A STUDY OF NVRDFT HARDA FINANCE MODEL FOR

SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

A Project Submitted to

University of Mumbai for partial completion of the degree of

Bachelor of Management Studies

Under the Faculty of Commerce

By

YUKTA VIKRAM SHROTRI

ROLL NO 59

Under the Guidance of

DR. RASHMI MAURYA

K.P.B.HINDUJA COLLEGE OF COMMERCE

315, NEW CHARNI ROAD, MUMBAI 400004

APRIL, 2023
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Ms.YUKTA VIKRAM SHROTRI has worked and duly
completed her Project Work for the degree of Bachelor of Management Studies under the
Faculty of Commerce and her project is entitled “A STUDY OF NVRDFT HARDA
FINANCE MODEL FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM” under my supervision.

I further certify that the entire work has been done by the learner under my guidance and
that no part of it has been submitted previously for any Degree or Diploma of any
University.

It is her own work and facts reported by her personal findings and investigations

______________________ _____________________

Co-ordinator Guiding Teacher

______________________ _______________________

External Examiner Internal Examiner

______________________ ________________________

Principal College seal

Date of submission
i
 DECLARATION

I undersigned Ms. YUKTA VIKRAM SHROTRI hereby, declare that the work
embodied in this project work titled “A STUDY OF NVRDFT HARDA FINANCE
MODEL FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM”, forms my own contribution to the research work carried
out under the guidance of Dr. Rashmi Maurya is a result of my own research work has
not been previously submitted to any other University for any other Degree/ Diploma to
this or any other University.

Wherever reference has been made to previous works of others, it has been clearly
indicated as such and included in bibliography.

I, here by further declare that all the information of this document has been obtained and
presented in accordance with academic rules and ethical conduct.

___________________________

YUKTA VIKRAM SHROTRI

ROLL NO 59

ii
 Acknowledgment

To list who all have helped me in difficult because they are so numerous and the depth is
so enormous.

I would like to acknowledge the following as being idealistic channels and fresh
dimensions in the completion of this project.

I take this opportunity to thanks the University of Mumbai for giving me chance to do
this project.

I would like to thank my Principal Dr. Minu Madlani for providing the necessary
facilities required for completion of this project.

I take this opportunity to thank our coordinator Dr. Antara Sonawane for the moral
support and guidance.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude towards my project guide Dr. Rashmi
Maurya whose guidance and care made the project successful.

I would like to thank my College Library, for having provided various reference books
and magazines related to my project.

Special thanks to “Mr. Rajv Bahety” Chairman of Narmada Valley Rural

Development Foundation Trust (NVRDFT), “Mr. Umesh Sharma” of NVRDFT and
“Mr. Rajesh Vishnoi” from Harda, for providing me all the required details of my
project work and local contacts in Harda to fill my questionnaire and collect the primary
data. I personally thank to all the respondents from Harda. Also, I would like to thank all
the 4 tour operators who had visited Harda in February 2023 and responded to my
questionnaire.

Lastly, I would like to thank each and every person who directly or indirectly helped me
in the completion of the project especially my parents and peers who supported me
throughout my project.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER
TABLE OF CONTENT PAGE NO.
NO.
- Certificate i
- Declaration ii
- Acknowledgement iii
- Table of contents iv
- List of tables vi
List of Figures vii
List of Abbreviations viii
List of Annexure viii
Executive Summary ix
1 INTRODUCTION TO NVRDFT AND HARDA 1 - 15

1.1 Introduction to NVRDFT 2

1.1.1 Context – Birth of NVRDFT 2
1.1.2 Vision , Mission & Values Spectrum 2
1.2 Introduction to Harda District 3
1.3 Functions of NVRDFT along with its Knowledge 5
Partners in Harda District
1.4 HAPPY HARDA - the string of change 7
1.5 Sustainable Purpose Tourism defined by NVRDFT 8
1.6 Tourism Destinations in and around Harda 11
1.7 Home Stay Projects in and around Harda 15

