Socio-Cultural Impacts of Ecotourism Developments on the Stakeholders in the Great Himalayan National Park: An UNESCO World Heritage Site

Himachal Pradesh is known for its breathtaking pristine natural beauty, its sheer topographic diversity, architecture, snow-covered high Himalayan Mountains, temples, dense green deodar forests, rich flora & fauna, etc. and is regarded as a beautiful hill state. The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is situated in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. During the 38th meeting of the World Heritage Committee held on 23rd June 2014 at Qatar, the GHNP was celebrated as UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its 'outstanding universal values' adhering to the fact that the park has sustained the protection of biodiversity and nurtured rare natural beauty in the Western Himalayas. The park has been blessed with distinct biodiversity, flora & fauna. The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, is one of the best eco-tourism destinations in the state. The GHNP organizes various adventurous activities like trekking, wildlife viewing, bird watching, Rafting, Climbing, Mountain biking, local sightseeing, etc. Stakeholders' involvement is very important for the execution and development of eco-tourism in the destination, and they provide the exact feedback about the improvements and developments in the region. The study is confined to the Great Himalayan National Park Conservational Area (GHNPCA) Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The study explored the socio-cultural impacts of eco-tourism developments on the stakeholders in and around the Great Himalayan National Park.