World Tourism Day: Overtourism threatens India’s top destinations

As travellers from across the country flock to these cherished locales in search of solace, they often encounter overcrowding (Photo: MIG)

“This summer, my mental health took a hit and I thought a trip to Darjeeling would be the perfect escape to recharge and find some peace. I imagined myself surrounded by serene landscapes, far away from the chaos of everyday life, where I could breathe fresh air and reconnect with nature. However, when I arrived, I was met with a harsh reality that shattered my expectations. The once-pristine hills were spoiled by garbage and the streets were overcrowded with tourists. The pollution was palpable, choking the very essence of what I came to seek. I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me, it didn’t feel like Darjeeling anymore, it was more like a bustling market than the peaceful retreat I had hoped for. Instead of peace, I found myself grappling with anxiety, wondering if the beauty I sought still existed beneath the layers of commercialisation. I left feeling depressed, longing for the untouched charm I had heard so much about, only to realise that it is rapidly slipping away,” Aastha Sharma, 29-year-old Graphic Designer from Ambala in Haryana, tells Media India Group.

In Darjeeling who once depended on tea and small-scale agriculture, are being pushed out of their lands to accommodate new hotels and resorts

Darjeeling, with its scenic tea plantations, has been feeling the pinch of overtourism for a few years. Roads that once offered peaceful views of the hills are now congested with tourists’ vehicles and the mountain ecosystem is at risk due to unchecked construction of hotels and other facilities for the visitors. Locals, who once depended on tea and small-scale agriculture, are being pushed out of their lands to accommodate new hotels and resorts.

“For them, it is difficult to say no to tourism because it is an income source. But we also can’t ignore that it is changing the very landscape and heritage that people come to see,” says Sharma.

Sharma’s experience is becoming increasingly common for travellers seeking refuge in India’s iconic tourist destinations, only to be confronted with overcrowded streets, environmental degradation and a sense that the charm that once made these places special is fading.

Overtourism has not only overwhelmed fragile ecosystems but also threatens to alter the very fabric of local communities. With destinations like Goa, Kerala, Nainital, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh  bearing the brunt, the conversation around sustainable tourism is more relevant than ever.

In Goa, once known for its beaches and laid-back lifestyle, overtourism has also resulted in pollution, overcrowding and skyrocketing prices, making it difficult for locals to maintain their traditional ways of life.

Overtourism has also resulted in pollution, overcrowding and skyrocketing prices, making it difficult for locals to maintain their traditional ways of life

A tiny state with a population of about 1.46 million, Goa attracted more than 7 million domestic tourists in 2022. And the same is true of other major destinations around the country. According to the Ministry of Tourism of Government of India, domestic travellers made a mind-boggling 1.7 billion trips around the country in 2022.

“Tourism is essential, but when we have too many people during peak season, it is chaos. The beaches are littered, roads are clogged and visitors are not always respectful of local culture,” Priya Joyner, a hotel operator from  Resort Park Avenue at Calangute in Goa, tells Media India Group.

Like Goa and Darjeeling, the Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir is also grappling with the growing problem of over tourism. Once known for its beauty and peaceful landscapes, the region is now struggling to cope with the surge in visitors. Popular destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam have seen a dramatic rise in tourists, leading to overcrowding, pollution and environmental degradation. The delicate ecosystems of these areas, already vulnerable due to their geographical location, are now under immense pressure from unchecked tourism. As more people flock to witness the scenic beauty of Kashmir, the very essence of what makes it special is at risk of being lost.

“During our peak season, especially in the summer and around New Year, the demand for accommodation is extremely high. All the hotels are fully booked, sometimes months in advance and still, there are not enough rooms for everyone,” Imran Shah, Manager of Pine Palace Hotel in Gulmarg, tells Media India Group.

“It is heartbreaking to see people, especially families, arriving here with high hopes of enjoying the beauty of Kashmir, only to find themselves with nowhere to stay. Many are forced to camp in tents or pay exorbitant prices for makeshift accommodations,” he adds.

Shah also points out the strain this influx puts on local resources.

“Water shortages are becoming more common as the infrastructure here simply is not built to handle this many people. We have had days where we have had to ration water for our guests, which is not what we want for anyone on holiday. The overburdened system is affecting not just tourists but also locals, who face disruptions in their daily lives and now with New Year coming, we have already got advance bookings, but I worry about how we will manage the crowds. The need for better planning and sustainable tourism is greater than ever,” Shah adds.

During peak season, especially in the summer and around New Year, the demand for accommodation is extremely high in Gulmarg (Photo:Umer Farooq)

In 2022, the Kashmir Valley saw the highest-ever arrival of tourists at 2.6 million of whom 1.5 million made it to Gulmarg.

