Responsible Beach Tourism & Environmental Issues in Sustainable Development: A Study of Digha, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Sea beaches have always been a major attraction for people. Human beings have always been fascinated by the oceans and it has attracted people from far and near and this has been a constant phenomenon not just in India but globally. Sustainable Tourism is the only way to protect the coastline and the future tourism business. The direct involvement of Government and locals for creating public awareness regarding the consequences of environmental degradation might be a welcome step to achieve this goal. This study explores the environmental impact and also to understand the various impacts of tourism analysis of the area. This study would promote a better sustainable ecotourism practice and help in making Digha a sustainable destination. Digha, which is the marine aquarium and a coastal resort town, is having all of the fundamentals; nearly over a 5 million of tourist visits every year. Nothing but the development of sustainable eco-tourism is the only way to protect the coastline and tourism business. The direct involvement of government and locals for creating public awareness regarding the brutal consequences of environmental degradation is necessary. This study explores the unplanned environmental impact in a very popular beach tourism destination, Digha in West Bengal, India. To understand the various impacts of tourism strategic analysis of the location has been performed. This study promotes a more sustainable eco-tourism practice to promote tourism at Digha.