Srinagar, Mar 01: Professor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor (VC) of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) on Saturday said that there is the need to promote sustainable tourism for long-term benefits.
Prof. Romshoo was speaking to reporters outside a workshop on climate change in Kashmir, focusing on its impact on water resources, agriculture, the economy, and public health.
He said climate change is the number one global threat to humanity. “If we talk about J&K, or Ladakh, there is a significant threat here as well. Unfortunately, we are experiencing the maximum impact of climate change,” he said.
“Our contribution to climate change is minimal. Despite this, its impacts in Kashmir are becoming evident,” he said. “Last year, we were not able to conduct winter sports in Gulmarg. This year, we had to cancel them again. The impact on water resources, agriculture, and energy production are severe.”
Prof. Romshoo said the Chief Minister also acknowledged climate change as the biggest threat. “If you ask a common man, a journalist, a scientist, or a professor about climate change, there is a significant knowledge gap,” he said.
“If we conduct workshops like this, we can gain more information. The more we discuss this, the better it is for us,” he added.
Responding to a question about the increase in tourism in recent years and its environmental impact, he said, “There are two issues. One is climate change, a global phenomenon. The more greenhouse gases are emitted, the more global warming will occur. We do not have industrialization here, which is why emissions are minimal. Climate change is a global phenomenon, and western disturbances originate elsewhere.”
He said that while climate change is global, environmental degradation—such as water pollution, air pollution, and damage caused by locals or tourists—is entirely local. “We are responsible for it,” he added.
“Either we, as locals, are responsible, or tourists who visit from outside contribute to it. If you go to Pahalgam, Gulmarg, or Sonmarg in the summer, you can see the extent of degradation. That is why it is crucial to talk about sustainable and responsible tourism,” he said.
“If we want tourism to be sustainable in the long run, it must be promoted in an environmentally friendly way. We cannot encourage mass tourism,” he added.
He said, “The impact of climate change is evident in every sector of the economy,” he said. “Whether it is food security, water security, energy security, or livelihoods, the population here is highly dependent on these resources. Agriculture, horticulture, and tourism are all being adversely affected.”
