Srinagar, July 9: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today pitched for sustainable tourism, saying it is essential to protect the Union Territory’s fragile environment while ensuring long-term economic growth.
Addressing a conclave on sustainable tourism at the SKICC here, he cautioned that unchecked tourism could damage the very destinations that attract visitors.
He underlined that sustainability must remain central to future tourism policies.
Abdullah said tourism growth must be guided by scientific planning, proper waste management, traffic regulation, carrying capacity assessments and active participation of local communities.
“Tourism without sustainability is an unqualified disaster. If we do not build sustainability into tourism, it may survive for a few years, but it will not sustain in the long run,” the chief minister said.
Calling for a change in the tourism model, Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir should focus on attracting high-value tourists rather than simply increasing visitor numbers.
“We have to decide whether we want to earn one rupee from one hundred tourists or one hundred rupees from one tourist. Sustainable tourism means value tourism,” he said.
The chief minister said the tourism sector had witnessed a recovery this year after being affected by last year’s security incident, underlining the need to build a resilient and sustainable tourism economy.
He stressed that master plans for tourist destinations should be prepared in consultation with local stakeholders and identified traffic congestion, parking shortages, scientific solid waste management, water conservation, regulation of single-use plastic and enforcement of building norms as key areas requiring attention.
Abdullah said the carrying capacity of tourist destinations should be scientifically assessed to prevent ecological degradation, noting that larger destinations such as Srinagar could accommodate more visitors than ecologically sensitive areas like Gurez and Gulmarg.
He also called for greater public awareness, urging residents and tourists to treat destinations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Dal Lake responsibly.
The chief minister said the government could, in future, consider regulating the entry of tourist vehicles from outside Jammu and Kashmir to reduce congestion and improve visitor management.
He also pitched for promoting premium tourism experiences, saying the Union Territory should gradually move towards a high-value tourism model while preserving its natural assets.
Abdullah expressed hope that the recommendations emerging from the conclave would help shape a long-term sustainable tourism policy for Jammu and Kashmir.(BVI)
