Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Evaluation of springs and waterfalls as Geomorphosites and proposition of strategies to develop Geotourism at Ajodhya hill, Puruliya district, Eastern India

  • Published:
GeoJournal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ajodhya hill is an extended part of Chota Nagpur Granite Gneissic Complex located in Puruliya district, western part of West Bengal, Eastern India. This uplifted plateau is primarily composed of Archean granite and gneissic rock with the sharp break at the plateau fringe. Ground water comes out as spring through the fractures of the granitic rock base situated beneath the permeable red soil. Waterfalls are prominent along the steep slope of the plateau fringe. Thirteen springs and four waterfalls have been identified as important Geomorphosites to analyse their Geotourism potential of Ajodhya hill in response to its geologic and geomorphic background. SWOT analysis has been used for estimating the Geotourism potentialities of Ajodhya hill. To analyse the potentiality, weight and score has been given under each factors and weighted score has been calculated. Few strategies have been suggested for enriching the Geotourism potential of the region with the help of TOWS matrix. Prioritization of the strategies has been ascertained by QSPM (quantitative strategies planning matrix) method through which the Ranking of Total Attractiveness Score (RTAS) has been estimated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, books and news in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Allan, M. (2014). Geotourism: Why do children visit geological tourism sites, Dirasat. Human and Social Sciences, 41(1), 653–661.

    Google Scholar 

  • Antić, A., & Tomić, N. (2017). Geoheritage and Geotourism potential of the Homolje area (eastern Serbia). Acta Geoturistica, 8(2), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1515/agta-2017-0007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arouca Declaration, 2011. Declaration made at the International Congress of Geotourism at Arouca Geopark, Portugal, 9-13 November, 2011. Retrieved from https://aroucageopark.pt/documents/78/Declaration_Arouca_EN.pdf.

  • Ateş, H. Ç., & Ateş, Y. (2018). Geotourism and rural tourism synergy for sustainable development—Marçik Valley Case—Tunceli, Turkey. Geoheritage, 11(1), 207–215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-018-0312-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baidya, T. K. and Chakraborty, P.S. (1988). Mineralisation in the Belamu-Jaipur sector of north-western Puruliya district, W.B. In Mukhopadhyay D. (Ed), Pre Cambrian Recordof the Eastern Indian Shield (pp. 147–163). Memoir 8, Geological Society of India.

  • Baidya, T. K. (1984). A new approach to the Pre-Cambrian geology and mineral prospecting in Puruliya district, West Bengal. Journal of Mines, Metals and Fuels, 32(12), 570–574.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ballantyne, R., & Packer, J. (2002). Nature-based excursions: school students’ perceptions of learning in naturalenvironments. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 11(3), 218–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharya, B. K., et al. (1985). West Bengal district gazetteers: Puruliya. West Bengal Government.

  • Bisht, S. S., Das, N. N., & Tripathy, N. K. (2011). Indian hot-water springs: a bird’s eye view. Journal of Energy, Environment & Carbon Credit, 1(1), 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boekstein, M. (2014). From illness to wellness-has thermal spring health tourism reached a new turning point? African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 3(2), 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cetin, M. (2015). Evaluation of the sustainable tourism potential of a protected area for landscape planning: a case study of the ancient city of Pompeipolis in Kastamonu. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 22(6), 490–495. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2015.1081651.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chakrabarty, P., & Sadhukhan, S. K. (2018). Trekking and Geotourism: a symbiosis in case of Goeche La Trek route of West Sikkim in India. GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites, 23(3), 848–860. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.23319-333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chakrabarty, P., & Mandal, R. (2018). Geotourism mapping for sustainability: a basin oriented approach. GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites, 21(1), 174–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Das, B., Pal, C. S., Malik, S., & Chakraborty, R. (2018). Modeling ground water potential zones of Puruliya district, West Bengal, India using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Geology, Ecology and Landscapes, 3(3), 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Das, S., Sherpa, M. T., Sachdeva, S., & Thakur, N. (2012). Hot springs of sikkim (tatopani): a socio medical conjuncture which amalgamates religion, faith, traditional belief and tourism. Asian Academic Research Journal of Social science &Humanities, 1(4).

  • Dasgupta, P. (2015). Rock characteristics and Susceptibility to weathering: a study in the metamorphic terrain of Ajodhya hill, West Bengal. Journal of Indian Geomorphology, 3, 27–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Datta, P., & Das, S. (2019). Model-based strategic planning for strengthening mushroom entrepreneurship: insights from a sub-Himalayan Region of West Bengal. India: Geojournal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-019-10063.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • David, F. R. (2011). Strategic management: Concepts and cases. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dayananda, K. C. (2014). Tourism and employment: opportunities and challenges in Karnataka-special reference to Kodagu District. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 19(11), 01–11. https://doi.org/10.9790/0837-191140111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, R. and Newsome, D. (2018). Geoheritage and Geotourism. In Reynard and Brilha (Eds.), Geoheritage - Assessment, Protection, and Management (pp. 305–306). Amsterdam: Elsevier.

