Nature to Nurture: Eco-tourism, wildlife & the wellness economy take centre stage at Uttarakhand Transformation Dialogues 2026

At the Uttarakhand (UK) Transformation Dialogues 2026, the energy in the room was real. People from conservation, hospitality, and academic circles came together for a session called “Nature to Nurture: Eco-Tourism, Wildlife & the Wellness Economy.

” Sanket Wadhiai, a senior journalist, kept things moving as the group dug into one big question: How can Uttarakhand protect its natural beauty and still grow its economy, especially with tourism booming?On the panel, were Ranjan Mishra, IFS and PCCF from Uttarakhand’s Forest Department; Sandeep Sahni, who heads the Hotel Association of Uttarakhand; and Dr. Lokesh Ohri, anthropologist and author. Each brought a different view, but together, they laid out the reality: Uttarakhand is blessed with incredible natural riches, but all this attention is causing strain.Mishra started things off with a straightforward look at Uttarakhand’s forests. He was upbeat about the basics. About 71% of the state is officially forest—way higher than the national average. Protected areas alone make up 16%, compared to India’s 3.5%.“Tigers are our pride,” Mishra said. Their numbers have more than doubled—from 264 in 2006 to about 560 now. That puts Uttarakhand among the world’s top tiger habitats.

But he was clear: with success comes real responsibility.He didn’t just talk about the good news. Human-wildlife conflict is getting worse, especially with bears. He told a story about a single bear that killed 58 cattle in just a month in Pauri district—families there really felt that loss. And it’s not just livestock. Recent tiger attacks on women out collecting wood or fodder show how thin the line is between people and wild spaces.

Forest fires are another big worry. Mishra put it simply: “If forests burn and smoke fills the valleys, will tourists still come?” Protecting nature isn’t just about the environment—it’s about people’s livelihoods and the state’s economy.Even as more than 50,000 hectares of forest have been used for development in the last 25 years, Mishra said the Forest Department doesn’t see itself as a landlord. Instead, they’re “watchmen”—trying to keep a balance.

He welcomed India’s 2023 move to officially recognize tourism as a forestry activity. For him, that’s a real step forward for eco-tourism.Switching gears, Sandeep Sahni took the industry’s side. He said Uttarakhand has been given everything by nature—amazing scenery, good connectivity, and a spiritual energy that draws millions. But managing all this is tough. The state’s population is about one crore, but it hosts nearly seven crore tourists every year.

“Infrastructure has to go hand in hand,” Sahni insisted. You can’t have conservation without careful planning and growth.He also pointed out that bigger hotel chains are starting to act responsibly, but the challenge is getting everyone on board. Most of Uttarakhand’s tourism is religious or aspirational—about 90%. That makes it really tough to copy places like Bhutan, where fewer, wealthier tourists are the norm.Then Dr. Lokesh Ohri stepped in with a wider view. He’s spent years studying the Himalayas and sees Uttarakhand as a land where every stone and river has meaning. He shared a story about a sadhu walking all the way from Kerala to Kedarnath—proof of how deep the state’s spiritual pull runs.But Ohri didn’t shy away from criticism. Tourism is turning into a numbers game, he said. Too often, people just want photos for Instagram, not real experiences.

He pushed for a return to pilgrimage values—travel done slowly, with respect and care. To protect fragile areas, the state needs to think seriously about how many people these places can handle.He’s a big believer in community-based tourism. Staying in homestays, eating local food, and connecting with mountain people make travel richer for everyone. At one point, Ohri made a stark observation: “Humans have become pests on planet Earth.”

He warned that if we keep taking without thinking, we’ll wreck the very places that draw us in. But he also sees hope if people travel mindfully—at the slow, steady pace of nature.By the end, the panel agreed on one thing: Uttarakhand is at a real crossroads. Its biodiversity, spiritual roots, and rising wellness appeal put it in a special spot within India’s eco-tourism world. But without smart growth, better visitor management, and more involvement from local communities, all these strengths could turn into weaknesses.Image Courtesy: YouTube Screenshot