A Case Study on Cost-Benefit Analysis of Ecotourism in Pahalgam Anantnag District, Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

The paper addresses the ecotourism policy and practices and the benefits and costs associated with it so as to find out how far tourism in these areas meet the criteria of responsible tourism and to find out what can be done to promote more desirable outcomes at these operational levels with the help of cost benefit analysis of these ecotourism projects. Tourism presents a mix of opportunities and threats for protected areas. Ecotourism seeks to increase opportunities and to reduce threats. If an opportunity is realized, then it becomes a benefit. If a threat is not avoided, then it becomes a cost. There are no automatic benefits associated with ecotourism; success depends on good planning and management.