Srinagar, July 9: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for a major shift in the Union Territory’s tourism strategy, advocating a sustainable and value-based model that protects the region’s fragile ecology while ensuring long-term economic growth.
Addressing the inaugural session of the Sustainable Tourism Planning Conclave at SKICC, Srinagar, the Chief Minister said tourism without sustainability cannot survive in the long run and stressed the need to move beyond a volume-driven approach.
“Tourism without sustainability is an unqualified disaster. It may survive for a few years, but it cannot endure unless sustainability is built into its foundation,” Omar Abdullah said.
He highlighted the need for better management of tourist destinations by addressing challenges such as traffic congestion, waste management, water conservation, carrying capacity, parking infrastructure and community participation.
The Chief Minister said Jammu and Kashmir must focus on creating high-value tourism experiences rather than merely increasing visitor numbers. He noted that while rising tourist arrivals are welcome, unchecked inflow could put pressure on infrastructure and damage the very natural assets that attract visitors.
Omar Abdullah said destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gurez require scientific assessment of their carrying capacity and cannot follow a one-size-fits-all tourism plan.
Emphasising the importance of protecting Kashmir’s natural beauty, he said the region’s rivers, lakes, mountains and landscapes are its biggest tourism assets and must remain at the centre of future tourism planning.
He also stressed strict implementation of building regulations, elimination of single-use plastic, improved waste management and greater involvement of local communities in tourism decisions.
Calling for “value tourism” over “volume tourism”, the Chief Minister said the aim should be to ensure better earnings for local residents while preserving the environment for future generations.
The conclave was attended by senior officials, tourism stakeholders and experts, who discussed strategies for preparing long-term sustainable tourism master plans for destinations across Jammu and Kashmir.
