Recently, there are discussions about widening the National Highways of the State with 30 meters as the standard width suggested by the Kerala Government which is opposed by the Central Public Works Department with a recommendation of minimum of 45 meters. What is better for the State, its society and the tourism industry?
Rehabilitation
In our State, unlike many other parts of India, the population density is very high. The available land for human settlements is very less, after setting aside the reserved forests, plantations, wetlands and coastal belt. The balance available liveable land in the midland area is filled with residential areas, making it impossible for any large scale industries which require vast area of land. Evacuation of people from their present residences will face stiff opposition and still there are projects with such unsettled cases of rehabilitation. In such a scenario, getting land across the State for road widening cannot be imagined without stiff opposition from people.
Consumer State
In general, it is clear that Kerala is suitable for tourism and IT (technology related industries which can yield better return from limited space utilisation) and started tuning all our industrial activities towards supporting such an economy. More than 10% of the total population is working outside the State – pan India, Middle Eastern region, Europe and across the world. The inflow of funds from such Pravasi Malayalees (NRKs) is also a considerable factor in the State economy. The plantations of cash crops – rubber, spices, cashew nuts, (now) oil palms – also enlarged the savings kitty of the people and made them more consumerist (not communist). Kerala is a larger market than any other Metro cities in India, making it a haven for marketers of various consumer products. We do not produce enough rice, vegetables, poultry, dairy products or other food grains to be self reliant.
Responsible Tourism (RT)
In the recent initiatives of Kerala Tourism Department towards responsible tourism (RT) initiatives to support the local economy through Kudumbashree (Self Help Groups of Women) units, procurement of food items locally, giving employment to locals etc. will be beneficial to the society in the long run. This will also reduce the “carbon mile” of food consumed in the hospitality sector. Though the RT initiatives are introduced in 4 destinations to start with, the same can be incorporated with every tourism business and become more profitable. For example: If one tries to sell a room with all modern amenities in the international market, it may be very difficult. But, if one tries to add local flavour to its interiors with art and handicraft items procured locally, it will add value to the property and can also be sold at a premium – increasing the profitability.
Car Vs Bus
Throughout the world, the 20th century had seen the growth of oil economy – with the over consumption of petroleum products made available cheaper than its ‘real price’ with the control of extraction, refining and distribution by a handful of oil majors – both corporate and countries. The lobby of the oil and automobile industry twisted, persuaded and even threatened the Governments of different countries to follow policies suitable to support private (car) transport systems. Now, it is clear that even the war in Iraq was a result of such a strategic move by the oil majors’ controlled Governments in USA and UK. It is too late now, to reverse the consequences of the actions of human race on the environment as the Climate Change triggered by Global Warming has reached alarming proportions.
Democracy
Since we are in a democratic society, our Government actions are based on majority opinions. Once the majority in the society is pretty comfortable with private (car) transport systems, they require wider roads for easy travelling. It will be very difficult to make them agree for a reversal in their lifestyle towards public (bus or train or metro) transport as clearly seen in the ‘developed’ economies. Do we need to make the same mistakes of the people of such developed economies? Can’t we learn from their mistakes and take decisions against such blunders already committed by them? Do you believe that wider roads will solve the problems of traffic jams?
The solution lies in the environmental taxes imposed for private (car) transport systems and using such revenue for strengthening public (bus or train or metro) transport system. Environmental taxes means, more taxes for cars in the form of increased sales tax, higher road tax, entry fee towards cities and towns, parking fee on roads etc. Since diesel is subsidised in India for public transport systems (trucks and buses), the road tax and sales tax imposed for diesel cars should be double than that of petrol vehicles, as they are getting the benefit of the State subsidy for their private car usages.
Strengthening the public transport system means, increasing the efficiency of the entire system, introducing newer vehicles with better technologies for improved fuel consumption (mileage), better comfort levels of such experiences with air conditioned buses or low-floor buses, multi-mode transport stations where people can park their car to take public transport and with integrated bus/train/water transport systems (as envisaged in the Vyttila terminal). We could also consider withdrawing the older vehicles (bus) from the roads – it can be reduced from 15 years to 10 years or even 8 years as in many of the advanced environmentally sensitive societies across the world. This will boost the sale of buses from Indian and multinational companies in the State which will in turn make it an ideal business model for them also.
Industry lobby
As proactive industry leaders with a vision for a better future for the local people and to give a better experience for the travelling public, it is the responsibility of the various organisations of the Tourism Industry to come together and resolve the following points and put pressure on the Government machinery to act upon.
1. By considering the various parameters of the State, we support the State Government decision to standardise the width of the National highways in the State to 30 meters. We hope the quality of the road works will be improved and reach international standards with the upcoming developmental activities.
2. We encourage the State government to plan and execute a policy towards a more sustainable mode of transport with emphasis on public transport systems and environmental taxes.
3. As an industry catering to the sensitive international traveller, we will take steps to reduce the “Carbon Footprints” by reducing the use of petroleum products by increased use of alternative energy sources.
4. We understand the causes of Global Warming and to curb the adverse effects decide to support forestation projects, protection of Western Ghat biosphere, creation of forest corridors for animal movements across the States of South India and steps towards the conservation of biodiversity.
5. We do support the decision of the Forest Department to reduce and limit the vehicle movements through the forests. We do not support the night traffic through reserved forests also.
6. Through the Responsible Tourism initiatives, we will support local products and services rendered by Kudumbashree units and also employ maximum people from the local societies.
