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RURAL & TRIBAL
India is a predominantly rural country, with over seven million villages and less than 30 million of its population considered urbanized. Recognizing India’s opportunity to provide rural travel experiences to local and international tourists, the government of India has chosen 31 specific villages across the country to serve as destinations for its Explore Rural India Campaign. While these 31 destinations are more easily accessible and have a more fully developed tourist infrastructure, there are also millions of other villages throughout rural India to explore. Nearly 70 per cent of the country’s population lives in rural areas where, for the first time since independence, the overall growth rate of population has sharply declined, according to the latest Census. Rural India has much to offer to the world. Rich in traditions of arts, crafts and culture, rural India can emerge as important tourist spots. Those in the developed world who have a craze for knowledge about traditional ways of life, arts and crafts will be attracted to visit rural India if the concept of rural tourism is marketed well.
Home to 438 living languages, India is a country full of ethnic and cultural diversity. More than 570 distinct tribal communities are scattered throughout India, many of which have unique traditions, festivals, music and modes of artistic expression. One way for tourists to experience these diverse communities is through tribal tourism. The majority of India’s tribal groups are in four main regions: Central India, Northeast India, Western India and East India. Tropical central states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are home to the Gond, the region’s largest tribe. During summer, an ideal destination is the “Seven Sisters” of the northeast, where many tribal villages are perched under the shadows of the Himalayas. The western states of Rajasthan and Gujarat are best seen between November and February when travelers can combine tribal visits with desert camel treks before the mercury rises in early spring. In Eastern India, almost one fourth of Orissa’s population belongs to a tribal community.
As the popular tourist spots and hill stations are growing more crowded every year, thanks to a large influx of tourists, villages across the country are finding new takers, due to their virgin locations and cultural diversity Experience the life of an Indian farmer and the joys of village life. Plough a field, milk a cow, chop firewood and draw water from a bore well. Remove the sweat and the grime with a dip in the cool river or take a gentle trek through a forest. Share memories and sing songs around a campfire before you call it a day.
Agricultural Tourism
Rural India is still largely based on an agricultural economy. Tourist activities in rural villages include riding in bullock carts, touring farms, attending village fairs and farmers’ markets, taking part in crop harvesting or attending educational programs about the agricultural way of life.
Wildlife Tourism
India’s rural areas are home to over 90 national parks and protected wildlife areas. Tourist activities include bird watching at Keoladeo Ghana National Park, bamboo rafting at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and going on tiger safari by elephant back in the jungles of Central India.
Art and Handicrafts
Many of India’s villages are home to master artisans who have had their craft passed down from previous generations. You can pick up traditional block printed clothing in Rajasthan, bamboo crafts in Bengal and handmade baskets in Tamil Nadu. The village of Naggar in Himachal Pradesh is famous for its wool products and embroidery, and the women of Hodka are known for their Kutchi hand-embroidered cushion covers. When you visit an Indian village, try to buy art and handicrafts directly from the artists or from a local cooperative.
Considerations
Watching Bollywood movies may lend the impression that Indians are used to tight, revealing clothing, but most of rural India dresses much more conservatively. Both men and women should bring loose, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Women may want to buy a local scarf to cover the head and the chest area; the best rule of thumb is to follow suit with what local women are doing. |
