Impact of COVID-19 and Amphan Cyclone in West Bengal Tourism
Introduction
It's not new that COVID-19 has swayed the condition of the world ruthlessly. Either it be an increasing amount of poverty or the increasing amount of GDP or mortality rate, 2020 has seen the worst and the worst. Till now countries have been seeing the growth of infected cases with raging mortality rates all over.
Narrowing the scenario of India, apart from COVID-19, India has witnessed many natural calamities in the past two months. Either it be the forest fire in Uttarakhand, Earthquake in Delhi, or The Amphan Cyclone in West Bengal or the locust attack in Rajasthan. 2020 has been the worst dreadful episode in Indian history. With constant developing and rebuilding the economic infrastructure of India, the natural disaster has provided a burden on every forefront of the Indian subcontinent. Where India is suffering from COVID-19 and unemployment, West Bengal on the other side is fighting to reconstruct the infrastructure of state after the strike of the deadly cyclone.
With less national media traction about the aftermath of the cyclone, the state has been fighting a constant battle since then. Over 18 to 20 districts have been jolted by the enormous super cyclone which has led the agricultural sector to see an upside-down situation even more. Countless homeless and days of hunger have been the major news after the cyclone causing a much troublesome situation to its financial sector and livelihood of the people. Apparently, many quarantine centers were affected by the super cyclone which has caused the state to kneel down in Infront of the situation. Electricity, trees, and electric poles were uprooted which has set back a major problem to the state.
“As per the National Disaster Management Plan 2016, Cyclone Amphan is categorized and registered under the L3 category disaster: A catastrophic situation or a very large-scale disaster that overwhelms state or district authorities".
With the analysis of the situation and to withstand the situation the state needs a hefty amount and relief fund to regain its infrastructure. The rise of COVID-19 cases and the aftermath of the Amphan cyclone has caused a rising question about the economic condition of West Bengal. From an economical perspective, the period of April to June is a crucial period of the trading of mangoes and jute in West Bengal, with the devastation of the super cyclone, the farmland and farmers have lost every bit of profits which has risen the poverty level even more.
Amongst the most affected region is the area in Sundarbans areas where the saltwater has mixed with the sweet water which caused major problems to the people there along with the wildlife. Many wildlife and aquatic life were deceased, which has created the state to see a massacre situation. It is been said that it is one of the scariest storms ever. Perhaps it will take months to procure the area to again invite the tourist to visit the wonderful Sunderban as, after the agriculture, tourism is the secondary source of income to the state as well as to the residents.
Not only that even the coastal areas of West Bengal have seen a severe loss which and extensive damage, which would at least take more than 6 months to do damage control. Digha, Tajpur, and Mandarmoni one of the most popular and weekend destination gateway, has seen the unscathed situation for the Amphan cyclone. The cyclone Amphan has damaged various resorts and hotels in coastal areas of West Bengal, adding afflictions to the state’s tourism industry. Perhaps the only earning direction where Amphan caused a severe roadblock for the tourist as well for the travel and tourism sector in West Bengal. With the rising number of COVID-19 cases and the out flamed of the super cyclone in West Bengal, Bengal tourism will see a nightmarish situation for some period.
However, from the brighter side, West Bengal has a specific corner where tourists across the globe visit here to witness the cultural enrichment and aroma of state. Although the state might need some days or month to refurbish its infrastructure but in the longer run, West Bengal will attract tourist for the following reasons:
Narrowing the scenario of India, apart from COVID-19, India has witnessed many natural calamities in the past two months. Either it be the forest fire in Uttarakhand, Earthquake in Delhi, or The Amphan Cyclone in West Bengal or the locust attack in Rajasthan. 2020 has been the worst dreadful episode in Indian history. With constant developing and rebuilding the economic infrastructure of India, the natural disaster has provided a burden on every forefront of the Indian subcontinent. Where India is suffering from COVID-19 and unemployment, West Bengal on the other side is fighting to reconstruct the infrastructure of state after the strike of the deadly cyclone.
