Tourists enjoy tea outside a hut and (below) a group from Europe set up tents at Peta, 20km from Jeypore on Machhkund road. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, July 6: Tourists from western countries, mainly from the European Union, are flocking to Orissa. For a change, they are here not to see poverty, but to see how primitive tribal groups live a life of happiness despite their limited resources.

Modern India has many indigenous tribal communities that even today retain their primitive customs. Orissa has the third largest tribal concentration in the country and home to 62 tribes.

The tourists are also happy to know how the primitive tribal groups are able to sustain their traditions and cultural heritage when the world is changing so fast.

And the most interesting part is that tourists coming from influential backgrounds enjoy their stay in tribal cottages and tents belonging to Bondas, Gadabas, Dongria Kondhas and Lanjia Souras.

“Now, promotion of tourism can never always be associated with investment of crores of rupees. However, both the central and state government are providing money for promotion of these tribal groups and for promotion of tourism,” said Srikant Mishra of Alternative Tours Private Limited of Palaspalli of the state capital.

Even small initiatives from tour operators can show that if you have the will power and passion, then you can actually winover the hearts of international tourists and they would certainly come to you,’’ said Srikant Mishra of Alternative Tours Private Limited of Palaspalli in Bhubaneswar.

Mishra has proven that tourists always do not want five-star facilities to enjoy their stay in Orissa and there are many from countries such as Italy, France, Holland, the Netherlands, Belgium and even the US, who want to stay deep inside the forests among the tribals.

“They want to get a feel of the simple and primitive lifestyle of our aboriginal tribal groups and take back rich memories with them,” Mishra added.

Mishra, who is long into the business of ethnic tourism in Orissa and other parts of our country where tribals and mainly primitive tribal groups and communities are the focus in tourism, said: “This endeavour needs more passion and hard work than anything else and many tourists appreciate the way the ethnic tour operators deal with the tribal people.”

“Some tour operators of Orissa even want to know from us if their visit can help the local tribal community like contributing towards building mud huts for tribals, which help the primitive tribal groups earn substantial money.

The local people of the place have great pleasure and pride that the western tourists stay in huts builtby them, ’’Mishra of Alternative Tours Private Limited of Palaspalli in the state capital added. “Various groups of tourists come more often to our camps right at Peta situated in the southern part of Bhubaneswar — an eco camp 20 km from Jeypore en route to Machhkund situated in southern part of Orissa famous for the Paraja tribe or Pusangia eco camp 15 km from Baliguda,’’ Mishra of Alternative Tours Private Limited of Palaspalli said.

“Even at Baliguda, we have made brick-based huts for tourists keeping in mind tribal aesthetics.”

“Recently, a Spanish troupe toured the area and were delighted to see the facilities made available to them today, an Italian tourist group with eight members came and would stay till July 27,” Mishra said.

“Another Dutch group will arrive on July 11 and will stay till August 2,’’ Mishra of Alternative Tours Private Limited of Palaspalli added.

“The valley at Peta has the ambience of primitive groups and the huts are made just like their own architecture and the structures resemble their houses in their villages,” Mishra added.

The travellers after enjoying the life of plenty in their part of the world are very happy to discover the simple and life without much intervention of technology and gadgets.

Recently, a group of Italian tourists, who stayed near Baliguda camp, wrote in the camp notebook: “We are happy to be here among the tribals of your state and have learnt the trick how to stay happy andlead a minimalistic lifestyle. It is surprising to note that when the western people with all their luxury are unable to remain happy, the primitive tribal groups in Orissa can be so happy with their simple lifestyle.”

Another tourism professional, Debasish Mohapatra, said: “Mishra’s success certainly defies the general assumption that to promote our tourism of primitive tribal groups we need outstanding infrastructure and other modern facilities, rather they should be clean eco-friendly ones with the local aesthetics and values, which the tourists who visit the place can understand and appreciate.” Cheryll and Yvan from the Spanish group, after reaching Europe have written to Mishra a letter where they appreciate how they cherish their experiences of their stay at Hotel Crown in Bhubaneswar,camp life in Baliguda and their trip to Chilika among the migratory birds and watching the village life on their way.

“Smile, it’s a universal language which can generate immense confidence among the tribal people spreed all over our country especially Orissa where we can gain confidence of travellers who love people, their way of life and the rich tribal diversity of Orissa. With great sensitivity and trip organising capabilities, we can increase our base over the years and the state tourism people must cash on this,” said Mohapatra.

Why Orissa

Various communities

Tribal communities -Bondas, Gadabas, Kondhas, Souras and a few others have preferred to live in their isolated hills maintaining minimum contact with the outside world. This has helped the primitive tribal groups preserve their traditions and theological values

The nomadic tribes and hunters like Birhors, the stone age Juangs and their dormitories, the Lanjia Soura’s shamanism are now the subject of research for many anthropology scholars across the world

Good guides

They should know the local topography to lead the tourists in trekking

They must coordinate with the villagers so that there should not be any conflict with the tourists as the western guests want to know tribal culture from close quarters

Dos and Don’ts in tribal villages

Be patient with photography as some highland tribes take it as aggression

While visiting tribal villages, please respect the people. Don’t walk into anybody’s house without a formal request. It could be an imposition on their privacy

While camping near villages, do not litter