• Pankaj Singh Chandel
• Prachi Agarwal
• Dr Arunesh Parashar
• Dr Umakant Indolia

The management of solid waste in homestay tourism locations across Uttarakhand's Himalayan region presents significant environmental challenges. Tourism activities generate over five million metric tons of waste annually in the Indian Himalayan Region, with Uttarakhand contributing approximately 1,500 tons daily (Pandey 2022) This volume increases substantially during peak tourist seasons, particularly affecting popular destinations like Mussoorie and Nainital. Analysis reveals a concerning trend, with non-biodegradable waste constituting 96.3% of total waste by weight in certain areas like the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib region (Thakur 2021). The region faces unique challenges due to its geographical and climatic conditions, including limited suitable land for waste disposal, poor accessibility, and slower organic waste decomposition in cold climates (Prakash 2024) Current waste management practices vary significantly, with some areas implementing door-to-door collection services while others rely on inadequate community bins or informal collection methods (Tepper 2024) Approximately 60% of waste in the Indian Himalayan Region is either dumped or burnt in the open. The environmental impacts include water and soil contamination, air pollution from waste burning, and wildlife behavioural changes, with studies showing that Himalayan Brown Bears now derive over 75% of their food from garbage dumps (Byers 2020) This paper explores the underlying causes of the waste management crisis in Uttarakhand's homestay tourism, investigates current practices, and proposes a framework for sustainable solid waste management. Innovative solutions being implemented include community-based waste management initiatives, decentralized processing facilities, and eco-tourism practices (Singh 2014) Success stories like the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary Initiative, which recycled over 7,500 kg of waste in 2021-22, demonstrate the potential for effective waste management even in remote areas (E-Waste rules 2023) Addressing this challenge requires a multifaceted approach combining technological innovations, community engagement, policy reforms, and sustainable tourism practices to preserve the region's ecological integrity while supporting tourism development (Liu 2023)

Solid Waste Management, Homestay Tourism, Ecologically Sensitive Areas, Uttarakhand, Indian Himalayan Region

"Tackling the Waste Dilemma in Ecologically Sensitive Areas: An Analysis of Solid Waste Management in Uttarakhand's Homestay Tourism", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 12, page no.c81-c98, December-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2412208.pdf

"Tackling the Waste Dilemma in Ecologically Sensitive Areas: An Analysis of Solid Waste Management in Uttarakhand's Homestay Tourism", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 12, page no. ppc81-c98, December-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2412208.pdf