The document discusses the significance of mountain ecosystems, emphasizing their aesthetic beauty, biodiversity, and vital resources such as freshwater and timber. It addresses the challenges faced by these ecosystems due to environmental degradation and highlights the interconnections between highland and lowland areas, including social, economic, and political dimensions. Additionally, it promotes sustainable mountain development through global initiatives and the need for effective management strategies to preserve these vital regions.

1. MOUNTAIN
ECOSYSTEM
D E L H I S C H O O L O F E C O N O M I C S

2. 2
Group Members

3. CONTENTS
1 A. AestheticandSerenebeauty
B. RichBiodiversity
C. Resources
D. Services of Mountain
ecosystem
Introduction
2
A. Mountain Environment
Degradation
Theory
3
A. Dimensions
Highland & Lowland:
concept
4 A. Global initiatives
B. SWOT analysis
C. Challenges
Sustainable Mountain
Development
6
A. Reference
Conclusion
5 Recommendations for
mountain development

4. 4
INTRODUCTION
▪ AESTHETIC AND SERENE BEAUTY
▪ RICH BIODIVERSITY
▪ RESOURCES
▪ SERVICES OF MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM

5. 5
a) The ecosystem of the mountains.
b) Strongly affected by climate, which gets colder as elevation increases.
c) Stratified according to elevation:
• Higher altitude: Harsh environmental condition; Treeless alpine
vegetation.
• Moderate Altitude: Dense forests.
• Lower Slope: Montane forests, tropical or temperate forest, savanna,
scrubland, desert, tundra etc.
d) Mountains cover 24% of the Earth’s land surface. They are home to
12% of the world’s population and another 14% of the population
reside in their immediate proximity.
e) They provide vital goods and services -particularly freshwater.
f) Mountains are key centers of biological and cultural diversity as well
important sites of traditional ecological knowledge and influence the
climate at many scales.
g) Fresh air
h) Traditional Zoogeographic region are mountain ranges.
i) Tourism.
MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM

6. 6
a) Aesthetic and Serene beauty
• Mountains cover approximately one fourth of the world's surface.
• The lustful green trees of the mountains.
• Alpine grassland covered with snow.
• The world’s mountains encompass some of the most spectacular landscapes, a
great diversity of species and habitat types, and distinctive human communities.
b) Rich Biodiversity
• Mountain ranges are home to some of the greatest regions of biodiversity on the
planet.
• The Sierra Nevada mountain range alone is estimated to house from 10,000 to
15,000 separate species of plants and animals.
• Mountain biodiversity plays a key role in the support of global environmental,
economic, social and cultural sectors through connections to; invasive species, air
pollution, climate change, mining, hydropower, tourism, forests, agriculture.
• Mountains are hot spots of biodiversity.
• The plants and animals found in mountainous areas will vary depending upon the
location of the biome :
I. Temperate zone mountains
II. Tropical mountains
III. Desert mountains
CHARACTERISTICS OF MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM

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a) Temperate zone mountains
• Mountains in the temperate zone, such as the Rocky Mountains in
Colorado generally have four distinct seasons.
• They usually have conifer trees on their lower slopes that fade into
alpine vegetation (such as lupines and daisies,) above the tree line.
• Fauna include deer, bears, wolves, mountain lions, squirrels, rabbits,
and a wide variety of birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
b) Tropical mountains
• Tropical areas are known for their species diversity.
• Tropical mountains may be populated by evergreen trees, grasses,
heathers, and shrubs.
• Thousands of animals like gorillas of Central Africa to the jaguars of
South America make their homes in tropical mountain areas.
c) Desert mountains
a) The harsh climate of a desert landscape - lack of rain, high winds, and
little to no soil, makes it difficult for any plant to take root. But some,
such as cacti and certain ferns are found.
b) Animals such as big horned sheep, bobcats, and coyotes are well
adapted to live in these harsh conditions.

