Rustic Dadra & Nagar Haveli (D&NH), a small union territory wedged between Maharashtra and Gujarat, despite its size, certainly has the makings of a great tourism product. Over the last few years, D&NH has been multiplying its tourism fortunes, by strategically presenting new tourism offerings to tap the growing domestic market, says Raadia Mukadam

Dadra & Nagar Haveli (D&NH) has made rapid strides in tourism, to be reckoned as a great destination for both the inbound and domestic tourists. Though the growth of tourism in D&NH cannot be called meteoric, but with paltry budgetary allocation to promote tourism, it has been slowly but steadily climbing the popularity charts as a sought after destination in western India.

Tourism has been on the forefront of development since the merger of D&NH in to the Indian Union a decade ago and it being accorded Union Territory status. Says A D Nikam, assistant conservator of forests and tourism in-charge, D&NH Tourism, "The picturesque locales, lush green environment and clean pollution free atmosphere has worked as an ideal combination for development of tourism. The rustic tribal charm blending with thick forests, running streams, cascading waterfalls and a kaleidoscope of flora and fauna attract both inbound and domestic tourists. The administration has therefore made conscious efforts in developing tourism by creating requisite infrastructure on one hand and new tourist attractions on the other hand."

According to Nikam, what continues to entice foreigners is essentially the rustic tribal charm of the region, though the international kite-flying festival organised since a few years has also gained in popularity. On the domestic front, he points out that, the fact that this cozy woodland lies only three hours from Mumbai, presenting a destination generously endowed with natural beauty, offering umpteen leisure activities has made it a desirable getaway. "Accessibility of a destination plays a major role in its success as a tourism product and D&NH is very accessible. Vapi (17 km) is the nearest railway station on the Delhi-Ahmedabad-Mumbai route and the national highway number 8 passes by the UT. One can enter D&NH by road from Vapi as well as Bhilad. The nearest international airports are in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, and domestic flights are available from Vadodara too. Also the proximity to Daman, a sister UT, with a common administration also creates a composite tourist product"

Speaking on tourism prospects in the current season, Nikam says, "D&NH witnesses tremendous domestic traffic during the monsoon as it is an ideal weekend getaway from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Our proximity to Mumbai serves us in good stead. Fortunately, monsoon is not an off season for us as more and more tourists are getting lured to our forests and waterfalls in the monsoon." Reiterating this, Iqbal Mulla, managing director, Treasure Tours & Travels P Ltd says, "Disposable income of the domestic market has definitely increased. Besides this market has matured to vacationing as a recreational option and is constantly on the lookout for new destinations. During the monsoon, hill stations of Maharashtra, though beautiful, receive very heavy rainfall and thus many tourists look at other options for weekend getaways. D&NH being close and fairly unexplored serve as an ideal alternative."

Promoting Adventure Tourism

Adventure tourism has been gaining ground in India, and is the fastest growing segment world over. While World Travel Mart (WTM) figures peg the global growth of the segment at 35 per cent compared to 12 per cent for cultural tourism, D&NH is positioning and promoting itself as a destination replete with activities promoting adventure tourism. "While foreign tourists comprised the major bulk of the adventure tourism market, over the past few years there has been a phenomenal increase in the number of domestic tourists opting for an adventure-based holiday. Catering to that market, we have developed water sports like speedboats, kayaks, canoes and water scooters for the more adventurous along with trekking trails for the sporty," informs Nikam. Developing water sports, D&NH tourism has developed a water sports complex at Dudhani, a twenty km drive from Khanvel. The tourist department has set up an ultramodern Aqua Sports Complex upstream from the dam with facilities for water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, speedboats, water scooters and water tricycles.

Using The Forest Cover Effectively

Reserved forests cover 40 per cent of this area with abundant wildlife including panthers and exquisite flora and fauna have been effectively used by D&NH Tourism to develop tourism products that add to the tourism value of the territory. The sprawling Forest-Tourist Complex, Vanvihar located at Chauda, 20 kms from Silvassa is a case in point. Says Nikam,"This tourist complex on the banks of the Sakartod river, meandering past the highly forested hills with vast stretches of lush green meadows, offers opportunities for trekking, has a deer park, trekking cactus house, green house, speedboats, kayaks, canoes and water scooters for the more adventurous. After developing the infrastructure and sporting activities, tourist influx in this region has definitely increased"

The tourism authority recently launched a lion safari park at Vasona on the north-south corridor, to house the endangered Asiatic Lions. "Silvasaa is an area rich in forests and abundant wildlife. With a rise in the population coupled with industrial development, it became necessary to offer better protection to the dwindling wildlife. Besides preserving this species of lions, this is an added tourist attraction for the region. Through this endeavour, we invite all safari lovers to visit and witness wildlife in their natural surroundings," said Nikam. The visitors are reportedly, taken around in vehicles fitted with grills to ensure their safety. The entire area is protected with a seven meters high 2.7 km long chain-link wall and the entry is restricted through two gates to ensure safety of visitors. The internal road circles areas like the watering holes and feeding areas. Whether it is the mini zoo at Silvassa or the deer park that is home to 35 deers, there is sufficient recreation options for kids too, defining this as a family destination.

Hotels & Accommodation

Silvassa, the capital town of the D&NH has several hotels ranging from four star to budget properties. At present, the private sector offers accommodation of 1100 beds in Luxury and 500 bed in ordinary segment. Besides the run of the mill Accommodation the territory also provides exotic tents and health resorts. The Tentage Complex at Dudhani sports luxurious tents pitched right near the waterfront in the backdrop of the lush green Sahyadri hills providing an idyllic setting for the nature lovers. Two bedded tents cost as little as Rs 50 per day. Tourists are provided a wide range of cuisine, including fresh water fish. Other facilities in the complex include dining and recreation tents. Swiss tents with attached toilets are also in the pipeline. The Himaivan Health Resort at Kaucha-Dudhani is a luxury health resort set in the lap of thick forests overlooking the large waterfront, having facilities for naturopathy, meditation, yoga, cycling, water-skiing and sailing. The ‘Jawahar Waterfalls’, about 50 kms from Silvassa, falling from a height of 250 feet, is a crowd puller with its breathtaking view.

Tourist Arrival Figures 1991-2000