Assessing site suitability for ecotourism in Imphal Valley, Manipur using GIS and AHP

Manipur is undergoing rapid socio-economic transformation with ecotourism being a major contributor. The state displays a high potential for the development of ecotourism. It is crucial for the state to identify potential ecotourism sites to maximize benefits for local residents while minimizing associated costs. This paper examines potential ecotourism sites in four districts of the valley using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies. AHP was utilized to assign weights to eleven criteria in the assessment of potential ecotourism sites. These criteria include elevation, slope, proximity to rivers, land use and land cover (LULC), precipitation, temperature, drainage, tourist attractions, road access, population density, and habitat. The results show that Bishnupur district is the most suitable area, followed by Imphal West. This area is primarily located in and around the protected lake called Loktak. To maximize the benefits, the state government should conduct an awareness campaign among local residents to emphasize the significance of ecotourism development in these areas.