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@article{178565,
        author = {Pravin Tambat},
        title = {Biodiversity Conservation Through Agro-Tourism: A Case Study of Saguna Baug, Maharashtra},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {11},
        number = {12},
        pages = {3802-3806},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=178565},
        abstract = {The growing urgency of biodiversity conservation demands integrated solutions that balance ecological, economic, and social priorities. Agro-tourism has emerged as a powerful model where tourism and sustainable agriculture intersect to serve the dual goals of rural development and environmental stewardship. This study explores the role of agro-tourism at Saguna Baug, a pioneering eco-tourism farm located in Neral, Maharashtra, in advancing biodiversity conservation. As a model farm established in 1985, Saguna Baug exemplifies sustainability through its practices in organic farming, water conservation, wildlife protection, and educational tourism.
Using a structured questionnaire and a sample of 65 visitors, the study assesses awareness, attitudes, and participation in conservation-oriented activities. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed to analyze responses across demographic segments and their experience levels. Key findings reveal a strong correlation between participation in eco-tourism programs and a heightened awareness and commitment to biodiversity protection. Visitors with prior environmental knowledge demonstrated higher engagement in eco-friendly practices, while awareness programs significantly influenced post-visit behavior.
The study confirms the transformative role of agro-tourism in shaping sustainable behavior, especially among young and first-time visitors. It further identifies existing communication gaps and recommends strategies such as interactive exhibits, pre-visit digital resources, and stronger community involvement to enhance the conservation impact.
Ultimately, Saguna Baug offers a replicable model for harmonizing tourism with conservation. This research contributes to policy dialogues on eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation and provides data-driven recommendations to expand the impact of agro-tourism initiatives in India and beyond.},
        keywords = {Agro-tourism, Biodiversity Conservation, Eco-tourism, Environmental Awareness, Sustainable Tourism},
        month = {May},
        }