Page 85 - Health, Population and Environment Education 10

trekking. During mountaineering, tourists randomly discharge oxygen cylinders, bottles, beer
cans, plastics, gloves, masks etc. here and there in the surrounding. As a result, there is increase
of air, water and land pollution in mountain region. The tourists should be encouraged for
bringing back the wastes. The wastes randomly discharged should be collected in a particular
place. Tourists should be given discount in tax if they bring back wastes.

Fig: 15
Climbing Mt. Everest Pollution on Mt. Everest

Effects of Ecosystem Degradation in Hilly Region and Their Mitigating
Measures

Due to increase of human activities and random conduction of development works, the
resources like forest, water, soil and minerals are excessively utilized. As a result, there is
degradation of environment and various problems are seen in the hilly region. Some of
the effects of ecosystem degradation in hilly region with their mitigating measures are as
follows:

a. Excessive Use of Forest Products

People in hilly region have less options for the energy source. They cut down trees
for cooking food, burning wood and other household activities. With the increase of
population, there is random increase of deforestation. Even some people cut down trees
to sell in market and generate income. Due to this, there is destruction of shelter place of
wildlife, impact on their reproduction, scarcity of underground water, lack of fresh air
and so on. Hence, people should limit deforestation and increase afforestation in open
spaces. There should be development of solar energy, generation of electricity, use of
biogas, etc. so as to reduce dependency on forest.

b. Livestock Farming
People rear animals in hilly region. They graze
cattle on grasslands and pasture lands in their
surroundings. Overgrazing of cattle leads towards
wiping out of the grass and top layer of soil is
exposed to sunlight, wind and water. Similarly,
people excessively collect food and fodder for cattle.
This leads towards destruction of small plants. As a
result, there is frequent occurrence of landslide and Fig: 16
GREEN Health, Population and Environment Education Book-10 85