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 16 - 23

2.1 Background 17
2.2 Rationale 17
2.3 Purpose of Study 18
2.4 Research Questions 18
2.5 Hypothesis 19
2.6 Research Objectives 19
2.7 Significance Of The Study 20
2.8 Scope of The Study 21
2.9 Research Design 21
2.10 Limitations of The Study 23

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3 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 24 – 33
3.1 Introduction 25
3.2 NVRDFT 25
3.3 Agritourism 27
3.4 Ecotourism 27
3.5 Sustainable Tourism 29
3.6 Positive and negative effects (impacts) of tourism 30
3.7 Positive & Negative Economic Effects (Impacts) 30
3.8 Positive & Negative Environmental Effects 31
(Impacts)
3.9 Positive & Negative Social and cultural Effects 32
(Impacts)

4 DATA ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND

PRESENTATION 34 - 65
4.1 Introduction to Data Analysis 35
4.2 Section A Data Analysis 36
4.3 Section B Data Analysis 43
4.4 Section C Data Analysis 60

5 FINDINGS & SUGGESTIONS 66 - 76

5.1 Hypothesis Testing 67
5.2 Findings 72
5.3 Suggestions 73

6 CONCLUSION 77
7 BIBLIOGRAPHY 79
8 ANNEXURES 81- 92
8.1 Questionnaire for NVRDFT office 82
8.2 Questionnaire for The Farmers', Businessmen, Traders'
87
and Locals' in Harda
8.3 Questionnaire for The Tour Operators who visited
90
Harda in February 2023

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 LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLE OF THE TABLE PAGE

NO NO
1.1 Harda, Madhya Pradesh, India Geographic Information 4
1.2 Harda District Information Pusblished by NVRDFT 5
1.3 Tourist Spots of Handiya ( District Harda ) 13
1.4 Tourist Spots Near By Harda Disrict 14
1.5 Home Stay Projects in and around Harda 15
4.1 Occupation Details 43
Willingness to support the idea of Agri / Eco / Religious / 44
4.2
Educational Tourism in Harda proposed by NVRDFT / NVFPPL.
The belief that the Harda community should be engaged in the 45
4.3
concept’s planning
Madhya Pradesh & Central Governments should implement 46
4.4
policies and initiatives to encourage tourism in harda.
The belief that Madhya Pradesh & Central Governments will fund 47
4.5
infrastructure upgrades to support tourism in harda
Tourism, Agricultural, Eco & Cultural integration would boost 48
4.6
farmer and local's income and living conditions.
Combining tourism, Eco, Culture and agriculture will enhance 49
4.7 employment opportunities for farmers and other specialties in
Harda
Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism in Harda will 50
4.8 enhance financial returns and increase the number of individuals
who choose to work in agriculture / Home Stays etc.
Integrating tourism and agriculture will increase demand for local 51
4.9
products.
Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism will invade 52
4.10
farmers’ / locals' privacy in the villages of Harda.
Tourists’ presence will raise crime rates such as theft, violence, and 53
4.11
damage in Harda.
Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism will negatively 54
4.12
affect the region by causing visitor-local conflict in Harda.
Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism / Home Stays etc. 55
4.13 in Harda would boost women’s empowerment by providing unique
work opportunities.
Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism would improve the 56
4.14
Harda region’s image.
Agritourism & Ecotourism will assist preserve the local natural 57
4.15
ecosystem.
4.16 Agritourism / Ecotourism raises locals’ env. consciousness 58
4.17 Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism will harm the farm 59
5.1 Hypothesis 1 68
5.2 Hypothesis 2 69
5.3 Hypothesis 3 70
5.4 Hypothesis 4 71

