Mountains Are Calling, for Help: An Anthropological Analysis of Tourism-Induced Maladaptation

The recent incidence of land sinking in Joshimath town of Uttarakhand, India, had created an alert among the natives. There are many regions in the state that could meet the same fate in the near future if the level of anthropogenic activities is not brought under control. Of these, the most important and often neglected area is tourism. The young fold mountains of Himalayas have attracted tourists because of the peaceful environment. However, over the years the multiple facets through which tourism operates in these hills have done worse than good for the local economy and climate. Of these multiple facets, the following study will deal with the issue of second home and retirement home-induced pressure on the hills of Uttarakhand. Post Covid-19 pandemic, the ephemeral nature of human life and ‘live in the moment’ philosophy has developed a culture of leisure-lull in the non-urban socio–cultural milieu where the urban dwellers could take refuge from the hectic and draining urban life. Unfortunately, this culture is more maladaptive in its practice and has damaged the environment in the name of personal healing. The following attempt is a mixed approach: rooted in empirical investigation via anthropological methods of data collection like observation and interviews; and seeks help from already existing literature on the subject to develop an in-depth and diachronic understanding around the phenomenon. Therefore, efforts are made to explore the phenomenon in depth so that it will be practiced in a more sustainable way by future aspirants.