Environmental Governance for Religious Tourism in Pilgrim Towns: Case Studies from India: Vrindavan and Tirumala-Tirupati

The increase in pilgrimage worldwide has generated many kinds of environmental problems in pilgrim- towns. These include pressures exerted by an increased and regular distribution of visitors and urban growth driven by demands for supporting tourist infrastructure. By employing Pressure-State- Response framework, this book examines environmental issues in two popular pilgrimage places in India: Tirumala-Tirupati with authoritative religious institution, and Vrindavan that does not have a single strong religious institution. A focus on 'response' mechanism of institutions (government agencies, religious institutions, NGOs and civil society) is necessary to develop a better approach to environmental management. This book suggests developing a comprehensive environmental policy for pilgrimage and strategies for stakeholder participation in environmental management, and the need to bring religious institutions as enterprises under regulatory framework for environmental improvement. The book is useful for government agencies, NGOs, environmental professionals, and students interested in improving the environment of sacred sites.