Environmental Impact of Solid Wastes Generated from Land use Change in Highland Tourism : A case study of Pai District, Mae Hong Son province

Abstract

Increasing amount of solid wastes due to land use change has been resulted by the intensive tourism services in Pai District, Mae Hong Son Province. It has consequently affected the ecosystem, especially in the highland area, where are natural tourist attractions. The aims of this study are: (1) to assess the environmental impact of the solid wastes generated from the generated point as well as from the disposal point, and (2) to assess the environmental impact of land use change for tourism sites in mountain areas or tourist attraction highlands, using the Geographic Information System (GIS). GIS is an assessment tool for land use planning in accordance with sustainable urban development. The study results presented that 6.07 tons/day being the amount of wastes generated by tourists of urban areas. An average of 52.25 kg/sampling spot/day generated from various hotel sizes, while an average of 66.63 kg/sampling spot/day generated from the tourist sites. There were 32 wastes disposal points, using the Trench Method, Open dump and Open burning where are spatially distributed at different areas and at different heights. Many areas are classified as sensitive areas, contamination risk areas, spreading to other nearby areas.  Conclusively, if wastes management is in conformance with land use planning, legally wastes disposal to the right spots with academic performing, it would be possible to minimize the environmental impact possibly occurred in the short and long term. This could also lead to urban planning that promotes tourism while maintaining a balanced environmental and ecological status.