Environment
Aditi Nag
Abstract
Using quantitative data from visitor surveys, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and stakeholder perspectives, this paper investigates the growth of sustainable tourism at Dhori Mines, a noteworthy mining heritage site (MHS) in India. The survey reveals that 82% of visitors value a site's heritage ...
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Using quantitative data from visitor surveys, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and stakeholder perspectives, this paper investigates the growth of sustainable tourism at Dhori Mines, a noteworthy mining heritage site (MHS) in India. The survey reveals that 82% of visitors value a site's heritage value and prefer immersive experiences that highlight its cultural and historical significance, highlighting the complex relationship between conservation efforts and visitor engagement. The EIA revealed that 68% of regions experienced moderate to severe environmental degradation, and water contamination increased by 22% since baseline measurements. The findings suggest targeted measures to reduce environmental effects and encourage ethical tourism, emphasizing the importance of inclusive decision-making and collaborative governance in balancing conservation objectives with visitor satisfaction. Developing tailored visitor experiences, implementing sustainable practices based on EIA data, and enhancing community participation are merely some of the important recommendations made in the paper's conclusion. The research provides managers and policymakers with evidence-based recommendations for preserving the environmental sustainability and cultural integrity of MHSs like Dhori Mines, contributing to the growing knowledge on sustainable heritage tourism. Future research prospects include long-term monitoring of environmental impacts, assessing socio-economic outcomes for local communities, and conducting comparative studies across different MHSs.
M. Ataei; E. Tajvidi Asr; R. Khalokakaie; K. Ghanbari; M. R. Tavakoli Mohammadi
Abstract
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) has led to the dominance of planners on the natural environment of the regions, providing the possibility of continuously monitoring and controlling the status quo by management staff. In this regard, a new semi-quantitative model is presented for the EIA of the ...
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Environmental impact assessment (EIA) has led to the dominance of planners on the natural environment of the regions, providing the possibility of continuously monitoring and controlling the status quo by management staff. In this regard, a new semi-quantitative model is presented for the EIA of the Eastern Alborz Coal Mining complex using the matrix method, and determining the corresponding impacting factors and environmental components. For this purpose, the expert opinions are used to gather the preliminary data and score the parameters involved. The effect of each impacting factor involved on each environmental component is determined by quantifying the qualitative comments. According to the results obtained, the components air quality, human health and safety, and ecology and soil of the area undergo the most environmental damages from the mining activities. Then the EIA results obtained are used to assess the sustainability of the complex using the Phillips mathematical model. The results obtained indicate that the sustainability of this complex is weak, and, therefore, the preventive environmental measures with a preference must be recommended to reduce the environmental damages to its components.
