Assessment of the air and water quality in popular tourist hotspots and ecotourism zones in the hilly state of Sikkim

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2024.v09.n05.012

Keywords:

Air quality, Tourist destinations, Sikkim, Water quality

Abstract

The relationship between the growth of tourism and its effects on the environment is complicated. While tourism boosts a region's economy and provides natural and cultural experiences for visitors, the increasing number of tourists necessitates the development of tourism infrastructure which includes accommodation, transportation, recreational facilities, and waste management systems. To analyse the influence of tourism on air and water quality, 22 popular tourist destinations including 11 tourist hotspots and 11 ecotourism zones were selected. To test the air quality, Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), Particulate Matter 10 (PM 10), and Carbon monoxide (CO) with help of AIRTH air quality monitor using the Air Quality Index (AQI) as per Shukla et al (2010) was calculated. The twenty-two surface water samples were collected to test the physicochemical parameters i.e., pH, Turbidity, Total Alkalinity (Calcium Carbonate), Total Arsenic (As), Total Hardness (CaCO3), Chloride (Cl), Iron (Fe), Nitrate (NO₃⁻), Sulphate (SO4), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of water quality in Government Laboratory (Jal Jevan Mission) during peak and off-peak seasons in 22 popular tourist destinations in Sikkim. Further, the Water Quality Index was determined using the Weighted Arithmetic Index method developed by Brown et al. (1972). The assessment of AQI and WQI reveals that twenty-one tourist destinations show ‘good’ AQI except Gangtok and WQI across all the tourist destinations shows excellent.

Author Biographies

Deepa Rai, Research Scholar, Department of Geography and Disaster Management, Tripura Central University, Suryamaninagar-799022, Tripura

Deepa Rai received her Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in geography from Sikkim University; Master’s of Science in Geography from University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India. She also received a Bachelor’s of Education from Sikkim University.

Y.V. Krishnaiah, Professor, Department of Geography and Disaster Management, Tripura Central University, Suryamaninagar-799022, Tripura

Dr. Y. V. Krishnaiah, currently working as a Professor in the Department of Geography and Disaster Management at Tripura Central University, Agartala. He has obtained his M.Sc., Ph.D. in Geography from Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh; M.Ed. from Regional Institute of Education (NCERT), Mysore, and M.Phil. in Education from Madurai Kamaraj University. Member of the State Level Environmental Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for Tripura State for 2022-25, constituted by MOEFC, Govt. of India, with recommendation of Government of Tripura; Member of Academic Council, Tripura University (2021-24); HOD & Chairman of BPGS, Department of Geography and Disaster Management, Tripura University (2018-21); Coordinator of Integrated B.A/B.Sc., B.Ed., Tripura University (2018-19); Member of BFS, BPGS and BUGS in Geography and Disaster Management of Tripura University from 2018 onwards; He has 20+ years of teaching and research experience. Under his supervision 7-Ph. Ds are awarded, currently 5 Ph.D. scholars are ongoing, and 54-P.G. Dissertations successfully guided. He has completed a Research Project; published 2-reference books by International Publishers; 28-research papers published; 6- book-chapters published; 52 papers presented including 15-invited talks & 37-research papers. He is a life member of 20-Earth Sciences related esteemed societies. He is a paper reviewer of Springer, Elsevier, and a few Indian Journals. He has evaluated more than 30-Ph.D. thesis including Ph.D. synopsis for different Universities across India.

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http://www.unwto.org/mountain-tourism

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Published

15-05-2024

How to Cite

Rai, D., & Krishnaiah, Y. (2024). Assessment of the air and water quality in popular tourist hotspots and ecotourism zones in the hilly state of Sikkim. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 9(5), 93–107. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2024.v09.n05.012