How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and tourism? (
Answers
Explanation:
Ranging from Himalayas in the north to Western Ghats of the south, mountainous ecosystem makes up for significant areas of the country. In no other ecosystem do we feel the tension of striking the balance between environmental protection and developmental activities.
Being ecologically fragile, the region calls for special kind of safeguards in order to preserve their sensitive character at a time of want of rapid development, and the need to face threats of climate change and imminent environmental damage. Steps that can be taken:
Ecologically Sensitive regions: Kasturirangan report has suggested that majority of Western Ghats region be declared as ecologically sensitive region so as to save it from damage of developmental activities.
Ecotourism: Making tourism sustainable by adopting ecotourism model where pressure on natural resources would be the least. Promoting local stays instead of constructing resorts and hotels in sensitive regions. Eg. Odisha’s Mangaljodi model.
This can even promote local employment and entrepreneurship.
Restricting entry to tourists: to have a permit system where only a limited number of tourists are allowed and also for a specified period of time. Eg. Bhutan follows this strategy.
Suitable industries: Industries that cause the least damage to the natural environment can be promoted here. For example service sector instead of manufacturing sector. North east BPO promotion scheme seeks to achieve the said objective.
Awareness campaigns: By educating the locals about the impact of damage caused by activities such as rampant tourism, irresponsible constructions, and pollution, locals can be actively involved in conservation activities.
The unprecedented floods of Kerala bear testimony to the consequences one suffers if fragile ecosystems such as mountains are not conserved. Thus the above steps must be taken to protect them from damages of development and tourism.