The Himalayan region is known for its pristine beauty and ecological significance. However, over-tourism has taken a toll on the local ecology, particularly in the pilgrimage sites of Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Badrinath. This paper is based on an ethnographic study conducted in Kedarnath, where we aimed to investigate how the practised Hinduism affects ecology. We observed evidence of recent ecological disorders, such as the floods in Kedarnath in 2013 and the recent glacier break, which has caused immense damage to the local ecology and infrastructure.We found that the over-construction of roads, hotels, and other structures has been the primary cause of the ecological damage in Kedarnath. Additionally, the large influx of pilgrims has put a strain on the local resources and infrastructure, leading to a degradation of the local ecology. Approximately 50 years ago, only a few members of society visited these holy places, and they would start their journey to Kedarnath in the morning from Gaurikund and return within a day, without disturbing the local ecology. However, with the advent of modern transportation and communication, the number of visitors has increased manifold, leading to the over-tourism that we witness today. Through this paper, we aim to explore the impact of over-tourism in Kedarnath, using both ethnographic and visual methods. We interviewed the local residents to understand their perspective on the ecological impact of over-tourism. We also observed the practices and rituals followed by the pilgrims, which significantly impact the local ecology.Overall, our findings suggest that religious practice and over-tourism have led to severe ecological damage in Kedarnath. We suggest that sustainable tourism practices and better regulation of infrastructure development are necessary to preserve the region's local ecology and cultural heritage.
