Overtourism in India Challenges, Impacts and Sustainable Solutions: A Case Study of Kumbh Mela
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55544/ijrah.dyparts.20Keywords:
sustainable tourism, environmental degradation, cultural heritage, infrastructure strain, overtourismAbstract
Overtourism in India has emerged as a significant challenge due to rapidly increasing visitor numbers placing immense pressure on natural, cultural, and infrastructural resources. While tourism provides important economic benefits including employment and foreign exchange, its negative impacts are becoming more pronounced: environmental degradation, overcrowding, infrastructural strain, and loss of cultural authenticity. Iconic destinations such as the Taj Mahal, Goa, and Varanasi face threats from unsustainable tourism practices. Using a case study of the Kumbh Mela, this paper examines the causes and consequences of overtourism in India. It evaluates environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts, reviews current government / stakeholder initiatives, and proposes sustainable solutions to balance tourism growth with preservation of cultural heritage and environmental integrity.
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