BY imtiyaz Hussain from Sanjak Chiktan
This is my second edition of an article writing based on the Nexus of tourism with the environment.Ladakh has seen an unprecedented boom over the last two decades . As per the record of 2024 data, over 5 lakh tourists visited ladakh (circa).. Tourism sectors have now become well flourished by the constant pace of tourist visits from almost every corner of the world. But on the contrary, it also gives an impetus to the growth of pollution and contamination of the environment as we have the best saying that “every coin has two sides”. Kargil and leh have now become the main pivot for tourists to visit. The weather here is so pleasant which is the raison -detre for more tourist visits. The infrastructure of ladakh is somewhat sophisticated over the tourist sources. Since tourism came into effect, there is no hallmark and symbol of economic depredation in ladakh and anticipate the same pace of development in future too. I have personally observed the economic development in ladakh. People have set up agencies and taxis for the service of the tourists for their earnings. The unemployed youths have put themselves under such business for their better growth and economic development. Tourism has extended its limit up to a satisfactory source of income by reducing unemployment. But the environmental deterioration also emerges on the other side, that shouldn’t be contaminated. In order to keep away our environment from the effect of carbon footprint, the administration in collaboration with the environmentalist should mold an effective policy and steps. These measures will be conducive to keeping the hazards and resources tempered or balanced. If we continuously engage ourselves in business by ignoring the environmental effect, then it may ruin a long time to bring back the environment on its original track. We should protect our fragile environment in one way or the other. We know the administration has the plenary power to accord cordial solutions to protect the environment from pollution. India has also ensured to eradicate fully the uses of non_biodegradable waste in the G20 submit. The environment protection should not be accountable only to the government, however every citizen must know the imperative importance of protecting the Environment. The government should find some steadfast steps to control the number of tourists and restrain them from deteriorating the landscape. I have seen some bikers on social media riding in the plain area of ladakh violating the rules of the area. We have the best saying that” ‘don’t be a gama in the land of lamas”. I don’t want to hint at the tourists but the norms and discipline of the region should be on the forefront.
We should make them aware about the sensitivity of the ladakh and encourage them to travel responsibly.The local authorities and administration must synchronize both of them in a balanced way. Our area should be kept protected from being scathed. Ladakh should not be akin to the atmosphere of Delhi. It is timely and the right amount to be aware of the ladakh’s environment. We should throw off the yoke of pollution from our region. We should fasten our proximity with the land. Our ladakhi people should not be the traitors of our region. The environment of ladakh has got a tragic reversal in its atmospheric conditions.
The government should delineate the amount of tourists to visit ladakh in letter and spirit . It will maintain environmental strata and economic development.
The government should establish a grassroot level business institution to train the youths for increasing the level of the workforce. It is not compulsory to each and every person to get a job for their earnings. Businesses offer a satisfied earning source for the youths. But the business should be eco-friendly and resources tempered. We all are well aware, that the resources of ladakh are limited in number and its uses are very striking. Tourism has now become the main thriving ground for economic upgradation as well as the environment exploitation. We are open to see that the glaciers of ladakh are melting at an alarming rate that may result into bereft of water accessibility. These are the consequences of over exploitation of resources and contamination of the environment.
I am not that much entrenched deeply with the knowledge of tourism and environmental conditions of ladakh, but i attempt to write down these as per my limited knowledge. I wish to instill a sense of ownership in people to know the importance of environment and economic development.
I gauge some measures to restrain the hurdles between tourism and the environment.
Here are some thought-provoking and practical measures to help balance business (especially tourism) and the environment in Ladakh. These can be conducive to make people enough educated about environment and tourism.
Right-Proactive Measures for Balanced Growth in Ladakh
- Promote Eco-Tourism
Encourage small-scale, low-impact tourism like homestays, eco-resorts, and guided treks.
Try to highlight the culture and its doctrine rather than its scenic spot.
- Ban Single-Use Plastic
Strictly ban plastic water bottles and packaging in tourist areas.
Set up refill stations for filtered water across Leh and tourist routes.
Encourage tourists to bring reusable bottles and bags.
We know plastics are the main parameters in giving an impetus to the growth of global warming.
- Water Management Reforms
Promote Ice Stupa projects, water recycling, and rainwater harvesting in hotels and homes,Incentivize low-water usage technologies in toilets, hotels, and kitchens.
We should attempt to reduce the high usage of water at hotels and other spots in order to instill the sense of knowing the importance of water availability.
- Green Building Guidelines
Make eco-friendly architecture mandatory (mud-brick, solar design, insulation).
we should adopt this modus operandi from the SECMOL established under the supervision of Shri sonam wangchuk. He has constructed this institution completely based on cultural heritage and local equipment.
- Waste Management System
Install waste segregation units in tourist areas.
Encourage community composting and convert waste to biogas or fertilizer.
Fine hotels and visitors who litter or burn plastic.
We should install containers each one carrying different wastages, segregating between biodegradable and non_biodgeragable.
- Green Transport Policies
Promote e-vehicles, electric rickshaws, and public shuttle services.
Reduce fuel-based tourist convoys that pollute and overcrowd roads.
Start “no vehicle days” in main markets.
We should organise some campaigns in our areas, completely doing shutdown for one day, awaring people about the importance of environment. We should have close proximity with the administration in this mission to make it a feasible one.
. Environmental Awareness Campaigns
Conduct workshops for tourists and locals on sustainable practices.
Involve monasteries and schools in eco-awareness drives.
Reward tourists and businesses for being “green contributors.”
- Community Involvement
Make locals partners in tourism — they protect better what they benefit from.
Form eco-village committees to monitor and manage tourist activities.
Encourage women’s and youth groups in eco-friendly businesses (handicrafts, herbal products, etc).
We should establish a group in every society, based on the environment protection in order to keep spreading the message of environment degradation.
- Tourist Tax / Green Fee
Impose a “green fee” for each tourist — funds go to conservation efforts.
Ensure transparency and local use of funds.
Such cosmetic measures will make thought provoking action in people and gradually they will also share their hand to hand cooperation with the potential authorities. Its not a matter of provocation, however it’s a matter of great pride if we give our contribution for the sake of our environment. I would be so fortunate if any reader get this emotions of preserving the environment and act an iota of responsibility for our environment. (Buisness should not be come at the prima _facie rather than environment destruction
