Sustaining Shimla's heritage: The role of self-help groups in ecotourism and craft promotion

Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, colonial-era architecture, and rich cultural heritage. In recent years, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in and around Shimla have emerged as important contributors to sustainable tourism and local economic development, leveraging the region’s tourist appeal to promote eco-tourism, handicrafts, and homestays. This paper explores the role of SHGs in fostering these sectors, assesses their impact on the local economy, and evaluates their potential as sustainable drivers for tourism-related businesses. Through qualitative research, case studies, and interviews with local stakeholders, this study aims to highlight the effectiveness of SHGs in integrating socio-economic empowerment with environmental conservation and heritage preservation.