SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DYNAMICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN SOLAPUR DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA

The Solapur district in south-central Maharashtra is a region of significant religious, cultural, ecological, and industrial importance. It is home to heritage forts and temples, traditional textile crafts such as the Solapuri chaddar, major wetlands like Ujani/Bhigwan, and the prominent pilgrimage hub of Pandharpur. Rapid pilgrimage flows, seasonal tourism peaks, expanding leisure travel, and local development pressures have created both opportunities and sustainability challenges for the district. These include water pollution, waste generation, habitat disturbance, and infrastructure strain. This study evaluates key environmental and socio-economic issues related to tourism, synthesizes existing knowledge, and proposes evidence-based planning, governance, community participation, and technological strategies to promote sustainable tourism in Solapur district