For the tourist destinations in the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring Uttarakhand, that had witnessed an unprecedented natural disaster in the monsoons, a clear message has been sent out: no lessons have been learnt.
Once again, the Christmas week, ending in New Year eve saw hordes of tourists descending on these destinations. The roads were besieged by traffic snarls and jams, which has been proving to be a nightmare for the locals as well as the tourists who get stuck and reach their destinations late.
Meanwhile, effective traffic management in places like Shimla and Manali prevented any traffic jams in these towns, on Christmas and New Year.
However, larger issues concerning unregulated tourism remain unaddressed, even as announcements are being made every other day to further boost tourism in the hills. Have any lessons been learnt in the context of tourism? Have lessons been learnt after the natural disaster that was witnessed in tourist destinations that are burdened with unbridled construction, with hardly any effort to address the key components of their carrying capacity?
The overdependence on tourism to sustain the states’ economy also needs to be questioned. Concerned citizens say that the stakeholders are treating tourism as the proverbial goose that lays golden eggs, without considering long term impacts of the present state of affairs. The experts rue that this sector too will collapse some day if it is not made sustainable.
The ‘ugly tourists’ were back with their antics. One case that needs to be highlighted in this context is that of a tourist reportedly firing in the air at the toll booth in Sanwara on the Parwanoo-Shimla highway on December 23, when he was stopped from taking his vehicle through the lane meant for the VIPs. What kind of tourists carry guns when they are going for a holiday? There were several other instances of altercations over minor issues.
In Shimla, the scenario was such that taking a leisurely stroll on the famous Mall Road and the Ridge while basking in the sun, something the locals always looked forward to on festive occasions, appears to have become a thing of the past. A large number of locals preferred staying indoors while the throngs of tourists descended to ‘capture’ these spots.
Amid these scenarios there have been conflicting reports appearing in the local media.
These point at the dichotomies that have started marking the tourism sector.
For example there have been reports about the hotel occupancy dropping to a 40-year low in Shimla despite a huge influx on December 31. The question is where did these numbers vanish?
It is learnt that a large number went back as they did not see any snow, about which hype is being created every year on the social media. A whole lot preferred to stay in low budget facilities including home stays. Hoteliers claimed that a large number of such facilities are not even registered.
Sources in Manali disclosed, “The authorities were first taken by surprise by the huge arrival of tourists around December 25 as not many tourists were expected following the disaster in Kullu and Manali making headlines a few months back. Meanwhile, a media house published a couple of years old photo of traffic snarls near Atal Tunnel. This led to a considerable drop in the arrivals on December 31.”
The state government has been making claims on reviving tourism after the disaster. Both Shimla and Manali have witnessed well attended winter carnivals.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while inaugurating the newly constructed Rs. 47.36 crore Sanjauli-Dhalli tunnel spanning 154.22 metres in Shimla town said, “Tourism, a key industry in Himachal Pradesh, stands to benefit significantly from the improved connectivity. The tunnel, strategically positioned on the route to popular destinations like Kufri, Naldehra, Tattapani, Narkanda, and Chail, will ease the movement of tourists and contribute to the region's economic growth. The state government is committed to modernise its infrastructure, promoting tourism and addressing the needs of both residents and visitors.”
A state government spokesperson stated, “The existing Dhalli Tunnel, dating back to 1852 served as a single-lane passage and had surpassed its design life, causing persistent traffic congestion. The inauguration of the new tunnel marks a strategic move to alleviate these issues and provide smoother transportation for residents and tourists alike.”
Later while inaugurating the winter carnival in Shimla the CM said that the recent monsoon fury had adversely affected Himachal Pradesh's tourism sector, but due to the efforts of his cabinet colleagues and different departments, the state has recovered from this setback. He termed the huge influx of vehicular arrival in the capital city signalling a promising revival of the tourism industry in the state.
He added that his government is committed to promote tourism in the state as it has allocated a substantial Rs. 3,000 Crore budget to the tourism sector, a significant increase from the earlier Rs. 50 Crore.