With less national media traction about the aftermath of the cyclone, the state has been fighting a constant battle since then. Over 18 to 20 districts have been jolted by the enormous super cyclone which has led the agricultural sector to see an upside-down situation even more. Countless homeless and days of hunger have been the major news after the cyclone causing a much troublesome situation to its financial sector and livelihood of the people. Apparently, many quarantine centers were affected by the super cyclone which has caused the state to kneel down in Infront of the situation. Electricity, trees, and electric poles were uprooted which has set back a major problem to the state.
“As per the National Disaster Management Plan 2016, Cyclone Amphan is categorized and registered under the L3 category disaster: A catastrophic situation or a very large-scale disaster that overwhelms state or district authorities".
With the analysis of the situation and to withstand the situation the state needs a hefty amount and relief fund to regain its infrastructure. The rise of COVID-19 cases and the aftermath of the Amphan cyclone has caused a rising question about the economic condition of West Bengal. From an economical perspective, the period of April to June is a crucial period of the trading of mangoes and jute in West Bengal, with the devastation of the super cyclone, the farmland and farmers have lost every bit of profits which has risen the poverty level even more.
Amongst the most affected region is the area in Sundarbans areas where the saltwater has mixed with the sweet water which caused major problems to the people there along with the wildlife. Many wildlife and aquatic life were deceased, which has created the state to see a massacre situation. It is been said that it is one of the scariest storms ever. Perhaps it will take months to procure the area to again invite the tourist to visit the wonderful Sunderban as, after the agriculture, tourism is the secondary source of income to the state as well as to the residents.
Not only that even the coastal areas of West Bengal have seen a severe loss which and extensive damage, which would at least take more than 6 months to do damage control. Digha, Tajpur, and Mandarmoni one of the most popular and weekend destination gateway, has seen the unscathed situation for the Amphan cyclone. The cyclone Amphan has damaged various resorts and hotels in coastal areas of West Bengal, adding afflictions to the state’s tourism industry. Perhaps the only earning direction where Amphan caused a severe roadblock for the tourist as well for the travel and tourism sector in West Bengal. With the rising number of COVID-19 cases and the out flamed of the super cyclone in West Bengal, Bengal tourism will see a nightmarish situation for some period.
However, from the brighter side, West Bengal has a specific corner where tourists across the globe visit here to witness the cultural enrichment and aroma of state. Although the state might need some days or month to refurbish its infrastructure but in the longer run, West Bengal will attract tourist for the following reasons:
Cheap accommodations and serene atmosphere
It is not new that West Bengal is one of the most affordable places to tour. With its extensive geographical location, tourists find very appealing to travel to West Bengal. Wither it be the sight of the snow-capped mountain of Kanchenjunga or sipping tea of Darjeeling tea or an adventurous safari night in Sundarbans, West Bengal has it all. One of the major reasons why tourist will find West Bengal as the next tourist destination post-covide-19 is because of its cheap accommodation and the selection of various geographical locations.
Tourism will be the next blooming industry in West Bengal
If compared to other states West Bengal is seen as one of the least affected of COVID-19 cases. Hereby it will give West Bengal a golden opportunity to attract tourists after the upliftment of the lockdown. Due to the lockdown situation and quarantine phase, tourist will opt for places which will lull their globetrotter soul, and nothing is more suitable than West Bengal. Places like Darjeeling, Sunderban Mandarmoni, Digha, and even Kolkata will be the next hotspot tourism center to attract visitors from the adjoining states even more.
Kolkata never stops to celebrate
Although the current situation will see a less grandeur of Durga Puja celebration, but people across the world never misses the opportunity to visit Kolkata and enjoy with the beats during the Durga Puja. If analysed eventually, Durga Puja is the perfect timing where people would want to rejuvenate the mind and give a fresh start after the post-lockdown situation and lockdown anguishes. With the array of delicacies and food festival and other festival, Durga Puja will be the next big thing for the tourist to forget the past few months and will help to see the upcoming days with a fresher mindset. Perhaps it will be one more reason to regain the economic infrastructure even more.
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