Bani Chatterjee

The Evolution of Offshore Outsourcing in India

Outsourcing is an age-old practice whereas offshore outsourcing is relatively new. Issues related to offshore outsourcing came into centre stage along with the process of globalization. Offshore outsourcing of services is the result of economic and technological developments across countries. This became popular in India after the economic liberalization process. The present article makes an attempt to lay an integrative ground work for understanding outsourcing, including its evolution, theoretical developments and future trends. The article presents a comprehensive framework of critical dimensions of outsourcing as well as offshore outsourcing in India along with the comparative advantages and disadvantages of offshore outsourcing in today‘s time.

Ecotourism and Empowerment: A Case Analysis of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India

Ecotourism is a type of sustainable tourism that aims at conservation of the environment through development of the indigenous communities. Development of the communities not only refers to economic development, but also to social as well as cultural development. The present study is an attempt to address the socio-cultural impact of ecotourism to the locals in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary (BKWS), Odisha, which is an important ecotourism site in India for its rich and varied biodiversity. Through a case analysis, the study endeavours to find out whether ecotourism has been able to empower the locals socially as well culturally. The study finds that ecotourism has come as an economic rescuer for many people who do not have a wide avenue of earning. With the creation of employment opportunities, locals have been made aware of participation in community development programme. Several institutions such as eco-development committees (EDCs) have come up in adjacent villages, and locals are made members of EDCs. However, these EDCs have not been very effective to empower the locals because of their lack of education and skill. From community participation to education and skill development, from infrastructure to awareness campaigns, there is a lot of effort needed by the government. Thus, proper policies are to be formulated for an inclusive ecotourism approach in BKWS, one which is socio-economically effective, culturally advanced and environmentally sustainable.

LIVELIHOOD IN BHITARKANIKA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, INDIA: AN IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF ECOTOURISM PRACTICES

The present study examines the livelihood impact of ecotourism policy in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary (BKWS), Odisha, India. Results confirm that ecotourism has created several employment opportunities for the locals and the participants earn better compared to the non-participants. However, the locals suffer due to man-animal conflict and the non-participants suffer the most as farming is their major occupation. Crop damage and livestock depredation by wild animals cause a great economic loss to the villagers. The losses often result in aggravating poverty, food insecurity, additional expenses for investing on mitigating measures and consequently diminished state of socio-economic wellbeing. Thus proper measures can go a long way in founding a better relationship between the forest department and the villagers.

Does Infrastructure Affect Human Development? Evidences from Odisha, India

In pursuit of achieving and maintaining high human development, infrastructure is said to play a critical role. The present paper examines the spatial disparities in infrastructural facilities and human development across 30 districts of Odisha, and consequently, tries to find out the impact of infrastructure on human development in the state. The study records significant regional disparities in the level of human development as well as infrastructural development in Odisha. It applies panel data model to examine the effects of composite infrastructure index and its individual components on human development and its three dimensions. The study establishes close linkage between infrastructure and human development. Telecommunication, postal services, village electricity, banking, school, PTR and drinking water facilities play significant roles in the process of attaining high level of human development. The less developed districts of Odisha are primarily dominated by tribal population. In order to achieve high and sustained human development, the state needs to prioritize its efforts towards infrastructure creation for these regions.