Tourists’ Littering Habits and its Impact on the Health of Local Communities in Swat Valley

Abstract

Tourism is a key economic driver for developing countries, creating jobs and bringing in much needed foreign income.  Nevertheless, the negative impact of littering is very critical specifically in tourist places. This study examines the effect of tourists’ littering behavior on the health of local communities in Swat Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Adapting a quantitative cross-sectional research design, data was collected from 360 households using purposive sampling. The study highlights that prevalent litter types, such as plastic bags, cigarette filters, and food wrappers, contribute significantly to pollution in the Swat River. Health issues such as cholera, food poisoning, gastroenteritis, skin diseases, dengue, diarrhea, typhoid, and hepatitis show significant associations with contaminated water, emphasizing the severe health risks associated with improper waste disposal. The results underscore the urgent need for effective waste management policies to mitigate health risks and enhance environmental quality in tourist areas.