Context

• Himalayan states require comprehensive development plans to tackle the threats posed by population pressure caused by  tourism and waste generation.

Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)

• The IHR is susceptible to calamities like landslides and earthquakes as it is formed due to the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates, and the northward movement of the former puts continuous stress on the rocks, rendering them weak and prone to natural calamities.
• The ecologically sensitive Himalayan Region is witnessing further degradation caused by increased population pressure on land.
• Infrastructure projects have increased the incidences of man-animal conflict and have altered the flow of rivers.
• Water shortages and poor sanitation facilities have increased out of pocket expenditure amongst poor families in the Himalayan Region.

Impact of drying up of springs

• Himalayan springs form the base flow of rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra. Drying up of springs will cause the base flow of the river channels to drop, especially during summer.
• Acute water stress in the IHR affects the livelihood of mountain communities dependent on spring water.
• The drying springs will further add to the work burden of women since they are forced to manually carry water from springs during the lean season.

Impact of mass tourism in IHR

• Tourism in the region is greater during summer than the winter, which translates to greater anthropogenic pressure on existing infrastructure and local resources during the hotter months. 
• The higher density of native and floating populations in IHR leads to more generation of solid waste, ambient air pollution, water pollution, and deforestation. 
• In winter, the influx of people and vehicles and other allied activities also contributes to the shift seen in snowfall and melting patterns due to climate change-related impacts. 
• As a consequence of all these adverse pressures, local communities and resources of the Himalayan region are at great risk.

Combating Pollution

• IHR generates a large amount of solid waste, much of which is biodegradable in nature. It is suggested to use microbial bio-composting.
• Psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria which grow in moderate to cold conditions can be used to break down the biodegradable waste into bio-compost.
• Air pollution in the region can be addressed by creating green belts using locally available tree species that can help remove pollutants suspended in the air. 
• Introducing electric vehicles, and using non-conventional energy sources like solar, geothermal, and wind power can be implemented to combat regional-level ambient air pollution.

Need of sound planning in IHR

• There is a need to understand the effect of slope, drainage and cover (high vegetation and forest land) on the stress that an area can take, based on which regions fit or unfit for construction can be determined.
• With rise in extreme weather events like floods and landslides, Projections and simulations are needed to gauge climate exposure and map vulnerable areas.
• Development regulations in hilly areas should take into consideration, mainstreaming risk-likelihood and cumulative impact assessments.

Conclusion

• Any sustainable approach undertaken to protect and preserve the pristine Himalayan ecosystem should involve the participation of local communities. 
• There is a need to encourage skill and capacity-building programs to spread awareness among different stakeholders on sustainable and economic solutions to threats posed by mass tourism in the IHR.