Tourism Driven Light Pollution in Indian Coastal Regions: A VIIRS and SQM Based Analysis

Abstract

The growth of coastal tourism in India over the last few decades has contributed substantial socio-economic benefits but has also resulted in environmental stress in fragile coastal ecosystems. One of the increasingly significant impacts of coastal tourism is light pollution, particularly artificial light at night (ALAN), which alters natural nightscapes and disrupts ecological balance. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of tourism driven light pollution along the coastal regions of India by integrating satellite based data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) with ground based Sky Quality Meter (SQM) observations from 2012 to 2024. The research focuses on identifying spatial and temporal patterns of light pollution across major coastal tourist spots, including Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. Results indicate a strong positive correlation (Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.84) between tourism intensity and increased night sky brightness levels, especially in urbanized beachfront areas and locations with dense tourist infrastructure. Seasonal fluctuations in light pollution were also observed, aligning with peak tourist seasons, suggesting a direct influence of human activity related to tourism. The ecological consequences of such light pollution are substantial, with potential disruptions to circadian rhythms of nocturnal species, interference with sea turtle nesting behaviour. Furthermore, the study highlights the growing concern of losing dark sky environments in these regions, which has great implications for both biodiversity conservation and the promotion of sustainable tourism. The integration of high-resolution remote sensing data with localized ground measurements offers insights into the tourism-driven nature of coastal light pollution. The findings show the urgency of incorporating light pollution mitigation into tourism development and coastal management policies. Adopting responsible lighting practices in the coastal areas can serve as effective strategies to balance tourism activities with environmental sustainability in India’s coastal regions.