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a) There is abundance of resources in the mountain ecosystem.
b) Mountain forests are main provider of timber and fuelwood.
c) Genetic resources are considered as being of key importance in
mountain ecosystems.
d) Mountains are important as centres of crop diversity.
e) Lowland people also depend on mountain environments for a wide
range of goods and services, and opportunities for recreation and
spiritual renewal. Mountains provide for the freshwater needs.
f) Mountain water is also a source of hydroelectric power most of
which are used by the lowland.
g) Minerals in HIMALAYAS:
• Igneous: granite, diorite, gabbro, tonalite, monazite and pegmatite etc.
• Sedimentary: marl, dolomite, greywacke, siltstone, shale and
limestone, fossils etc.
• Metamorphic: schist, migmatite, phyllite, gneiss, amphibolite, Quartzite
etc.
RESOURCES

9. 9
Ecosystem services- Ecosystem services are the many and varied benefits
that human freely gain from the natural environment and from properly
functioning ecosystem.
Mountain ecosystem services are divided into four categories:
▪ Provisioning Services: These services are the product directly obtain from
ecosystem.
a) Extracting resources for example water for drinking, irrigation, timber and so on.
b) Agricultural production
c) Medicinal plants and pharmaceutical
d) Non timber forest product
e) Genetic resources
▪ Regulating services: Benefits obtain from regulation of ecosystem
processes.
a) Climate regulation
b) Disease regulation
c) Water regulation
d) Water purification
e) Biodiversity
SERVICES OF MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM

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▪ Cultural services: Non material benefits obtain from mountain
ecosystem.
a) Spiritual and religious
b) Recreational and ecotourism
c) Aesthetic
d) Inspirational
e) Educational
f) Sense of place
g) Cultural heritage
h) Migration
▪ Supporting services: Services necessary for the production of all
other ecosystem services.
a) Soil formation
b) Nutrients cycle
c) Primary production

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THEORY
▪ MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENT DEGRADATION

12. 12
There is a growing alarm about the rapid deterioration about the
Himalayan Environment over the past 3 decades or so.
These physical, human, socio-economic, and political processes are
frequently linked together into a gigantic cause and effect network
which is claimed to be pushing both the Himalayas and the northern
plains of the Indian-subcontinent collapse.
Theory of Himalayan Environmental Degradation seeks a fuller
understanding the dynamics of the Himalayan region. It is also
intended to demonstrate the need for a much broader and deeper
perspective of the problems facing the Himalayan region as a
prerequisite for the development of more effective solution.
Thus, we will begin with a synoptic response to the question- what is
the nature of the perceived crisis.
THEORY OF HIMALAYAN ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

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This theory basically characterizes the wider region:
1. Following the introduction of the modern health care, medicine, and malaria post 1950, giving way to an
unprecedented wave of population growth.
2. This veritable population explosion is augmented by uncounted and uncontrolled immigration from
neighboring lowlands. Furthermore, leading to rapidly increasing demands for fuel wood, construction timber,
fodder (the domestic animal population has undergone a parallel, or even greater, increase to that of the
human population), and agricultural land on which to grow food due to less developed infrastructure and
transportation systems.
3. The next step in what has been described as a vicious circle, is that the needs of the burgeoning
subsistence population are exerting increasing pressures on the forest cover. This has led to massive
deforestation.
4. The deforestation, which includes the cutting of agricultural terraces on steeper and more marginal
mountain slopes, has led to a catastrophic increase in soil erosion and loss of productive land through
accelerated landslide incidence, and to the disruption of the normal hydrological cycle.
5. This situation, in turn, has led to increased run-off during the summer monsoon and increases in disastrous
flooding and massive siltation in the plains, and lower water levels and the drying up of springs and wells
during the dry season. Related ills are: rapid siltation of reservoirs; abrupt changes in the courses of rivers;
spread of barren sand and gravel across rich agricultural land on the plains; and increased incidence of
disease in downstream areas.
THE THEORY

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6. The increased sediment load of the rivers emanating from the Himalayan system is extending the
Ganges and Brahmaputra delta and causing islands to form in the Bay of Bengal.
7. The continued loss of agricultural land in the mountains leads to another round of deforestation to enable
the construction of more terraces on which to grow subsistence crops. Yet, as the labor of walking greater
distances from the village to fuelwood supplies increases with the receding forest perimeter, a critical
threshold is reached whereby the available human energy (principally female) becomes progressively
overtaxed and an increasing quantity of animal dung is used for fuel.
8. Consequently, another vicious circle is linked to the first one: terraced soils are deprived of natural
fertilizer- the animal dung now being used for fuel, thus depriving the agricultural terraces, in many
instances, of their only source of fertilizer. This lowers crop yields. Also, the ensuing weakened soil structure
further augments the incidence of landslides. Even more trees are cut on more marginal and steeper slopes
to make room for more agricultural terraces to feed the ever-growing subsistence population.
It follows from this brief exposition of the Theory of Himalayan Environmental Degradation that a series of
linked vicious circles is envisaged as operating inexorably to drive a downward spiral.

