Counter-cultural impact of alternative tourism on Gaddi Tribes: a case of DharamKot, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The charge of imperialism and colonialism has described a vast array of domination and power in Third World tourism by the advanced countries. It invokes the debate whether the popular tourism reinforces the pattern of capitalist hegemony and whether sustainability of indigenous and cultural authenticity of the Third world is under seize by global capitalism and western values (Britton, S, 1981; Singh et al, 1992). In recent years, a counter rejection of such impact of modern industrial world on Third World tourism and mass consumerism (consummation space/nature as commodity) of foreign tourists has emerged in the form of "appropriate tourism" or "alternative tourism". Alternative tourism claims to have a qualitative difference from the mass tourism. The traditional mass package of holidays, typically described with 'sun, sea, and sex' (Ss) is challenged now with new form of tourism: traveling, trekking and trucking (Ts). Alternative tourism indicates to have a feel of "real" of the existing "indigenous cultures" of the local folk and respect their values. It also demands as morally responsible to pro-sustainable ideas of development and tourism. Alternative travellers (mostly youth) often are lonely travellers looking for a meaningful vacation' (Kutay, 1989) and intend to explore a deeper understanding of the country they visit, including an attempt to understand the cultural, social and economic living conditions of the indigenous people of the visited areas (Seabrook, 1995). Thus such concept of tourism rejects the idea of a tourist, and prioritizes the word as "globe-trotters", a spiritual/environmental explorer or an experienced seeker, and to several people as 'backpackers' 'drifters' or 'hippies'. The visiting targets of places for these alternative travellers naturally are not the big hotels of metropolises unlike the mass tourism, rather exploring the natural environment, remote places of the countries or islands, reaching to mountains, forests and indigenous people. Trying out local fare, food, medication, adventure into the natural beauty of mountains, wildlife, flora and fauna, spiritual venture of mediation or "aradhana" (learning spiritual chanting), etc. are the main attraction for these (young) tourists. They conceive them as real, authentic and the true consumption of the idea of touring. The idea of being sensitive and responsible to the indigenous culture and people, promotes alternative tourism as pro-active to sustainability and development. " Under the aforementioned gamut of popular discourse on 'alternative tourism, development and its counter-cultural impact on the indigenous tribes of Himalaya Mountain range', the present study focuses on the "Gaddi", local tribal communities of Dharamkot, a remote village near Dharmshala township situated at the foothills of Himalaya. It makes an attempt to explore the changing cultural and socio-economic scenario of the village Dharamkot due to increasing popularity of "alternative tourism". Further, the study proposes to examine the factors that have led to cultural change and most due to interface of mainly two cultures (Israel and "gaddi" culture) among "gaddi tribes. A special focus would also be given to understand the issues of sustainability and livelihood of this village community assessing whether "alternative tourism and its increasing popularity in the village of dharamkot have contributed in promoting better quality of life, alleviation of poverty and to overall socio-economic development in the region, with special reference to women and children in Gaddi community. The study also would try to analyze the changing cultural aspect of community life in relation to 'political economy' of the region.