May need to regulate tourist influx to protect Kashmir's serene beauty: Omar
SRINAGAR: As tourist arrivals continue to increase in J&K, chief minister Omar Abdullah has welcomed the trend but said the influx may need to be regulated to protect the region’s tourist destinations and ensure visitors have a better experience.
He said unchecked crowds can lead to traffic congestion, inadequate facilities and overcrowding, depriving tourists of the serene environment they expect.
“We are not selling Disneyland, Universal Studios or Las Vegas. What attracts people here is our rivers, lakes, mountains, glaciers and landscapes. Protecting these natural assets must remain the central objective of every tourism master plan ,” the CM said on Thursday.
“Before the Pahalgam attack last year, we were dealing with traffic congestion caused by huge tourist inflow. Soon afterwards, we were worried because hotels and destinations had become empty. This reminds us how fragile tourism can be in Jammu & Kashmir where a single incident can affect the whole season,” he said.
He said unchecked crowds can lead to traffic congestion, inadequate facilities and overcrowding, depriving tourists of the serene environment they expect.
“We are not selling Disneyland, Universal Studios or Las Vegas. What attracts people here is our rivers, lakes, mountains, glaciers and landscapes. Protecting these natural assets must remain the central objective of every tourism master plan ,” the CM said on Thursday.
“Before the Pahalgam attack last year, we were dealing with traffic congestion caused by huge tourist inflow. Soon afterwards, we were worried because hotels and destinations had become empty. This reminds us how fragile tourism can be in Jammu & Kashmir where a single incident can affect the whole season,” he said.
Next Story