Regenerative Solutions for Coastal Overtourism: The Alibaug Blueprint

The rapid connectivity revolution linking Mumbai to Mandwa jetty via high-speed catamarans and Ro-Pax vehicle ferries has turned Alibaug into Mumbai's de facto weekend backyard. Yet behind picturesque palm groves and luxury beachfront villas lies an escalating environmental crisis. In our field investigation published in IGI Global ('Overtourism Perceptions of Institutional Stakeholders on Alibag: A Regenerative Solution'), we engaged directly with local municipal bodies, fishing cooperatives, and hospitality operators. The findings were stark: - Groundwater tables in popular villages have experienced a 2.4-fold stress multiplier due to unregulated deep-bore drilling for resort swimming pools. - Peak weekend tourist influx exceeds baseline municipal solid waste handling capacities by nearly 380%. ### Moving from 'Sustainability' to 'Regeneration' Conventional sustainability merely seeks to minimize harm—leaving the destination 'neutral'. But in fragile coastal zones, neutrality is insufficient; we must actively regenerate depleted systems. Key interventions proposed: 1. **Mandatory Mangrove Restoration Pledges:** Mandating that every commercial accommodation unit above 10 rooms fund and co-manage coastal mangrove nurseries along local estuaries. 2. **Weekend Vessel Arrival Pacing:** Regulating ferry departure slots from Gateway of India and Bhaucha Dhakka to smooth visitor dispersion rather than creating massive noon-hour bottlenecks. 3. **Local Wealth Retention:** Establishing verified farm-to-table cooperative supply chains ensuring tourism dollars stay with Raigad district cultivators and fishing communities.