Natural Parks, Mountains and Protected areas are geoparks containing beauty, nature, natural resources and aesthetics. Due to increasing population pressure, globalization, and ease of accessibility tourism has become on the boom as both national and International tourist influx in Himalaya. Tourism development in Himalaya has created serious threats to the environment and ecology mainly in Protected areas. There were only two hotels in Manali (Middle Himalaya) in 1980 which has now increased to 1200. More than 10 million tourist influxes per day have made Manali a hell which was once a heaven, a green lush valley in Middle Himalaya._x000D_
Being an artist I have made several paintings of Protected Areas in Himalaya related to its environment, ecology, biodiversity hydrology and aesthetics. Through painting dissemination and artistic camps and completions are a great help in spreading awareness, developing emotions and responsibility to save and conserve the natural environment. Painting competitions among the students have created a great sense of responsibility, and awareness among the masses and has enhanced environmental ethics among the tourists making tourism an ecotourism. Visits of Great Himalayan National Park, Dachigam National Park, Cold Desert National Park of Laddakh, Valley of Flowers and hundreds of Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are the protected areas in Himalayas which are tourist attractions with camping sites and trekking needs dire attention of protection and conservation. No doubt, the Government of India and International Agencies are working hard to save the nature and environment in India, there is a dire need to create environmental sensitization through environmental education and awareness among the masses to save the environment in general and to conserve Protected Areas in particular. _x000D_

Dr. Sushma Yadav
Department of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, Delhi India

 
ID Abstract: 191