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HIGHLAND AND
LOWLAND
INTERACTION
▪ DIMENSIONS

16. 16
The terms ‘highlands’ and ‘lowlands’ are loosely defined: ‘highlands’
as synonymous with ‘mountains’ and, therefore, ‘lowlands’ as those
areas beyond and beneath the mountains that are influenced by
down-slope physical processes and by human relationships linking
the two.
Why do we need to study the highland and lowland interaction?
It is this biological and cultural endemism that is one of the reasons
for much of the current growth of lowland interest in mountain areas.
Dimensions: The interaction between highland and lowland are
mainly divided into four major dimensions
1. Ecological
2. Social
3. Economical
4. Political
HIGHLAND AND LOWLAND INTERACTION

17. 17
ECOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS
Mountains cover 24% of the Earth’s land surface. They are
home to 12% of the world’s population and another 14% of the
population reside in their immediate proximity.
They provide vital goods and services -particularly freshwater -
to a significant proportion of humanity.
No other mountain system in the world has affected the lives of
the people and shaped the destiny of the nation, as the
Himalayas.
The Himalayas are actually called the body and soul of India.
The Northern Mountains are important due to the following
reasons.

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▪ Source of Rivers: Enough rainfall and vast snow-fields in these
mountains are the source of perennial rivers for the lowlands. The
melting snow provides enough water during the dry season.
▪ Fertile Soils: In the course of their flow, the rivers and their tributaries
bring with them large amount of alluvium. When deposited, these
sediments provide extremely fertile soil in the Northern Plains which
have a positive impact in lowland. Thus, it is said that the northern
plains of India are the Gift of the Himalayas.
▪ Hydroelectricity: The Rivers and their tributaries make several natural
waterfalls in the Northern Mountains. These are the sites, where dams
can be constructed across the river for producing hydroelectricity.
Example: Tehri Dam
▪ Forest Wealth: The lower slopes of the Northern Mountains are thickly
forested. Trees vary from tropical to the alpine types. These forests
provide fuel, wood, timber and raw materials for various industries.
▪ Agriculture: The slopes of the mountains have been terraced to
produce rice, maize, potatoes, vegetables and fruits. Tea plantations
are extensively developed on the lower slopes, especially in the
Eastern Himalayas.
Example: Apple cultivation in Himachal region.

19. 19
Migration: Migration is perhaps the most significant and far-reaching of the highland-lowland linkages in social
dimension due to its pull factor of lowland with better facilities in every possible sectors.
Migration patterns
I. Highland rural to Highland urban
II. Highland urban to Lowland urban
III. Highland rural to Highland rural (Andean migration pattern by Paul baker and his research team-1976)
SOCIAL DIMENSIONS
Migration from the highlands often begins with young males seeking wage
employment in the neighbouring lowlands during the agricultural offseason
or, depending upon local conditions, on a daily basis. This has been
facilitated by the recent penetration of road networks.
Later, individual males and young couples may migrate, or entire families,
even communities, for a year or more, or permanently. Especially where
such a process involves large numbers of people, as it frequently does,
then the consequences are highly significant.
Example: Uttaranchal (now Uttarakhand) represents a high rate of out-migration
29.7 per cent (Census, 1991) and majority of the population migrate to various
urban areas for better economic opportunities.

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Tourism and Transfer of Economic Costs and Benefits
The development of tourism has been an accelerating world-wide
phenomenon since the 1950s. It is majorly depended upon the growth in
rapid transportation links; it has also served as a driving force for such
growth, a self-reinforcing process.
Two primary areas of tourist destination have come to dominate: seaside
and mountain. Tourism is frequently claimed as the world’s largest
industry, employing over 200 million people in the early 1990s -- a tenth
of the world’s workforce -- and ensuring a cash flow of US $ 3.4 trillion.
These figures are expected to double within the next decade (World
Travel and Tourism Council, 1995).
ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS
Tourism has also developed its own series of specializations: general mass tourism; eco-tourism,
adventure tourism, culture tourism, and even specialities such as group tours to view butterflies or to
photograph a single rare species of animal and the sacred sites of the Himalaya; Mount Kailas.
Uncontrolled tourism can also have a negative impact of mountain ecosystem so it can also have a
negative impact to highland and lowland interaction.

