FOSTERING INCLUSIVE LIVELIHOODS THROUGH GEOTOURISM: INSIGHTS FROM THE DARJEELING HIMALAYAN REGION

The Darjeeling Himalayan Region (DHR), situated within the Eastern Himalayas, is witnessing a gradual transformation in its developmental trajectory through the emergence of geotourism. Unlike conventional tourism that often prioritizes volume over value, geotourism represents a sustainable and inclusive approach by combining geological education, community participation, environmental conservation, and cultural heritage. This study examines the multifaceted role of geotourism in fostering inclusive livelihoods and promoting sustainable urbanism within the fragile mountain ecosystems of Darjeeling. Drawing upon an integrated methodology that includes geospatial mapping, primary field surveys, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), and secondary data analysis, this research identifies both opportunities and constraints associated with geotourism. The study highlights grassroots innovations such as homestays, eco-trails, cultural tourism, and geo-interpretation centers that have enabled women, youth, and marginalized groups to participate actively in the regional economy. These initiatives contribute to reducing economic dependency on traditional mono-industries such as tea and timber. However, the paper also brings attention to persistent challenges such as infrastructural gaps, lack of formal training, overlapping institutional jurisdictions, and environmental vulnerabilities including landslides and climate variability. In addressing these, the research proposes a multi-dimensional policy framework incorporating zonation models, capacity-building initiatives, and participatory planning. The conceptual framework developed herein emphasizes a feedback-driven, community-empowered geotourism model aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The findings underline that geotourism can become a strategic tool for achieving inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development in mountain regions, provided there is robust institutional support, environmental safeguards, and genuine community engagement. This paper adds to the growing discourse on nature-culture-tourism linkages and sets the foundation for replicable models in other Himalayan and mountain regions globally.