Towards sustainable tourism energy practices: evaluating fuelwood consumption in the North-West Himalayas

The utilization of fuelwood is a crucial energy source in the Himalayan region; however, it poses a significant challenge to environmental sustainability due to the gradual deforestation resulting from anthropogenic activities, particularly exacerbated by tourism. The study intends to quantify fuelwood consumption patterns at prominent tourist destinations in the North-west Himalayas. The study also intends to assess greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions resulting from fuelwood consumption and ascertain the degree of deforestation, vital to figure out how it impacts the environment and advocating for sustainable resource management. A comprehensive survey was undertaken, encompassing both household and accommodation sectors. The data was collected using a meticulously designed structured questionnaire with random sampling and the weight survey technique. The results reveal that the average household fuelwood consumption was 14.62 ± 2.78 and 10.33 ± 3.09 kg day-1household-1, and at the accommodation level, it was 17.97 ± 2.73 and 12.15 ± 2.37 kg day-1hotel-1 at Sonamarg and Doodhpathri, respectively. The analysis of variance reveals a significant difference between fuelwood consumption and various characteristics of household and accommodation units. Overall, the findings reveal that the total fuelwood consumed by households and accommodation units at both destinations was 1739.26 tdm, which resulted in the release of 760.16 tons (total carbon) and a total deforested wood of 905.70 m3. This research is the foundation for mapping and effectively implementing sustainable forest management practices. It also aims to regulate the excessive consumption of fuelwood and promote the utilization of sustainable fuel sources to mitigate deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ecologically vulnerable mountain tourist destinations. The findings of this study will contribute to the maintenance of environmental sustainability and add to the existing repository of knowledge on sustainable energy practices, particularly in light of the escalating impact of tourism in the Himalayan region.