2025, Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A

author(s)
Narendra G Chandewar

abstract
The state of Maharashtra, which is located on the western coast of India, is home to a diverse range of habitats, ranging from calm beaches and marshes to green forests and high mountains. Due to the state's exceptional biodiversity, which is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, ecotourism in the state has a great deal of potential. Ecotourism, often known as responsible tourism, is a kind of tourism that encourages environmental education, provides economic assistance to local people, and contributes to conservation efforts. Ecotourism is a win-win situation for the economy and biodiversity of Maharashtra since the state has the ideal mix of natural beauty, rich history, and extensive cultural inheritance. In this paper, the potential of ecotourism in Maharashtra is explored, with a particular focus on the ways in which it has the ability to contribute to the conservation of the environment and the empowerment of neighborhood groups. The state's biodiversity hotspots, like as the Western Ghats, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site, are emphasized, as are the protected species and ecosystems that are found inside the state. The most significant ecotourism initiatives in the state are investigated in this research, along with the ways in which these programs manage to strike a balance between the conservation of the environment and the growth of commercial tourism. It is possible for Maharashtra to develop ecotourism models that are beneficial to local communities and the environment, while also offering employment opportunities for inhabitants. This may be accomplished by fostering cooperation between citizens, tour operators, and government organizations. A number of advantages and disadvantages are associated with ecotourism. On the one hand, it helps promote awareness of the environment and contributes to the funding of conservation activities. On the other side, it might result in excessive tourism, the destruction of habitats, and the disruption of cultural practices. This paper tackles these issues and provides potential solutions to make ecotourism in Maharashtra sustainable. The essay places a focus on community participation, severe rules, and long-term success over the course of the discussion. According to the authors of this research, ecotourism has the potential to transform the natural resources of Maharashtra into a long-term asset for the state's economy, culture, and ecology.