Tourism development in small islands: a case study of Elephanta island, Maharashtra, India

Tourism has profoundly influenced the fragile ecology and ancient heritage of the World Heritage Site of Elephanta. The growth of tourism and the commoditisation of heritage have become topics of controversy, and the economic advantages of tourism often seem to conflict with natural and cultural considerations. Elephanta offers an opportunity to explore the inter-relationships of livelihood, tourism promotion, environmental preservation, heritage conservation and community participation. In this context, analysis of the socio-economic profile and living conditions of the islanders has become essential. Suggestions for the sustainable development of Elephanta include upgrading tourist facilities, integrated site management, environmental conservation, heritage preservation and community participation. Secondary household data based upon unstructured interviews with household heads, meetings with the Sarpanch (village head) and group discussions with local community groups forms the core methods, supplemented with information from field surveys of an exploratory nature.