  • Dowling, R. K. (2010). Geotourism’s global growth. Geoheritage, 3(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-010-0024-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, R., & Newsome, D. (Eds.). (2006). Geotourism: sustainable, impacts, and management. Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erfurt-Cooper, P. (2010). The importance of natural Geothermal resources in tourism. In Proceedings World Geothermal Congress. Bali. Retrieved from https://www.geothermal-energy.org/pdf/IGAstandard/WGC/2010/3318.pdf

  • Farsani, N. T., Coelho, C., & Costa, C. (2012). Geotourism and Geoparks as Gateways to Socio-cultural Sustainability in Qeshm Rural Areas, Iran. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 17(1), 30–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2011.610145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghorbani, A., Raufirad, V., Rafiaani, P., & Azadi, H. (2015). Ecotourism sustainable development strategies using SWOT and QSPM model: a case study of Kaji Namakzar wetland, South Khorasan Province. Iran. Tourism Management Perspectives, 16(4), 290–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, J. (2018). Geoheritage, Geotourism and the cultural landscape: enhancing the visitor experience and promoting Geoconservation. Geosciences, 8(4), 136. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8040136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guha, S., & Patel, P. P. (2017). Evidence of topographic disequilibrium in the Subarnarekha River Basin, India: a digital elevation model based analysis. Journal of Earth System Sciences, 126(106), 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haldar, S., & Saha, P. (2015). Identifying the causes of water scarcity in Purulia, West Bengal, India—a Geographical perspective. Journal of Environmental Science, 9(8), 41–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harfst J., Wirth P, Lintz, G., Bieberstein,C. (2010). Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of European mining regions (SWOT Report I). Leibniz Institute of Ecological and Regional Development (IOER), Dresden, Germany.

  • Herrera, G., Carrión, P., & Briones, J. (2018). Geotourism potential in the context of the Geopark project for the development of Santa Elena Province. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 217, 557–568. https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP180481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hose, T. A. (2012). 3G’s for modern Geotourism. Geoheritage, 4(1–2), 7–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hose, T. A., & Vasiljević, D. A. (2012). Defining the nature and purpose of modern Geotourism with Particular Reference to the United Kingdom and South-East Europe. Geoheritage, 4(1–2), 25–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hose, T. A. (2016). Introduction: Geoheritage and Geotourism. In Hose, T.A. (Eds.), Geoheritage and Geotourism: A European Perspective(pp.6).Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK,The international centre for cultural and heritage studies New Castle University-Boydell Press.

  • Hudson, B. J. (1998). Waterfalls resources for tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 25(4), 958–973. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0160-7383(98)00043-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalantari, M., Bazdar F., & Ghezelbash, S. (2011). Feasibility analysis of sustainable development emphasizing Geotourism attractions using SWOT analysis. Case study: Qeshm Island Geo Park. In International Conference on Biology, Environment and Chemistry(vol. 24). Singapore.

  • Kale, V. S. (2015). India's Geo-Wealth, Geomorphological heritage and Geomorphodiversity: assessment, classification and promotion. Journal Indian of Geomorphology, 3, 10–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kale, V. S. (2014). Geomorphosites and Geoheritage sites of India. In V. Kale (Ed.), Landscapes and Landforms of India (pp. 247–267). Dordrecht: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kirchner, K., Kubalíková , L., & Bajer, A. (2017). Local geoheritage: Its importance and potential for geotourist and recreational activities (a case study from lomnicko area). In public recreation and landscape protection-with nature hand in hand? (pp. 202–211). Brno.

  • Kubalíková, L. (2013). Geomorphosite assessment for Geotourism purposes, Czech. Journal of Tourism, 2(2), 80–104. https://doi.org/10.2478/cjot-2013-0005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kwiri, J. & Zvarivadza, T. (2017). Development of strategy to deal with the business risk of productivity improvement: a perspective of the platinum mining sector in Zimbawe. IMCET, Antaya, Turkey. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320552257_Development_of_a_Strategy_to_Deal_with_the_Business_Risk_of_Productivity_Improvement_A_Perspective_of_the_Platinum_Mining_Sector_in_Zimbabwe.

