Environment and Socio-economic transformation: A study among the Gaddi tribe inhabiting the tourist hill region Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

Corresponding Author: Shivanshi Nehria, Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh -110014
Email ID: nehriashivanshi@gmail.com

KEYWORDS Gaddi, Exposure, Encroachment, Over-construction, Sudden climate changes

ABSTRACT
Background: Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, is one of the most well-known tourist destinations. Tourists worldwide admired the location for its visual beauty and spirituality. The Gaddi tribe lived in the area and relied on the travel industry. They benefitted economically from tourism. They ran travel businesses and owned huge hotels, and nearly everyone earned money from tourism. This paper examines the socioeconomic changes among the Gaddi tribe after the arrival of tourism to Dharamshala, how the influx of visitors altered the mountainous environment and the environmental changes that had affected the local human population.
Material method: In two wards under Municipal Corporation Dharamshala, Bhagsunag and McLeodganj were selected. Primary and secondary data were gathered on the positive and negative aspects of tourism for both the environment and the inhabitants between June and July 2019 and August and September 2021 through purposive sampling where business owners, elected officials from the wards, women who make a living from tourism, and community elders were interviewed.
Findings: The study concludes that tourism brought about socio-economic changes in the Gaddi community. However, they had forgotten how important Mother Nature was in their haste to turn a profit. Human activities harm the environment and change the climate. The study focuses on the economic viability of tourism among the Gaddis and the negative impacts of the tourism sector on the environment.

Shivanshi Nehria*

Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh -110014

DOI-DS: 12.2024-88911753
DOI Link :: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/12.2024-88911753/FrontierAnthropology/2024/13/A5/SN

Frontier Anthropology, 2024, 13: 35-46
©Anthropological Society of Manipur

Brief Article

Manuscript Timeline
Submitted: August 7, 2024
Accepted: November 22, 2024
Published: December 20, 2024