I am from Himachal, Sadly Watching Tourist Influx and its Perks Sucking Innocence Out of the Locals

Something that doesn't change with time either rots or becomes insignificant. And this applies to almost everything we see and do, even the way we travel. From travelling to new places with the excitement of knowing how it feels to be away from home, to travelling places in order to get great pictures, videos, and striking things off our 'bucket lists'; we have come a long way, and very fast, in terms of how [and why] we travel.

Unsurprisingly, the ramifications of the pace at which the travel trends are getting updated are such that people are bowing their minds down to the trends, even if it means letting their virtues fade in the daze of all the rewards such alterations bring. And the latest souls to have fallen victim to this mutation belong to the place that was once known for innocent and selfless natives — Himachal Pradesh. Most regions in Himachal are nowadays witnessing huge tourist influx, which may have led to significant development in the state but have also brought along long-lasting mental malignancies.

So, here I am, sharing my views on how is it like to watch the place that I and many others call home, lose its essence.

Why am I bothered?

I recently travelled to one of the tiny villages near Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal. Having read about its picturesque location and friendly locals in a blog post, albeit three-year old, I was quite excitedly looking forward to enjoying a few days of peace, tranquility, good Himachali food, and meeting the typical innocent and clear-hearted mountain people.

When I arrived there, everything was as expected, except the people. I was already charged two-and-a-half times the normal fare by the taxi driver, and I wouldn't know it with surety had my homestay owner didn't reveal it. "Thode time mein toh yahan raaste bataane ke bhi paise maangenge log. Tourist aata hai, ek se badhkar ek cheez maangta hai, paisa deta hai, aur logon ko ab aadat lag gayi hai. Bass aisa hi hai ab toh har jagah. (Soon people will even ask for money in exchange for information about the correct route. Tourist comes, places exotic wishes, offers a decent money to get it, and locals are all after it. They are habitual now.)" , said the homestay owner.

It's not the case of cribbing and judging 'most regions' of Himachal on the basis of just one incident, for I myself have had many such experiences in the recent past. In fact, in one incident, a restaurant close to my own hometown served me poorly prepared dham (a traditional feast in Himachal). Only when I told them that I also belong to this very place that they went ahead to replace my order. A tourist might not have been this lucky.

I am not against modernity and neither do I despise the idea of tourism bringing in financial stability in the lives of poeple in Himachal. It's the loss of innocence and selflessness at a very rapid pace that bothers me. After all, aren't these traits some of many reasons why tourists still choose to visit the small towns despite the tricky roads of Himachal? It's the essence that we are losing.

Should you be concerned, too?

If you love the idea of escaping into the small villages and towns of Himachal to enjoy peace and freshness, then yes, you should be concerned. And it's not just because it puts you, like many other tourists, at the risk of getting conned.

It is because if such mentality spreads and makes its way to the lesser frequented hamlets and villages in Himachal, then you are highly likely to miss the authentic Himachali experiences that range from staying in cosy traditional homes to savouring local culinary delights. And what's a holiday in the mountains of Himachal without the experience of its real culture, food, and uniquely considerate locals.

Saving this uniqueness is not some kind of new call for change. It is simply about not letting the greed dictate your demeanour. As for travellers, make the most of the opportunity to mingle with the locals and leave out your 'magic hacks' that you otherwise practise to get things done for you.

Do you think a lot has changed with people's mindsets in Himachal? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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