Utilization of Godavari Waters for Recreation and Leisure A Study on

Socio-economic and Environmental Impacts

Dr. Ankathi Raghu *
Introduction

Tourism has become a major sector of economic activity worldwide, covering a broad range of
enterprises, areas and stakeholders. It is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the
world: 4,4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) flows directly from tourism, which
employs over 235 million people (WTTC, 2009). A substantial portion of GDP and employment,
especially in developing countries, is related to tourism. It is also one of the most ramified
sectors of the global economy, covering a broad range of enterprises, sectors and stakeholders.
All the indications are that tourism will continue growing in the years to come. With this
growth, a diversification of tourism products and destinations is taking place, with increased
demand for nature-related tourism. Tourists themselves are becoming increasingly sophisticated
in their demands, seeking more than pure leisure and relaxation.
The Godavari River :
Godavari is the largest river of all peninsular rivers in India. It has a total drainage area of
312,812 square km of which 48.6% lies in Maharashtra, 23.8% in Andhra Pradesh (AP), 18.7%
in Chattisgarh, 5.5% in Orissa, 2% in Madhya Pradesh (MP) and 1.4 % in Karnataka. Principal
tributaries of Godavari are Pranhita, Indravati and Sabari. All these tributaries drain water from
high rainfall areas (i.e. more than 100 cm annual rain fall) except the main river Godavari. These
tributaries contribute 80% flow of the total river. The average yearly water flow in Godavari is
nearly 110 billion cubic meters. Pranhita drains Vidarbha region and joins the main river near
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*Assistant Professor, DTHHM, Indira Gandhi National Tribal Univeristy, Amarkantak,M.P.

Kaleswaram temple town in AP at 95 meters Mean Sea Level (m MSL). Indravati traverses
through parts of Orissa and southern part of Chattisgarh and joins main river upstream of
proposed inter state dam project at Inchampalli in AP. Sabari drains from parts of Orissa and
Chattisgarh and joins the main river upstream of proposed Polavaram dam in AP. Trying to
surprise the guests with more than just a holiday in East & West Godavari districts. , the
unforgettable memories are made of. No wonder hundreds of globetrotter choose to travel only
with Anand Tourism in Rajahmundry. At the very outset we used to provide only Papikondalu
trip to the tourists of Rajahmundry but later on we expanded our tourism into several packages
like Mada forests, Maredumilli trip, kolluru package.etc..Our tours capture that quintessential
magic of East & West Godavari districts like no one else can: Its archaeological splendor, lush
vegetation, stunning mountains, hill stations, wildlife and bird sanctuary, forts and palaces,
pilgrim centers, festivals and floating through the river Godavari and backwaters River Godavari
took main role in our tourism spots like papi hills, Badrachalam package ad many more packages
which leads with boat on the river Godavari during the journey. The boat journey will definitely
make the guests memorable by stirring moments of enjoying the nature in vicinity. The origin of
the river Godavari is at Triambakam, which is in the Nasik District of Maharastra state.
TheGodavari River passes through various districts of Andhra Pradesh and reaches
Rajahmundry. At Rajahmundry Godavari is known as Akhanda Godavari, later it branches into
seven streams and merges with the sea. The Godavari Pushkarams are celebrated when the
transition of the planet Jupiter (Brihaspathi) into Simha Rasi (Leo). These pushkarams was held
from 30.7.2003 to 10.8.2003. For Every 12 years the Pushkaras are being celebrated. Lakhs of
pilgrims will take a holy dip in the river Godavari during Pushkaras. We are providing so many
packages to the tourists of Rajahmundry. Our main objective is that every tourist should aware

of the immensity of East and West Godavari districts. For this we will make them aware by
giving guidance while the tourists are visiting the particular places. Our main vision is to serve
the best and memorable trips with all the full information of each place to every tourist. The
famous places in and around East & West godavari districts
Rajamundry is located approximately 400 kilometres east ofHyderabad, on the banks of the
River Godavari. Rajahmundry has tropical climate and therefore does not experience distinct
seasons. Since it is a city of temples and a tourist centre, it contributes to the development of the
tourism industry. To attract tourists, sophisticated infrastructure like suitable accommodations,
transport, banking facilities, and catering services are providedIt is one of the highly populated
cities on Flood Plains of the Godavari and is the abode of innumerable deities. The city
flourished socially, culturally and economically with availability of abundant resources such as
waters of Godavari, fertile soil,manganese,forest products etc.
The prevalent practice of Intensive Farming is also found there. Intensive farming isthe
involvement of large number of labour on a limited area of land. The land is very fertile and is
used to raise crops such as corn, paddy, banana, tobacco, chillies, coconut, etc. Commercial
framing is gradually pickingup its pace as well. Thisis practiced to a great extentin palmoil
plantations where nuts are processed to extract oil.Hence itisrawmaterial forthe palmoil industry.
Sailing in the Godavari is a thrilling experience. While boating students get the memorable
experience of seeing the formations ofsand banks, meanders and levees. In the course of boating
fromdownstreamto upstreamthe depth of water suddenly becomes very deep and this helps in
avoiding untoward incidents. In oursailing we came across a point where the river became very
narrow, and current ofthe water was comparatively high. Thatspotis popularly known as
PapiKondalu and it hasmanymythological links. Linear pattern of permanent, temporary and

