivers, lakes, islands, waterfalls, forests, wild animals, birds, butterflies etc. have become important attractions for the ecotourists. The improved standard of life and economic status of middle class society has brought ecotourism within their reach. At present there is pressing demand for planned, well-developed and perfectly managed ecotourism. India is truly famous for hospitality. "Atithi Deo Bhav", means the visitors or guests are equal to God in Indian culture due to which India become the top most place for ecotourism in the world. The diverse culture, rich bio diversity, conductive climate, greenery and the peaceful as well as spiritual mind of the Indian people have become the main attractions for ecotourism.            The pleasant weather, natural lakes, green hills, beautiful valleys are the main attractions for ecotourists in Bhor Tehsil of Pune district. Hence there is an urgent need to investigate the hidden potential of ecotourism management and sustainable development. Not only this, but it also become the potential area of employment to rural people and youth. Ecotourism development may become pivotal for socioeconomic transformation of villages with natural ecotourism sites

Agrotourism is an Immerging field of Sustainable Development for Rural Area: A case study of BhorTahsil of Maharashtra.

Agrotourism is considered as the fastest growing sector in the tourism industry. The concept has been successfully implemented in Maharashtra. It has become a new avenue for earning the income for the rural farmers. In Maharashtra, rural areas have formed an organization named Maharashtra State Agricultural and Rural Tourism (MART). There are about 150 Agro tourism centers in the state working without financial assistance of the Government schemes. Agrotourismfocuses on local Agriculture pattern and agro cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on our vulnerable planet. It is considered the fastest growing market in the tourism industry, according to the World Tourism Organization with an annual growth rate of 5% worldwide and representing 6% of the world Gross Domestic Product, 11.4% of all consumers spending. Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during 2013 were 6.97 million with a growth of 5.9% as compared to the FTAs of 6.58 million during 2012 registering a growth of 4.3% over 2011. The Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism in terms of US dollars during 2013 was US$18.445 billion with a growth of 4.0$ 17.737 billion during 2012 registering a growth of 7.1% over 2011. Substantial growth was observed in domestic tourism sector as the domestic tourist visits during the year 2013 was 1145 million, showing a growth of 9.59% over 2012.   Tourism or Agrotourism is inherent desire of human beings, which developed with the progress of human civilization. Every man on this planet earth is very fond of tourism, hence always attracted towards nature. The mountains, hills, valleys, oceans, rivers, lakes, islands, waterfalls, forests, wild animals, birds, butterflies etc. have become important attractions for the agrotourists. The improved standard of life and economic status of middle class society has brought ecotourism within their reach. At present there is pressing demand for planned, well-developed and perfectly managed ecotourism. India is truly famous for hospitality. "AtithiDeoBhav", means the visitors or guests are equal to God in Indian culture due to which India become the top most place for ecotourism in the world. The diverse culture, rich bio diversity, conductive climate, greenery and the peaceful as well as spiritual mind of the Indian people have become the main attractions for ecotourism as well as Agrotourism.            The pleasant weather, natural lakes, green hills, beautiful valleys and agriculture (Manly paddy field) are the main attractions for agrotourists in BhorTahsil Pune district. Hence there is an urgent need to investigate the hidden potential of Agrotourismmanagement and sustainable development. Not only this, but it also become the potential area of employment to rural people and youth. Ecotourism development may become pivotal for socioeconomic transformation of villages with naturalecotourism sites

Delineation of the groundwater potential using remote sensing and gis: a case study of Ulhas basin, Maharashtra, India

Groundwater is one of the most valuable natural resources which is essential for the environmental, biological and socio-economic activities. The present paper aims to delineate groundwater potential of Ulhas basin in India through remote sensing and geographical information system. Several groundwater influencing factors such as geology, geomorphology, slope, landuse, rainfall, lineaments are mapped in GIS environment. Later, these factors were ranked on the basis of their influence on the groundwater potential of a region. After that all these factors were integrated together in GIS environment to prepare the groundwater potential map of Ulhas basin. By implementing influencing factor, it is observed that about 21%, 50% and 29% areas are falling under high, moderate, and low groundwater potential zones, correspondingly. The present study is highly valuable to the policymakers, administrative bodies, engineers for management of groundwater and preparing sustainable water resource plans in Ulhas basin. Additionally, the present paper will help to construct artificial groundwater recharge plan in the study area