Tourism in a warming Kashmir
The fragile Himalayan ecosystem of Jammu & Kashmir, long celebrated for its ethereal landscapes and rich cultural heritage, now faces a pressing crisis at the intersection of two potent forces, climate change and over tourism. As one of India’s most iconic tourist destinations, the region is being pushed to its ecological brink by rapidly warming temperatures, infrastructure stress, and unsustainable tourism growth.
The recent Supreme Court observations on unregulated construction and environmental neglect in the Himalayan State of Himachal Pradesh is both urgent and scary. Therefore, J&K underscores an urgent need for systemic, science-backed interventions.
Tourism contributes to Jammu & Kashmir’s economy, directly supporting around 20% of livelihoods and indirectly benefiting countless others through related sectors. However, the sector’s growth has largely outpaced the capacity of its ecological and infrastructural systems. Today, unchecked footfall in fragile areas like Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and other tourist places has triggered a series of environmental, socio-cultural, and economic consequences that threaten the very viability of tourism in the region.
The Climate–Tourism Conundrum
Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir is inherently climate-sensitive. From the pristine snowfields of Gulmarg and Sonamarg to sacred sites like Amarnath and Vaishno Devi, visitor experiences are tied to seasonal weather patterns and natural beauty. Yet, the region is now witnessing erratic weather events like cloudbursts, glacial retreat, early snowmelt, and heat waves, that disrupt these cycles and put tourists, locals, and infrastructure at risk.
The premature conclusion of the 2025 Amarnath Yatra, following the accelerated melting of the sacred ice lingam, serves as a poignant example. According to IPCC projections and regional studies, such extreme weather events are expected to intensify in the coming years, amplifying the risks.
Ironically, tourism is both a victim and a contributor to climate change. Increased reliance on vehicular transport, energy-intensive accommodations, and unregulated construction in ecologically sensitive zones adds to the region’s carbon footprint. Infrastructure such as hotels and guest houses are often built without environmental impact assessments which exacerbate soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and habitat fragmentation. In high-altitude areas where biodegradation is naturally slow, poor waste management and sewage disposal practices have resulted in significant contamination of freshwater sources.
Over tourism and Environmental Breakdown
Pahalgam, a major node of religious and leisure tourism, is emblematic of the over tourism crisis. During the Amarnath Yatra season, the town experiences an overwhelming influx of visitors, often far beyond its carrying capacity. The consequences are manifold which are deforestation, rampant littering, and pressure on sanitation infrastructure, traffic congestion, and disruption to local biodiversity.
Gulmarg and other snow-based destinations are facing parallel challenges. Heavy construction, trampling of alpine meadows, artificial snowmaking, and excessive vehicular use have degraded landscapes and altered snow patterns. The melting of glaciers and erratic snowfall has also shortened the tourist season, affecting economic stability for communities dependent on seasonal tourism.
The ecological degradation is further compounded by institutional weaknesses which are poor planning, fragmented governance, and inadequate environmental regulation. There is currently no comprehensive framework in J&K for assessing carrying capacity, managing tourist flow based on ecological limits, or integrating climate adaptation into tourism development.
Pathways to Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Tourism in J&K
Addressing the climate-tourism nexus in Jammu & Kashmir requires a paradigm shift ,from volume-driven tourism to value-based, sustainable tourism. This shift must be grounded in the region’s ecological realities, cultural sensitivities, and economic aspirations.
Carrying Capacity and Destination Planning
Tourist destinations must be governed by science-based carrying capacity assessments, considering not only ecological parameters but also infrastructure and socio-cultural factors. For areas like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg, tourism caps should be enforced during peak seasons, accompanied by permit systems and staggered entry schedules. Destination Management Plans must be made legally binding and reviewed periodically in light of climate projections.
Environmental Infrastructure and Bio-Toilets
High-altitude and pilgrimage zones, where conventional sewage systems are unviable, need the urgent deployment of DRDO-designed bio-toilets. These are capable of functioning in sub-zero temperatures and preventing organic pollution in glacial environments. Their installation along pilgrimage routes such as Baltal, Chandanwari, and Vaishno Devi would significantly reduce the risk of waterborne diseases and contamination of glacial streams.
