• Sonu perme

The development of a strong platform around the concept of eco/agro tourism is definitely useful for a country like India, where almost 74% of the population resides in its 7 million villages. Across the world the trends of industrialization and development have had an urban centric approach. So, the stresses of urban life have led to a “counter urbanization” syndrome. People from urban areas nowadays have shown keen interest towards experiencing the rural life. They want to meet farmers and the producers to discuss with them about what goes into food production and participate in various activities like buying vegetables directly from a farm stand, picking fruit, plucking tea leaves, riding bullock-carts, learning about wine making, paddy cultivation, making potteries, buying local and regional produce or hand-crafted items. Eco/agro tourism help to sustain communities encourage expansion of organic agriculture and provide an enchanting and authentic experience to the visitors. This paper describes the principles of eco/agro tourism and prioritizes the livelihood of those who stays in a rural part of a country, along with the process necessary for partnership between government/private firm and village communities. The benefits of eco/agro tourism are discussed as a way for rural communities to help economically and preserve their natural culture and heritage. Ministry of Tourism in India has laid a great deal of emphasis on the development of such rural tourism which boasts of rich art, culture, handloom, heritage and crafts. The villages in India are affluent in both natural beauty and cultural splendour. This paper gives an overview on eco/agro tourism policy and the guidelines of Govt. of India and initiatives of Agri Tourism Development Company Pvt Ltd. (formerly Agri Tourism Development Corporation) that empowered the local community of the state. It also emphasizes processes and mechanisms to engage local communities in planning and managing tourism activities.

Eco/agro tourism, farmers, communities, rural, culture, program

"Defining eco/agro tourism- a study on initiatives and steps for sustainable approach in India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 12, page no.606-611, December-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1812588.pdf

"Defining eco/agro tourism- a study on initiatives and steps for sustainable approach in India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 12, page no. pp606-611, December-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1812588.pdf