Let our tourism activities go eco-friendly and let us promote ecotourism
Kashmir is famous for its scenic beauty. Its natural landscapes, lush green forests, open meadows, snow-capped mountains, freshwater streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, apple orchards, paddy fields, saffron cultivation, etc., have made it a unique place and indeed a “paradise on earth.”
It has also remained a place of attraction for foreign as well as domestic travellers for ages. Tourists from across the world visit Kashmir every year, and a record number of tourists have visited the valley in recent years. This has boosted the tourism industry, thereby generating livelihood and employment for the youth. Almost all the tourist destinations, including the world-famous ski destination Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Mughal Gardens, Gurez Valley, Keran, Yusmarg, and Drung Tangmarg, have witnessed a very good rush of tourists last summer. Among these destinations, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Yusmarg, and Doodhpathri are witnessing a good rush of tourists in winter as well.
This year, the snowfall has attracted a large number of tourists from across the globe to several destinations, including the world-famous ski destinations Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, and Doodhpathri.
This tourist influx is indeed a good sign for the valley, as it is one of the most important economic indicators. The tourism industry contributes around Rs. 8,000 crore annually to the local economy, accounting for nearly 7% of the region’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). It provides direct and indirect employment to approximately 70,000 people. From 2021 to 2024, tourism in Jammu and Kashmir grew at an impressive annual average rate of 15.13%. The government’s efforts to promote and enhance tourism have played a crucial role in boosting this sector, making it a cornerstone of the region’s economy.
However, this tourism boom has a close connection with the region’s fragile ecology, which can’t be ignored at any cost. It has been observed that the huge tourism influx has resulted in the pollution of these natural spots in the absence of any proper garbage collection and scientific treatment mechanisms.
Kashmir Valley is already grappling with many environmental problems, such as the drying up of water bodies, melting glaciers, and changing weather patterns, as a result of unplanned commercial activities, developmental and construction activities, urbanization, and industrialization.
The production of sewage, solid waste—including food waste, food packaging, paper, cardboard, glass, metals, plastics, polythene, and other plastic-related waste—is considered a serious pollutant that can harm the natural environment and aquatic life in the ecologically sensitive zones.
Unchecked and unregulated tourism activities can severely affect the natural ecosystem and alter the food chains, leading to the elimination of many terrestrial and aquatic species.
This key component of the valley’s economy, i.e., the tourism sector, has grown rapidly over the years and is putting pressure on natural resources, resulting in overproduction of sewage, garbage, litter, loss of animal habitats, deforestation, and various forms of pollution and land degradation.
The huge tourist flow has led to the accumulation of garbage and other kinds of waste at different tourist destinations, particularly in the water bodies, which is a matter of grave concern. In popular tourist spots like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Yusmarg, and Doodhpathri, heaps of garbage can be seen on roadsides, public parks, water streams, and forest areas, posing a risk and threat to the natural ecology of these areas. Pilgrims visiting the Amarnath Cave and other pilgrimage sites are also littering the high-altitude mountains, where waste decomposition is slow due to freezing temperatures.
This rise in tourist activities has also increased pollution levels in lakes, rivers, and other water bodies, threatening the natural ecosystem of the region.
Experts are of the opinion that if this trend continues in the future without any regulation, it can prove fatal for the natural environment and the ecosystem.
This unplanned and unregulated tourism boom needs to be closely monitored, keeping in view its environmental implications for the region. A revived and comprehensive tourism policy must be devised as soon as possible to ensure the preservation of the natural environment and biodiversity.
There is an urgent need to promote ecotourism in the region. Nowadays, many countries are promoting ecotourism, and much has been discussed about this concept. It refers to tourism that aims to conserve the environment and support local communities while visiting natural areas. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.”
Ecotourism is gaining popularity because it focuses on the environment and has progressive guiding principles. This form of sustainable tourism has assumed importance as it encourages people to learn about and conserve diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultures.
Many places in the world are thriving due to the promotion of ecotourism. This ecotourism is believed to be nature-oriented tourism, which intends to contribute to the conservation of the natural environment and biodiversity.
Looking only at the mere surge in tourism activities and neglecting the repercussions it could trigger on the natural environment can indeed prove harmful and disastrous in the long run for both the valley’s flora and fauna.
In order to protect our tourist destinations, a sustainable tourism model is needed. This pollution menace must be controlled without further delay, and strict measures must be put in place to ensure pollution-free and sustainable tourism. This includes promoting eco-friendly practices like reducing waste, conserving water, and involving local communities in tourism decisions.
Concrete constructions must be discouraged and banned at all tourist resorts to avoid human interference with natural habitats and the natural ecology.
The need of the hour is to put a complete ban on the use of polythene and other plastic materials in these eco-sensitive zones.
All the stakeholders and tourism players, particularly the tourists and visitors to these spots, will have to act responsibly and play their role in saving and protecting these places from any kind of pollution.
Only sustainable tourism practices will ensure a sustainable economy. This approach will certainly fetch good results and contribute to saving our natural resources from rapid exhaustion. Otherwise, the time is not far when we will be deprived of such beautiful and valuable treasures.
The writer is a teacher
Peerzada Aarif
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