Developing unexplored tourist destinations
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Developing unexplored tourist destinations

According to the World Tourism Organization, eco-tourism is one of the fastest growing markets in the tourism industry with an annual growth rate of 5% worldwide

Post by on Tuesday, July 20, 2021

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Keeping into consideration the growing popularity of Kashmir as a tourist destination and looking at the overburdened capacity of the golden triangle of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir government is all set to develop unexplored tourist destinations in the Valley. Necessary steps for development of attractions like Dodpathri, Tosmaidan, Yusmarg, Gurez, Dara and Dreng are being initiated to attract high-end tourists towards these destinations, which would ultimately ease tourist rush to Gulmarg and other known tourist spots of the valley.
These unexplored destinations have a great potential for sheep farming, herbal gardening and winter sports activities which need to be harnessed. Government has already launched an incentive scheme under which people can convert a portion of their houses into lodges and guesthouses and financial assistance is being provided to such investors. The government will also provide necessary training in hospitality to the local youth for setting up their own ventures in the tourism sector.
But these unexplored areas which are known for their beautiful landscape and canvass need to be developed keeping in consideration the eco fragile nature of these areas. Unless the government comes out with a concrete policy by taking the stakeholders on board, this developmental activity will prove detrimental.
These areas should not be promoted on the lines of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar where we see concrete monsters being built without taking the local taste and the ecosystem into consideration. If we start developing these areas on the lines of Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam we will see concrete jungles being developed which will do more harm than good. Promoting and developing these areas on eco-friendly lines should be the main focus.
According to the World Tourism Organization, eco-tourism is one of the fastest growing markets in the tourism industry with an annual growth rate of 5% worldwide. Eco-Tourism is basically attached with those destinations which are rich in flora and fauna, cultural and adventurous attractions and there is no better place than Kashmir to promote this concept.
Eco-tourism has zero or minimal adverse effect on the natural environment, habitats of different species of plants and animals, and more importantly it enhances the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, apart from saving the environment from the ill effects of tourism, it creates economic opportunities for the people living in that particular area.
Before developing unexplored tourism destinations of Kashmir, we should hire the services of foreign experts who can formulate and develop these destinations on eco-friendly lines. The mountains of unexplored tourist destinations of Kashmir represent one of the widest monotonic geographical varieties. Wide sweeping valleys and deep gorges give way to thick forests and alpine meadows, snow capped mountain peaks, gushing streams and gigantic glaciers. These mountains present a beautiful opportunity to eco-tourists and these enormous hills present plenty of opportunities for eco-tourism.
With the growing number of tourists visiting our UT, it is essential to protect its fragile environmental balance. So it is important to maintain a careful balance between preservation and promotion for 'Sustainable Development' to ensure the long term health of both the ecosystem as well as tourism economics. Government and private Tourism players need to develop new approaches that should benefit the local population economically and culturally. Giving incentives to protect the natural resources and environment can go a long away in protecting the fragile ecosystem.
People and the tourists should be educated to save the environment by erecting hoardings, banners, distribution of posters and placing a good number of dust bins at those places where the environment could get damaged. If necessary a ban should be made on carrying toxic material and plastic products to these vulnerable places. We should take sincere efforts to boost eco-tourism that will not only preserve the pristine beauty of Kashmir, but can prove economically beneficial too.
 
(Author is pursuing Tourism Studies and can be reached at: aroosarunga@gmail.com)