Producer: Priyanka Das Editor: Sujata Singh
The empowerment of indigenous mountain communities is crucial for the protection of the mountain ecosystem. It is helpful to invest money in local businesses be it choosing home-stays instead of staying in hotel chains or eating local meals made out of seasonal produce.
Non-stop tourism is bad for mountains, as is demonstrated across the world be it at the Mount Everest summit or the more accessible locations like Shimla and Manali. Avoid travelling in peak season as it puts pressure on local resources to accommodate the arrival of tourists.
In 2020, microplastic pollution was discovered in snow close to the peak of Mount Everest. When you are traveling in the mountains make sure to not leave the litter behind.
Avoid single-use plastic by carrying your reusable water bottle and cups instead of buying disposable bottles and cutlery. Try to use local transportation instead of renting or hiring a personal vehicle.
Do not encroach on eco-sensitive areas like protected lakes, waterfalls, or forests during your travel in the mountains. For instance, in July 2023, a video emerged that showed tourists driving around Ladakh’s Tso Kar and Tso Moriri lakes.