How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and tourism?

The debate on development vs environment protection has engulfed all facets of human existence and Mountain Ecosystems are no different. The trans Himalayas, Himalayas, hills of north east and western ghats are among the major Mountain ecosystems in India threatened by Anthropogenic activities.

Negative Impacts of tourism and development initiatives:

1. Poorly designed infrastructure without factoring the geo sensitivity of the region.

2. Unsustainable tourism prevalent by high carbon footprint and low eco conservation.

3. Poor waste disposal and management leads to loss of aesthetics.

4. Air and water pollution.

5. Biodiversity loss.

Restorative steps from the negative impacts:

1. Follow recommendations of Kasturirangan committee for conservation of western ghats and scale up with modifications to other regions.

2. Sustainable Infrastructure development keeping in mind ecological sensitivity with special focus on traditional structures.

3. National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE): One of the 8 sub missions under National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC).

4. A national policy on tourism with focus on sustainable and socially responsible tourism is needed.

5. Bottom to top policy formulation with key participation of local governance bodies and local communities as First responders.

6. Policy and Programs like INDCs, Swachh Bharat, Panchamrit commitments will be key in restoring mountain ecosystems. 

7. Transnational cooperation with neighbour states like China, Pakistan, Myanmar etc. E.g.: Project Snow Leopard.

Aligning Development with environment protection in Mountain ecosystems would reap ecosystem and livelihood benefits, as well as promote India as a major tourist destination, in line with SDG Goals 8,9 and 12.