Ramnagar fort with Ekaant at The EPIC Channel

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Ramnagar, a fort that is ignored and devalued in Jammu & Kashmir, holds the story of antiquities that defines the region. To know more, don’t miss #Ekaant 

Perception of Local Residents About Heritage of Ramnagar as a Tourism Product (By Chander Bhushan)

Although based on proximity and the type of relationship local residents and tourist develop with protected areas, it has been assumed that there are certain differences in attitudes, perceptions and willingness to pay to support heritage conservation, no research has been investigating both viewpoints toward a protected area. As far as the researcher knows, no research has investigated both viewpoints about a protected area. This research not only confirms differences between local residents and tourists but also help to gain insight into the extent of the differences between the two categories by identifying the proximate causes and driving forces behind existing attitudes, perceptions and willingness to pay.

The results of this research regarding knowledge and awareness levels, attitudes and perceptions and willingness to pay to support conservation within Ram Nagar town, reinforce the significant of local.  Although both local residents and tourists appear to have the similar levels of knowledge of the importance of the protected area, their overall attitudes toward

Ram Nagar archaeological sites are strikingly different. Tourists have significantly more positive attitudes and would be more willing to pay to support conservation efforts within the protected area when compared with local residents. Existing attitudes toward Ramnagar archaeological sites are strongly influenced by an individual's awareness of the importance of the protected area and by their overall concern with issues.

Although both categories queried are aware that the main purpose of Ramnagar archaeological sites or heritage site is  conservation, awareness and concern levels are significantly local residents. Overall tourists are more concerned with cultural issues than local residents, and thus are more aware of the importance of Ram Nagar heritage in  conservation. This translates into more positive attitudes from tourists toward Ram Nagar archaeological in terms of satisfaction levels with the existence of the protected area and to develop archaeological sites as a tourism product.

In addition to awareness and concern levels, the results of this research showed that the perceived level of benefits to the area from the existence of Ram Nagar heritage perceived by local residents has a considerable impact on overall attitudes. Considering that local residents have a more realistic perception of the benefits to the area than tourists and their livelihood is directly impacted by the existence - or lack thereof- of benefits, the considerably low level of perceived benefits has contributed to unfavourable views regarding Ramnagar. Although perceived benefits by tourists to the area from the existence of the protected area are low as well, this did not alter their overall views of heritage as their livelihoods are not impacted by any aspects of the local environment. Results showed that differences between local residents and tourists are very substantial regarding an individual's willingness to pay to support conservation within Ramnagar archaeological sites. These results support this research, that local residents are significantly less in their willingness to pay to support conservation efforts than tourists. In addition to the age and income variables, the fact that currently local residents are exempt of paying entrance fees to Ram Nagar  and that there are no financial compensations or incentives to stimulate local support for conservation, might have influenced local respondents in manifesting resistance toward financially supporting conservation in Ram Nagar. While support from local residents is low, the majority of tourists seemed to be in favour of paying significantly higher entrance fees to support conservation. Although the consensus of previous economic valuations based on such welfare measures such as the willingness to pay is that respondents have the tendency to overstate these hypothetical amounts, increasing the entrance fee to a much lower amount than the one suggested by both respondent groups would still generate significantly higher revenue than the current entrance fee.

Local residents have the advantage of being located within close proximity to Ram Nagar heritage  and thus have the potential to develop a stronger relationship with the protected area than tourists do, but this does not translate into having more positive attitudes

and showing greater support for conservation.

On the contrary, due to their proximity their relationship with the protected area is mainly driven by ownership rights or direct benefits from relying on natural resources located on land areas included in the territory Ram Nagar heritage.

 Restrictions imposed on local residents and the lack of financial compensations or incentives to encourage local's support for conservation has significantly impacted their overall view of the protected area. Improving overall views of the protected area as well as increasing conservation effectiveness may be attained by including attitudes, perceptions and for ASI in future conservation policies. Although significant of local residents do exist in terms of their attitudes and ASI’s, taking into consideration their different viewpoints may generate potential benefits to the protected area and increase its effectiveness in conservation.

The results of this research suggest that involving local residents in the management of the protected area and providing financial compensations and incentives has the potential to increase social support for conservation and increase conservation effectiveness.

In addition, including tourist’s financial support and optimizing entrance fees according to their willingness to pay for supporting conservation, would generate significantly more revenue for Ramnagar heritage, thus increasing the protected area's possibilities of becoming financially sustainable.

Written By:  Chander Bhushan

Ram Nagar Palace, Jammu and Kashmir,India

Ramnagar palaces were constructed by the Bandral lords but they were renovated and constructed by Raja (King) Suchet Singh, Where he used to reside and also a fort on the chaugan which was held by a garrison. On his death in Lahore in 1844A.D. his ranis became sati, and the spot was marked by a garden. As he died issueless the jagir reverted to Jammu. At a later time it was granted as a Chief to Raja (King) Ram Singh, second son of MahaRaja (King) Ranbir Singh, and on his demise without the male heir, it again became merged in the Jammu state. The paintings of the palaces demonstrate that Raja (King) Suchet Singh like Raja (King) Sanasar Chand II of Kangra was a connoisseur of Bandral School of pahari paintings. The wall- paintings of the palaces reveal the socio-cultural, religious, political and economic history of the areas. Moreover, paintings depict the military achievement of the Raja (King) Suchet Singh and his lifestyle.