Investigating the Feasibility of Shivalik Fossil Park as a National Geopark of India
Subhash ANAND, University of Delhi, India
In northern India, the Shivalik Fossil park in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh state is located within exposures of Shivalik hills in Markanda Valley in lower Himalaya. The present aims sto critically examine the introspect factors that affect the development of geopark and measure the feasibility of Shivalik Fossil park as a national geopark. The study used mixed methods to attain holistic viewpoints and perceptions of the local communities with the help of a primary survey through structured questionnaires and field observations. For the empirical research, 200 respondents were surveyed, out of a total of 200 respondents, 100 local households of different groups along with 100 tourists (50 domestic and 50 foreign tourists) were chosen for the primary survey. All the data collected were put into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented with the help of various statistical methods and techniques. Matrix analysis is used to determine the feasibility of Shivalik Fossil park as a national geopark taking into account 14 parameters to determine the feasibility. The community participation model was prepared to understand the role of local communities in the promotion and development of geopark in this area. The analysis found a negative relationship between an increase in tourism and improvement in the income level of the local community (-0.261), and number of tourists also shows a negative relationship with the expansion of hotels (-0.331) in the study area. The community participation model shows that locals want development but lack of awareness has resulted into low level of participation in the issues related to the park. The feasibility matrix found low feasibility (42) of declaring Shivalik Fossil park as a national geopark but this geoheritage site is certainly a potential geopark site of India. The study suggested many measures and strategies for the sustainable development and sustainability of this fossil park.
Mots clés : Fossil Park|Feasibility|Community|Geopark|Shivalik
A103770SA