Journal of Biology and Nature

Tourism in protected areas plays a pivotal role in connecting people to nature while also posing significant challenges to ecological integrity. The present study was conducted in the Gautala Autramghat Wildlife Sanctuary (GAWLS), Maharashtra, Western India, to document tourism destinations, assess anthropogenic pressures, and propose sustainable ecotourism strategies. A site-based inventory was carried out across 39 tourist locations, classified into four categories: religious places, waterfalls, viewpoints, and forts/caves. For each site, information on cultural-historical importance, visitor intensity, and associated activities was recorded. Anthropogenic disturbances were systematically evaluated using a disturbance ranking scale (1 = rare, 2 = occasional, 3 = frequent), while wildlife presence was compiled through a literature review to contextualise ecological sensitivity. Religious sites exhibited the highest cumulative disturbance scores, largely due to persistent noise, plastic accumulation, crowding, animal feeding, and solid waste management issues. The highest disturbance scores were recorded at Patna Devi Temple, Hajrat Sayyad Miya Dargah viewpoint, Hemadpanthi Mahadev Mandir, Gautala Dam, and Waterfalls such as Gaymukh and Sita Khori. The resource extraction (firewood, timber, fodder), religious gatherings, vehicular movement, and festive season activities were identified as contributors to frequent disturbances at several sites. These activities overlap with habitats of vulnerable species such as the Leopard (Panthera pardus), Four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), and Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), highlighting potential risks to biodiversity conservation. The study emphasises the need for reorienting tourism towards sustainable models. Recommended measures include regulating religious tourism, promoting low-impact activities (guided walks, visits to interpretation centres), community involvement in ecotourism, and stricter enforcement of forest protection rules. By integrating cultural heritage with biodiversity conservation, GAWLS has the potential to serve as a model for ecotourism in India, ensuring long-term ecological security while supporting local livelihoods.