Uttarakhand locals call for responsible tourism, not disruption

Dehradun: Rising incidents of tourists playing loud music, tossing liquor bottles into gorges, honking excessively, driving on the wrong side of the road, and drinking in public places have prompted locals and the tourism industry to call for visitors to behave more responsibly in Uttarakhand. A recent social media post from a homestay owner in Nainital showed how a group from NCR damaged a TV and left the house in disarray. Another homestay owner in Mussoorie expressed frustration over the growing trend, calling it "disappointing and not in the right spirit". In response to these issues, actor Victor Banerjee, a long-time resident of Landour Cantonment, wrote to the cantonment's CEO urging action against unruly tourists. He suggested recording the number of vehicles passing Char Dukan between 7pm and 6am and installing CCTV cameras at guard stations. Even the sacred Char Dham yatra has seen incidents of rash driving leading to accidents.Quoting a sign that once hung in the area, Sunita Kudle, a homestay owner in Landour, said, "If we liked noise, we wouldn't live here. If you like noise, you shouldn't be here." She told TOI, "While I haven't faced any untoward or inappropriate incidents in my homestay, different parts of Landour are turning into places where people drink in public. You park your car, have drinks, and then toss the bottle into the khud. Is this responsible tourism?" She added, "Visitors from outside throw bottles and trash in our living spaces. I've even seen them trespass into private properties, and when we ask them to leave, they feel offended."Businessman Visheshwar Maithani, who is opening a hotel in Badrinath, echoed these concerns. "Police are aware, and that's why vehicles from NCR are checked more frequently. This behaviour is worse in Rishikesh, where some of my hotelier friends are also worried," he said. He stressed the need for responsible tourism, reminding visitors that Uttarakhand is ‘Devbhoomi', the land of gods, and should be treated respectfully. He said homestay and hotel owners often remain silent to avoid losing business but agreed it was time tourists understood their responsibilities.Ajay Bhatt, a hotelier from Auli and homestay owner in Joshimath, said the rise in such behaviour has increased the responsibility on homestay owners. "I've always taken the necessary precautions, and I only confirm bookings after thoroughly verifying the tourists," he added.Locals and tourism professionals agreed that while Uttarakhand thrives on tourism, visitors must respect the state's natural beauty, traditions, and the well-being of its communities. They argue that responsible tourism is not just about following rules but embracing a deeper understanding of the environment and culture.