Livelihood, Economy, Tourism, and Environmental Degradation: A study of Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Manali, an old town being governed by the Nagar Panchayat, is located on the banks of the river Beas in the lap of the Himalayas. Manali town is located at a distance of 38 km from Kullu in the northern part of the valley. Geographically, it is situated at 32° 15’ 32” North and 77° 10’ 35” East at an elevation of about 1900 m. It is situated in the central most district of Himachal Pradesh and surrounded by the high ranges of Lahul-Spiti and Kumayn hills on the north and east, respectively. Beautiful forests of deodar, the nearness of snow peaks, and widespread agricultural fields attract tourists throughout the year, while the maximum flow is seen in May and June. A tourism-based economy is the lifeline of both local inhabitants and those who settled here from other parts of the state as well as the country for their livelihood. Manali Nagar Panchayat has an area of 166.42 ha with a population of 6 to 65 persons as per the 2001 census. The extension of Nagar Panchayat is limited to the right bank of the River Beas, near the police station. The town is well equipped with a fire station, government hospital, secondary schools, temples, banks, hotels, shops, restaurants, a tourist information center, a police station, etc. The town has a drain system but has been found to be ill-managed and in poor condition. There is an arrangement for water supply for its residents. Manali's economy is dominated by activities related to tourism. It is regarded as the center for the transportation of goods to its surrounding region. Manali connects to National Highway number 21, which serves as the main lifeline for the entire valley. The development of Manali as a tourist spot is also due to the location of Rohtang Pass and Solang Glacier, Manikaran and hot water springs, Kullu, and Vashist, which are easily accessible from here. However, the higher flow of tourists and rapid growth of urbanization lead to various physical and sociocultural problems. Contact with outsiders has led to the loss of the unique Kulvi culture. The local people have adopted Western culture and lifestyles over time. Regional setups and growing trade and commerce attract people from outside regions, destroying the small business and livelihood patterns of locals. A high degree of flow of tourists in the form of general tourists, students, and trackers is responsible for the degradation of the physical and biological setup of the region. Higher population growth and unplanned and hazardous growth of buildings in the form of slums destroy both the beauty of the town and the environmental balance. Deposition of waste in drains for a longer period results in a higher amount of aerosols, maximum concentration of population over a shorter extension, and degradation of the environment. This paper highlights issues related to tourism, including the sustainability of the economy and livelihoods, as well as the overall impact of tourism on environmental degradation.