Tourism Boom Raises Environmental Alarm Bells in Lahaul Valley, Study Finds
The opening of the Atal Tunnel in 2020 may have transformed Lahaul Valley into a year-round tourist destination, but a new academic study has revealed growing concern among locals over the environmental cost of this rapid tourism boom .
Published in the Journal on Tourism & Sustainability (Volume 8, Issue 2, January 2026), the study titled “Community Perception Towards Tourism Development in Lahaul Valley, Himachal Pradesh” highlights a complex picture of optimism mixed with anxiety. Conducted by Vikram Katoch and Dr. Tangjakhombi Akoijam from IGNOU, the research is based on responses from 400 residents across major tourism-influenced villages of Lahaul.
Tourism Boosts Income, Creates Jobs
According to the study, tourism has emerged as a crucial economic pillar for the cold desert region. Over 76 percent of respondents are directly involved in tourism-related activities such as homestays, food stalls, transport services and small shops. For most households, tourism provides a stable annual income between ₹6 lakh and ₹10 lakh—significantly higher than the state and national per capita averages .
Residents largely agreed that tourism has improved employment opportunities, raised living standards and strengthened local livelihoods. However, concerns were also raised about rising land prices, costlier daily commodities and the growing dominance of non-local operators in the tourism economy.
Cultural Pride Alongside Social Concerns
On the socio-cultural front, locals acknowledged that tourism has helped revive interest in Lahaul’s unique traditions, cuisine and heritage. Many respondents said interaction with tourists has increased cultural pride, especially among women participating in tourism activities.
At the same time, the study flags worrying trends such as increased gambling, theft and alcohol consumption. Respondents also expressed unease over cultural commodification and instances where visitors show little respect for local customs and traditions .
Environment Emerges as the Biggest Worry
Environmental impact emerged as the most serious and unanimously shared concern. High mean scores were recorded for issues like traffic congestion, waste accumulation, pollution and unregulated construction. Notably, respondents showed very low confidence in existing waste management and environmental protection systems.
Researchers found that concern for environmental degradation cut across all demographic groups—age, gender, education, occupation and tourism involvement—making it the only area where perceptions were uniformly negative. This, the study notes, reflects the fragility of Lahaul’s Himalayan ecosystem and the urgency for sustainable tourism planning .
Call for Balanced and Sustainable Policies
The authors stress that while tourism has clearly improved economic security in Lahaul, unchecked growth could irreversibly damage the region’s ecology and social fabric. They recommend integrated tourism policies that prioritise local participation, regulate construction, strengthen waste management systems and place environmental sustainability at the heart of development.
“The findings show that the community is still negotiating economic and cultural changes, but when it comes to the environment, the concern is loud and clear,” the study concludes .
