Sacred Landscapes and Sustainable Futures: Sociological Implications of Religious and Ecological Tourism in Uttarakhand

Abstract

Uttarakhand, often termed the “Devbhumi” or Land of the Gods, has witnessed an unprecedented surge in both religious and ecological tourism over the past two decades. Pilgrimage circuits such as Char Dham Yatra, Hemkund Sahib, and Kedarnath, along with eco-tourism hubs like Valley of Flowers, Nainital, and Binsar, have become significant sites of social interaction and transformation. This paper explores the sociological implications of this dual tourism dynamic — how faith, environment, and development intersect to shape local identities, social hierarchies, and community life.
Through a sociological lens, the study examines how tourism reshapes traditional livelihoods, gender roles, migration patterns, and cultural practices while also producing new forms of inequality and environmental stress. It further investigates the tension between sacred ecology and commercial development, highlighting the paradox of spiritual consumption and ecological degradation. Drawing upon theories of modernization, sustainable development, and Weber’s sociology of religion, the paper argues that Uttarakhand’s tourism economy mirrors broader transformations in post-liberalization India — where spiritual experiences are commodified, and the environment becomes both a resource and a symbol of cultural continuity.