Abstract:
Some places are unique amalgamations of historical, cultural, religious and ecological narratives and my thesis site is one of them. It lies at the confluence of Beas and Satluj rivers, popularly known as Harike wildlife sanctuary, Amritsar Punjab. This confluence is also a Sangam of all the three cultures of Punjab ( Majha , Doaba and Malwa). The thesis entitled ecotourism development proposal through wetland conservation and management aims at fulfilling the massive void that exists between these components. Human encroachment into wildlife Sanctuary due to lack of conservation buffers have led to the loss of habitats for rare and threatened species found at Harike. The site carries enormous potential for visual appreciation, which enhances the visitor experience . The presence of Gurudwara is the key attraction for the tourists and pilgrims. Existing circulation spine and lack of eco-tourism infrastructure don’t engage the tourists. Therefore the need was felt to rejuvenate the cultural, ecological and recreational components of the site for enhancing the visitor experience, the conservation of biodiversity and local participation. The thesis thus builds a strong relationship between local communities, visitors and nature.
