Revealing ecotourism potentiality in northeast seven sister states, India: a geospatial analysis using multifaceted GIS-based approach

Abstract

The seven sister states of northeast India are renowned for their diverse landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage. From the Himalayas in the north to the plateau plains in the south, the region offers lush rainforests and rich biodiversity, making it ideal for ecotourism. This study aimed to map and analyze the ecotourism potential across Northeast India's seven sister states through state-wise geospatial analysis. Geographic information system (GIS) and the full consistency method (FUCOM) multi-criteria decision analysis model were used for this purpose. While many multi-criteria decision making (MCDA) models have been used to identify ecotourism potential, FUCOM-based geospatial analysis is new to this area and ecotourism potential identification. Utilizing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the study assessed the effectiveness of each state and region in identifying suitable tourism zones. It highlighted the rich natural resources and cultural diversity of the seven sister states, which offer an ideal environment for ecotourism development. Through comparative analyses, we identified areas with the highest ecotourism potential and emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism initiatives to benefit both the environment and local communities. The potential zones in the Northeast States were categorized into five groups: Very High (23.34%), High (25.76%), Moderate (20.15%), Low (22.39%) and Least Potential (8.36%). The results suggest that improving infrastructure, engaging communities, enhancing marketing, advancing research, and fostering strong collaboration are significant ways to unlock its ecotourism potential.