IMPACT OF DECREASING WATER QUALITY ON TOURISM IN PUNE: A CASE STUDY OF URBAN AND PERIPHERAL WATER BODIES

The present research investigates the deteriorating water quality in Pune and its influence on tourism activities across both urban and peripheral zones. Using a year-long dataset from five representative locations — Mulshi Dam, Balewadi, Military Engineer Services (MES), Vishrantwadi, and Sangamwadi — the study analyzes parameters such as temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO), and hardness. The findings indicate a significant decline in water quality, particularly in urban catchments like Sangamwadi and Balewadi, due to industrial discharge, untreated sewage, and urban runoff. While water-based tourism such as dam recreation and riverfront leisure has declined, cultural, historical, and event-based tourism in Pune has grown concurrently, reflecting a structural shift in the city’s tourism economy. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable water management practices and environmental restoration to maintain ecological integrity and revive eco-tourism potential in Pune.