The government had granted the permission for all restaurants, dhabas and food shops in the state to remain open 24 hours from December 20, 2023 to January 5, 2024 to facilitate the people visiting.
On a later occasion while announcing that the land acquisition for expansion of Kangra airport will be completed by March, Sukhu pointed out that the government was providing ease of stay, safe environment for travel and other state-of-the-art facilities to attract more tourists in the state.
He said that infrastructure is being developed as per the modern-day requirements for the convenience of the visitors, ensuring them pleasant experience during their stay. He disclosed that there were about 9,000 hotels in Himachal and considering the influx of tourists, the operation of homestays is also being regulated.
"The snow covered area in Himachal looks equally beautiful and attractive as Switzerland. Considering the immense potential for tourism in our state, during the recently concluded Dubai visit I invited investors to spend on tourism and other lucrative sectors of the state,” he said, adding that a “record numbers of tourists have reached all across the state, taking the number of tourist footfalls over 1.5 crore this year (2023)."
Coming back to the question of whether any lessons have been learnt, social activist Manshi Asher who has been associated with HIMDHARA Collective said, “I would like to reframe the question as what is stopping the authorities and stakeholders from learning any lesson?
“Why are they unable to bring about the required systemic change? What are the hindrances, obstacles or hurdles as the recent disaster and environmental crisis has resulted in discussions to the level that every fourth day the vulnerability of the Himalayan states to the ecological disasters is in news.”
Asher pointed out that there are multiple reasons for the present state of affairs for which laws, policy and technical interventions are required. She added that small term incremental efforts that find resistance from stakeholders are no solution. In addition to this are the issues of revenue that the state is faced with.
“What is required is a long term, well thought out strategy. The overdependence on tourism has resulted in a situation like keeping all eggs in one basket. There are multiple livelihood issues where people are giving up agriculture on account of climate change and other factors while there is also a lack of employment opportunities.
“In such a scenario a person opts for opening a small lodging facility, an eating joint etc. This is leading to a precarious situation where when there is a steep drop in tourist arrivals like that was witnessed after the recent disaster, the people have their hands up.”
Of late there has been a lot of talk about developing new tourist destinations to decongest the well established ones like Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie. But here too, it is being pointed out, that things would sooner become the same in the absence of proper plans to manage solid waste and developing an infrastructure conducive to the local needs and environment.
Sources in Kullu disclosed that rural tourism in places like Tirthan valley has picked up in a big way over the last few years. However, the issue of waste management and littering by the tourists remains a major concern. The waste is often dumped in the local nullahs. They also pointed out that while a new road network has come up connecting several smaller destinations, there is a need to maintain these narrow roads properly so that the traffic flow on these roads is smooth and there are no snarls.
“The government needs to take the local stakeholders in stride to develop a long term strategy,” Anil Kant who runs a facility in Tosh in Kullu, said.
“Efforts need to be made to ensure that tourism becomes a sustainable enterprise where the locals are the real beneficiaries. Right now one can see that the majority of the big resorts and hotels are owned by either industrialists or politicians where in several cases the locals are employed at a pittance. They are using our land and human resources to make their own profits while giving little in return,” Joginder Walia, a social activist in Mandi while highlighting yet another dimension of the scenario, pointed out.
The scenario has been pretty similar in neighbouring Uttarakhand as well as similar reports came from there as well. This state too has been witnessing disasters.
“No lessons have been learnt or if any were learnt in the past, they have been conveniently forgotten,” social activist Anoop Nautiyal who is based in Dehradun, said.
“2023 was the one where for the first time the authorities talked about the carrying capacity of towns in the wake of the land subsidence witnessed at Joshimath. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had announced that the government would conduct a carrying capacity assessment of 15 hill towns across both Garhwal and Kumaon regions. What came of that assessment is yet to be known.
There has been a lot of double speak on this issue of tourism. On one side the centre has been telling the states to develop responsible tourism and on the other the state governments have been paying no heed to this advice. At the macro level if you look at the development of the road and rail network along with that of ropeways for ‘development purpose’, it simply amounts to calling more and more people,” he said.
Nautiyal added that there is definitely a case to be made for controlled tourism even as several stakeholders are bent on making profits now without giving a thought to the future.
