Himachal shows the way in eco-friendly tourism

SUSTAINABLE tourism is no longer just an option for the hill states. It has become a compulsion in the face of myriad ecological challenges. State governments are learning to do a tightrope walk in a bid to strike a balance between revenue generation and environmental conservation. The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department deserves a pat on the back for introducing user fee on a daily basis for tourists visiting eco-sensitive and protected areas of Spiti. The open-access approach — with no entry fee — is now a thing of the past. A fee structure has also been worked out for activities such as shooting (documentaries, feature films, ads, etc) and pitching tents.