Published Paper Details:

Tourism has multi-dimensional impacts, influencing the social, cultural, economic, political, environmental, and other aspects of society. Among these, environmental impact has emerged as a significant concern, as the rapid growth of tourism over the years has brought both opportunities and challenges for tourism and society. The objectives of this study are to assess both the positive and negative impacts of tourism on the environment and to analyse the community's awareness of, and response to, these changes. The research design was descriptive, and the study was conducted in the key areas of Dharamshala. Purposive sampling was used to select 50 respondents. Data collection involved the semi-structured interview schedule method. The present study findings highlight that tourism in Dharamshala has led to both positive and negative environmental impacts. Consequently, local communities, authorities, and tourism-related commercial establishments are actively working towards sustainable tourism practices.