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From Quarry to Query: Statistical Deconstruction of Mining Heritage Tourism at Barr Conglomerate, India

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Author

School of Architecture and Design, Faculty of Science, Technology and Architecture, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

10.22044/jme.2025.17049.3359

Abstract

This research evaluates the viability of mining heritage tourism (MHT) as a strategic pathway for sustainable regional development, using the Barr Conglomerate in Pali, Rajasthan, as a case exemplar. Positioned within the broader discourse on reactivating post-industrial landscapes, the study adopts a mixed-method design that integrates perceptual surveys (n = 440) with multivariate tools—including Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA)—to decode stakeholder attitudes and assess spatially differentiated tourism potential. Eight experiential themes emerge from the PCA, encompassing infrastructure adequacy, site distinctiveness, safety perception, interpretive depth, and cultural resonance. While respondents recognize Barr’s strong geo-heritage value and visual appeal, persistent deficiencies in accessibility, safety management, and narrative infrastructure constrain its tourism readiness. Findings demonstrate the site’s potential to be repositioned through themed geo-trails, multi-sensory interpretive environments, and community-based tourism models. Segment-specific discriminant profiles reveal differing perceptual priorities across tourists, residents, and experts, underscoring the need for tailored branding strategies rooted in geological authenticity, memory landscapes, and living community heritage. Benchmarking against Rajasthan’s regional tourism motivations—adventure, authenticity, storytelling, and geotourism—further highlights the competitive niche Barr can occupy within state-level heritage circuits. The study proposes a scalable, data-driven framework that couples perceptual clustering with participatory planning, offering a replicable model for transforming abandoned extraction sites into culturally rich, economically resilient, and ecologically responsive heritage destinations.

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Journal of Mining and Environment
Volume 17, Issue 3
May and June 2026
Pages 929-972
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