PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE RAM VAN GAVAN PATH: A CASE OF CHITRAKOOT, MADHYA PRADESH

Abstract

The development of religious tourism corridors has emerged as a significant strategy for promoting cultural heritage and regional development in India. The Ram Van Gaman Path, based on the epic journey of Lord Rama during his exile, represents a unique opportunity to integrate religious significance with tourismled planning. This study focuses on Chitrakoot, a predominant pilgrimage town in Madhya Pradesh, which serves as a key node along this corridor and experiences high seasonal tourist inflow despite its small resident population. The research aims to formulate a comprehensive planning framework for tourism development in Chitrakoot by analysing existing spatial structure, infrastructure availability, tourist behaviour, and stakeholder perspectives. A mixed-method approach has been adopted, including primary surveys of tourists, local residents, and service providers, along with secondary data analysis and literature review on tourism planning and best practices. The study identifies critical issues such as unplanned land use, traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation, and lack of organized tourist management systems, especially during peak pilgrimage periods. Based on the findings, the research proposes planning-level interventions focusing on spatial zoning, infrastructure augmentation, mobility management, and enhancement of tourist facilities. Emphasis is placed on sustainable and integrated development by incorporating best practices such as community participation, environmental conservation, and tourism infrastructure planning. These approaches are essential for ensuring a balance between religious tourism growth and urban management. The study contributes to the broader discourse on tourism-led urban development in pilgrimage towns by demonstrating how structured planning frameworks can enhance visitor experience, improve local livelihoods, and support sustainable regional development. The proposed framework is intended to guide future development strategies for Chitrakoot and can serve as a model for other destinations along the Ram Van Gaman Path.