“Kashmir is paradise, but it won’t remain one if this continues. We need strict regulations to protect the environment, but everyone is only focussed on profits,” Shah adds.

As overtourism continues to reshape the landscape of Gulmarg, the local community faces significant challenges. With the influx of visitors comes rising prices and congested roads, often leaving residents in difficult situations. The reality is that while tourism boosts the economy, it can also create obstacles for those who call these places home.

“Every year, the prices of goods and services go up because of the influx of tourists and it feels like we are being pushed aside in our own town. The roads are so blocked that it becomes nearly impossible to get around. In peak tourist season, it feels like we have no choice but to accept the chaos. Tourism is important for our livelihood, but it often comes at the expense of our comfort,” Mohammad Qayoom, 49-year-old, a shopkeeper at Kunzer in Gulmarg, tells Media India Group.

From Jammu and Kashmir, the overtourism issue has also begun to extend to Ladakh, an arid high-altitude region that has seen a dramatic shift in recent years. Once known for its remote, untouched landscapes and spiritual serenity, Ladakh has become a major tourist hotspot, especially with the rising trend of bike trips to the region. The influx of adventure seekers, eager to experience the thrill of riding through the high-altitude passes, has brought new challenges to this fragile ecosystem.

According to Tourism Department of Leh, a total of 531,000 tourists visited Ladakh in 2022, out of which 21,259 were foreigners and 510,000 were Indians. Similarly, in 2023, a total of 525,000 tourists comprising 36,315 foreigners and 490,000 Indian tourists visited the Union Territory.

The headcount till August this year was nearly 301,000 including 30,921 foreigners and 270,000 from within the country. This sudden boom has resulted in overcrowded roads, increased pollution, and a strain on local resources like water and waste management. The impact of over tourism is visible everywhere, from Leh’s bustling streets filled with vehicles and tourists to the litter left behind on trekking trails. With each passing season, the region’s ability to sustain this level of tourism is being tested and locals fear that Ladakh’s unique beauty and cultural heritage are slowly being eroded. The once-peaceful land of monasteries and quiet valleys now struggles to maintain its identity under the pressure of mass tourism.

Ladakh’s unique beauty and cultural heritage are slowly being eroded

Overtourism in Ladakh is not just a local concern, it has broader implications, particularly regarding climate change. The rapid increase in visitors has led to unregulated economic activities that intensify the region’s environmental pressures, ultimately contributing to a faster-than-expected alteration of Ladakh’s unique climate. With tourism booming, the adverse effects are becoming increasingly visible, often within a single generation.

“On the surface, it may seem like nothing is changing, but the reality is that over tourism massively exacerbates climate change’s effects in Ladakh. The impacts are evident, this January, Ladakh had to curtail the famous ‘chadar’ trek because the river would not freeze due to unusually high temperatures. Traditionally, January temperatures in Leh would drop to -15°C, but this year, the minimum was -8° C, with daytime highs reaching only 4 degrees. The lack of winter snowfall is alarming, Leh recorded just 1.2 cm in November-December, compared to 13.6 cm in the winter of 2013. Even our ice hockey rink had to rely on electric fans to keep the ice intact. It is clear that Ladakh’s cold desert climate is changing fast, and overtourism is playing a significant role in this shift,” Rashid Surma, 25-year-old resident of Ladakh, tells Media India Group.

Overtourism in India’s hill stations is increasingly linked to devastating natural disasters, such as landslides, that wreak havoc on the lives of locals and tourists alike. The increased pressure on fragile mountain ecosystems, largely driven by unchecked construction and a surge in visitors, exacerbates the risks of such calamities. The frequent cutting down of mountains and trees to make way for tunnels, resorts, hotels, and wider roads further destabilises the land, making it more susceptible to landslides. With each passing year, the growing tourist footfall in places like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and West Bengal has made these regions increasingly vulnerable to such disasters.

In August 2024, a series of tragic landslides struck Wayanad popular tourist destination in  Kerala, claiming over 400 lives and displacing hundreds of families. Experts pointed out that uncontrolled tourism, combined with deforestation and unplanned infrastructure development, played a significant role in the region’s susceptibility to landslides. Tourists flock to Wayanad for its beautiful scenery, but many are unaware that their very presence, along with the growing tourism infrastructure, is contributing to environmental degradation. The aftermath of these landslides left not only a scar on the landscape but also sparked conversations about the urgent need for sustainable tourism practices to protect these vulnerable areas.

The issue of over tourism in India is not just about numbers but about the strain it places on local communities and ecosystems. While tourism remains a vital economic driver, many stakeholders are calling for more responsible, sustainable approaches to prevent the loss of what makes these places special in the first place.