Like the last two years, Kashmir Valley is witnessing a massive tourist rush this year also. The government data over the past few shows an impressive growth in tourist arrivals: a total of 1,08,41,009 tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir between January to June 2024 and 2,11,24,674 in 2023, which is an all-time high so far, followed by the visit of 1,88,64,332 tourists in 2022, 1,13,14,884 in 2021 and 34,70,834 tourists in 2020. The growth, in a sense, maps the steady improvement in J&K situation since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, persuading holidaymakers to visit the region. It also reflects the recovery from COVID-19 pandemic.
That said, the spike in tourism is creating a realization that it may not be environmentally sustainable in the long run. This was also acknowledged by the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendera Singh Shekhawat Wednesday while talking to the media on the sidelines of an event at the International Convention Centre (ICC) on the banks of Dal Lake here. Shekhawat said there was no denying the fact that the prominent tourist destinations were witnessing congestion due to the growing rush of tourists. The minister underlined a dire need “to divert both foreign as well as domestic tourists towards virgin and offbeat destinations across the country including J&K.”
Kashmir desperately needs creation of more tourist destination to take pressure off the usual haunts like Gulmarg Pahalgam, and also Mughal gardens along Dal lake. There is no regulation of tourist numbers to these places. Moreover, the influx of tourists and the booming film industry can put pressure on local resources and infrastructure. This calls for prioritization of infrastructure development, including improved connectivity, efficient waste management systems, and the promotion of eco-friendly practices. Also, the roads leading to key tourist spots must be expanded and maintained to reduce traffic congestion and ensure safer travel. Investing in public transportation options, such as shuttle buses to major attractions, could also alleviate some of the pressure on the roadways.
But the excessive focus on fewer resorts are drawing tourists away from other equally scenic places. There is an urgent need to develop new tourists sites, so that the benefits of tourism reach people across the Valley. There are plenty of such places in the Valley – Bangus Valley in North Kashmir, for example. The government needs to invest in the infrastructure in these places to facilitate the tourists to travel to lesser known resorts.
However, in past two years, the UT government has increased the options for tourists by developing more resorts. For example, Aharbal, Yusmarg, Tosamaidan, Gurez, historic old city in Srinagar are finding a prominent place on the tourist map of Kashmir. These places need further development of tourist infrastructure and also wider publicity for people to visit. At the same time, the administration should ensure that the excessive tourism doesn’t adversely impact the fragile ecology of the Valley. At some level we have to proactively work to regulate it.
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