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Tourism

Tourist Registration in Mussoorie: A Critical Step towards Sustainable Tourism

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The hill station of Mussoorie is facing immense pressure due to a surge in tourist arrivals, threatening its fragile ecology. The National Green Tribunal has recommended 19 corrective steps to protect the environment of the popular Himalayan tourist destination. As part of these measures, the Uttarakhand government has directed hotel and homestay owners to register their guests on an internet portal run by the state's tourism department. The registration process aims to ensure that the area's carrying capacity is not exceeded, with a focus on available parking space, guest room availability, and waste management.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Green Tribunal has recommended 19 corrective steps to protect the environment of Mussoorie, including the registration of tourists to manage the area's carrying capacity.
  • The registration process involves owners of hotels, guesthouses, and homestays registering their guests on an internet portal run by the Uttarakhand Department of Tourism.
  • The 2023 report by the committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal suggested that tourists be charged for visiting the Mussoorie area, with the payment used for managing waste and cleanliness.
  • Mussoorie has experienced a steady increase in tourist arrivals, from 1.5 lakh visitors in 1958 to over 30 lakh in 2019, putting pressure on the area's physical infrastructure.
  • The registered accommodation in the area includes 303 hotels, 201 homestays, and six dharamshalas, with public and private parking space for only 1,240 vehicles.
  • The 2023 report estimated a 23% increase in the resident population of Mussoorie by 2037 and a 52% increase by 2052, exacerbating the shortage of water and infrastructure.
  • Mussoorie is located in a fragile mountain zone, Seismic Zone IV, and is vulnerable to slope instability and landslides due to its unique geology and steep terrain.
  • The building regulations in the area are often flouted, with many structures standing on slopes steeper than 40 degrees and exceeding the permissible height of 12 meters.

Statistics:

  • Over 30 lakh tourists visited Mussoorie in 2019 (Source: The Tribune, 2023).
  • The number of tourists has increased from an estimated 1.5 lakh in 1958 to over 30 lakh in 2019 (Source: The Tribune, 2023).
  • The registered accommodation in the area includes 303 hotels, 201 homestays, and six dharamshalas (Source: The Tribune, 2023).
  • The area's public and private parking space can accommodate only 1,240 vehicles (Source: The Tribune, 2023).
  • The 2023 report estimated a 23% increase in the resident population of Mussoorie by 2037 and a 52% increase by 2052 (Source: The Tribune, 2023).
  • The Mussoorie Nagar Palika supplies 7.69 million litres of water per day, which is augmented by water from the Yamuna Water Supply Scheme (Source: The Tribune, 2023).

Sources:

  • The Tribune (2023) - "NGT's 19-point order to save Mussoorie: Here are the details"
  • The Indian Express (2023) - "NGT pushes Uttarakhand to expedite measures to protect Mussoorie's environment"
  • Contify.com (2023) - "NGT warns Uttarakhand government on over-concretisation, points out risks to Mussoorie and Joshimath"

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