| In
a region like Ladakh which is an arid, high altitude, ecologically
fragile, strategically located, culturally rich but sensitive
area known for its unique Tibetan Buddhist culture, tourism
was abruptly introduced with inadequate planning primarily
to foster economic development and growth. In a short span
of about two-and-a-half decades the self-sufficient agricultural
economy following the barter system of trade has been converted
to a cash economy, with a high dependence on the tourist
industry for revenue and employment generation. It has also
resulted in the degradation of physical and socio-cultural
environment, which is the prime attraction for tourists.
If this trend continues tourists will no longer be motivated
to visit this region thus adversely impacting the tourism
industry and consequently the economy of the region. Ways
have to be found where tourism and environment can co-exist
without damaging each other. The need of the hour is to
formulate, develop and implement a pragmatic policy of sustainable
tourism with the help and active participation of the local
community by adopting the ‘bottom-up’ approach. |
