Cultural Landscape is a Power of Increasing the Beauty of the Natural Landscape and It is an Attraction to the Traveller for Visits the Tourists Places: A Study in West Bengal Major Tourist Spots Cultural Landscape

Abstract

The study mainly focused on the cultural landscape’s impact on the tourism spots in West Bengal and it is really effective to attraction power to the travellers. The article mainly represents cultural landscape refers to the modification of the natural landscape by human activities and it is increase the beauty of the tourists spots. we have directly contact to some travellers for collection their satisfactory level and observation their main subject to create an attraction for a specific tourist places and collection the data and more information to use internet websites. We are using FDGs method, online survey, questionnaire survey and GIS software for using secondary data collection. We showing the major tourist spots of West Bengal, such as Darjeeling, Sundarbans, Santiniketan, Dooars, Bishnupur and Purulia. In those places we observed their natural beauty and elements of cultural landscape increase the beauty of environment. And represents to analysis of this think that culture is a key to the development of natural landscape and attraction to the travellers to those places. And this study helps to deployment of these places for visiting large amount travellers.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

Cultural landscapes are a powerful force in enhancing the beauty of natural landscapes, blending human history, traditions, and architecture with the environment. These areas often become major attractions for travelers, as they offer not just scenic beauty but also a deep connection to the culture, heritage, and history of a place. By visiting such landscapes, tourists can experience a unique fusion of nature and human influence, which adds to the richness and allure of tourist destinations.

In West Bengal, cultural landscape play a significant role in making natural landscapes attractive to travellers. The fusion of cultural elements with natural beauty creates a unique and captivating experience for tourists, drawing them to explore the diverse offerings of the region. This essay aims to explore the impact of cultural landscapes on tourism in West Bengal, highlighting how they enhance the appeal of natural landscapes and contribute to the overall tourism experience.

Cultural work is a one of the key for preserve the particular region characteristic. And highlighted  the traditional rituals. West Bengal particular known as for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional music, dance, art and cuisine. By showcasing these cultural elements in the context of natural landscape, tourists are able to immerse themselves in the local culture and gain a deeper appreciation for the region. For example, the annual Durga puja festival, celebrated  with great fervor in West Bengal, not only adds vibrancy to the natural landscape but also provides a unique cultural experience for visitors.

Furthermore, cultural landscape in West Bengal often serve as a gateway to understanding the history and the heritage of the region. Historical sites, such as Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, Buxa fort a historical landmark in Buxa Hill Forest, terracotta temples of Bishnupur it is a tradition and historical sites, Santiniketan of Bolpur represents educational historical concept etc.

So we are try to analysis the cultural works and impact on natural landscape and how to significant role of increasing the beauty of the tourists places and showing these matter to make an attraction to the travellers. And we showing directly or indirectly to development of this places for in future large amount travellers can visits these places.

II. SELECTION OF THE STUDY AREA

The selection of study area is mainly represented the state of West Bengal major tourists spots, such as Darjeeling, Santiniketan, Dooars, Bishnupur, and Purulia. These places are unique combination of rich cultural heritage, geographical diversity, tourism potential and strong interaction between cultural and natural landscape. These  regions offer a comprehensive landscape to analyze how cultural elements enhance the natural landscape’s beauty, making them attractive to travellers.

III. OBJECTIVE THE STUDY

The cultural landscape significantly enhances the natural beauty of various tourist places in West Bengal such as Santiniketan, Dooars, Darjeeling, Bishnupur, and Purulia, making them highly attractive to travelers. The combination of historical, artistic, and cultural elements with natural landscapes creates a unique, enriched experience for tourists, increasing the appeal of these destinations. The objective of this study is to analyze and understand the role of cultural landscapes in enhancing the natural beauty of key tourist destinations in West Bengal and how this synergy makes these places attractive to travelers. The study aims to:

1. Explore the Interplay of Culture and Nature: Investigate how cultural elements such as festivals, historical architecture, traditional art forms, and local customs complement and enhance the natural landscapes of these regions.
2. Evaluate the Tourist Appeal: Analyze why tourists are attracted to destinations where culture and nature are closely integrated, offering a multi-dimensional experience that goes beyond scenic beauty.
3. Highlight the Cultural Contributions: Identify how cultural practices, historical monuments, and local heritage contribute to the overall aesthetic and experiential quality of the natural environment in places like Santiniketan, Dooars, Darjeeling, Bishnupur, and Purulia.
4. Assess Cultural Preservation and Tourism: Examine the role of tourism in preserving and promoting cultural landscapes, and how sustainable tourism practices can support the preservation of both cultural and natural heritage.
5. Propose Tourism Development Strategies: Recommend ways to leverage the cultural landscapes of these regions to attract more tourists while ensuring that the cultural and natural environments are respected and conserved.

