Probing The Hosts’ & Tourists’ Responsibilities and Participation Towards Solid Waste Management in Destination Wayanad

Solid waste management, in the present day, has become a significant environmental issue in a rapidly developing country like India, especially degrading its unique and serene tourist spots in myriad ways. The pollution generated by the tourism and hospitality industries and the lack of proper mechanism in place for the disposal and treatment of solid waste has negatively impacted the physical image of tourism destinations in the country. Moreover, the health problems that surface also curtail the growth of tourism. In this backdrop, the responsibilities of stakeholders in the solid waste management of tourism destinations assume much importance. This work focuses on the roles and responsibilities of both hosts and guests in drastically reducing solid waste through alternative practices, abiding by the personal ethics and regulatory methods in Wayanad located in Kerala. Wayanad is home to some enchanting wildlife tourism spots and facets of cultural heritage dots a place of paramount significance in the Indian tourism map. Statistics indicate that there has been considerable increase in the solid waste generation particularly in the areas of Wayanad frequented by tourists a great deal. This is in sync with the surge of tourist arrivals in the district and also the fast paced development of tourism industry. Already, many spots are experiencing the trouble as regards the disposal of mounting heaps of trash. This trend can be attributed to the burgeoning population, rise in tourists’ influx, changing lifestyles in tune with modernity, food habits, changes in the living standards, improper financial planning and funds allocation, institutional weaknesses, unsuitable choice of technology, and public apathy towards municipal solid waste. Waste is directly related to the consumption of resources and dumping on the land. Thus, the problem of solid waste disposal can hardly be viewed with equanimity, i.e., it surely represents a major environmental problem that is likely to propagate worse in destination Wayanad. The result in terms of economic progress in tourism development leads to urbanization and urban expansion leads to solid waste pollution. The present study deals with the proper and efficient ways of handling the waste materials in Wayanad through committed host-guest participation, which requires a good deal of total sewage disposal and public awareness campaigns. The hosts and guests should be aware of the necessity of hygienic disposal of wastes generated at the tourist centers. This paper attempts to bring to light the agenda that may be implemented to curb solid waste pollution as it directly impacts tourism resources, environment, health, and overall welfare. The study also discusses the indigenous sustainability practices that may be imbibed by the hosts and guests in the context of solid waste management in Wayanad thereby making the destination sustainable, greener, and cleaner not only at present but also for the future. The data for the study is collected through field visits, observations and in-depth interviews. The methodology adopted is qualitative technique and SWOT analysis has also been carried out to derive the inferences.