‘Kashmir not selling Disneyland; protecting lakes, glaciers, mountains central to tourism plan,’ says CM Omar Abdullah
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has emphasized the need for a sustainable tourism model to protect the region's fragile ecology from the pressures of rising visitor numbers. The government plans to shift focus toward off-beat destinations to mitigate the environmental impact on popular hill stations.
Why it matters
It addresses the critical tension between economic growth through tourism and the preservation of vulnerable natural ecosystems in high-altitude regions.
As Kashmir sees an upswing in tourist footfall over the years, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government is looking at new strategies to strike a balance between tourism and ecology in a region that is ecologically very fragile.
“We are not selling Disneyland, Universal Studios or Las Vegas. What attracts people here is our rivers, lakes, mountains, glaciers and landscapes. Protecting these natural assets must remain the central objective of every tourism master plan. Sustainable tourism is no longer a choice but an imperative for preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s environment and securing the future of one of its most vital economic sectors,” said J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
He was speaking at the inaugural session of the conclave on ‘Sustainable Tourism Planning-Designing Tourism for Tomorrow’’ in Srinagar. The conclave is attended by policymakers, industry stakeholders and local communities.
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