Impact of Tourism on Forest Habitat Surrounding in Unakoti: An Important Archaeological Site of Tripura, North-East India

Biplab Banik; Koushik Majumdar; Biswajit Baishnab; B.K. Datta

doi:10.37591/rrjols.v8i3.771

Abstract

In this paper, we described the effects of tourism on forest habitat diversity, structure and biomass potential. To assess the effects of tourism pressure on surrounding forest habitat, we recorded and scored all ongoing disturbances factor in all selected forest stand. Tree species richness, stem density, basal area and population structure were investigated in two categories of forest stand i.e., occasionally visited and frequently visited forest areas selected based on remoteness and closeness to the tourist spot. The study revealed that the tree species richness (F = 86.174, p < 0.001) and diversity (F = 86.174, p < 0.001) varied along the disturbance gradient in different stands. Total stem density (F = 100.92, p < 0.001) and basal area (F = 43.06, p < 0.001) of the forest stands were significantly affected by visitors impact factors. Resource extraction and encroachment by local communities has been cited as a major impediment to the efficient management of protected forests. Proper management of protected forests is crucial to avoid further loss of forest resources and biodiversity. Our results suggest that forest conservation measures need to be equally accompanied by archaeological sculpture protection to achieve a more sustainable tourism development in the site. Keywords: Forest structure, frequently visited areas, occasionally visited areas, tourism, UnakotiCite this ArticleBiplab Banik, Koushik Majumdar, Biswajit Baishnab et al. Impact of Tourism on Forest Habitat Surrounding in Unakoti: An Important Archaeological Site of Tripura, North-East India. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Life Sciences. 2018; 8(3): 50–66p