Fragile foundation: Tourism, culture, and environmental stability in Joshimath and Kedarnath

Title

Fragile foundation: Tourism, culture, and environmental stability in Joshimath and Kedarnath

Creator

Singh, Vaishali; Bhuyan, Anjan

Description

This study aims to explore the ecological and cultural challenges in the delicate ecosystems of Joshimath and Kedarnath. A mixed method approach was adopted. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 35 tourists to look at the perception of environmental degradation and cultural influences. Content analysis of secondary data, including media reports and academic articles add contextual insights to the issue. The findings suggest that overcrowding and rapid construction works are increasing the environmental instability in both the sites; leading to natural disasters like floods, landslides, avalanches, etc. The tourists are disappointed due to overcrowding, and the threats it brings to the cultural and natural heritage. The study, thus highlights the urgent need for responsible tourism and much stricter developmental control measures. This study highlights that without immediate interventions, these fragile ecosystems are left with the threat of suffering from irreversible damages infringing upon their environmental significance and cultural values. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved.

Source

Balancing Mountain Tourism, Cultural Heritage, and Environmental Stability;pp.239-264

Date

01-01-2025

Publisher

IGI Global

Coverage

Singh V., Christ University (Deemed), India; Bhuyan A., Tezpur University, India

Rights

Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library

Relation

ISBN: 979-836938766-5; 979-836938764-1;

Format

online

Language

English

Type

Book chapter

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-8764-1.ch016

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105010177899?origin=resultslist