seasonal settlements are found on both sides of the banks. The inhabitants on these banks are
Tribal and theirlivelihood is fishing, cultivation, collecting forest products, hunting wild boar,
and marketing their surplus products. The tribal people are involved in subsistence farming to
sustain themselves and their families. Lift irrigation system is prevalent on the banks of the river,
according to this system large tracks of land are irrigated. Another salient feature of the tribal
culture is the practice of the Barter System.Goods are exchanged on every Sunday and ideal
place formarketing is on a large sand bank Many dams are constructed across Godavari for
various purposes. The most gigantic among them,Pollavarum Project, was conceived around 50
years ago. It is a multipurpose project which provides irrigation facilities, generation of hydro
electricity, checks floods, supplies drinking water, fisheries, navigation, etc. On the other hand
the feasibility of this project was questioned by the High Power Committee and the cost of the
project was found to be not viable by some experts. During the tenure of the Chief Minister,
Rajashekar Reddy, this project was revived and its feasibility was reassessed in the light of the
latest technology which was not found 50 years ago. His manifesto of Jala Yagna, was
announced to the community. Though there were protests by the environmentalists, the Ministry
of Environment gave the clearance for launching the project. Of course it will take some 15 to 20
years for this project to be completed. Large area that would be submerged in the project.
Another drawback would be that activities that have been carried on for ages would vanish along
with the grandeur of the river that stretches across a vast area around PapiKondalu.
We visited an Ashram which looks afterthe welfare of the tribal people. The ashram trains them
to make beautiful artefacts out of bamboo so that they can make a living. In the process of
rehabilitation the tribal life is many times disturbed and these people sometimes find it difficult
to adapt to the changing lifestyle. When few tribal people were interviewed they were very

pessimistic regarding this rehabilitation and compensation scheme. Thus they do not seem to be
positively inclined towards this project. On the other hand city people expressed their happiness,
as they feel thatthisscheme allowsthe tribal people to have a brighterfuture.In the course of our
discussion we arrived at the conclusion that this project has both merits and demerits. The ratio
of the merits and demerits needs to be considered before arriving at a decision regarding the
implementation of this project. The opinion of a vast majority of people needs to be taken before
a valid conclusion can be reached, but we should rely on only those meritsthat evolve out
ofscientific accuracy
Infrastructure development plays a significant role in economic growth. The economic
infrastructure encompasses a number of services which foster commercial activities, production
and consumption. These services include water management, power and electricity,
telecommunications, sewage and sanitation, gas, roads, railways, ports, airports, and financial
services such as banking, industrial and commercial development, tourism and entertainment
centers and other segments River Cruises Most popular River Cruise on River Godavari
between Pattiseema and Papikondalu is being operated attracting huge number of tourists. The
introduction of the river cruise on the Godavari has stimulated many a private entrepreneur to
operate similar cruises on the Godavari. The cruise offers a unique experience of a boat ride for
over four hours and bring back the tourists to Pattiseema in the evening. Two days package with
night stay in tented camp along the banks of the Godavari near Kollur enroute to Papikondalu
also arranged for tourists. A Twin deck cruise (120 seater) introduced (Haritha) with lower Deck
A/c is presently operating in Godavari river in addition to FRP boats. Houseboats In addition to
he pleasure cruises, 5 airconditioned house boats are being operated, which offer a unique
experience similar to the backwaters of Kerala. The House Boats are equipped with two

bedrooms and a deck to laze through the day along the serene and picturesque Godavari in East
Godavari District
Conclusion:
In particular, the chapter described the main features of the Polavaram dam project, drawing
particular attention to the disputes that it arises and the negative effects it will have on the
affected population. It emerged that large part of the problematic aspects of the project depend
on the fact that the submersion area is safeguarded by the Fifth Schedule of

the Indian

Constitution and the majority of the affected people belong to SCs and STs.
Resettlement in Polavaram, looking at its policy and legal framework of reference, as well as its
state of implementation. This examination allows some considerations on the conformity of the
PRRP with the aforementioned policy and legal framework, as well as a preliminary assessment
of its performance.
Polavaram
displacement

First, the evidence provided so far thus suggests that resettlement in

conforms to the existing legal and policy framework, acknowledges that