####Dialogue on National Tourism Day: Call for Nature-Friendly and Responsible Tourism

Udaipur, On the occasion of National Tourism Day, a dialogue on sustainable and responsible tourism was held on Sunday, focusing on balancing tourism development with environmental conservation.

Environmental expert Dr. Anil Mehta, associated with the Lake Conservation Committee, emphasized that tourism can remain sustainable only if it is nature-friendly, culture-preserving, and heritage-protective. He stated that environmental degradation cannot be justified in the name of tourist convenience. Dr. Mehta strongly opposed commercial activities such as the proposed night market and food zones at Fatehsagar Lake, calling them violations of NGT guidelines, Wetland Conservation Rules, and the objectives of Udaipur as a Ramsar Wetland City. He added that areas like Rani Road fall under eco-sensitive zones, where expanding commercial activities amounts to contempt of court orders.

Former Lake Development Authority member Tej Shankar Paliwal said lakes are vital drinking water sources, and promoting commercial activities around them endangers public health. He advocated that food markets should be located downstream, away from lake peripheries, and stressed the need to keep lake surroundings free from noise and light pollution to protect birds and the lake ecosystem.

Social activist Nand Kishore Sharma warned against erasing Udaipur’s core identity in the name of tourism. He said Udaipur is not merely a romantic or wedding destination, but a city of spiritual heritage, history, nature, and culture, and preserving this identity is key to meaningful tourism.

Young environmentalist Kushal Rawal highlighted that tourism beyond the city’s carrying capacity is leading to pollution, water and air degradation, and hill cutting, which threatens long-term sustainability of the tourism industry.

Senior citizen Drupad Singh raised concerns over traffic congestion in the old city, saying it has made daily life difficult for residents and needs urgent solutions.

The programme concluded with a cleanliness drive (Shramdaan), reinforcing the message of responsible and sustainable tourism.