Sameer Baktoo
It is basically a small-scale, low-impact form of travel that seeks to preserve the natural world by ensuring that biodiversity, ecosystems and local communities remain protected and unspoiled.
The negative environmental impacts of conventional tourism are substantial. It includes the depletion of local natural resources as well as increases the pollution and waste management issues. Erection of concrete structures at hill stations puts enormous stress on local land use, and can lead to soil erosion, increased pollution, and natural habitat loss, and moreover, puts pressure on endangered flora and fauna of the area. These effects can gradually destroy the environmental resources on which tourism itself depends.
We need to develop a sustainable approach towards our tourist destinations, especially the health resorts. Any activity conducted or development done in these health resorts should be conducted, keeping in mind their long-term implications on its ecosystem. The authorities should promote luxurious eco-friendly glamping and resorts over raising concrete hotels in hill stations, use of plastic should be totally banned in tourist zones, promotion of local cultures and activities should be given emphasis. If we lose our precious jewels (lake, rivers glaciers, and meadows) they cannot be bought back even after spending enormous money and resources. The changes that would occur due to a non-sustainable approach towards nature would be inevitable and irreversible. We really need to undertake collective efforts in promoting ecotourism globally over conventional tourism. It is indeed the need of the hour.
Quoting the magical lines of the Kashmiri sufi saint, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din – ‘An Poshi Teli Yeli WanPoshi’ (Translation: Food will thrive only, till the woods survive).
Follow BOTT on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Subscribe BOTT Channels on WhatsApp & Telegram to receive real time updates
