Tourism and Solid Waste Management

Abstract

Himalaya provides breath-refreshing pure air with peaceful environment and a pleasant climate, making it an ideal site for tourism and recreational activities. The carrying capacity of this region is low however, due to its fragile environment which gets unstable with miniscule changes. The town of Dharamsala lying in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh is a preferred destination for both domestic and international tourists due to of variety of reasons. Domestic tourism has increased by 14 % in 2006–2011 and international tourism by 3 % during the same period. The increased tourism in town leads to air pollution and sewerage problems, along with huge increased quantity of solid waste. The total solid waste generated in town is about 14,000 kg/day, and the town does not have enough infrastructures to dispose of it all. Only one landfill site is available and it is not properly managed. The growing garbage heaps and lack of proper management lead to various environmental and health problems to the various stakeholders, also having negative implications on tourism industry. Integrated Solid Waste Management is a key to mitigating the problem.