SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT A CASE STUDY OF WARANGAL DISTRICT OF INDIA

Abstract

Ecotourism is Wl activity that creates wealth by showcasing the natural beauty of the
earth's features Wld IWldscapes. The main objective of this study is to identify potential
ecotourism spots in Warangal district of India's state of Andhra Pradesh. The study uses
geospatial data sets through GIS Wlalysis supported by field-verified data sets of £ISS -III
Satellite Image LWld use IWld cover map preparation with suitability assessment. At the
present state Warangal district's tourism is supported by the region's relevWlt cultural and
historical elements. In the present study data sets of physical, cultural Wld historical tourist
attraction sites were used. Additionally, relevWlt literature Wld documentation were
studied and key infor7nWlt interviews to different stakeholders from the infrastructure and
tourism development were conducted. The study identified the sites of La1Jvala and
Gngavaram as ha1Jing a high potential for ecotourism and those of ShWlpalle Wld Chinna
Boinapalle as of medium ecotourism potential. The four potential tourist spots identified
are found within the rWlge of the vegetation area with accessibility to road netuJork and
existing tourist attraction sites. The study condudes that the location of potential ecotourism
sites is contingent on their natural vegetation Wld that their economic development
strongly depends upon their accessibility by trWlsport netuJork.