Disasters in the 'abode of gods' Vulnerabilities and tourism in the Indian Himalaya
Abstract In June 2013 occurred what has been named the "Himalayan Tsunami" in the Indian Himalaya. Heavy rain triggered a lake outburst flood, landslides and flash floods. An estimated several thousand people were killed mainly around the Hindu temple in Kedarnath, and the tourist infrastructure between four Hindu temples was massively destroyed, along with the source of income it had provided for the local population. The article deals with the nexus of tourism, vulnerabilities and disasters and analyses its manifestations during and after the events of 2013. It is asked, what role tourism played in the disaster as driver of social vulnerability during and especially after the events of 2013. To answer the research question the paper describes the historical development of tourism in the region, tourism related vulnerabilities and their actualization by the "Himalayan Tsunami" and in the process of reconstruction. The research shows that the disaster continues years after the supposed end due to the tourism related vulnerabilities, the significance of secondary effects of the disaster that are threatening more livelihoods than the immediate events.