Kashmir tourism and environmental pollution
Kashmir is famous for its scenic beauty. Its natural landscapes, lush green forests, open meadows, snowcapped mountains, fresh water 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 the foreign as well domestic travellers since ages. Tourists from across the world visit Kashmir every year and a record number of tourists have visited the valley in the recent years. This has boosted the tourism industry thereby generating livelihood and employment to the youth. Almost all the tourist destinations including world famous ski destination Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Mughal gardens, Gurez valley, Keran, Yusmarg, Drung Tangmarg etc. have witnessed a very good rush of tourists last summer and among these tourist destinations, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Yusmarg, Doodhpathri etc., are witnessing a good rush of tourists in winter also.
This year the snowfall has attracted a large number of tourists from across the globe to several destinations including world famous ski destinations like 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 regions 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 a scientific treatment mechanism.
Kashmir valley is already grappling with many environmental problems like drying up of water bodies, melting of glaciers, changing weather pattern etc. as a result of unplanned commercial activities, developmental and construction activities, urbanisation and industrialisation.
The production of sewage, solid waste including food waste, food packaging, paper, cardboard, glass, metals, and plastics, polythene and other plastic-related waste is considered a serious threat that harms the natural environment and aquatic life in the ecologically sensitive zones.
Unchecked and unregulated tourism activities can severely affect the natural ecosystem and can alter the food chains with the elimination of many terrestrial and aquatic species.
This key component of valley’s economy i.e., tourism sector has grown rapidly over the years and is putting a pressure on the natural resources, resulting in overproduction of sewage, garbage, litter, loss of animal habitats, deforestation, and various forms of pollution and land degradation.
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 the roadsides, public parks, water streams, forest areas etc., posing a risk and threat to the natural ecology in 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 the lakes, rivers and other water bodies threatening the natural ecosystem of the region.
Experts are of the opinion that if this trend continues in future, it can prove fatal to the natural environment and the ecosystem.
This unplanned and unregulated tourism boom needs to be closely monitored keeping in view its environmental implications on the region. A revived and a comprehensive tourism policy must be devised at its earliest in order 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 talked about this concept. It refers to the tourism that aims to conserve the environment and support local communities while visiting natural areas. The International Ecotourism Society terms ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.
Many places in the world are thriving due to the promotion of eco-tourism. 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 put in place in order to ensure sustainable tourism. This includes promoting, eco-friendly practices like reducing waste, conserving water, and involving local communities in tourism decisions.
The concrete constructions must be discouraged and banned at all tourist resorts in order avoid the human interferences 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 stake holders and tourism players particularly the tourists and visitors visiting these spots will have to act responsibly and play their role in saving and protecting these places from any kind pollution.
Only the sustainable tourism practices will ensure a sustainable economy. This approach will certainly fetch us good results and will contribute in saving our natural resources from rapid exhaustion.
Otherwise the time is not far when we will be deprived of such treasures.
The author is a teacher by profession, hails from Baramulla.
