Author: Asad Ali Sarkar & Sebak Kumar Jana
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/04010043
Abstract: This study develops a comprehensive AHP-PROMETHEE-GIS framework to evaluate the suitability of ecotourism activities in Bankura district, West Bengal, India, a region characterized by ecologically sensitive and culturally rich landscapes. The methodology integrated multi-criteria decision-making and geospatial analysis over 2,531 delineated landscape units, encompassing geomorphological, ecological, and infrastructural variables. The PROMETHEE method implemented in Python enabled hierarchical suitability rankings visualized in ArcGIS, revealing significant spatial heterogeneity. Approximately 69.8% of the highly suitable zones are concentrated in the western uplands, including the Jhilimili-RanibandhMukutmanipur belt, supporting activities such as cross-country adventure, trekking, forest recreation, and environmental research. Secondary suitability zones cover about 45.0%, whereas moderate and marginal suitability units account for 35.6% and 33.8% respectively. This spatial framework balances ecological protection with economic and social benefits, providing operational guidelines for zonation and sustainable ecotourism planning. It advances landscape unitdriven strategies to optimize ecotourism layouts, mitigate landscape fragmentation, and foster synergies between biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Keywords: Ecotourism Suitability, AHP-PROMETHEE-GIS, Spatial Analysis, Sustainable Planning, Bankura District.
Page No: 312-344