Ecotourism Policies and Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Sikkim

Abstract

The study evaluates the efficacy of ecotourism policies in Sikkim, India, focusing on their alignment with sustainable development objectives. Ecotourism promotes environmental conservation and economic benefits for local communities, but managing tourism growth while maintaining ecological balance presents challenges. The research aims to identify areas for improvement. The methodology adopted in this research is a qualitative case study approach, utilizing secondary data sources, including government policy documents, academic literature, and tourism reports. The study uses the 5-E framework to analyze Sikkim's ecotourism policies, addressing issues like overtourism, weak regulations, and inadequate infrastructure investment. It suggests stricter regulations, Bhutan's “high value, low impact” tourism model, eco-friendly certification systems, visitor quotas, sustainable infrastructure investment, community participation, and global ecotourism models to mitigate tourism's negative impacts and promote ecological and economic sustainability.