Evaluating the ecological and economic impact of forest ecotourism in Maharashtra

A comparative analysis of 59 ecotourism sites in Maharashtra has been conducted, focusing on 10parameters classified into two major categories: infrastructure development, and financial data. Eachparameter was evaluated on a scale of 1 to 10, providing a clear representation of site performanceand investment efficiency. The findings reveal significant budget allocations for infrastructuredevelopment, while ecotourism despite its sustainable growth potential receives limited funding,indicating a need for improved resource allocation. The study identifies gaps between site potentialand current rankings, highlighting untapped opportunities. Among the 59 sites, 17 were classified ashigh potential, 27 as medium potential, and 13 as low potential, with two sites not qualifying asecotourism destinations. Most sites fall into the medium potential category, with a notable numberclassified as low potential. The balanced sanction cost, typically 50% of the total project cost,suggests opportunities for optimizing initial cost allocation. Financial assessments indicatesubstantial infrastructure spending, crucial for site functionality, but ecotourism initiatives remainunderfunded, necessitating strategic reallocation to promote sustainability.