Tourism Effects on Environment in India

India has become one of the biggest tourist destinations across the Globe. And it has to be. Our history tells us that we were always the attraction of the west. Right from the days of Harrappa – Mohanjodado to Taxila University and later on Nalanda and Vijayanagaram Empire in the medieval India and in Modern India the Europeans got attracted towards us. Every time the effect of these movements towards Indian sub-continent was different. And before British era people come to our country for Trade and Education and that has always given India stature of Guru to the entire world. When Romans were fighting in tribes we were electing our first parliament and when England was in Black Age we were constructing Vishnu temples in Cambodia and other south East Asian countries.

Promoting India as a tourist destination has no harm. But the problem is, are we working towards the sustainability of the environment and its people? According to me we are not !! As we should know, that this is the only export industry in which we don’t have to manufacture or produce anything and export it. But we still earn in Dollars. The data of foreign tourist arrival in India in the year 2011 – 12 was 6.5 million. And in today’s world the awareness of Europeans, Australians, American and Japanese have become so much high towards the protection of environment that we can’t even imagine.

There was a time Shimla in Himachal Pradesh was a Hill station and the summer capital of British Raj. But now it has become any other crowded city of our country. Where you’ll go in any season you will find maximum crowed from Delhi and Chandigarh who are roaming and littering around. Concrete Jungle which we see in Shimla today is the result of outsiders(not the natives) who have migrated there and cutting trees and constructing Hotels without understanding the danger caused to the environment by their these acts. Sustainability in Tourism industry is the need of the hour. If we really want to thrive in tourism field for long time one has to start acting now. As unplanned development of tourist destination is not only a threat to environment but also a threat to local economy development.

Carbon emission is one of the biggest threats. And Air Travel is the major contributor in increasing the level of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere. One of the solution could be a better use of land transport system e.g. Railways etc to travel distance places in India. In Europe many travel companies have already started using Euro-rail, that way we also in India can use Railways to travel from one city to another and use more of a local and mass transport system in the city where we have to visit or visiting. This will not only reduce the carbon emission but also give opportunity to locals to earn their living. This will be another way of supporting the local economy directly.

In our country littering is another big threat to the environment. Here we have to work upon reducing this hazard to safeguard the environment. Litter--Reduce, reuse, and recycle.  Use rubbish bins or take it with you if bins are not provided.

When we are using the hotel try to do the following. It will definitely help the environment in direct way. Toiletries--Bring biodegradable soaps from home and avoid using the hotel soaps.  Bring your own towel.

In the wild and while camping--If no toilets are available, make sure you “do your thing” 30m from a water source, bury waste in the organic layer and take toilet paper with you in a Ziploc bag.  When washing, avoid contaminating streams and lakes with soap.  Rinse off 30m away from the water. 

While Hiking and walking in the wild or on the mountains -- Stay on the trail and avoid taking shortcuts as these can lead to erosion. 

Wildlife and nature--Avoid disturbing wildlife and damaging their natural habitat. When in sea side areas take care not to touch coral reefs and do not feed fish. Do not pick flowers.

Across the globe companies who are working in tourism field have started working upon it. Especially companies which operating in Europe, Australia, USA, and Canada etc. certainly the effect of this activity will be visible in some time from now. But the best part is they have started working upon. And that is the good news for tourism Industry.      

Environment is the back bone of Tourism Industry and so we have to realize the importance of it, as I said it is not only flourish the economy of our country but also provide immense opportunity to the commoners to earn their living and live a better life at their native places.