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Environmental Resources: Transfer of Economic Costs and Benefits
Throughout human history, transfers of peoples and two-way cost-benefit
exchanges between lowlands and highlands have persisted. These traditional
forms of interaction have involved primarily contractually-shared access to
renewable natural resources. The prime example is seasonal transfer of
domestic animals from winter grazing at low elevations to high-altitude summer
pastures.
JONBEEL MELA : if you thought the barter system is a thing of the past, you are
mistaken. In Assam one can still find it in vogue at the Jonbeel mela in Morigaon where
people from the plains and the hills barter goods, according to their needs.
In the three day long festival the people from hills brings spices, herbs, ginger, fruits to
exchange them with rice, fish, cakes and other stuff which do not grow in hills.
Technology transfer: This element of highland-lowland interaction tends to be
predominantly from lowland to highland in form. There has been a concerted
effort to ensure transfer of technology in the form of small-scale ‘appropriate’
additions to mountain living. Part of the objective has been to reduce pressure
on local forests, for instance, by introduction of wind and solar energy
generators, mini-hydroelectric plants, and passive solar housing construction
and, at lower elevations, biogas plants.

22. 22
The political elements of highland-lowland interaction are worldwide in
importance and the most significant factor is military power. They also
have serious social, economic, and environmental repercussions.
Like for example Kashmir issue such marginal mountain areas remain
‘hot-spots’ of political tension, including the entire length of the Himalaya
and Karakorum.
Central to many of the political and military aspects of highland-lowland
interactions are three overarching themes.
a) The first is the concept of mountains as niches for minority
peoples (ethnicity and conflict).
b) The second, which is closely related, is the concept of mountains
as last frontiers (migration and conflict).
c) A third theme, mountains as enclaves of poverty (marginalization
and conflict).
POLITICAL DIMENSIONS

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SUSTAINABLE
MOUNTAIN
DEVELOPMENT
▪ GLOBAL INITIATIVES
▪ SWOT ANALYSIS
▪ CHALLENGES

24. 24
The concept of sustainable development was introduced in the World Conservation
Strategy in which later in 1980s, it became more popular through the report of the
World Commission on Environment and Development or “Brudtland Report”, where
in Our Common Future defined it as “development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own
need”.
Why Mountain?
Mountain is the important source of all biological resources and which is useful for
purposeful activities like-agriculture, mining, recreational activities, etc.
Mountain environment are essential fro future global ecosystem.
SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT

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Rio World Summit ’92: Chapter 13 of Agenda 21 entitled “Managing Fragile Ecosystem Sustainable
Mountain Development” which includes two” Programme areas” :
a) Generating and strengthening knowledge about the ecology and sustainable development of mountain
ecosystems.
b) Promoting integrated watershed development and alternative livelihood opportunities.
Spread awareness towards the pressing issues in highlands:
a) Water shortage and hydroelectricity demand
b) Media diffusion wars concentrated in mountainous region
c) Mismanagement of mountain environment
d) Alarming global climate warming more prone in the region
UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in mountain areas
a) The MAB prog. Is an interdisciplinary undertaking of environmental research.
b) It was launched in 1972and its based on rational use and conservation of the resources of the biosphere and
global improvement relationship between people and the environment.
c) Since it requires studies of both social sciences and natural sciences, and thus name of the Programme came
to be known as “Man and the Biosphere”.

