The Future of Himalayan Tourism in an Era of Climate Uncertainty
The Future of Himalayan Tourism in an Era of Climate Uncertainty: Physical Disruption, Economic Fragility, and Strategic Adaptation The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, often called the world’s "Third Pole" , holds the largest amount of permanent ice outside of the North and South Poles. This massive ice reserve feeds ten of Asia's major river systems, providing a lifeline for roughly 1.65 billion people downstream. For the last fifty years, this unique landscape has fueled a thriving high-altitude tourism industry, ranging from professional mountaineering and long-distance trekking to large-scale cultural and religious pilgrimages. For mountain economies , this isn't just a hobby; it’s a vital economic engine. In Nepal, tourism brings in hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign exchange, and in several northern Indian states, it accounts for more than 20% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). पछिल्ला पाँच दशकदेखि यस विशिष्ट हिमाली भू-दृश्यले उच्च हिमाली पर्...