India’s National Tourism Day 2022: Celebrating the Love of Travel and Tourism
Humans are inherently inquisitive creatures. They love to discover and expand their realms. With the advancement in science, they explore the limitless outer space, the deep ends of the oceans, and the vast expanse of varied terrains.
Every year on 25th January, India observes its National Tourism Day. The government and the people of India celebrate this day to promote tourism and emphasize the importance of tourism in the country’s growth. Because of the diversity and multiculturism that India offers, this day highlights the importance of tourism having a positive impact on the country’s economy. India is a tourist hotspot, and tourism contributes significantly to the country’s economy.
National Tourism Day history
It is unknown when precisely this day started being celebrated. However, a Tourist Traffic Committee was formed in 1948 to promote tourism in India. The company’s first regional offices were established in Delhi and Mumbai. More offices were added three years later, in 1951, in Kolkata and Chennai. In 1958, the Ministry of Tourism and Communication established a tourism-specific department, which was led by the Deputy General in the rank of Joint Secretary.
What is sustainable tourism?
Tourism has been identified as one of the most important sectors contributing significantly to the revenue earnings of many countries. Sustainable tourism envisions the concept of maintaining the charm and attraction of a tourism destination while causing the least amount of damage to the components that comprise the goal of providing employment opportunities and socioeconomic benefits to the local population.
It has been observed that wherever tourists go, they bring pollution and commotion, which harms the environment. A Spilled leftovers of surplus food, dining paper plates and glasses, empty bottles, plastic wrappers, and other garbage left behind by tourists disrupt the ecological balance because most of these items are not biodegradable and thus are not recycled into the ecosystem. Sustainable tourism is accomplished by guarding natural habitats and wildlife when pursuing and managing tourism activities, providing genuine experiences for tourists, and direct social and economic benefits to local communities through training and employment.
Sustainable tourism challenges
Apart from poor air quality and rivers’ contamination, India has another category of pollution to worry about: the beach pollution. And, in this case, tourism and fishing are the main culprits, accounting for most of the plastic litter on beaches. After tourism, the fishing industry is the next most prominent source of waste. While fishing nets are a significant contributor, fish processing on the beach generates considerable litter.
For controlling and managing waste on land and preventing it from going to the marine environment, India has introduced a national marine litter policy. In terms of combating marine litter, Indian policy has been limited to the prohibition of single-use plastic. Indeed, there are gaps in the system, and it appears that on the ground, the intention of preserving our tourist destinations is not working as it should have. We need to fill these gaps, and in the long run, we must educate the public and its role in sustainable tourism promotion.
While writing this article, as a passionate travel blogger who loves beaches, mountains, photography, weekend getaways, and family vacations, I realized the agony tourists feel when they visit beautiful places littered with garbage. This dampens the spirit of travel and leaves a bitter taste in their mouth. Along with anxiety, frustration, and hope, which visit my mind regularly, I had an unexpected visitor, named inspiration, while reading about Afroz Shah, a Mumbai-based lawyer who is the man behind Mumbai’s Versova beach clean-up. In October 2015, Afroz Shah, decided to do something about the litter on his favourite Versova Beach, Mumbai. So, Shah and his neighbours, Harbansh Mathur, went out with gloves and a bag to pick up trash. He had no clue at the time that his small gesture would grow into such a massive movement. His beach cleaning efforts gained popularity over time. By emphasizing the significance of cleaning up the beach, he mobilized volunteers – friends, neighbours, fishermen, children, and even Bollywood film stars. As a result, people began gathering for weekly Sunday afternoon clean-ups to participate in what Shah refers to as “a date with the ocean,” but is more aptly described as toiling shin-deep in decomposing garbage waste under the scorching Indian sun.
Their efforts have paid off, and Versova has been totally transformed after 119 weeks. The sand can now be seen. Since the project began, Shah believes that more than 12,000 tons of plastic have been recovered from the 3-kilometer length of the beach. Shah was named a “Champion of the Earth” by the United Nations in 2016 in recognition of his extraordinary efforts. His work was also featured in the documentary film “A Plastic Tide ,” released in 2017.
This incident emphasizes that each citizen can be a change agent, an influencer, and a warrior of public awareness. It is not solely the responsibility of the government to take the initiative to maintain our environment clean. Collaborations with NGOs and champion groups like Evirocor and its sustainable packaging will undoubtedly improve efficacy.
Evirocor’s positive role in a cleaner and greener world
Plastic does not biodegrade. It subsequently decomposes into smaller fragments. Harmful chemicals leach from plastic, contaminate our groundwater, poisoning our food chain, endanger wildlife, or simply pile up in the environment. Environmentally-friendly packaging is a solution to these problems.
Oko earth-friendly food packaging and Oko E-packaging, which are waterproof, compostable, and recyclable, are developed by Evirocor. Oko products are also part of the circular economy, and these traits, together with the Cortec-Revolution, an environmentally-friendly paper system, set Evirocor apart from the competition. Environmentally-conscious customers know that Evirocor is concerned about the environment and is taking steps to protect it. Even if Evirocor packaging products are strewn about carelessly, they biodegrade in a matter of months, preserving the biome’s ecological balance.
Conclusion
In January, India celebrates National Tourism Day, a testament to the human spirit of discovering new lands and attempting to keep tourist destinations litter-free, increasing tourism and supporting the country’s economy.
Furthermore, the more people who visit India learn and exchange ideas about its tourist destinations, thereby improving its trade.
As a result, groups like Evirocor, which has emerged as an industry leader in promoting sustainable food packaging solutions,plays a crucial role in assisting India’s trade and helping to keep beautiful tourist destinations litter-free.