Increased vehicle traffic from tourism in the Western Himalayas is depositing black carbon on glaciers. This soot absorbs solar heat, accelerating ice melt even in areas without extreme temperature rises, threatening regional water security and biodiversity. Experts suggest shifting from niche eco tourism to a broad green tourism model. This approach, similar to policies in Bhutan and Scandinavia, focuses on limiting visitor numbers, banning single use plastics, and transitioning to electric transport to protect the cryosphere.
