GIS And Management Planning for Sustainable Ecotourism Development: A Case Study of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Background: Ecotourism is a very fast-growing sector worldwide, connecting rural and urban people to more sustainable and alternative means of livelihood. When it comes to India, Rajasthan is well known for its tourist places worldwide because of its forts, palaces, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, etc. Many tourist places in Rajasthan display the diversity of the entire country. Among them, Jodhpur is the most favored tourist destination. Due to cultural variability and traditional values, Jodhpur has been taken as a study area.

Purpose: This study aims to understand the geospatial technology and management planning for sustainable ecotourism development in Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, India.

Objective: (a) Identify the role of GIS and management in ecotourism's growth and planning. (b) Identifying and mapping some of the significant ecotourism hotspots using Arc GIS software and plotting the current flow of tourism in the study area.

Methodology: The methodology section has consists of three crucial parts in which; the first section deals with GIS planning tells us how the location-based information helps in the proper collection of GIS based data and channelization of work. The second section shows the management planning which shows how the proper management activity may lead us to an effective and efficient flow of visitors has been maintained and, lastly, sustainability details about how the GIS planning and management planning may lead us to a sustainable future of tourism called ecotourism.

Result: The use of GIS and management planning in tourism-related activities can significantly contribute to employment generation, revenue generation, enhancement of local market and people may understand the local tradition and culture. Effective and efficient use of all resources may lead us towards sustainable future.

Conclusion: GIS and management planning can do much better than we think. With the utilization of geospatial technology, the visitors flow can be managed in eco-fragile areas in more effective manner. Tourists mostly recorded in unique places, which is commendable work for the tourism sector's growth. However, the central and state governments' combined efforts have provided a massive boost to the tourism sector by allocating proper fund. To maximize revenue generation, the Ministry of Tourism is now emphasizing GIS and Management-based plan, which helps to attain sustainable growth.