ASSESSMENT OF ECOTOURISM SUSTAINABILITY IN KULLU DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
Loading...
Date
2019-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Assessment of Ecotourism Sustainability in Kullu district
of Himachal Pradesh” was conducted during 2018-2019 in the department of Environmental Science,
College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan Himachal
Pradesh. Five Ecotourism sites in Kullu district of H.P. were purposively selected for the assessment. The
study aimed at understanding the effect of environmental and social impacts on ecotourism activities,
carrying capacity of the sites and assessing the sustainability by using indicators like consumption of
water, energy, waste management, community involvement, employment and infrastructure building
material. Study of sustainability of the sites was done on a comparative basis. Comparisons were made
between the sites and the impacts of the above selected indicators on sustainability were ranked
accordingly. The physical and chemical properties of two basic natural resources i.e. soil and water of the
ecotourism sites were found in normal range and at par with properties of control site i.e. farming area and
forest control. The ecotourism activities at each site provided ample opportunities to the local masses. The
participation of the women was also found at each site. The carrying capacity of the sites ranged from 1450
visitors per day. Maximum carrying capacity was at Gushaini (50) followed by Jibhi (14), Mungla (17),
Dehori (29) and Manali (39) visitor /day. The actual number of tourists visiting the sites per day was well
within the permissible limits. The study indicated that if the tourist inflow remains same the carrying
capacity of different sites projected to exhaust within the next 33 to 40 years, due to increasing visitor
inflow rate, scarcity in water, energy consumption and inadequate infrastructure. Acoordingly Jibhi will
exhaust its carrying capacity by the year 2052 followed by Mungla, Dehori, Manali, Gushaini. Among
them Gushaini was most sustainable site. It can be concluded that though there is a good quality of soil and
water resources, as each site has tourist inflow in normal range. In future the increase in visitor inflow
reduces the carrying capacity of the site and hence threatens the sustainability. In order to increase the
sustainability of the sites, the stakeholder should manage their activities by focusing on indicators such as
water consumption, energy consumption, waste management and community involvement. The employees
associated, visitors and local masses must be aware and educated about the conservation of biodiversity
and natural resources. Environmental education and research is one of the fundamental objectives of
ecotourism.
Description
Keywords
null