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 LIST OF FUGURES

FIGURE TITLE OF THE FIGURE PAGE

NO NO
4.1 Occupation Details 43
Willingness to support the idea of Agri / Eco / Religious / 44
4.2
Educational Tourism in Harda proposed by NVRDFT / NVFPPL.
The belief that the Harda community should be engaged in the 45
4.3
concept’s planning
Madhya Pradesh & Central Governments should implement 46
4.4
policies and initiatives to encourage tourism in harda.
The belief that Madhya Pradesh & Central Governments will fund 47
4.5
infrastructure upgrades to support tourism in harda
Tourism, Agricultural, Eco & Cultural integration would boost 48
4.6
farmer and local's income and living conditions.
Combining tourism, Eco, Culture and agriculture will enhance 49
4.7 employment opportunities for farmers and other specialties in
Harda
Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism in Harda will 50
4.8 enhance financial returns and increase the number of individuals
who choose to work in agriculture / Home Stays etc.
Integrating tourism and agriculture will increase demand for local 51
4.9
products.
Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism will invade 52
4.10
farmers’ / locals' privacy in the villages of Harda.
Tourists’ presence will raise crime rates such as theft, violence, and 53
4.11
damage in Harda.
Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism will negatively 54
4.12
affect the region by causing visitor-local conflict in Harda.
Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism / Home Stays etc. 55
4.13 in Harda would boost women’s empowerment by providing
unique work opportunities.
Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism would improve 56
4.14
the Harda region’s image.
Agritourism & Ecotourism will assist preserve the local natural 57
4.15
ecosystem.
Agritourism / Ecotourism raises locals’ environmental 58
4.16
Consciousness.
Agritourism / Ecotourism / Educational Tourism will harm the 59
4.17
farms or the surrounding area’s cleanliness in Harda
4.18 What is your image of Harda? 61
What improvements need to be made in order to make Harda 62
4.19
trips more comfortable?
Please tell us the best travel package which is more likely to 63
4.20
promote Harda tours?
4.21 What is the most effective way to promote Harda? 64
Please tell us your evaluation of Harda as a sightseeing 65
4.22
destination
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 5.1 Hypothesis 1 68
5.2 Hypothesis 2 69
5.3 Hypothesis 3 70
5.4 Hypothesis 4 71

LIST OF ABBRIVIATIONS

SERIAL ABBRIVIATION FULL FORM

NO
1 NVRDFT Narmada Valley Rural Development Foundation Trust
2 NVFPPL Narmada Valley Farms Produce Private Limited
3 M.P. State Madhya Pradesh State
4 M.P. Government Madhya Pradesh Government
AIC - RNTU Atal Incubation Centre – Rabindranath Tagore
5
University
6 CVRU Dr. C. V. Raman University
HAPPY HARDA Healthy, Agriculture, Progressive & Prosperous Youth
7
of Harda
8 NABARD National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development
9 B4D Business for Development
10 NGO Non Government Organization

LIST OF ANNEXURES

ANNEXURE TITLE OF THE ANNEXURES PAGE

NO NO
1 Questionnaire to NVRDFT / NVFPPL 82
Questionnaire for The Farmers', Businessmen, Traders' 87
2
and Locals' in Harda
Questionnaire for The Tour Operators who visited Harda 90
3
Familiarization Tour

viii
 Executive Summary
This research explores the potential for Agritourism, ecotourism, educational tourism as
a vehicle to support the current sustainable development policy frameworks of Narmada
Valley Rural Development Foundation Trust (NVRDFT) in the Harda District. Rural
areas worldwide are undertaking tourism programs to diversify and revitalize their
economies. Despite its natural, cultural, religious, rural and historical tourist potential,
currently Harda is not recognized as a top agritourism, ecotourism, educational tourism
destination.

The purpose of this study was to explore possibilities of agritourism, ecotourism,

educational tourism in a sustainable way in Harda so that the footfall of tourists increases
in Harda. Currently maximum tourist visiting Harda are those who are doing Narmada
Parikrama and few visit for their business purpose.

The another purpose was to study Socio Economic development Financial Model of
NVRDFT through sustainable tourism development.. NVRDFT functioning is based on
Corporate Cooperative Model.

Harda is a future prospective agritourism, ecotourism and educational tourism

destination. The economic, social, and environmental benefits of all these tourism types
motivate the local Harda community to support it.

In the research work, first hypothesis, objectives and research methods were defined,
three questionnaires were prepared to collect primary data. Secondary data was also
collected. Data Analysis was done systematically, 4 Hypotheses were tested, findings and
suggestions were noted down and then at the end conclusion was drawn.

ix