Eco-tourism has emerged as a critical strategy for achieving sustainable development by balancing environmental conservation, economic growth, and community well-being. India, recognized as one of the world's megadiverse countries, possesses immense potential for eco-tourism owing to its rich biodiversity, varied ecosystems, and extensive cultural heritage. However, increasing tourist pressure, habitat degradation, pollution, climate change, and unsustainable resource utilization continue to threaten the ecological integrity of many tourism destinations. In this context, biotechnology offers innovative, environmentally sustainable, and scientifically robust solutions that can significantly enhance the effectiveness of eco-tourism initiatives.

This review explores the integration of biotechnology with eco-tourism as a transformative framework for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and community development in India. Various biotechnological applications, including bioremediation, bio-toilets, eco-enzymes, tissue culture propagation, DNA barcoding, environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring, biosensors, microbial biofertilizers, and biodegradable materials, are critically examined for their potential contributions to sustainable tourism management. The study employs a comprehensive review methodology based on scientific literature, government reports, policy documents, and case studies from diverse eco-tourism destinations including Kerala, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chhattisgarh.

The analysis indicates that biotechnology-driven eco-tourism can substantially improve biodiversity monitoring, ecological restoration, waste management, environmental quality assessment, and sustainable infrastructure development while simultaneously generating livelihood opportunities for local communities. The findings further highlight the importance of integrating biotechnology into national tourism policies, conservation strategies, and community-based development programs. Special emphasis is placed on Chhattisgarh as an emerging model for bio-enabled eco-tourism due to its extensive forest resources, tribal knowledge systems, medicinal plant diversity, and growing conservation initiatives.

The paper proposes a National Bio-Eco Tourism Mission as a strategic framework to foster collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, local communities, and private stakeholders. Such an integrated approach can accelerate progress toward India's Vision 2047 objectives and contribute directly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including biodiversity conservation, climate action, sustainable communities, responsible consumption, and green economic growth. The convergence of biotechnology and eco-tourism represents a promising pathway toward regenerative, science-based tourism capable of strengthening ecological resilience and positioning India as a global leader in sustainable tourism innovation.