As Chillai Kalan is about to draw to a close, Kashmir remains snowless. And there are little signs that the Valley will witness any precipitation in near future. Gulmarg has already been hit hard. Its brown and bare slopes have prematurely ended the skiing season, with tourists canceling their bookings. This is a source of deep disappointment for the Valley which is predominantly reliant on tourism, which accounts for 7 percent of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP).
According to government statistics, the valley welcomed around two crore tourists last year. In 2022, which marked the revival of tourism in the region after an almost three-year lockdown, approximately 19 million tourists visited.
However, the absence of the once abundant snow is not merely a disappointment for tourists and ski enthusiasts, it is a stark reminder of the severe impact of climate change on the region’s economy. The current dry spell is not merely an isolated incident; it is emblematic of the broader climate crisis. Experts warn that extreme weather events, like the current snowlessness, are predicted to become more intense and frequent in the future. Rising temperatures, attributed in part to global climate change, have altered the region’s weather patterns, leaving Gulmarg devoid of its signature snow.
If the dry weather persists, agriculture could also be impacted. As snow melt diminishes, the region anticipates water shortages that could severely impact farming. The frequent and prolonged dry spells would only exacerbate concerns about water scarcity and the potential for forest fires. In response to changing weather patterns, farmers are adapting their practices, with some shifting from water-intensive rice cultivation to fruit farming. However, this transition is not without risks, as the dry spell and premature sunshine threaten early blossoming, impacting fruit yields.
Climate change, however, is a global phenomenon and Kashmir is turning out to be one of its latest victim in recent years. The escalating global crisis has already led a staggering 110 million individuals to flee their homes in 2023, driven by a combination of climate-related disasters and conflicts. Countries, like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, face many deaths in extreme heat, particularly in densely populated urban areas. What is more, the surge in extreme weather events is increasing PTSD, anxiety, and depression among survivors of hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.
There is thus an urgent need for the world to come together and take remedial measures to pre-empt the catastrophe. But it may take decades before the world is able to sufficiently reign in the factors which are contributing to the disruption in the climate. As continuing heatwaves show, the world needs to quickly get its act together before it is too late.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
