ABSTRACT
The right combination of management methods makes tourism beneficial for everyone. The lack of regulations makes tourism transform into an unseen enemy that harms ecologically sensitive areas. This study performs an extensive examination of uncontrolled tourism and excessive resort building impacts on the environment specifically in the hill stations of Tamil Nadu. This study focuses on ecological protection and environmental regulations to disclose development-related misuse of Ooty and Kodaikanal and Valparai and the Nilgiris natural areas. The research investigates the mounting pressures that wildlife already faces as they continue moving toward extinction. This study analyzes tourism’s actual financial losses through courtroom evaluations and onsite monitoring as well as furnishes responsible alternatives to achieve development-conserve equilibrium.
INTRODUCTION
Tourism functions as an established means which stimulates economic expansion together with cultural cooperation. The charming destination of Tamil Nadu has experienced growing tourism over multiple years due to its attractive hill regions alongside its diverse natural resources. The price of this development constitutes a hidden burden that policymakers together with public opinion neglect to analyze. The natural environment faces an increasing danger from uncontrolled tourism activities specifically within ecologically sensitive areas. Wild forest encroachment together with waste contamination is creating extensive and destructive damage through unplanned tourism activities.
The statistical data can be found in the Ministry of Tourism Annual Report (2022-2023) together with Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation reporting hill station tourist numbers.
During the past decade all four Indian destinations Ooty, Kodaikanal, Yercaud and Valparai have experienced significant rises in their visitor numbers. The high rate of development includes an exponential growth of resorts and homestays joined by commercial establishments. The new construction projects fail to undergo necessary environmental assessments. Deforestation at a large scale and unlawful land transformation and wildlife corridor intrusions have turned into frequent occurrences. Endemic species face severe threats because their vulnerable natural habitats operate at maximum capacity.
The study relies heavily on references drawn from Nilgiris District Collector’s Land Use Reports (2019-2022) alongside the Wildlife Institute of India’s report about habitat fragmentation in Tamil Nadu hill regions.
The paradox stands out clearly since everything that draws tourists to such places vanishes because of the ongoing tourism explosion. Lakes have been drained while forest routes have become waste storage and the peaceful hill slopes now produce construction sounds and vehicle noises. These shifts affect the environment as well as cultural aspects in the region. Progress-related activities force Indigenous inhabitants to relocate from their traditional lands while simultaneously subjugating them through exclusionary practices.
The research by the Centre for Environment and Development in Kerala (2020) examines tourism-related tribal displacement and the Forest Rights Act from 2006 provides information about community rights and claims.
Current tourism policies exist but their actual implementation is uncertain. The lack of valid Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) allows many resorts along with construction projects to continue their operation while buffer zones protecting forest areas face inevitable violations without effective legal enforcement. Environmental laws no longer match the needs of their practical field-level implementation.
The Footnote uses material from EIA Notification 2006 (as edited) alongside findings from CAG Reports on Nilgiris and Dindigul districts.
Tamil Nadu unregulated tourism became my research subject because I study environmental law while being enthusiastic about wildlife conservation. Tourism should proceed toward sustainability which joins development projects with environmental protection. The primary goal of this document involves analyzing current legislation with a specific focus on its weak points while recommending specific welfare-related reforms connected to constitutional commitments and environmental ethics.
The references in this footnote include Article 48A and Article 51A(g) of the Indian Constitution as well as the Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India from the Ministry of Tourism (2021).