Madikeri: As New Year 2025 celebrations reached their peak, Coorg, Karnataka's serene hill station, witnessed an unprecedented 28-fold surge in bookings, according to Ritesh Agarwal, founder and CEO of OYO Rooms.
Sharing insights on social media, Agarwal highlighted a growing trend of tourists favouring lesser-known hill stations and spiritual destinations. While the boom was celebrated by the hospitality sector, it stirred unease among local residents in Kodagu, who voiced concerns over tourism's impact on their lives and environment.
The year-end influx caused massive traffic jams, with some likening the chaos to Bengaluru’s notorious gridlock. Locals also decried the surge in pollution, as tourists left behind plastic waste and liquor bottles, tarnishing the pristine beauty of the region. “Coorg’s economy doesn’t revolve around tourism alone,” said Madappa B, a coffee planter from Virajpet. “We rely heavily on agriculture—coffee, pepper, and paddy crops are our lifeline. Tourism is disrupting our way of life.”
Residents have long argued that the district’s dependence on agriculture makes them resilient, but the unchecked growth of tourism has begun to strain infrastructure and the environment. Traffic congestion during peak tourist seasons hampers local travel, while improper waste disposal poses a significant threat to Coorg’s fragile ecosystem.
“Tourism isn’t a blessing for Coorg—it’s becoming a burden,” lamented Shylaja Muthamma, a homemaker from Madikeri. “We are losing our peace and clean surroundings. If this continues, our beautiful home will be ruined.”
Locals call for stricter regulations and responsible tourism to balance economic benefits with environmental preservation.
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