Growing up amidst the majestic peaks and tranquil valleys of the hills and mountains in India, well before any of them were discovered by tourists, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. The crisp morning air, the towering trees with twittering birds, the whispering of leaves rustling in the breeze, the sharp scent of sun-warmed cypress and eucalyptus leaves — these are the sounds, sights and scents that shaped my childhood. Whether it was the mist rolling in over the hills or the ochre hues of the setting sun casting long dancing shadows over the sprawling tea plantations, my life was woven into the very fabric of the mountains.
I was born and raised in the hills, and to this day, the mountains feel like home. No amount of urban living can ever dent that part of me. The mountains are not just a backdrop to my memories but the very pulse of my being. The bond that people like me share with the mountains runs deep — it’s in the way we walk, talk, and even think. Yet, over the years, something has started to change. The mountains, once serene and untouched, are increasingly being affected by a force that we can’t control — mass tourism.
As we observe International Mountain Day today, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the joys of living in the mountains, but also the pressing issues that have begun to erode their charm.
The Nilgiris, Coorg and Wayanad — these are some of the places where I grew up and hold dear, places where the mountains seem to stand timeless. However, increasingly, I see the brutal marks of mass tourism. It pains me to admit that what was once a peaceful haven for us locals is now a hotspot for chaos and over-exploitation. And beyond the environmental and cultural impacts, there’s another, less talked-about concern — the effect of mass tourism on personal finance in the mountains.
Here, from a personal perspective, are some of the challenges that those of us who live in the mountains face today — challenges that also have significant financial implications for individuals and families in hill stations across India.
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Overcrowding and Strain on Infrastructure: A Financial Drain on Resources
One of the most glaring issues that comes with mass tourism is overcrowding. As a child, I remember walking through meandering misty roads, barely ever seeing anyone else in the area. While jackals, leopards, elephants and gaur were common, it was rare to see tourists. The few tourists we did encounter were usually respectful of the local culture and environment.
However, today, especially during peak seasons, the same roads are crammed with vehicles — tourists flocking to the hills for a weekend getaway, heedless of the strain they put on the infrastructure.
In our hill stations, the infrastructure is simply not equipped to handle the influx of thousands of visitors each month. Take for instance that Coorg’s tourism numbers have grown substantially over the years, from 1.5-2 million visitors annually in the early 2010s to over 4 million by 2023. According to reports, Coorg receives about 15,000-20,000 tourists on weekends, with numbers spiking during the tourist season (October to March). The peak season sees an even higher influx, with up to 30,000 to 40,000 tourists per day during public holidays, festivals and the summer months.
From roads to water supply, everything is overburdened. For those of us living here, this situation also has financial consequences — primarily in the form of higher costs of living. The prices of everyday essentials like groceries, transportation, and even basic utilities can spike during peak seasons. As locals, we are left to absorb the financial pressures while tourists, mostly unaware, continue to flood in, contributing little to alleviating the strain they cause.
Further, many locals, wary of the traffic jams and crowded towns during long weekends, prefer staying home rather than heading out to the local markets and shops. This leads to a significant drop in foot traffic, leaving shopkeepers who sell everyday essentials with fewer customers and, as a result, experiencing financial losses.
Additionally, tourism drives up the cost of property in these areas, making it increasingly difficult for local residents to afford housing. As the demand for tourist accommodations increases, the cost of renting or owning property rises, pushing many locals to the periphery. This creates a widening economic divide between locals and tourists, and unfortunately, those most affected are often the people who have lived here for generations. For them, the financial burden is both tangible and ongoing.
Environmental Degradation: The Hidden Financial Cost
Living in the mountains has always meant being close to nature, but in recent years, it feels like nature is being pushed aside in favour of development. Environmental degradation is not just an ecological issue — it has financial repercussions too.
