Religious Tourism and Sustainable Development: Perspectives …
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pollution has been found to be the sewage, both solid and liquid wastes (Bhutiani
et al. 2016).
The cleaning and revival of rivers and its ecosystem is a difficult task, but with the
collective will and effort of the administration and community a lot could be done
to improve these systems (Mallet 2017). In addition, the delays and deficiencies in
management, planning and implementation of government projects, such as Namami
Gange, are a major challenge to the integrative framework and execution process.
There should be shared responsibility and citizen engagement, as seen globally in the
case of other rivers such as the Thames (UK) and the Rhine (Germany, Switzerland
and Netherlands), in order to have a lasting change (CAG 2017; Joshi 2018). ‘By
understanding the conscience of the people, and the pulse of their relationship with
the river, better practices can be moulded and adapted so that the river does not
only hold a spiritual and mental connection, but a physical, environmental and moral
respect as well’ (Baca 2015). Any lasting improvement can only result from adopting
an integrated action plan and considering the region as a living heritage of the nation
(Kumar 2017; Trivedi 2010).
Moreover, domestic visitors have been known to deface monuments and trees
by making marks, graffiti, etc. in utter disregard to the destination (Kaur 1978). In
addition, parking and traffic congestion on the mountain roads is a major challenge
and leads to noise and air pollution. There have been cases of jams that have persisted
for days and weeks. The unsystematic construction of accommodation and lodges
has led to wide-scale deforestation and climatic changes.
The increased tourism in the region has also resulted in other social concerns,
such as the erosion of local identity and traditional values (Mahapatra et al. 2011).
‘The existing attempts to conserve the valley from the negative effects of tourism
are inadequate and modifications are needed in the current initiatives’ (Singh et al.
2009).
4.3 Promoting Religious Tourism and Sustainable
Development: Some Suggestions
Visitor perceptions are positively influenced by ‘impressive atmosphere, attractive
environment, personal beliefs, and loyal behaviours, but weakened by commercial
activities, modern buildings, and environmental pollution’ (Huang and Pearce 2019).
Some suggestions for promoting religious tourism in a sustainable manner are shared
below.
Regulating visitors according to carrying capacity: The majority of the environmental concerns are related to the increased number of visitors (Shinde 2007).
It has been recommended by different studies that the management and regulation of visitors to religious and popular tourist sites should be done scientifically
(Adhikari 2018; IIT 2013; Sati 2015; Yadav 2014). For an effective promotion of
religious tourism, it is necessary to prevent the infringement of carrying capacity
279
pollution has been found to be the sewage, both solid and liquid wastes (Bhutiani
et al. 2016).
The cleaning and revival of rivers and its ecosystem is a difficult task, but with the
collective will and effort of the administration and community a lot could be done
to improve these systems (Mallet 2017). In addition, the delays and deficiencies in
management, planning and implementation of government projects, such as Namami
Gange, are a major challenge to the integrative framework and execution process.
There should be shared responsibility and citizen engagement, as seen globally in the
case of other rivers such as the Thames (UK) and the Rhine (Germany, Switzerland
and Netherlands), in order to have a lasting change (CAG 2017; Joshi 2018). ‘By
understanding the conscience of the people, and the pulse of their relationship with
the river, better practices can be moulded and adapted so that the river does not
only hold a spiritual and mental connection, but a physical, environmental and moral
respect as well’ (Baca 2015). Any lasting improvement can only result from adopting
an integrated action plan and considering the region as a living heritage of the nation
(Kumar 2017; Trivedi 2010).
Moreover, domestic visitors have been known to deface monuments and trees
by making marks, graffiti, etc. in utter disregard to the destination (Kaur 1978). In
addition, parking and traffic congestion on the mountain roads is a major challenge
and leads to noise and air pollution. There have been cases of jams that have persisted
for days and weeks. The unsystematic construction of accommodation and lodges
has led to wide-scale deforestation and climatic changes.
The increased tourism in the region has also resulted in other social concerns,
such as the erosion of local identity and traditional values (Mahapatra et al. 2011).
‘The existing attempts to conserve the valley from the negative effects of tourism
are inadequate and modifications are needed in the current initiatives’ (Singh et al.
2009).
4.3 Promoting Religious Tourism and Sustainable
Development: Some Suggestions
Visitor perceptions are positively influenced by ‘impressive atmosphere, attractive
environment, personal beliefs, and loyal behaviours, but weakened by commercial
activities, modern buildings, and environmental pollution’ (Huang and Pearce 2019).
Some suggestions for promoting religious tourism in a sustainable manner are shared
below.
Regulating visitors according to carrying capacity: The majority of the environmental concerns are related to the increased number of visitors (Shinde 2007).
It has been recommended by different studies that the management and regulation of visitors to religious and popular tourist sites should be done scientifically
(Adhikari 2018; IIT 2013; Sati 2015; Yadav 2014). For an effective promotion of
religious tourism, it is necessary to prevent the infringement of carrying capacity