Exotic beaches, a rich heritage, scenic mountains and even a hot air balloon ride over a world’s wonder… Welcome to Incredible India. Earlier people used to buy an air ticket and fly abroad to see and experience these things. But for the last few years domestic tourism has gathered a tremendous growth and more and more Indians are choosing Indian places instead of foreign destinations. From the time immemorial to many people India is considered as a land of rich heritage, culture and history.

Whether it is British, Mughals, Afghans or Portuguese India still blossoms with a touch and mix of these cultures together in one place. This rich culture of India has played such a strong role in rising index of tourism in India that it can be seen from the fact that the Indian government has set up Ministry of tourism and culture. Aim of this ministry is to promote cultural tourism in India. According to the World travel and tourism council tourism generated around 6.4 trillion USD or say 6.6% of nations GDP in 2012. It provides employment to over 39.5 million people and around 7.7% of total employment in the country.

A report by travel and tourism competitiveness states that India stands at 65^th place in tourism out of the 144 countries. Moreover India’s receipt from tourism was ranked 17^th in the world. So, such a large industry can make a rapid growth if we promote Indian culture and heritage globally. India is the country with unity and diversity. India is a beautiful amalgamation of religions, regions, languages, believes, customs, traditions and even different foods and music. Over the decades and centuries India has preserved its cultural heritage, be it architectural extravagance of its forts, palaces and havelis, or various religious influences as seen in various temples, mosques, churches or gurudwaras, or even traditional folk music and dance.

Considering all this, India is the most preferred place to visit to experience all these diverse things at one place. But there is also a different side to this story. Our environment is taking a big hit with rising tourism. For example the Pangong lake in Ladakh is being polluted at such a rapid rate that the average temperature of that place has risen considerably. With such a blooming industry we need to control its side effects on our environment.

Thus culture can be used as a catalyst in the growth of tourism in India but with a responsibility to control environmental pollution and hence the global warming in the country.

Arun Dahiya