Tourism Pressure and Sustainable Coastal Planning in Digha, West Bengal, India: Balancing Economic Growth and Ecological Conservation

Abstract

Tourism over the years has become a revolutionizing phenomenon, and it is emerging as a catalyst of the development process due to economic and employment generation as well as generating a number of socio-economic benefits, particularly in remote and backward areas at the regional, national and global levels. The coastal town of Digha in West Bengal has experienced significant tourism‑led development over recent decades, driving substantial economic benefits for local communities. Coastal tourism represents one of the most dynamic yet environmentally sensitive sectors of regional development in the Global South. While tourism expansion contributes significantly to employment generation, infrastructure growth, and regional economic diversification, it simultaneously exerts mounting pressure on fragile coastal ecosystems. The coastal town of Digha in West Bengal, India, exemplifies the complex interplay between tourism-driven economic transformation and environmental degradation. Over the past two decades, Digha has transitioned from a modest fishing settlement into a high-density domestic tourism hub, recording sustained increases in visitor arrivals, accommodation capacity, and built-up expansion along the shoreline. This study provides a comprehensive review and analytical synthesis of tourism pressure, ecological impacts, and coastal governance challenges in Digha. Drawing on multi-source data including shoreline change assessments, environmental quality indicators, policy evaluations, and stakeholder-based insights, the paper examines the extent to which current coastal planning frameworks adequately address sustainability concerns. The findings reveal that accelerated shoreline retreat, habitat fragmentation, waste accumulation, and water quality decline are closely associated with infrastructure concentration and regulatory enforcement gaps. Although Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) policies and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) initiatives provide a formal governance structure, implementation inconsistencies undermine long-term resilience. The paper argues that sustainable coastal tourism in Digha requires a transition toward ecosystem-based management, carrying capacity regulation, participatory governance, and climate-resilient spatial planning. By situating the Digha case within broader theoretical debates on coastal resilience and tourism sustainability, the study contributes to global discussions on balancing economic growth with ecological conservation in rapidly urbanising coastal destinations.