NEWS – Uttarakhand government to assess the “carrying capacity” of major cities to curb ecological degradation caused by unregulated tourism and construction.

HIGHLIGHTS

•  Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population an area can sustain without harming its natural resources or ecological balance.
• Tourism Pressure: 37 lakh tourists visited religious shrines in summer 2025; around 3 crore devotees expected in Haridwar during the Kanwar Yatra (July 11–23).
• Urban Stress: Hill towns like Nainital and Mussoorie suffer from overcrowding, traffic jams, and unchecked hotel constructions.
• Policy Direction: Cities exceeding their capacity may see redirection of activities to alternative areas; infrastructure expansion to be ecologically aligned.
• Ecological Warning Signs:
  • Joshimath Crisis (2022–23): Land subsidence and house cracks linked to over-construction and groundwater depletion.
  • Earthquakes (2015–17): 39 quakes attributed to ecological imbalance by former CM Trivendra Singh Rawat.