Land evaluation and sustainable development of ecotourism in the Garhwal Himalayan region using geospatial technology and analytical hierarchy process

Shairy Chaudhary (), Atul Kumar (), Malay Pramanik () and Mahabir Singh Negi ()
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Shairy Chaudhary: H.N.B. Garhwal University
Atul Kumar: H.N.B. Garhwal University
Malay Pramanik: Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Mahabir Singh Negi: H.N.B. Garhwal University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2022, vol. 24, issue 2, No 30, 2225-2266

Abstract: Abstract Ecotourism is now the fastest-growing sector in the Himalayan region as well as in the Garhwal region (Uttarakhand, India) as it has negligible adverse impacts on the environment and natural resources than tourism. Ecotourism plays an important role in the protection and sustainability of natural resources. Thus, the present study attempts to identify potential ecotourism sites using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Geographical Information System-Remote sensing (GIS-RS) techniques in the Garhwal Himalayan region. The study is based on the use of GIS-RS used parameter concerning landscape naturalness, climatic characteristics, topographic attributes, accessibility parameters, reserved and protected areas, and natural attractiveness using a weighted overlay method in the GIS platform. We also used expert knowledge to assign weights and then normalized them by AHP eigenvector. We used the receiver operating characteristic curve for validation, which indicates the methods are very useful in ecotourism potentiality. The results show very highly, and the highly suitable area is about 21.12%, wherein 17.40% located in the greater Himalayan region. Areas adjacent to the densely forested areas, where snow-out occurs every year, develop various grasslands, cool climate, U and V-shaped valleys, very attractive landscapes sites suitable for ecotourism, but not for all seasons. The moderately suitable areas confined in the lower dissected valleys and upper snow-covered areas and make up about 26.04% (8456.68 km2) of the region. This study can help tourism planners and the government select locations precisely and further develop ecotourism activities and release pressures on the tourism burden in the region. The results have implications for sustainable tourism and ecotourism efforts of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal-15 (SDG-15) of improving life on land by preserving natural heritage, wilderness areas, and culture. It can help the employment generation of the local people and direct profits to the local communities. Graphic abstract

Keywords: Analytic hierarchy process; Ecotourism; Geospatial approach; Himalayan leisure; Nature-based tourism; Geospatial techniques (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01528-4

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