26. 26
MaB prog. Studies the following factors:
a) Human settlements at higher altitudes
b) Effects of land use alternatives on mountain ecosystems.
c) Impact of large-scale technology on mountain ecosystem
d) Effects on tourism and recreation on mountain ecosystem
Studies Regional issues:
a) Resource development and human settlements in high tropical mountains
b) Tourism, technology and land use in temperate mountains in the middle latitudes- winter and
summer seasons;
c) Land-use and problems in high latitudes mountain and tundra ecosystems: in reference to grazing,
industrial development and recreation.
Therefore, UNESCO- MAB initiative which will base environmental conservation on
traditional beliefs and cultural values:
a) It gave emphasis to save natural sacred sites especially plants and wildlife.
b) It also offers interdisciplinary research opportunities for environmental scientists and anthropologists
to save sacred sites of mountain areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

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RECENT GLOBAL INITIATIVES ON GLACIAL MOUNTAIN
To monitor the glacier from melting by taking initiatives together by mountain communities, scientists
and policy makers worldwide- especially Andes of Peru and Himalayas of Nepal.
Various workshops held:
▪ Adopting to a world without glaciers held Lima and Huaraz, Oeru in July 2009
▪ Andean-Asian Mountains Global Knowledge Exchange on Glaciers, Glacial lakes, water and Hazard
Management held in Mt.Everest region of Nepal in September 2011.
▪ “Glacial Flooding and Disaster Risk Management: Knowledge Exchange and Field Training” held in
Huaraz, Peru in July 2013.

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INDIA
Indian Himalayan region (IHR) tourism has experienced continuous growth and are reason for fastest growing
economic sectors of India.
Prediction of its growth for this sector which is expected upto 7.9% from 2013-23.
One of the good examples’ for IHR, Ladakh which experienced highest tourism attraction, which was once
used to be a remotest place.
India ranks 3rd among fastest growing tourism industry over the next decade.
India also has a large medical tourism sector which is expected to grow at an estimated rate of 30% annually
to reach about ₹95 billion by 2015.
According to UN, issues such as climate, resource management, reduction of poverty and growth in tourism
development.
Sustainable developmental goals, recognizes 17 goal plan of action for people- among which goal 8 and 12
includes mountain tourism especially.
▪ Goal 8: Promotion of “Sustained inclusive and sustainable economic growth’’, full and productive employment and
decent work for all includes as taget 8.9. “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism
that creates jobs and promotes local cultures”.
▪ Goal 12: “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” includes as target 12B to Develop and
implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism which creates job, promotes
local culture and products”.

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Since with increasing tourism also increasing concerns and risks
associated with tourism development and loss of ecological values and
cultural heritage in IHR demand:
a) Minimizing the negative impacts of tourism on communities and the
environment.
b) Maximizing tourism’s positive and creative contribution to IHR local
economies, conservation of natural and cultural heritage
c) Maximize quality of life of visitors.
d) Increase opportunities and innovative actions to make tourism sustainable.
Therefore, national level consultation on 7 April 2017, NITI Aayog, in
association with some key national institutions and International center for
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) set up on Acton Agenda for
“Sustainable Development of Mountains of Indian Himalayan Region” in
which “Sustainable Tourism in IHR” was selected as one of the key
themes.

30. 30
▪ Provide us ecosystem services
▪ Water towers of world
▪ Biodiversity richness
▪ Influences the global systems
▪ Eco-tourism
▪ Fulfil the lowland needs
▪ Disaster barrier (e.g. floods)
▪ Spiritual significance
▪ Aesthetic beauty
▪ Wetland
STRENGTHWOT
STRENGTHS

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▪ Sensitivity to climate change
▪ Ecosystem fragility
▪ Marginalised
▪ Inaccessibility
▪ Social needs
▪ Skeleton soil
▪ Water management
▪ Soil loss due to erosional activities
▪ Less productive soil
▪ Biodiversity fragility
▪ Climate change
WEAKNESS
SWEAKNESSOT

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▪ Ecotourism
▪ Payment for ecosystem services
▪ Source of 6 asia's greatest rivers - water tower
▪ Natural resources
▪ Diverse culture
▪ Biologically richest areas on the earth : 10000
plant species , 977 birds , 300 mammals , 269
freshwater fishes , 176 reptiles , 105
amphibians.
OPPORTUNITIES
SWOPPORTUNITIEST

