In Kashmir now the winter has arrived and the harsh days are about to come in the season. The locals during this time face the toughest challenges to survive. Not only is the economy slowing down, however, most of the places in the valley face shortage of basic needs like water and electricity. In far off areas, the roads too remain closed pushing the inhabitants to tough times.
But on the other side it is only the tourism side that has potential to thrive. Given the unique geographical and weather conditions in the entire country, the winters can potentially woo tourists to Kashmir. But so far the successive regimes have failed. After the Horticulture industry, it is tourism that contributes to the Union Territory economy at second number and it annually generates millions of jobs.
Tourism in Kashmir has always been at the centre of priority for the successive regimes when it comes to promises and poll plank. But any honest analysis on the ground can suggest contradictory results. Kashmir bears the features of any beautiful European country and is being compared with the most beautiful part of Europe-Switzerland. Even some move further and claim Kashmir can have multiple Switzerland if developed properly.
Meanwhile, post Article 370 abrogation in 2019, the Union government which directly controls the UT through Lt Governor Manoj Sinha took various initiatives in Kashmir for winter tourism. Festivals are being organized. Winter sports tournaments at hill and tourist resorts are also being held notwithstanding the issues that cropped up after COVID19 outbreak in 2020.
During the ongoing winter, the UT tourism department is planning to come up with more such ideas and already the preparations are going on.
Sarmad Hafeez, the secretary of the tourism department, has asked the Sonamarg Development zuthority to identify spots for setting up a skating rink and Ice Park to be developed there. He said the Government this year has planned to keep the destination open during winter months to cater to the rush of tourists coming to visit the UT.
The Tourism Secretary also asked the experts from Institute of Music and Fine Arts to develop a concept plan for developing an Ice Park at Gulmarg and Sonamarg so that the tourists visiting during winters have a different experience to feel.
Principal, Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, Pahalgam, Mr. Thapa, however, informed the department that his institute has planned around six skiing courses at Sonamarg for which preparations are currently on.
The initiatives are much appreciable and can economically boost the valley that suffered massive losses during the last three years. In case the initiatives are not being taken at this point of time, the Kashmir economy might face the worst ever times that may have serious socio-political impact in near future. Jammu Kashmir has the highest rate of unemployment standing at 21 per cent.
The efforts of the government, however, can only yield fruits if the basic infrastructure is built. For a long time, the government has been promising 24*7 electricity in Kashmir. Come winters, the valley is facing massive electricity shortages and outages are common phenomena. This is widely affecting the economic activities and putting negative impact on Kashmir tourism. Similarly, the other basic infrastructural requirements of modern road network and drinking water facilities are the most needed facilities to sustainable tourism growth in the valley.
Alongside that there is a need to diversify the tourism industry. The craft, religious tourism, medical tourism, educational tourism and business tourism shall be added to the itinerary of the tourism industry in Kashmir.
The temporary measures cannot bring sustainable growth in the industry but the centre must work on a holistic project that shapes up Kashmir’s tourism industry and remains a top destination for both local and foreign travelers.