Climate-Smart Transport Systems
The proliferation of private vehicles in tourism hotspots must be curtailed. Transitioning to electric public transport like electric buses, e-rickshaws, and shared shuttles can substantially reduce emissions and congestion. In places like Gulmarg, where the terrain is already under strain, electric mobility corridors should replace conventional road expansion.
Waste Management and Renewable Energy
Solid and liquid waste disposal is among the most pressing environmental challenges in J&K’s tourist belts. Establishing decentralized waste processing units, banning single-use plastics, and enforcing waste segregation at the source are essential steps. Simultaneously, incentivizing the use of rooftop solar panels and solar water heating in hotels and guesthouses can help decarbonize the sector.
Eco-Tourism and Community Involvement
Community-led tourism offers a viable path forward. Home stay models in less-visited areas like Bangus Valley, Warwan, and Daksum can generate income while reducing pressure on saturated sites. Training programs in sustainable hospitality, cultural heritage interpretation, and biodiversity monitoring will empower local communities to take stewardship of their environments.
Policy Integration and Governance
Tourism planning must be integrated with environmental and disaster management policies. A unified Eco-Tourism Policy for J&K is needed to consolidate regulations, funding, and institutional responsibilities. Tourism management committees at the district level, with local representation, can ensure that strategies are responsive to ground realities.
Financing the Transition: Climate Finance Opportunities for J&K
Realizing a sustainable tourism model in Jammu & Kashmir will require substantial and sustained investment. Fortunately, several domestic and international climate finance mechanisms are available, but accessing them requires strategic planning and coordination which is lacking at present.
National Sources
The National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) can support regional adaptation strategies, including glacier conservation, water resource management, and tourism infrastructure resilience. J&K needs to proactively submit project proposals aligned with its State Action Plan on Climate Change.
Till date only one Project under the Agriculture Mission has been sanctioned for an amount of Rs 22.51 crore under NAFCC when the author was heading J&K State Climate Change Cell . The author is a strong votary of creation of a separate Environment and climate change Department delineating it from the Forest Department. This is urgent and important due to the fragility of the ecosystem and the impending climate disasters in waiting keeping in view the recent Uttarakhand cloud burst.
International Climate Finance
The Green Climate Fund (GCF), a UNFCCC mechanism, provides funding for large-scale adaptation and mitigation projects. J&K could submit a proposal focused on climate-resilient tourism in high-altitude Himalayan regions, integrating glacier monitoring, renewable energy use, and ecosystem restoration.
Agencies such as UNDP, GIZ, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have already funded environment and development projects in hill states. With a focused climate-tourism strategy, J&K can attract international technical and financial support for sustainable development. This is only possible when a separate Environment and climate change department for a concentrated attention on growing climate change issues takes shape.
Private Sector and CSR Engagement
The government can also incentivize private sector participation through tax rebates for green-certified infrastructure and public-private partnerships (PPPs) in waste management, renewable energy deployment, and nature conservation. CSR funds from hospitality companies and airlines should be channeled into community development and clean-up drives in key tourist zones.
Conclusion: Towards a Green and Inclusive Future
Tourism will continue to be a pillar of Jammu & Kashmir’s economy. But whether it becomes a source of resilience or risk depends on the choices made today. Climate change is not a distant threat as it is already reshaping the terrain, seasons, and lives of the people in J&K. Unless tourism policy shifts toward sustainability, inclusivity, and climate preparedness, the industry could collapse under its own weight.
Jammu & Kashmir now has an opportunity to become a national model for climate-resilient, community-driven tourism. By integrating environmental stewardship with economic ambition, and aligning local governance with global climate goals, the region can ensure that tourism remains not just viable, but transformative.
The author is a policy consultant on environment and climate change consultant with around 34 years of experience in pollution control, environmental management and climate change specific to J&K.
