Abstract

Tourism has emerged as one of the most significant economic activities in mountainous regions across the world particularly in the Himalayan belt which stretches across countries such as India Nepal Bhutan and parts of China and Pakistan. The Himalayan region possesses extraordinary natural beauty rich biodiversity and a vibrant cultural heritage that attracts millions of tourists every year. While tourism has contributed significantly to economic development employment generation and infrastructural growth in these regions it has also produced substantial socio-cultural transformations within local communities. The increasing interaction between tourists and host communities has led to changes in traditional lifestyles cultural practices social structures and value systems. The expansion of tourism infrastructure commercialization of culture and migration patterns have influenced the social fabric of Himalayan societies in multiple ways. This research paper explores the socio-cultural