  • Lee, C. F., & King, B. (2010). International competitiveness in hot Springs Tourism: an application of the analytical hierarchy process approach. Tourism Analysis, 15(5), 531–544. https://doi.org/10.3727/108354210x12889831783233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, W. (2010). Improved SWOT approach for conducting strategic planning in the construction industry. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(12), 1317–1328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marlina, E. & Natalia, D. A. R. (2016). Geotourism: potential based analysis tourism development concept towards sustainable Tourism. In International Language and Tourism Conference (ILTC). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

  • Mero, P. C., Franco, G. H., Briones, J., Caldevilla, P., Domínguez-Cuesta, M., & Berrezueta, E. (2018). Geotourism and local development based on Geological and mining sites utilization, Zaruma-Portovelo. Ecuador. Geosciences, 8(6), 205. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8060205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mi, C., Chen, Y., Cheng, C.-S., Uwanyirigira, J. L., & Lin, C.-T. (2019). Exploring the determinants of hot Spring tourism customer satisfaction: causal relationships analysis using ISM. Sustainability, 11(9), 2613. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moffet, B. and Moody, J. 2008. 5 US agencies sign agreement to embrace Geotourism, expanding conservation efforts. Retreived from, https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/archive/news/archive/08_News_Releases/080708.html

  • Monavari, M., Karbasi, A., & Mogooee, R. (2007). Environmental strategic management. Tehran, Iran: Kavoush Qalam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreira, J. C. (2012). Interpretative panels about the geological heritage—a case study at the Iguassu Falls National Park (Brazil). Geoheritage, 4(1–2), 127–137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-012-0053-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nag, S. K., & Chakraborty, S. (2003). Influence of rock types and structures in the development of drainage network in hard rock area. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, 31(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03030749.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Geographic Society. (2005). The Geotourism approach, Retrieved from https://www.innovasjonnorge.no/Reiseliv_fs/PDF/Foredrag%2520Tourtellot-2.pdf [as cited in Farsani, Coelho & Costa 2012]

  • Newsome, D., & Johnson, C. P. (2013). Potential Geotourism and the prospect of raising awareness about Geoheritage and environment on Mauritius. Geoheritage, 5(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-012-0070-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niemiec, et al. (2016). Occurrences of mineralized waters and mineral Springs in Kysuce and their meaning for Geotourism, World Multidisciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium. Bristol: IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/44/3/032010.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ortega-Becerril, J. A., Polo, I., & Belmonte, A. (2019). Waterfalls as geological value for Geotourism: the case of Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park. Geoheritage, 11(3), 1199–1219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-019-00366-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panizza, M., & Piacente, S. (2008). Geomorphosites and Geotourism. Revista Geográfica Acadêmica, 2(1), 5–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panizza, M. (2001). Geomorphosites: concepts, methods and examples of geomorphological survey. Chinese Science Bulletin, 46(S1), 4–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03187227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panizza, M., & Piacente, S. (2003). Geomorfologia culturale. Bologna: Pitagora.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pasonen, M., Kurttila, M., Kangas, J., Kajanus, M., & Heinonen, P. (2000). Assessing the priorities using A’WOT among resource management strategies at the Finnish forest and park service. Forest Science, 47(4), 534–541.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pazouki, M., Jozi, S. A., & Ziari, Y. A. (2017). Strategic management in urban environment using SWOT and QSPM model. Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management, 3(2), 207–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pereira, P., & Pereira, D. (2010). Methodological guidelines for geomorphosite assessment. Géomorphologie: Relief, Processus, Environnement, 16(2), 215–222. doi: https://doi.org/10.4000/geomorphologie.7942

  • Pereira, P., Pereira, D., & Alves, M. I. C. (2007). Geomorphosite assessment in Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal). Geographica Helvetica, 62(3), 159–168. https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-62-159-2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pescatore, E., Bentivenga, M., Giano, S., & Siervo, V. (2019). Geomorphosites: versatile tools in cultural dissemination. Geoheritage, 11, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-019-00378-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ranawat, P. S., & George, S. (2019). Potential Geoheritage &Geotourism Sites in India. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications (IJSRP),9(6). https://doi.org/10.29322/ijsrp.9.06.2019.p9016.

  • Rauch, P. (2007). SWOT analyses and SWOT strategy formulation for forest owner cooperations in Austria. European Journal of Forest Research, 126, 413–420. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-006-0162-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynard E. (2009). Geomorphosites: Definitions and characteristics. In Reynard, Coratza & Regolini-Bissig (Eds.), Geomorphosites (pp. 9–20). München, Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil.

  • Reynard, E. (2004). Géomorphosites et paysages. – Géomorphologie: relief, processus, environnement, 11(3), 181–188. doi.org/https://doi.org/10.4000/geomorphologie.338

  • Reynard, E. (2004). Géotopes, géo(morpho)sites et paysages géomorphologiques.In Reynard & Pralong (Eds.),Paysages géomorphologiques (123–136). Lausanne, Institut de Géographie, Travaux et recherches N° 27.