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▪ Population inflow
▪ waste disposal
▪ Increasing vehicular movements
▪ Pollution
▪ Tourism
▪ Deforestation
▪ Wetland degradation due to overgrazing, pollution,
tourism, climate change
▪ Soil degradation
▪ Global warming
▪ climate Change
▪ Vulnerability to disasters
▪ loss of life
▪ Threats to biodiversity - due to habitat loss and
poaching
▪ Increased of glof (glacier lake outburst flood)
▪ Torrential rain, cloudburst
▪ threat to economy - loss of property- increase of poverty
▪ Mining
THREATS
SWOTHREATS

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STRENGTH
Scenario in Himachal and Uttarakhand:
Himachal Pradesh
▪ Great Climatic conditions
• Diverse climatic conditions
▪ Rivers
• Ravi, Chenab, Sutluj
▪ Attraction of Sport tourism
▪ Cultural resources
Uttarakhand
▪ Climatic Conditions
• Cooler
▪ Rivers
• Ganga, Yamuna
▪ Attraction of Ecotourism
▪ Training institutes & Programmes
WEAKNESS Himachal Pradesh
▪ Lack of quality tourists
▪ Poor infrastructure for adventure
tourism
▪ No policies related to environmental
problems
▪ Poor air connectivity
Uttarakhand
▪ Lack of the information related to
adventure tourismStable political
environment
▪ Poor roads conditionsTax
▪ Poor banking
system/telecommunications
▪ Lack of hotel infrastructure

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THREATS Himachal Pradesh
▪ Safety concern
▪ Avalanche threats
▪ Ethical issues
▪ Threats from neighbouring states
Uttarakhand
▪ Tremendous pressure on natural
resource
▪ Increased competition from other sates
▪ Pricing/quality of the products
▪ Melting of the glaciers
OPPORTUNITIES Himachal Pradesh
▪ Lot of opportunities for private
investors.
▪ Multi dimension products available
▪ Civil aviation
▪ Numerous unexplored treks to be
explored
Uttarakhand
▪ Abundant natural resources
▪ Stable political environment
▪ Health Tourism
▪ Tax exemption.

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CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH PILGRIMAGE TOURISM IN INDIAN HIMALAYA
Tourist destinations in Indian Himalayan region:
a) Pilgrimage
b) Hill stations
c) Adventure tourism- trekking, mountain climbing, sightseeing and winter sports
Challenges associated with pilgrimage as well as the whole tourism in Indian
Himalaya:
▪ Disasters during the tourist season
a) Kedarnath flood, Himalayan tsunami
b) Landslides during monsoon and post monsoon season
▪ Security of tourists
a) Mansarovar yatra, terrorist attack
▪ Environment degradation
a) deforestation
b) unplanned building of hotels, resorts etc.
c) water pollution
d) effects on wildlife
e) solid waste and dumping problems

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▪ Change in socio-cultural structure and styles:
a) affecting the structure and style of local communities by mixing new cultural practices on it.
b) interaction with tourists and their new practices, influence the local people to become so called ''modern''.
History of tourism in Indian Himalayan Region
In ancient times only pilgrimage was dominating factor for tourism in Himalayas. For people Himalaya was a
representation of divine place to worship. Eg- Kedarnath, Badrinath, etc
But in beginning of 19th century, British discovered the Himalayas as recreational areas and became more tourist
attraction in hill stations like Shimla, Missouri, etc
With the beginning of 1950s and onwards, as after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climbed the world’s
highest mountain- Mt. Everest and made record which afterwards became a huge attraction of sport and
adventure tourism as well. Eg- paragliding, rafting, trekking, etc.

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Modern approaches on tourism related issues-
▪ Tourism should be one part of a balanced economy
▪ The use of tourism environments must allow for long-term preservation and for use
of those environments.
▪ Tourism should respect the character of an area.
▪ Tourism must provide long-term economic benefits.
▪ Tourism should be sensitive to the needs of the host population.
Strategies for creating a sustainable tourism:
▪ The seasonal dispersal and regional diffusion of tourists:
a) Helps in taking pressure off the local ecosystem.
b) Achieved by either regulating the tourists allowed in a certain area
c) By introducing a more dynamic pricing policy, cresting incentives to visit less
frequented areas or to visit outside of the peak season.

