Uttarakhand trains locals to be tourist guides. Gujarat has tourist helplines. Kerala and Rajasthan ensure strict security at hotels off the beaten track. Bengal, on the other hand, has little to show for community involvement in tourism projects.

Absence of big private players and a lack of initiative on part of the state government are to blame, according to tourism operators.

The robbery at a tourist lodge on Piyali island in the Sunderbans last Sunday that left at least one person injured and the subsequent attempt by the state government to label it a stray breach of law and order has prompted private operators in Bengal and tourism officials of other states to underline the need to engage local people for security of tourists.

"There is no effort by the tourism department to educate local residents about the benefits of having tourists in their area and the small-scale operators who now run the show lack the ability or the resources to engage local people in a big way," said an owner of a private hotel group that runs properties in various parts of Bengal.

"If local people realise the benefits of tourism, they can earn enough from it to make a living. That will automatically check crime and more tourists will visit the place," he pointed out.

The armed gang of seven that looted and assaulted two city-based families at the Piyali lodge were all local residents.

A police camp was set up outside the tourist lodge on Monday.

State tourism minister Bratya Basu has described the robbery as a stray incident and washed his hands of the matter saying the tourist lodge is a private facility.

"What has happened to the tourists is extremely unfortunate, but I think it's a stray incident and should not have any adverse impact on flow of tourists in the Sunderbans. I have spoken to the district police authorities and strong action is being taken against the offenders," the minister said.

"The lodge where the incident took place is a private run one and the government can't provide security at such facilities. I would rather ask owners of these privately run lodges to station security on their own to combat such attacks. One of my representatives has spoken to the family members of the tourists. It has been communicated to them that the state government would provide any assistance they might need," he added.

In states like Uttarakhand, the tourism department conducts training camps for locals round the year. Most tourist destinations in the state are near forests and villages, away from towns or cities.

"The locals are trained as tourist guides in forests and remote areas. More than a thousand people in various parts are trained by the tourism department with the help of NGOs," a senior official of Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board told Metro from Dehradun.

In a few days from now, more than 100 locals in Pawalgarh, a bird sanctuary in Nainital district, will be trained as guides for birdwatchers.

"The training helps them earn a livelihood and also creates a sense of bonding with the tourism industry. During the training, they are counselled on how to behave with tourists," said the official.

Such training is unheard of in Bengal. "The forest department conducts training in a sporadic manner. Same with the tourism department," said a state government official. Some private property owners in places such as the Sunderbans conduct such training on a small scale, he said.

Travel and tourism industry sources said developing infrastructure was another key issue. Better infrastructure would draw big private players who would have their own security system and generate more employment for locals.

The Gujarat government has spent hundreds of crores over the past three to four years to improve infrastructur, including roads, accommodation and renovation of heritage sites.

In Bengal, big private groups shy away from setting up facilities in remote areas because of lack of roads, power and water supply.

"If a tourist destination has only small lodges and hotels, income generation too will be less. These properties don't have the capacity to hire local cars, security personnel and guides," said Anil Punjabi, chairman, east, Travel Agents Federation of India. "When we send tourists to remote locations in Kerala or Rajasthan, we ensure that hotels have enough security personnel and trained personnel to handle emergencies."

Few hotels and resorts in Bengal boast similar facilities.

States like Gujarat have also introduced helplines where tourists can call for assistance.

"Law and order is handled by the police. But the tourism department is trained to provide assistance to tourists who face any kind of problem," said an official of the Gujarat tourism department.