By Basharat Rashid
In recent years, local tourism in Jammu and Kashmir has experienced a significant surge, with residents increasingly exploring nearby health resorts. Particularly in the summer months, Kashmir Valley residents flock to these serene locations daily to revel in their natural splendor. Unfortunately, this influx has led to a distressing trend: littering. Empty bottles and wrappers are strewn across these once pristine sites, transforming them into unsightly dumps, a situation of grave concern.
What’s particularly disheartening is that even educated and responsible individuals contribute to this environmental degradation. Despite efforts to promote tourism and designate numerous villages in North and South Kashmir as tourist destinations, our negligence threatens to turn these spots into refuse grounds.
Kashmir Valley, renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and diverse seasonal charms, boasts an array of attractions such as Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Kokernag, Yousmarg, and Doodhpathri. These locales not only draw throngs of foreign tourists but also serve as vital economic hubs for the region. It’s imperative that we safeguard these treasures and ensure our local health resorts remain garbage-free to preserve their allure.
Efforts are underway to bolster economic opportunities in newly designated tourist areas, such as Narastan village in Tral. Here, a local entrepreneur has set up a restaurant that not only caters to foreign and local visitors but also exemplifies responsible tourism by maintaining cleanliness with strategically placed dustbins.
The importance of cleanliness cannot be overstated. As the Messenger of Allah once said, “Cleanliness is half of faith,” emphasizing its spiritual and practical significance. Public awareness campaigns must underscore the value of our natural resources, encouraging voluntary efforts to protect forests, water bodies, and other vital ecosystems.
Recent initiatives, like the cleanup of Panir Dam and Shikargah in Pulwama by some social organisations, schools and a coalition of dedicated professionals, highlight the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Such endeavors, backed by governmental and non-governmental organizations, schools, and colleges, are pivotal in ensuring our health resorts remain pristine.
To maintain our valley’s natural beauty and ensure our well-being, cleanliness must become a consistent practice, not just an occasional event. Each of us bears a responsibility to keep our surroundings clean and to promote our health resorts with dignity.
Additionally, it is crucial for youth to refrain from reckless driving at health resorts and to avoid vandalizing structures in these areas. Furthermore, they should avoid engaging in conflicts or disruptive behavior that could detract from the peaceful environment of these scenic spots.
- The author is a Freelance Journalist
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