The study seeks to demonstrate that cultural landscapes not only enhance the aesthetic beauty of natural environments but also create a richer tourist experience, making West Bengal a prime destination for both cultural and nature-based tourism. By understanding this synergy, the study aims to highlight the importance of preserving cultural landscapes as a means to sustain tourism and heritage in the region.

IV. METHODOLOGY

Cultural landscapes enhance the beauty of natural landscapes and attract tourists in West Bengal's key tourist areas such as Santiniketan, Dooars, Darjeeling, Bishnupur, and Purulia. We are use method for studying this things, such as Focus Group Discussion, online survey, questionnaire survey and using the GIS software for collection the secondary data. FGDs method, online survey, questionnaire survey applied in this study because to understand how communities themselves perceive the interaction between their cultural practices and the natural environment and it is influence in tourism. We are mainly focus on this study that cultural elements is play role of significant to enhancing the beauty of the natural landscape and this matter more attractive to the travellers and attracts them more to visit those places.

V. DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

In West Bengal, cultural landscape is paly attracting travelers to natural landscape. The fusion of cultural elements with natural beauty creates a unique experiences for tourists. This study will explore “how to cultural landscape enhance the attractiveness of natural landscape in West Bengal major tourists spots”. In West Bengal, tourists are visits and explore different region. One of the keys ways in which cultural landscapes make natural landscape attractive to travelers is through the preservation of traditional culture. West Bengal is known as ‘rich cultural heritage’, including music, dance, art, and cuisine. When these cultural elements are integrated into natural landscape, they provide visitors with deeper understanding of the region.

