Mountains at High Risk: Consequences of Urbanization in Mountainous Regions

Overview

The mountains act as natural barriers, that influence weather patterns and protect areas from severe weather events like cyclones. But today, the mountains are in danger because of urbanization in mountains and if we do not take some necessary action then it will be worse than ever. Urbanization is rapidly affecting mountain areas around the world because people and resources are being attracted to these areas for tourism. About 15% of the global population lives in mountains which cover 27% of the Earth's surface.

Urbanization of hill cities and hill stations not only degrades the beauty of the mountains but also affects the wildlife. The people living in forests face different problems like landslides, floods, and soil erosion which affect their lives drastically.

How the mountain is moving towards urbanization?

There are many reasons why the mountain is rapidly moving towards urbanization today. And somehow, we are responsible for this. Yes, when we go to the mountains to find peace and enjoy nature to the fullest, in return we give problems like pollution and climate change to the mountains. Do you think this is right?

There are many mountains here which tourists are attracted to see. And this is the reason why the mountains are losing their originality and beauty. Because if tourism increases obviously there will be a need for hotels, resorts and transport services. But it does not mean that we should not do it because it is a good thing that employment opportunities are increasing but at the same time it also brings many challenges for the environment.

Similarly, the permanent residents and tribal living there also have to face different types of attention. Due to this their normal life is also affected. If we want to focus on protecting arable land for the development of the mountain region in the future, we will have to choose a new sustainable path.

What are the environmental impacts of urbanization in mountain regions?

Mountainous areas often contain unique ecosystems with distinctive species. However, urbanization disrupts habitats, leading to biodiversity decline. Clearing land for roads and buildings accelerates soil erosion, heightening the risk of landslides and floods.

In 2021, India had an urbanization rate of 1.34%, marking a 1.5% year-on-year increase. According to the Geological Survey of India (GSI), excluding snow-covered areas, about 0.42 million square km (12.6% of the land area) in India is prone to landslides. The North-Eastern region is badly affected by a bewildering variety of landslide problems. Landslides are creating chronic problems in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal as well as in Sikkim, Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, causing economic losses worth billions of rupees repeatedly.

This shows how sensitive the mountain is to climate change. Due to rising temperatures, glaciers are melting, weather patterns are worsening and incidents of natural disasters like avalanches, flash floods, and landslides are increasing. As snow cover and forest cover in mountains decrease, the climate regulation functions they provide are reduced, leading to a global crisis.

Construction activities and increased traffic produce pollutants into the clean mountain air, leading to smog and respiratory issues for residents. Mountain residents are now increasingly afraid of natural disasters, which are becoming more frequent and severe than ever before.

The Human Cost: culture and Livelihoods at Risk

We need to know how mountain communities, known for their strong bonds and time-honored traditions, are changing their lifestyle. When we go out to enjoy the season, we cause different types of harm, such as through the packets of what we eat on the roadside, we use more and more transportation, etc.

Many unsustainable practices are being adopted which are increasing carbon footprint and carbon emissions. To increase tourism, big hotels and restaurants are being built by cutting trees and due to this a lot of land is used in them. Deforestation is one of the most significant challenges in global land use.

The young generation of hill communities are moving to cities in search of jobs and are also forced to stay away from their families in search of livelihood because the original beauty of the mountains and their climate is no longer the same as before and is gradually disappearing. You might be wondering if there is no solution to this. Is it not possible that along with urbanization our environment also does not get polluted?

Pathways to Sustainable Urbanization

By adding a few sustainable strategies, you can strike a balance between progress and preservation. Here are some sustainable options for mountain urbanization.

Eco-tourism and low impact development- We should promote eco-tourism which helps generate revenue while reducing environmental impacts. We can use low-impact infrastructure, such as using natural building materials and renewable energy sources. You can also promote solar lighting and wind energy in hotels.

Preserving ecosystems- We must protect forest cover, ensure wildlife corridors, and restore degraded landscapes so that ecosystems are not threatened. Otherwise, the ecosystem will be in danger.

Conserve water and practice sustainable things- We can use the technique of rainwater harvesting which helps to manage resources efficiently and protect the local ecosystem. Always prefer walking or public transport, avoid the use of plastic, and do not spread waste on roads. We should build dustbins at various places in the mountains.

People will be impressed after seeing these strategies and people will become aware and inspire others too. Therefore, we should keep making similar efforts.

Mountains have protected us for centuries and now it’s time we protect them. Mountains are a wonderful creation of nature and it is our responsibility to keep them clean and beautiful. We must avoid the construction of roads, hotels, and buildings on mountains. We try to keep nature as it is and do not interfere with it. Walk with nature, not against it. By embracing sustainable practices, you can move toward a more sustainable urbanization. By incorporating these green ideas, you can save the mountains.