Tourism: A Source of Economic Development in Uttarakhand

Abstract

This paper examines the tourism practices and evaluates the possible enhancements towards a sustainable tourism in the Uttaranchal Himalaya. The modes of tourism are discussed broadly and suggestions are given appropriately for sustainable development of tourism. It reveals that the pilgrimage tourism has been practicing here for centuries. Presently, mass tourism as mountaineering, trekking, skiing and river rafting is being common. The practices of tourism have a significant impact on the economy as many of the small towns emerged as the major service provider centers and the economy of the region grew tremendously. But, at the same time, its impact fell badly on the environment and the tourist places and pilgrimages have received severe environmental implications. Kedarnath tragedy is a recent example. Data were taken from the secondary sources and references cited in text were well taken from the published materials.

Keywords: Tourism, Pilgrimage, Socio-economic Impact, Revenue Generation, Uttaranchal, Himalaya

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