The towns where the carrying capacity was to be assessed included Gopeshwar, Karnaprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Pauri Garhwal, Lansdowne, Mussoorie, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Almora, Bhowali, Ranikhet, Kapkot, Dharchula, and Champawat.
“Similarly the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had ordered the constitution of a committee to study the carrying capacity of Mussoorie. The committee submitted a status report with a set of recommendations. Whether these recommendations are being implemented we have no idea,” Nautiyal added.
The status report had suggested, “Registration of tourists should be done according to the carrying capacity of the area, especially the available parking space, guest room availability, etc. Tourists can be charged for visiting the Mussoorie area and the payment can be utilised for managing waste and cleanliness.”
It had also recommended,”New construction can be allowed for land owners/local inhabitants as per plan and by-laws of building construction of MDDA (Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority) and carrying capacity with a specific control on height of the building, slope percentage, drainage and control construction in freeze zone.
“At present, the preparation of the Master Plan of Mussoorie is in progress. The mitigation and preventive measures can be incorporated in the Master Plan for sustainable development.
“For the smooth traffic management and to avoid traffic congestion the total number of permissible vehicles may not be exceeded beyond the capacity of parking facilities provided by Nagar Palika, Mussoorie, Tourism Department, MDDA, Hotels, Dhramshalas, Gurdwaras etc. The road side parking may be allowed subject to free-flow of traffic as managed by the local police.”
The report had mentioned that construction of new buildings is already restricted. Further, the new or additional construction related extension should be properly monitored. All the building foundations should be mapped by a competent engineering geologist to know about the safe bearing capacity of the foundation and treatment of cut slope. In consultation with the designer, type of foundation (footing, strip, raft) and height of the building can be finalised. Only after this, can the map be submitted to MDDA for approval.
“The regulations related to waste management should be strictly followed. Dumping sites around water bodies should be strictly restricted to prevent pollution threats on the important sources of drinking water of the city. QR code based Digital Direct Refund System should be implemented for management of plastic waste. IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities need to be promoted amongst visiting tourists towards solid waste and plastic waste management.
“Strict measures should be made to promote the usage of biodegradable materials and ban on use of Single Use Plastics (SUPs) items should be strictly enforced. Local people should be involved in the Environmental Conservation programs and awareness and training on landslides, mountain risks, etc. to be initiated,” the committee had suggested.
The report also mentioned that unplanned urbanisation driven by haphazard construction and infrastructure development poses significant risks, including building collapses and disasters during heavy rainfall and earthquakes. “Although construction has been banned in Mussoorie's ‘freeze zone’ areas since 1996, recent extension options require careful monitoring by the MDDA.
“The high influx of tourists exacerbates issues such as unregulated construction, excessive waste generation, sanitation and sewage problems, water scarcity, congested roads, traffic congestion, and vehicular pollution,” it stated.
It can be ascertained that the same holds true for several towns across the Himalayas. The report had mentioned, “Understanding the concept of carrying capacity is crucial in policymaking and sustainable development for fragile areas like Mussoorie.
“Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals an ecosystem or specific area can sustainably support without degrading natural resources or causing significant environmental damage. It assists in determining optimal population size, infrastructure development, resource allocation, and conservation measures required to ensure long-term environmental sustainability and the well-being of local communities.
“Establishing limits on the number of tourists ensures the area can support visitors without compromising its natural resources and ecological balance. The challenge may be addressed by incorporating preventive measures such as restoration programs, construction of toe walls and deflection terms to prevent erosion and stream undercutting, stabilisation of slopes through retaining walls, and responsible quarrying practices should be implemented.
“Comprehensive landslide hazard zonation and management mapping are necessary to identify areas requiring structural mitigation, biotechnical measures, and soil conservation initiatives as part of disaster management efforts.”
It is being felt at large whether in Himachal or in Uttarakhand or for that matter in any other Himalayan state, it is high time that recommendations made by experts and groups from time to time are implemented at the earliest. This is needed to ensure that activities like tourism are sustainable, a positive multiplier for the economy while not losing their charm.