Unscientific, unmindful and unregulated tourism in the ecologically fragile areas has in-creased the vulnerabilities of these regions towards a plethora of disasters. Examine the statement and suggest strategies for sustainable tourism. (15 marks, 250 words)

The Kedarnath flash floods of 2013 reminded us of the grave consequence of unregulated, unmindful and unscientific tourism in ecologically fragile areas. Unscientific, unregulated tourism result in: (1) Assessing population inertial on fragile regions. (2) Unregulated development (3) Unsustainable waste generation (4) Deforestation, encroachment of natural habitat for or in the name of infrastructure development.

Unregulated tourism incurs vulnerabilities of disaster in fragile region (1) Seismic disturbances caused by blasting in road construction, infrastructure development leads to earthquakes, landslides. [EIA] - recent landslide in Nainital (2) Deforestation disturbs the evapotranspiration and water cycle leading to precipitation rainfall pattern, droughts, water stress. (3) Development of artificial lakes in tourist places → flooding, flash floods (4) Damage to mangroves, royal in coastal tourism development increases vulnerability to cyclones. [EIA] Amphan in Bengal

Strategy for sustainable tourism (1) Ecotourism: that promote ecology health for tourist development. (2) Promotion of circular economy in tourist sites to reduce waste onus. (3) Limiting tourist entry. [EIA] - In Nainital, tourist entry is rationed during peak season. (4) Taking case of fauna and flora. [EIA] - Bamboo Bridge for reptiles to cross highway in Nainital - Haldwani highway. Thus, tourism and ecological health can go hand in hand with joint effort of all stakeholders.

— ANUPRIYA RAI · AIR 258