Perceptions of the Local Community Toward the Tourism Industry’s Impact on the Environment: A Focus on the Kaziranga National Park and Majuli

Abstract

Tourism is an industry experiencing rapid growth, with impacts beyond well-being and quality of life, encompassing substantial socio-economic and environmental effects. The study investigates how the local community perceives the connection between tourism development and its environmental impact. The study population includes various tourism stakeholders, such as representatives from local communities, hoteliers, and tour operators active in the regions. We distributed 207 questionnaires and concise descriptions of key study variables to enhance respondent understanding. After confirming the instrument's reliability and validity, we analyzed the data using principal component analysis. The findings indicate that a significant proportion of residents actively contribute to preserving natural resources and landscapes, proactively securing their environment as a major tourist attraction. Furthermore, tourism expenditures have contributed to the preservation and conservation of both the environment and the local community, fostering collaborations between local self-help groups and non-governmental organizations. However, the study also identified progressive natural and environmental capital deterioration. Factors such as excessive land use, construction, traffic congestion, air and water pollution, and solid waste and sewage buildup were noted as key challenges. To address these, the proposed framework emphasizes harmonizing business and environmental priorities in sustaining an ecological system through government support and policy interventions. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing tourism development and the need for effective governmental policies to conserve environmental and natural resources while ensuring local communities' economic viability and social well-being.