The Tatra Mountains were used in the 18th and 19th centuries for sheep grazing and mining and many trees were cut down to make way for human exploitation. Although these activities were stopped, the impact is still clearly visible. Moreover, there are new problems. Pollution from the industrialized regions of Krakow, Ostrava and Oravaand uncontrolled tourism are damaging the mountains.

On 19 November 2004, large parts of the forests in the southern part of the High Tatras were damaged by a strong wind storm. Three million cubic metres of trees were uprooted, two people died and several villages were totally cut off. Further damage was done by a subsequent forest fire, and it will take many years until the local ecology is fully recovered.

The 2006 Bollywood film, Fanaa, starring Aamer Khan and Kajol was shot here, with the location depicting Kashmir in the film. Considering the insurgency in Kashmir, and the similarity of the terrain with Kashmir, it was considered wiser, easier and better to shoot in the Polish part of the Tatra mountains, in Zakopane, than in Kashmir. (taken from Wikipedia)