39. 39
▪ The promotion of alternative, fuel saving technologies:
a) use of micro-hydro can help in reducing the use of firewood by locals and tourists, it will also help in reducing the
pressure on local forests.
▪ The creation and promotion of designated campsites:
a) it will offer certain amenities (such as washing facilities) the amount of ''wild'' camping along the trails could be
reduced.
▪ The sharing of revenues:
a) the management of the environment can involve an enormous amount of money. The revenue from user charges
and mountaineering royalties should be shared between the governments and the areas where this revenue is
created.
▪ The training of local people as guides-
a) it can help the local people to develop the skills needed to guide the tourists.
b) it will help to develop confidence to get involvement in tourism business and start own enterprise.
c) when the service will be improved, they can expect higher income.
▪ The creation of community based, participation-oriented tourism management committees-
a) allows locals to participate in the decision-making process and influence their lives directly.
b) participation increases the support and co-operation of the locals for protection projects, because they have
proper knowledge about local environment, and ways to save it.
Example of Sikkim biodiversity and ecotourism project (1995)

40. 40
Goal
▪ The conservation of biodiversity and natural resources through
increased capacity and actions of the stakeholders.
▪ In that area the fuelwood consumption problem has been tackled
by introducing alternative fuel saving technologies.
▪ Between 1996 to 1998, the fuelwood consumption was reduced
by 60%.
▪ Participation by the locals and private sector in decision-making
process has risen up to 50% in that area.

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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
MOUNTAIN
DEVELOPMENT

42. 42
▪ Value Ecosystem Services and Mountain Biodiversity: Modernization and democratization of local
communities in the management.
▪ Enhance Natural Regeneration of Forests: Over-emphasis on plantations, protection of individual trees (e.g.,
complete ban on tree cutting over 1000 m altitude), and promotion of a few fast growing individuals have
trivialized the importance.
▪ Linking Biodiversity Conservation with Rural Livelihoods: Be it the quest for fuel wood for cooking and
heating, leaf fodder for cattle, or the open grazing of domestic animals, all these are responsible for
significant forest degradation and biodiversity losses in the Himalaya.
▪ Participatory Resource Management (PRM): Pro – active action is required in involving the hill women in
resource management. Sensitisation of the bureaucracy, scientists and decision makers, including
community leaders is needed so that they can effectively collaborate in joint – initiatives and extend support.
▪ Mountain communities are rich repositories of traditional knowledge, practices and resources. Traditional
knowledge and practices have evolved through generations of empirical experimentation. The involvement of
mountain communities in technology development, conservation and management of mountain resources
needs to be strategically formalized.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT

43. 43
▪ Preparing research priority matrix for regions covering the information gaps, allocate adequate funds and
execute coordinated and scientific research through Universities and Institutes.
▪ Develop empirical models, depicting climate change scenarios for key glaciers and subsequent river
discharge, with reference to changes in hydrology, primary productivity of various ecosystems, biodiversity
and mountain farming.
▪ Networking and developing partnerships among the civil society, research organizations, CBOs and
NGOs have been reiterated time and again in various plans and policy documents.
▪ Himalayan mountains have been attracting mountaineers from all over the world, but this activity
(mountaineering) has not been perceived beyond just being a sport / a past time. Integration of various
departments such as tourism and sports, defense personnel, departments of environment and mountain
hazard mitigation need to consider this aspect and train the local youth, committing members, including
their own persons and women in mountaineering and other adventure sports.

44. 44
CONCLUSION

45. 45
Mountainous regions occupy one-fourth of the world’s terrestrial surface, most rich in diverse landscapes and
hold on to the biodiversity and cultural diversity along with supporting 10% of humankind with their direct life
support base. Most mountainous regions have been at the far periphery of mainstream societal concerns for a
long time. Remote, relatively inaccessible, they were generally pictured as difficulty, unyielding and unprofitable
environments. Very less have focused attention on mountainous people and cultures, primitive religion, marginal
survival, unusual adaptation to very high altitude, fraternal polyandry to obliterate informed communication and
more meaningful analysis in practical sense. Early research concentrated mainly on specialised studies with
little cross disciplinary endeavour. During the last few decades there have been spasmodic accounts of the
highland and lowland mainly induced by events of great economic or political significance and due to the
degradation of highlands which are potential threats to subjacent lowland population centre. Recent
developments, expanding highland research and awareness spread by institutions and governments have
shone a new ray of light towards the bright future. However, increased awareness with political advocacy must
be pursued further.

46. THANK YOU!