The largest employment provider tourism sector in Uttrakhand has been hit to the extent of 85% in post-flood disaster, according to quick random survey undertaken by ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF).

The devastation caused by the floods and landslides has badly hurt the Uttarakhand tourism industry. While the char dham may take years to recover, even places like Mussoorie and Nainital that were not affected by the disaster are seeing steep decline of 75% in tourists. People fear of being trapped and therefore cancelling their trips, said D. S. Rawat, Secretary General while releasing the ASSOCHAM paper.

Tourism sector would also witness a direct employment loss of about 1,80,000 people becoming unemployed for 6 months in the current year. The rationale for this assumption is that there are a total of 179218 households in the three districts as per 2011 census, adds the ASSOCHAM report. Given the extent of their association in the tourism and hospitality sector, it would be reasonable to expect at least one person from a household to be directly employed in tourism. The sector would lose Rs. 4170 crore per year.

There is a steep fall in tourism business to the extent of 85% in Uttrakhand, adds the ASSOCHAM study. Though three districts viz, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli mainly bore the brunt, adjacent districts and the state as a whole suffered destruction of unprecedented magnitude, adds the study.

The paper further points out that people who make living on the tourism in Uttrakhand are badly affected. These people earn enough money in six months to make a living for throughout the year. Some are migrating to other states and start over again.

Hotels in Mussoorie, Nanital generally see 100% occupancy during this time of the year. But it has dropped to less than 20% due to the fear of nature. Corbett National park is no different. It is also witnessing similar crisis, added Rawat.

The paper asserted the cost of damages occurred to housing properties, crops, livestock, tourism- the prime livelihood in the affected area, destruction of transport and communication systems and breakdown of public and rural extension services, said Rawat.

He said that the report has been prepared on the basis of feedback provided by the team from ASSOCHAM to affected areas in three districts.

The paper added agricultural land of small and marginal farmers in 156 villages across the hill districts of Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pauri, Tehri and Bageshwar had been destroyed. Rudraprayag has suffered the maximum damage.

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