If such a memorandum can be moved in the right avenue and if the players can implement them and take steps towards a more sustainable developmental model, Kerala can create another role model for the whole world to follow.
Rehabilitation
In our State, unlike many other parts of India, the population density is very high. The available land for human settlements is very less, after setting aside the reserved forests, plantations, wetlands and coastal belt. The balance available liveable land in the midland area is filled with residential areas, making it impossible for any large scale industries which require vast area of land. Evacuation of people from their present residences will face stiff opposition and still there are projects with such unsettled cases of rehabilitation. In such a scenario, getting land across the State for road widening cannot be imagined without stiff opposition from people.
Consumer State
In general, it is clear that Kerala is suitable for tourism and IT (technology related industries which can yield better return from limited space utilisation) and started tuning all our industrial activities towards supporting such an economy. More than 10% of the total population is working outside the State – pan India, Middle Eastern region, Europe and across the world. The inflow of funds from such Pravasi Malayalees (NRKs) is also a considerable factor in the State economy. The plantations of cash crops – rubber, spices, cashew nuts, (now) oil palms – also enlarged the savings kitty of the people and made them more consumerist (not communist). Kerala is a larger market than any other Metro cities in India, making it a haven for marketers of various consumer products. We do not produce enough rice, vegetables, poultry, dairy products or other food grains to be self reliant.
Responsible Tourism (RT)
In the recent initiatives of Kerala Tourism Department towards responsible tourism (RT) initiatives to support the local economy through Kudumbashree (Self Help Groups of Women) units, procurement of food items locally, giving employment to locals etc. will be beneficial to the society in the long run. This will also reduce the “carbon mile” of food consumed in the hospitality sector. Though the RT initiatives are introduced in 4 destinations to start with, the same can be incorporated with every tourism business and become more profitable. For example: If one tries to sell a room with all modern amenities in the international market, it may be very difficult. But, if one tries to add local flavour to its interiors with art and handicraft items procured locally, it will add value to the property and can also be sold at a premium – increasing the profitability.
Car Vs Bus
Throughout the world, the 20th century had seen the growth of oil economy – with the over consumption of petroleum products made available cheaper than its ‘real price’ with the control of extraction, refining and distribution by a handful of oil majors – both corporate and countries. The lobby of the oil and automobile industry twisted, persuaded and even threatened the Governments of different countries to follow policies suitable to support private (car) transport systems. Now, it is clear that even the war in Iraq was a result of such a strategic move by the oil majors’ controlled Governments in USA and UK. It is too late now, to reverse the consequences of the actions of human race on the environment as the Climate Change triggered by Global Warming has reached alarming proportions.
Democracy
Since we are in a democratic society, our Government actions are based on majority opinions. Once the majority in the society is pretty comfortable with private (car) transport systems, they require wider roads for easy travelling. It will be very difficult to make them agree for a reversal in their lifestyle towards public (bus or train or metro) transport as clearly seen in the ‘developed’ economies. Do we need to make the same mistakes of the people of such developed economies? Can’t we learn from their mistakes and take decisions against such blunders already committed by them? Do you believe that wider roads will solve the problems of traffic jams?
The solution lies in the environmental taxes imposed for private (car) transport systems and using such revenue for strengthening public (bus or train or metro) transport system. Environmental taxes means, more taxes for cars in the form of increased sales tax, higher road tax, entry fee towards cities and towns, parking fee on roads etc. Since diesel is subsidised in India for public transport systems (trucks and buses), the road tax and sales tax imposed for diesel cars should be double than that of petrol vehicles, as they are getting the benefit of the State subsidy for their private car usages.
Strengthening the public transport system means, increasing the efficiency of the entire system, introducing newer vehicles with better technologies for improved fuel consumption (mileage), better comfort levels of such experiences with air conditioned buses or low-floor buses, multi-mode transport stations where people can park their car to take public transport and with integrated bus/train/water transport systems (as envisaged in the Vyttila terminal). We could also consider withdrawing the older vehicles (bus) from the roads – it can be reduced from 15 years to 10 years or even 8 years as in many of the advanced environmentally sensitive societies across the world. This will boost the sale of buses from Indian and multinational companies in the State which will in turn make it an ideal business model for them also.
Industry lobby
As proactive industry leaders with a vision for a better future for the local people and to give a better experience for the travelling public, it is the responsibility of the various organisations of the Tourism Industry to come together and resolve the following points and put pressure on the Government machinery to act upon.
1. By considering the various parameters of the State, we support the State Government decision to standardise the width of the National highways in the State to 30 meters. We hope the quality of the road works will be improved and reach international standards with the upcoming developmental activities.
2. We encourage the State government to plan and execute a policy towards a more sustainable mode of transport with emphasis on public transport systems and environmental taxes.
3. As an industry catering to the sensitive international traveller, we will take steps to reduce the “Carbon Footprints” by reducing the use of petroleum products by increased use of alternative energy sources.
4. We understand the causes of Global Warming and to curb the adverse effects decide to support forestation projects, protection of Western Ghat biosphere, creation of forest corridors for animal movements across the States of South India and steps towards the conservation of biodiversity.
5. We do support the decision of the Forest Department to reduce and limit the vehicle movements through the forests. We do not support the night traffic through reserved forests also.
6. Through the Responsible Tourism initiatives, we will support local products and services rendered by Kudumbashree units and also employ maximum people from the local societies.
If such a memorandum can be moved in the right avenue and if the players can implement them and take steps towards a more sustainable developmental model, Kerala can create another role model for the whole world to follow.