  • Reynard, E. (2008). Scientific research and tourist promotion of geomorphological heritage. Geografia Fisica e Dinamica Quaternaria, 31, 225–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynard, E., & Panizza, M. (2005). Geomorphosites: definition, assessment and mapping. Géomorphologie: Relief, Processus, Environnement, 11(3), 177–180. doi: https://doi.org/10.4000/geomorphologie.337

  • Reynard, E., Coratza, P., & Giusti, C. (2011). Geomorphosites and Geotourism. Geoheritage, 3(3), 129–130. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-011-0041-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynard, E., Coratza, P., & Hobléa, F. (2016). Current research on Geomorphosites. Geoheritage, 8(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-016-0174-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rusdiana, U., Prayacita, N. M. N., Novianty, S., & Abdurrachman, M. (2018). The potential of Geotourism in Batu Nyusun Waterfall, South Garut, West Java; the adventure of Geovolcano Waterfalls. In Proceedings Pekan Ilmiah Tahunan IAGI. Pekanbaru. doi: https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.20364.97924

  • Santos, E. M., Mariano, G., & Nascimento, M. A. L. D. (2015). Geotouristic potential of waterfalls in igneous and metamorphic rocks: the case of the city of bonito, Pernambuco, northeast Brazil. Caderno de Geografia, Vol. 25(43).

  • Sarkar, S. (1985). Origin and Characteristics of the soils of south Western Purulia, West Bengal—a study in Pedogenesis. In Mukhopadhyay, S.C. (Ed.). Geographical Mossaic: Prof. K.G. Bagchi Felicitation volume (pp. 293–303). Calcutta: Modern Book Agency.

  • Schmoldt, D., Kangas, J., Mendoza, G., et al. (2001). The analytic hierarchy process in natural resource and environmental decision making. The Netherlands: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Singtuen, V., & Won-In, K. (2018). Geological perspective for Geotourism development in Uthai Thani Province, Thailand. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 9(5), 1003. https://doi.org/10.14505//jemt.9.5(29).12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki, D. A., & Takagi, H. (2017). Evaluation of Geosite for sustainable planning and management in Geotourism. Geoheritage, 10(1), 123–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-017-0225-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tongkul, F. (2016). Waterfalls of Maliau Basin—Geoheritage of Sabah. Malaysian Borneo, Geoheritage 8, 235–245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-015-0156-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vladi, E. (2014). Tourism Development Strategies, SWOT analysis and improvement of Albania’s image. European Journal of Sustainable Development, 3(1), 167–178. https://doi.org/10.14207/ejsd.2014.v3n1p167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Web Desk. (2018, November 22). 7 top hot water springs of India. India Today. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/7-top-hot-water-springs-of-india-1381626-2018-11-22

  • Weihrich, H. (1982). The TOWS matrix: a tool for situational analysis. Long Range Planning, 15(2), 54–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wickramasinghe, V., & Takano, S. (2009). Application of combined SWOT and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for Tourism revival strategic marketing planning: a case of Sri Lanka Tourism. Journal of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, 8, https://doi.org/10.11175/easts.8.954.

  • Xinlei, W. (2018). Research on the Development and Innovation of Heyuan Hot Spring Tourism Resources under the View of "Hot Spring ". In IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 199). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/199/2/022025

  • Zhi-Hui, L. (2014). Research and development of hot spring tourism mountain—based on the study of Henan Lu Shan Mountain hot spring tourism development as an example. In 3rd International Conference on Science and Social Research. Retrieved from https://download.atlantis-press.com/article/11921.pdf

Download references

Acknowledgement

We thank Mr. Kasinath Sen for his kind cooperation in the extensive field survey for this research work. We are also like to thank Mr. Mithun Ray (Assistant Professor, Malda College) and Md. Kutubuddin Dhali (Research Scholar, Dept. of Geography, Visva-Bharati) for their technical help during drafting the research work.

Funding

This work has been done with the support of University Grant Commission’s (India) NET JRF Fellowship scheme (3198/NET June 2015).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, Bolpur, West Bengal, 731235, India

    Avijit Ghosh & Sutapa Mukhopadhyay

Authors
  1. Avijit Ghosh
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sutapa Mukhopadhyay
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Avijit Ghosh.

Ethics declarations

Declaration

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest concerning the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ghosh, A., Mukhopadhyay, S. Evaluation of springs and waterfalls as Geomorphosites and proposition of strategies to develop Geotourism at Ajodhya hill, Puruliya district, Eastern India. GeoJournal 87, 1047–1067 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-020-10298-x

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-020-10298-x

Keywords