Booming tourism in J&K has been one of the highlights of the relative normalcy of the past four years. Last year alone, over two core tourists visited the union territory, out of which around 35 lakh tourists visited Kashmir Valley, including over 43,000 foreign tourists. Now J&K Government minister Javed Dar has said that this year’s footfall is expected to break all records. Speaking at the Tulip Garden’s opening, he expressed the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and creating new attractions to sustain this growth.
Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Nasir Aslam, on the other hand, rightly called for developing almond and cherry blossoms as well as diversifying tourism products and destinations. Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah revealed his government’s plans to develop tourism-related infrastructure at several scenic locations along the Mughal road, which connects Poonch and Rajouri with south Kashmir’s Shopian. There are several locations on the road like Dubjan, Mughal Sarai, Peer-ki-Gali and Shakroo Keller that can become tourist haunts.
There’s certainly a dire need for diversifying tourism away from Gulmarg and Pahalgam, which between them corner most of the tourist inflow. These tourist destinations are witnessing congestion due to the growing rush of tourists. Kashmir desperately needs creation of more tourist destinations to take pressure off the usual haunts like these two places, and also Mughal gardens along Dal lake. There is no regulation of tourist numbers to these places. Moreover, the inflow of more tourists can put pressure on local resources and infrastructure. This calls for prioritization of infrastructure development, including improved connectivity, efficient waste management systems, and the promotion of eco-friendly practices. Also, the roads leading to key tourist spots must be expanded and maintained to reduce traffic congestion and ensure safer travel. Investing in public transportation options, such as shuttle buses to major attractions, could also alleviate some of the pressure on the roadways.
But the excessive focus on fewer resorts are drawing tourists away from other equally scenic places. There is an urgent need to develop new tourist sites, so that the benefits of tourism reach people across the Valley. There are plenty of such places in the Valley – Bangus Valley in North Kashmir, for example. The government needs to invest in the infrastructure in these places to facilitate the tourists to travel to lesser known resorts. As the CM has highlighted, Mughal road with its picturesque vistas and destinations will be a great addition to the Valley’s tourist map.
