Tourism represents around 6% of world trade and almost 13% of the total global consumer spending. Unlike most other industries, tourism is essentially based on a good environment, and people should, therefore, naturally be more concerned about its proper protection, preservation, and further development, in its own interest, if not out of altruistic motives.
Negative impacts from tourism occur when the level of visitors is greater than the environment’s ability to cope. Unchecked/conventional/mass tourism poses a great threat to natural resources and leads to considerable impacts on the environment such as soil erosion, increased pollution, natural habitat loss, increased pressure on endangered species, and heightened vulnerability to forest fires. It also puts a strain on water resources and can force local populations to compete for the use of critical resources.
The rapidly increasing mountain tourism, a source of wonder and inspiration for human societies and cultures since time immemorial, is of particular concern, because, the elements that attract people to mountains – clean air, diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity, and unique cultures – are under threat, partly because of poorly managed and non-sustainable tourism. Let’s talk about Jammu and Kashmir. The seasonal character of tourism and the concentration of tourism activities at a small number of locations, in the absence of tourism policy, have triggered serious environmental and ecological concerns in the Union Territory. Even when care is taken to minimize any adverse impact, tourists by their very number and behavior, and lack of eco-consciousness still leave a strong impact on the environment in terms of the generation of pollutants.
Overcrowding and uncontrolled construction, particularly in the Himalayan hill stations, not only create ugly blots on the landscape but also give rise to problems of sewage and solid waste disposal as well as increased energy consumption. A large number of tourists, both international and domestic, are attracted to national parks and sanctuaries, which afford them glimpses of wildlife, mountains, jungles, rivers, and lakes for adventure tourism, hiking, skiing, and other similar activities. The mistake is when we confuse wildlife and adventure tourism with picnics. Empty bottles, empty cans, and plastic bags are found not only marring the landscape but also threatening animals, who have been known to choke and die from discarded plastic wrappers or containers.
It would be a good idea if the tourism industry undertakes to carry out capacity studies, i.e. the load of people that a particular area can take, in its own enlightened self-interest. In India, as of now, environment impact assessment is being insisted upon as a prerequisite, for all major tourism projects.
Environmental Impacts Of Tourism in the Valley
The pristine natural areas, and cultural and pilgrimage spots, remain Kashmir’s main tourist centers. However, the increase in the number of tourists over time in Kashmir has led to serious environmental issues and concerns. For example, the hotels and restaurants flushing untreated sewage have polluted various lakes, rivers, groundwater, and other water resources. Moreover, encroachment and demand for more hospitality centers has resulted in deforestation.
The Dal Lake, located in the heart of Srinagar, has lost its sheen and attraction due to the lack of proper waste management. It has been polluted with animal carcasses, weeds, leftover food, and polythene. The main source of pollution in the Dal Lake is the mismanaged inflow of sewage. Sewage production is directly related to the increase in tourism activities in the lake vicinity which has prompted people to set up new hotels, lodges, and houseboats. Sewage emanating from these hospitality infrastructures flows directly into the lake, causing serious threats to its ecosystem. Floating vegetable gardens, a portion of Kashmir’s greatest vegetable-producing areas and furthermore a focal point of fascination for an expansive number of sightseers, are significant polluters.
From the tourism point of view, the transportation system has become the major source of air pollution in Kashmir. A rapid increase in travel demand to Kashmir has increased air and road traffic in recent years. And the rise in traffic has facilitated the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and greenhouse gases. As a consequence, the region has witnessed acid rains in the past, directly affecting the landscape, natural vegetation, and agro-based industries. The recently installed Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) at various locations in Srinagar city by State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) have only confirmed that pollution in the city is alarmingly high.
With the uncontrolled tourist growth, there also arises a need for land clearance for new constructions, putting pressure on already affected forest land. A report from the Forest Department in 2010 puts the estimate of land encroachment in Kashmir valley at 4877 hectares. According to the Forest Policy of India, around 33% and 60% of the aggregate region of plain and Himalayan areas, respectively, should be under forest cover. However, sadly, there is just under 22% of forest cover at the national level and a mere 20% in J&K. In the meantime, deforestation brings forth major issues of soil disintegration, loss of biodiversity, environmental change, and furthermore adversely affects the water cycle.
Tourism, being a climate-responsive sector, is directly affected by any unpleasant changes in the weather of a region, like climate-change inflicted storms, floods, less or no snowfall, excessive rains, etc. In the last twenty years, the rise in average temperature in Kashmir valley, as reported by IMD (Indian Meteorological Department), was 1.45℃ as compared to 2.32℃ in the Jammu region. According to research conducted by the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, regions such as Ladakh, Zanskar, and the Greater Himalayan ranges of J&K have witnessed a decrease in the glacier volume, with most glaciers degrading by 17% – 25%. The great floods of September 2014 can also be attributed to drastic climate change over the years.
Recommendations
The unmanaged and unrestrained growth of tourism is detrimental to the environment. Tourism needs to be planned and managed in an environmentally sustainable, socially favorable, and economically feasible way to lower its harmful impacts. Environmentally responsible tourism is a new concept the world over. Its formal enunciation emanates from the 1989 Hague Declaration on Tourism, which advocates rational management of tourism so that it contributes to the protection and preservation of the natural and cultural environment.
The following suggestions should form an integral part of the tourism management policies of the J&K region:
- The adoption of eco-friendly practices should be made compulsory in the tourism industry, encouraging the protection and promotion of the environment. In this context, it is high time ecotourism is put in the spotlight, which is proving very helpful in the conservation of the environment and wildlife.
- The Ministry of Planning and Human Resources should account for the rules, regulations, and policies related to the environmental management of all areas. Reliable environmental management and careful development of tourism as well as leisure and housing facilities like restaurants, hotels, houseboats, parks, etc. are required.
- The type and amount of pollutants along with their sources should be identified. Appropriate measures must be taken to minimize them.
- To reduce the ecological impact on flora, fauna, and vulnerable habitats, the ecology and environment of lakes, rivers, and other water bodies should be managed resourcefully.
- Special services and investment layouts must be aided by the government to promote environmental conservation.
- Tourist facilities should be so designed as to be energy efficient, taking advantage of the sun in hill stations, like Kashmir valley, to reduce heating, cooling, and air conditioning requirements to the barest minimum.
- Active participation of the local population should be encouraged by the promotion of activities, where people can directly or indirectly be involved in tourism that affects their living and land.
- Educating tourists about the impact of their activities on the environment and measures to reduce them must also be taken into consideration.
- Deforestation must be avoided. All developmental activities including the construction of roads, buildings, recreational facilities, etc. must be monitored by the authorities to minimize harmful impacts on the region’s forest resources.
- Green transportation initiatives, such as battery-driven boats, electric vehicles, and bicycles promoting the use of renewable energy, should be encouraged to create cleaner, quieter tourist places. People should be encouraged to use public transport, thus reducing traffic and emission of harmful gases.
It can now be concluded that proper management of resources and limiting tourist flow below the carrying capacity of a particular place can help in safeguarding the resources of Kashmir Valley.
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