Description

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Context

With increasing tourist influx Japanese authorities have imposed stricter regulations including entry fees & visitor caps to preserve Mount Fuji ecological balance & ensure climber safety.

Mount Fuji

Category	Details
Location	Honshu Island, Japan
Geographical Coordinates	35.3606° N, 138.7274° E
Elevation	3,776 meters (12,389 feet)
Type	Stratovolcano
Last Eruption	1707–1708 (Hōei Eruption)
Volcanic Status	Active but dormant (classified as a Decade Volcano due to potential hazards)
Climbing Season	July to early September (official season)
Major Climbing Routes	1. Yoshida Trail (most popular, Yamanashi side) 2. Subashiri Trail 3. Gotemba Trail 4. Fujinomiya Trail (shortest but steepest)
New Entry Fee (2024)	4,000 yen (₹2,333) for all four trails
Visitor Numbers (2023-2024)	2023: 221,322 climbers 2024: 204,316 climbers (due to new restrictions)
Restrictions & Conservation Measures	Daily climber cap & online reservations (Yoshida Trail) Environmental protection measures (waste management, erosion control) Bans on overnight stays outside designated huts
Cultural Significance	UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 2013) Sacred mountain in Shinto & Buddhist traditions Depicted in iconic art including Hokusai's “Great Wave”
Nicknames	“Fuji-san” (富士山) “Japan’s Sacred Mountain”
Climatic Conditions	Summit temperature: Can drop below 0°C even in summer Winter: Covered in snow; severe storms
Ecology & Environment	Rich biodiversity in surrounding forests Alpine flora found at higher elevations Environmental concerns: Pollution, erosion, over-tourism
Major Nearby Cities	Tokyo (approx. 100 km northeast) Shizuoka, Yamanashi, Fujinomiya (closest cities)
Popular Activities	Hiking, photography, religious pilgrimages, sunrise trekking (“Goraiko” phenomenon)
Economic Impact	Boosts local tourism economy in Yamanashi & Shizuoka Generates millions in revenue from climbers, tourism-related businesses
Safety Concerns	Altitude sickness (above 3,000 m) Harsh weather conditions Overcrowding risks on narrow trails

Laws & Regulations Preventing Overcrowding & Related Issues in India

Law/Regulation	Key Provisions	Applicability	Implementation Authority
Environment Protection Act, 1986	Empowers the central government to take measures to protect the environment, including regulating tourist inflow in ecologically sensitive areas.	National	Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972	Limits human activities in wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and eco-sensitive zones. Prohibits unregulated tourism in protected areas.	National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries	National Board for Wildlife, State Forest Departments
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980	Restricts non-forest activities in forest areas, regulates deforestation, and limits tourism-related encroachments.	Forest Areas	MoEFCC, State Forest Departments
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981	Controls vehicular emissions and industrial pollution in tourist-heavy regions to mitigate overcrowding effects.	Urban Areas, Tourist Sites	Central and State Pollution Control Boards
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974	Regulates water pollution due to excessive tourism in lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.	Water Bodies, Coastal Areas	Central and State Pollution Control Boards
The Disaster Management Act, 2005	Addresses emergency measures for crowd control, evacuation, and safety in case of overcrowding-related disasters.	Mass Gathering Events, Tourist Destinations	National and State Disaster Management Authorities
The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 & The Disaster Management Act, 2005 (COVID-19 Regulations)	Introduced crowd control measures such as travel restrictions, social distancing norms, and regulated tourism activities during health crises.	National, Pandemic Situations	Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, State Governments
The Public Safety Act, 1985	Regulates mass gatherings, particularly during religious or cultural events, to prevent stampedes and overcrowding.	Mass Gathering Events	Law Enforcement Agencies, Local Authorities
The Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 (Section 268 & 269)	Penalizes actions leading to public nuisance, including uncontrolled overcrowding and obstruction of public spaces.	Public Places, Pilgrimage & Tourist Spots	Law Enforcement Agencies
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011	Regulates tourism and construction in coastal areas to prevent overcrowding, environmental degradation, and ensure sustainable tourism.	Coastal Areas	MoEFCC, State Coastal Zone Management Authorities
State-Specific Tourism Regulations (Ex: Uttarakhand High Court Order on Char Dham Yatra, 2023)	Regulates tourist influx at pilgrimage sites through e-registration, crowd control measures, and infrastructural restrictions.	State-Specific Tourist Locations	State Tourism Departments, Local Authorities
The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991	Ensures maintenance and protection of religious sites, indirectly controlling overcrowding through regulation of access.	Religious and Pilgrimage Sites	Central and State Governments
Traffic Control & Transport Laws (Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Metro Rail Acts, 2002, 2009)	Implements restrictions on vehicular entry, traffic congestion management, and promotes sustainable public transport in overcrowded cities.	Urban Areas, Hill Stations, Tourist Zones	State Transport Departments, Traffic Police
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958	Regulates tourism and visitor capacity in heritage sites to prevent overcrowding and damage.	UNESCO Sites, Archaeological Sites	Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

Additional Measures Taken in India to Prevent Overcrowding:

E-Pass & Permit Systems: Implemented in states like Uttarakhand (Char Dham Yatra) & Himachal Pradesh (Rohtang Pass) to regulate visitor numbers.

Carrying Capacity Assessment: Conducted for ecologically sensitive zones like Nainital, Mussoorie, Ooty to limit tourist inflow.

One-Way Entry and Exit Systems: Implemented in congested tourist areas like Vaishno Devi & Tirupati to manage pilgrimage traffic.

Time-Slot Based Entry System: Used in heritage sites like Taj Mahal to control visitor numbers.

Eco-Tourism & Sustainable Development Programs: Promotes responsible tourism in areas like Kaziranga, Western Ghats, Sundarbans.

For more information, please refer to IAS GYAN

Sources:

NDTV

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Overcrowding at popular tourist & pilgrimage destinations in India has led to environmental degradation, safety hazards & strain on local infrastructure. Discuss effectiveness of existing laws & policies in addressing this issue & suggest additional measures for sustainable tourism management.