Geographical Influence on Tourism Potential: ...

Geographical Influence on Tourism Potential: A Case Study of Ratnagiri District

Author Name : Dr. Priya Rajesh Parkar

ABSTRACT

During medieval period, Ratnagiri district of Konkan had many busiest well-known ports like Ratnagiri, Jaigad, Dabhol, Rajapur. As the part of Konkan region, this district was prosperous and had trans-oceanic relations with foreign countries. Rivers from the district were used as the trade arteries to carry goods from the hinterlands of Maharashtra state to the ports located to the coastal areas. Various dynasties ruled over the district and brought prosperity to the land. The maritime location, navigable rivers, well-developed ports and dense forest contributed to the development of the region. This proves that geography of the region had played crucial role in the prosperity of the area.The development policies of British established Bombay (now Mumbai) as competitor portal city and manufacturing centre, dragged the manpower and natural resources of Ratnagiri district. Over a period Ratnagiri district faced depopulated villages,over exploited forest resources, silted ports, neglected agriculture,and industrial backwardness which results in poor employment opportunities and chronic povertyof the region and changedthe commercial scenario. Gradually, Ratnagiri region became impoverished. Now, Ratnagiri district is making paradigm shift from its old trade function to tourism related service sector by deploying its geographical resources.The geography of district offers unique tourism resources like dotted pocket beaches, scenery, sites with historical forts, waterfalls, forests, geysers which are essential ingredients for sustainable tourism development. This study highlights how distinct geography of Ratnagiri district has tremendous potential for tourism development and also performs SWOT analysis for identifying the criteria of sustainable tourism.

Keywords: Ratnagiri district, geography, tourism potential, beaches, forts, hot water springs