Balancing Conservation and Commerce : Sustainable Tourism Strategies in Chhattisgarh

Sustainable tourism seeks to align environmental conservation and economic development through efficient partnerships. Tourism in Chhattisgarh, India, uses ecological resources indiscriminately, giving greater preference to general tours over authentic indigenous ones. This paper takes a systems-based approach to establish criteria and explore avenues in nature-based, culture-based, and community-based tourism. A strategic plan provides a way to strike a balance between conservation and commerce, allowing policymakers to address complexities without compromising objectives. There are several alternatives to monitoring and adaptive management, but each has trade-offs. Resilience plans enhance flexibility in case of disruptions. Chhattisgarh has good natural and cultural resources that would enable it to grow as a sustainable tourism destination. Despite efforts by the local government and the Ministry of Tourism, tourism has caused significant environmental and socio-economic problems, necessitating a sustainable approach.