A. West Bengal’s major tourist spots & there cultural landscape

1. Darjeeling: Darjeeling is a district of northern region of West Bengal. Darjeeling region is a part of Siwalik Himalaya. Scenic beauty is tea gardens, which was attracted to the visitors. So here major cultural activity is tea cultivation on hilly region and use different scientific techniques. And it is enhance the natural beauty of whole of the Darjeeling tourism area. Here colonial-era architecture and local culture, and including Tibetan monasteries and markets. And determinism concept is reflects by the local people’s lifestyle. So these cultural elements are increase the beauty of Darjeeling and inaugurate the natural landscape, for this matter is extremely playing to attract the travelers.
2. Sundarbans: Sndarbans located in the district of southern part of south 24 parganas of West Bengal. The Sundarban’s mangrove forest, one of the largest forest in the world, lies on the delta of Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. Sundarbans is a biggest area and extend to the southern part of Bangladesh. But here highlights Indian’s  part of Bangladesh. Here living tribal communities have a unique way of life that is connected to the natural environment. The sundarbans is home to many ancient temples, shrines and mosques. The sundarbans is a land of myths and legends, including the forest of ‘Bonbibi’, the protector of the forest. Here traditional art was made a cultural landscape, such as music, dance and handicrafts, including the art of Patachitra. The local cuisine is a very important part of the culture such as fish fry & curry, prawn malai curry, and pitha etc. And here Bengal tigers is famous. So these cultural elements are attraction’s subject to the visitors and its beauty represents the scenario of Sundarbans to visitors. At last sundarbans cultural landscape was inaugurate to the natural landscape, increases attraction of travelers and tourism industry is  rapidly increase.
3. Terracotta Temples OF Bishnupur: Bishnupur, a town  in the district of Bankura, of West Bengal, was famous for ‘TERRACOTTA TEMPLE’ these temples are renowned for their intricate terracotta(back day) carvings and unique architecture style. And elements of this architecture is Bengali, Islamic, Orissan. Built between 17th -18th centuries by the Malla kings. The temples were dedicated to the Hindu Deities, particularly Lord Vishnu & Shiva. The famous temple of Bishnupur is RASHMANCHA(built in 1600,pyramidal structure), MADANMAHAN TEMPLE(its known for elegant terracotta work), JOR BANGLA TEMPLE(famous for its ‘do-chala’), SHYAM RAI TEMPLE(also known as pancha ratna and design by terracotta panels). Terracotta pottery and conch shell carving are also key elements of Bishnupur’s craft traditions. So these elements are key part for makes attraction to the travellers and elements are enhance the beauty of the natural landscape.
4. Dooars: The Dooars region in west Bengal is another captivating cultural landscape that draws tourists with its blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Dooars located in the foothills of the eastern Himalaya, this region also known as gateway of “Bhutan”. Here dense forests, tea garden, rivers and cultural works of local people to make attraction to the travellers. This region is home to various indigenous tribes such as, the Rajbanshi, Lepcha, Garo, and Bodo each with unique tradition, languages and festivals. Their vibrant cultural practices, folk songs, dances, and craftsmanship enrich the region’s cultural landscape. The travellers can experience tribal festivals like Manasha puja and Tushu Parab. But here we can see natural landscape is make a attraction to the travellers because have several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks such as Jaldapara National park, Gorumara National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve. But the Bhutanese influence in the region is strong, given its proximity to Bhutan. The bhuddhist monasteries scattered throughout the region the region. It is significant cultural and spiritual landmarks. These sites offer insight into the Tibetan bhuddhist way in life, attracting spiritual seekers and tourists alike. The Dooars region offers a rich cultural landscape shaped by its indigenous communities, tea estates, religious diversity and close relationship with natural environment. And these elements are makes attraction to the travellers. It is a very interesting that to create an opportunities to engage in both cultural exploration and adventure tourism.     
5. Shantiniketan: Shantiniketan, a unique cultural landscape which was inaugurated to the natural landscape and to makes attraction to the travellers. Located in Birbhum District. Its represent the deep connection literature, art, and education. Shantiniketan is synonymous with Visva-Bharati University, establishment by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921. The university emphasize a blend of traditional Indian education and modern learning, with open air class room that connect education with nature. Travellers are drawn to the unique approach to education, where students and teachers interact closely with the natural environment. Here we can see the nature is truly friend of culture because in this area always peaceful, rural landscape, with lush greenery and a serene atmosphere that complements its cultural depth. Here hosts several annual cultural events such as, Poush mela, Basant Utsav, and it is home of Baul tradition. These elements were connected with the human life and nature, and natural landscape’s beauty increases. So here the travellers coming for seeing the mixed with culture and environment, physically feel the beautiful scenario of rural and urban area’s link point with environmental elements.
6. Purulia: Purulia is a plateau region of Chotonagpur, located in west Bengal’s western part, it is an individual district of west Bengal state. Here travellers coming for seeing the natural beauty of plateau area and local communities culture. Purulia is known for its rugged terrain, picturesque hills, forests, and rich tribal cultural, which together make the region an interesting blend of nature and human heritage. Here are key aspects of Purulia’s cultural landscape that add to its natural beauty, Chhau Dance, Tribal villages and their culture, Terracotta temple(Pakbirra, Telkupi), Ajodhya Hills, Charida(the mask village, produced chhau dance’s mask), Dams(panchet Dam),lakes(Saheb Bandh). These element is make an attraction to the travellers and the cultural landscape significantly enhances the region’s natural beauty. And increases the beauty of the plateau region. Purulia offers travellers an immersive experience where culture and nature coexist harmoniously, making it an increasingly popular destination in west Bengal.

Conclusion

We also know that culture is a manmade matter and it is perform as an identity of particular region of the Earth and man made these cultural matter by using directly or indirectly the environmental elements. So in West Bengal cultural matter is an increase the natural landscape’s beauty and we understand these matter above the text. In west Bengal cultural landscapes of places like Santiniketan, Dooars, Darjeeling, Bishnupur, Purulia, and Sundarbans are key to enhancing the natural beauty of these regions. Weather through the traditional art forms, historic monuments, festival rituals or tribal rituals, these cultural elements marge with the landscape, creating the immersive and visually stunning experience for travellers. And this cultural landscape not only attractive to the travellers for seeing the and feeling the environment of different but also making the deeply contact to the environmental elements, so it can strongly said that travellers are not to travel cultureless place, people were traveled right there places where man made a beautiful cultural landscape on the natural landscape.

References

[1] Chakraborty, Anindita.”Cultural Landscape of West Bengal: A study of Santiniketan.” Journal of Cultural Geography, vol.38, no. 2, 2019, pp.145-162. [2] Mukherjee, Suman. “Exploring the cultural Landscape of Darjeeling: A case study.” International Journal of Heritage studies, vol.25,no. 4, 2020, pp. 321-335. [3] Roy, Subrata. “Preserving the Cultural Landscpae Of Bishnupur: Challenges and opportunities.” Journal of Conservation and Management, vol. 12, no. 3, 2018, pp.. 201-215. [4] Sarkar, Anirban. “Tribal Culture and the Cultural Landscape of Purulia: A case study” Journal of Anthropological Research, vol. 45, no. 1, 2017, pp. 78-92.

Copyright

Copyright © 2024 Pritam Ghosh . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.