Theme T43 · Resources & Economic Geography

Fragile Himalayan ecosystems: tourism & infrastructure

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What UPSC asks

UPSC asks whether Himalayan states have crossed their carrying capacity due to tourism, and how to balance infrastructure with disaster risk in ecologically sensitive areas.

Prepare these

• Carrying capacity concept; tourism pressure (J&K, Himachal, Uttarakhand)
• Joshimath, Char Dham road, hydropower debates
• Eco-sensitive zones, EIA, risk-informed planning

Answer writing

• Give balanced arguments and concrete safeguards

Directive words in these PYQs: Discuss (1), Evaluate (1), Critically (1).

Linked themes

Builds on: study these first

These come earlier in the roadmap. Questions in this theme use them.

Comes back later in

Later themes that take this one further.

On the map

Syllabus lines covered

• GS1-L12 — Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
• GS3-L15 — Disaster and disaster management.

All 2 PYQs, newest first

1. GS3202610 marks · 150 wordsGS3-DM-01-M2026-S01

   Discuss how the contradiction between ‘rapid infrastructure development’ and ‘disaster-risk reduction’ in ecologically-sensitive areas of India can be managed, with suitable examples.

   Also needs: T160 Disaster management frameworks: DM Act, Sendai, resilience, community, dam safetyAlso needs: T135 Infrastructure & investment models: PPP, Gati Shakti, concession agreementsCopyReport a typo
2. GS12015GS1-GEO-07-M2015-S02

   The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate.

   CopyReport a typo