mountain ecosystem and the negative impact of development and tourism

Mountains are an important source of water, energy and biological diversity. Furthermore, they are a source of key resources such as minerals, forest products and agricultural products and of recreation. As a major ecosystem representing the complex and interrelated ecology of our planet, mountain environments are essential to the survival of the global ecosystem. Mountain ecosystems are, however, rapidly changing. 

Developmental initiatives and Tourism in Mountains Adverse Impact: 

• Dams and Roads: Dams and roads can be hazardous, if they are not properly constructed and managed. Disasters in mountains, and the forces that trigger them, affect larger areas, sometimes entire watersheds or river systems. 

• Mining: The forces that shaped the world’s mountains also made them rich in minerals and metals, including gold, copper, iron, silver and zinc. Owing to increasing demand, mines are now being opened even in remote mountain areas, particularly in developing countries. 

•Mining can bring large benefits, but it can also be devastating to fragile mountain ecosystems and local cultures, destroying the livelihood base of mountain communities. Massive quantities of waste, surface dumps and slag heaps are only the most visible consequences. 

• Mountain Tourism: Mountain areas are second only to coasts and islands as popular tourism destinations, generating 15-20 percent of annual global tourism, or US$70-90 billion per year. With more than 50 million visitors per year, mountains are some of the world’s most important destinations for tourism. They have however, given rise to problem of Burgeoning indiscriminate construction along the fragile ecosystem, plastic waste in these areas are also an adverse impact of growing tourism. 

Restoration of Mountainous Ecosystem 

• Infrastructure Development: Only small dams and greater investments in road construction and restoration, improved road design, and better maintenance practices are needed to limit the negative impacts of mountain roads. 

• Eco-Tourism: Tourism can have a range of impacts on mountain ecosystems, communities and economies. While many of the impacts described above are negative, tourism can also generate positive impacts as it can serve as a supportive force for peace, foster pride in cultural traditions, help avoid urban relocation by creating local jobs, increase visitor awareness and appreciation of natural, cultural and historical values and assets. 

• Good Practice in Action-White pod: A unique tourist camp located in the Swiss Alps, is made up of semipermanent dome-shaped tents, or pods, that serve as guest rooms, with a central chalet housing the dining room, common room and bathroom facilities. The pods are heated with wood burning stoves and all furniture is made from recycled materials or sustainably harvested wood. 

• Educate visitors about the effects of climate change on mountains and snow-based recreational activities: Offer suggestions for how they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by, for example, using low-polluting vehicles, removing ski racks and replacing snow tires with normal tires at the end of the season, and carpooling or taking shuttles to recreational sites. 

• Payments for Environmental Services (PES) such as charging entrance fees might also offer a valuable long term solution within the tourism industry, as tourism relies heavily on the existence of sound natural environments. 

To achieve sustainable mountain development, it is essential that all concerned stakeholders are involved and that awareness is raised about mountain ecosystems, their fragility and prevalent problems, and about the ways of addressing them.