To ensure sustainable rural development and food security, Jambani of Jhargram district made its debut as a rural tourism destination recently on World Tourism Day at Jamdahri Village of Dhadsa Gram Panchayat of Block. Tropical Institute of Earth and Environmental Research – an Environmental research organization and Global Forum for Sustainable Rural Development are planning environmentally friendly and public welfare projects.
A one-day international conference was also held on World Tourism Day alongside the launch of the Rural Tourism Forum. In the presence of other guests, the rural tourism site was inaugurated by Additional District Magistrate Govind Dutta on behalf of the District Magistrate.
Prof. Dr. Pranab Sahu, Secretary of the organizing organization, welcomed everyone on the occasion. The meeting was chaired by the president of the organization Professor Vinay Chand.
Prof. Sushant Chakraborty, Honorary Vice Chancellor of Vidyasagar University was present as the chief guest and main speaker. Dr. Om Katel, Head, Centre for Climate Change and Environment Research, Royal University of Bhutan was present as international guest of honor and keynote speaker.
Sadhu Ram Chand Murmu, Jhargram University Registrar and Jhargram Raj College Principal Dr. Devnararan Roy, International Agricultural Scientist Professor Dr. Kanchan Bhowmik, Director of Human Resource Development Center of Calcutta University were present as honorable guests.
Lakshmi Narayan Satpati, Head of Department of Tourism Management of Burdwan University. Mir Ali Safiq, Principal of Vishnupur Ramanand College, Dr. Swapna Ghorui, Professor of Vidyasagar University. Devdulal Banerjee, Kapgari College Principal Dr. Debprasad Sahu, Jhargram District Additional Superintendent of Police Syed Muhammad Mahmudul Hasan, Jhargram Raj Family Representative Durgesh Malladev, Rani Indira Devi Women’s College Acting Dr. Sushil Barman, District Tourism Officer Muhammad Alim Ansari, Jamboni Block Development Officer Debbrat Jana, police station IC Biswajit Biswas and village panchayat Bimalendu Mahato along with other dignitaries were also present.
Dr. Jayanta Choudhury, Head of Department of Rural Studies of Tripura University, wished the success of this program even though he could not attend.
Prof. Pranab Sahu, editor and organizing secretary of Environmental Research Organization, said, ‘Jamdahari village bordering under Dhadsa village panchayat of Jhargram district Jambani block has been accepted as an adopted village from June 2020 during the Covid epidemic period.
During the last four years sustainable agriculture, fish farming, protein farm, nursery hub, fruit garden, nutrition garden, vegetable and spice garden and handicrafts etc. have been developed and initiated. Improvements have been made in solving drinking water problems, improving roads, electricity services etc.
Above all, initiatives have been taken for rural development and human resource development. Considerable initiative and improvement has been employed among the villagers.
Wrapped in a beautiful natural beauty, serene village, organic and native vegetables, and the sincerity of the villagers and their own folk culture are ideals for developing rural tourism.
“So this is our idea. Our main goal is to ensure sustainable development and food security of this village. And to put Jhargram district i.e. Jamdahari village on the world map”, speakers asserted.
Principals, professors, researchers and students of various universities of the district and state were present on the occasion. About three hundred and fifty villagers were present.
Villagers Dilip Mandi and Santu Mahato said fifteen volunteers and villagers decorated the village for fifteen days. Fifteen stalls, bullock carts, swings, fishing piers, organic food, flute music, folk songs and dances and theme songs were important parts of the day’s festivities.
The program was started by pouring water on saplings to convey the message of environmental protection. Different styles of folk music and folk dances are performed by local artistes at different times of the day.
