The need to promote responsible tourism in the ecologically sensitive Blue Mountains (the Nilgiri hills) was emphasised at a two-day workshop on ‘Eco-tourism’ which ended at Kotagiri on Friday. It was organised by the Keystone Foundation.
Speaking about the recent inscription of 31 places in the Western Ghats as World Heritage Sites, the participants called for striking a balance between conserving them and promoting tourism.
Pointing out that among the challenges that one has to deal with while protecting the Western Ghats was the increasing inflow of tourists to some of its scenic spots, they said that in the Nilgiris the influx was now around 25 lakh.
It had resulted in increased pressure on the food, water and accommodation front particularly during the summer. While keeping in mind the growing demand, the carrying capacity of the hills should not be lost sight of. During the peak season, massive littering, uncontrolled pollution,traffic chaos on the roads and at public places have become the order of the day.
Source: The Hindu,24th July 2012