Stop commercialisation of hills

In the article "Fragile, blue mountains" (16-31 May, 2018), you have depicted and briefed the metamorphic changes in the ecology and erosion of the hills of north India. Let us not confine it to these hill stations alone. In Tamil Nadu, Udhagamandalam (Ooty) and Kodaikanal have lost their beauty and sheen. Shooting of Bollywood, Tollywood and other regional films have spoilt the ecology of these places. All the hill stations in India are highly commercialised now. The fragile nature of the hill stations is putting them in danger and they are also prone to earthquakes. Kalimpong and Darjeeling are no exceptions. The hill authorities in India under the instructions of the National Green Tribunal can cap the number of tourists per season so that the ecology is maintained. However, we as ecological scientists feel that there is an urgent need for a monitoring mechanism. Such commercialisation needs to be kept under check to preserve the flora and fauna of the region. K K NATHAN, PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST, INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, NEW DELHI