Sound levels assessment in an ecotourism destination: A case study on Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary of Indian Himalayan Region

Travelling to relatively pristine or natural areas is rapidly growing among visitors worldwide, which not only stimulates impacts on landscape and its wildlife but affects the visitors’ experience -as well. Considering sound associated with anthropogenic activities as an impact causing indicator, the present study reports and discusses the result of monitoring sound levels in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, an ecotourism destination situated in mid of Kumaon Himalayas. The equivalent sound pressure level (Leq) was determined both in presence and absence of visitors, at key locations within high usage tourism sites of different zones of Binsar. The results indicated that the ambient noise level remains within the prescribed standard limit being stable around 50 dB in the absence of visitors, which increases up to 70dB in the presence of visitors. Using LN statistics five sites reported to exceed 50 dB of sound level for 10% of the recorded time. The outcome suggests non-violation of standard limits within sanctuary; however, it necessitates control of visitor activities by sanctuary management at locations where animal habitats exist, considering increasing visitation.