How India’s hiking industry is changing?

The hiking industry in India has seen a massive upturn in the last ten years, but now without
taking proper steps, its existence is at risk.

The hiking industry in India has been growing on unprecedented levels. No matter what
time of year it is, one will always find overzealous hikers going on a trek somewhere in the
Himalayas. In fact, between the years 2016-2020, the trekking industry is expected to grow by a
whopping average of 46%.​1

Camping and trekking’s popularity has been rising, especially among millenials. For
most of them, the lure of a few days in nature, taking a break from work, relax, and clear out
their minds is fascinating. And it has also been proven scientifically that camping is beneficial as
a stress buster as well as good for emotional and mental health. Plus, the way trekking has been
portrayed and glamorized in movies, ensures that scores of people flock to mountains in search
of adventure.​2

As millions of people rain in on the Himalayas every year, the tourism industry in these
regions is thriving. And this has led to significant economic growth in these areas. People who
were once dependent on farming can now engage in other significantly higher paid jobs.
However, this economic growth is a double-edged sword. Despite bringing real benefit to the
local people, excessive, unorganized, and irresponsible trekking is having a grave effect on the
fragile mountain ecosystems.​3

According to a study titled “Environmental impact of trekking in Trans-Himalayan

ecosystems” by the Institute of Mountain Research, the significant problems were dumping of
waste along the trail and the heavy inflow of humans. It has been found that, on average, 300 kgs
of waste material is dumped on a stopover during peak season. These problems have now
resulted in overgrazing, soil erosion, trail degradation, and habitat disturbance. If left unchecked,
these problems run the risk of destroying the mountainous habitat.​4
 Arjun Majumdar, the founder of Indiahikes - India’s largest trek documentation
organization, reminisces about the time when trekking was pursued by serious pros only. He also
says that in the last ten years, newer and newer trails were discovered, and thus trekking became
more accessible. This has resulted in utter chaos and destruction of the tranquility of some of the
treks.​5

Despite all progress in the last ten years, the adventure tourism industry is still in its
nascency. While the global market is estimated at around Rs. 5,00,000 crore, the Indian market is
expected to be worth around Rs. 500-800 crores only. The Indian trekking industry is in danger
of being overrun by all these challenges before even reaching its peak. This undoubtedly will
prove to be disastrous in the longer term for the mountain economy.​6

Fortunately, various trekking companies, trekking communities, and NGOs are waking
up to the waste challenge. Plastic bans have been imposed on multiple popular treks like Triund
in Himachal Pradesh and Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand. Various trekking companies have
also taken the lead in cleaning the trails. Indiahikes’ Green Trails Initiative ensures that every
trekker brings back a bag full of waste collected from the trail. However, while each of these
initiatives is worthwhile, the waste challenge is humongous and bound to grow in the future.​7

To solve the problem of overcrowding, more concrete steps would have to be taken. The
first step in the right direction would be to spread out the trekkers and encourage them to
consider other trails and try newer treks. However, this will not be enough. Adventure tourism
hotspots like Switzerland and New Zealand have protected their hiking trails by limiting the
number of trekking permits, hefty fines, and awareness. The same is needed to be applied in the
Himalayas too. There must be regulations about the presence of dhabas, the use of camping
grounds, managing waste, and on some trails, the number of people who can do the trek.
 It would be a great shame if one day, we would have to completely stop the influx of
trekkers. Severe steps need to be taken. Otherwise, the future of the hiking industry in the
Himalayas looks bleak.

Sources:

1. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adventure-tourism-market-growing-at-nearly
-46-cagr-to-2020-597059331.html
2. https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/adventure-travel/virtual-dog-sledding-fairba
nks-alaska-tour
3. https://www.businessdestinations.com/destinations/tourism-to-the-himalayas-causes-a-m
ountain-of-problems/
4. https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/IGF-Forschungsberichte_2_0062-0070.pdf
5. https://indiahikes.com/how-trekking-is-changing/
6. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/travel/adventure-tourism-busines
s-booms-in-india-but-many-pitfalls-need-to-be-addressed/articleshow/32503709.cms
7. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/a-himalayan-mess-growing-garbage-pile-a-t
hreat-to-mountain-ecosystem/story-sSmLxHSc24DHmIe9bSKQiP.html