AS A LIFELINE AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHE
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”
Kashmir, a land of unparalleled beauty, boasts of snow-capped mountains, verdant valleys, and meandering streams. Its Chinar trees, ablaze with hues of yellow and red in autumn, are a sight to behold. The silver lakes shimmer at dawn, and the crystal blue rivers cascade from the mountains, painting a picture that stays etched in memory. Over millennia, Kashmir has nurtured a unique ecosystem, standing strong in the face of global warming.
Regrettably, human intervention has led to deforestation, wetland encroachment, and pollution in this paradise. The alarming increase in pollution from fossil fuel consumption, construction, mining, irresponsible waste disposal, and unsustainable tourism is a cause for concern. It’s high time we halt this damage before it surpasses nature’s capacity to heal itself, and safeguard this haven for our future generations. The challenge lies in striking a balance between providing economic opportunities for the locals, who have suffered due to terrorism and the COVID-19 pandemic, and preserving the environment.
The climate crisis is not a myth; it’s a reality we can no longer ignore. The lack of serious consideration for far too long has pushed us to this critical stage. The misconception that global climate change will spare individual homes or businesses has been shattered. Shifting weather patterns have devastated crops, and rising temperatures have sparked forest fires, cloudbursts, heavy untimely rains, flash floods, and mudslides, all wreaking havoc on lives and livelihoods. This is not a localized issue; it’s a global crisis. The supply chains of essential commodities span the globe, and events in one corner can have economic repercussions worldwide. The melting Arctic ice impacts oceanic and coastal areas, and unpredictable seasons disrupt food production.
To illustrate the environmental impact of tourism, let’s consider a case study of Gulmarg. An average tourist couple travelling from Srinagar to Gulmarg in a taxi, staying in a hotel, and consuming meals at local restaurants can significantly impact nature. The 51-kilometer trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg has a quantifiable carbon footprint. Here is an approximate assessment of the carbon footprint caused by a taxi travelling this distance, a hotel-stay, and three meals a day per couple:
The Gulmarg biosphere reserve covers 180 square kilometres, with altitudes ranging from 7,000 to 13,000 feet. If we exclude other activities in the area, these 18,000 hectares can offset the carbon footprint of 3,515 tourists daily. This mode of tourism appears unsustainable for nature. Although tourism generates significant revenue and puts Kashmir on the global tourism map, it is vital to understand the actual cost of this income.
A tourist couple might spend about Rs 9,000 on the activities above, of which Rs 4,500 is income to stakeholders. The cost of offsetting the carbon footprint is estimated at USD 5 per ton. Therefore, the actual income is Rs 4,500 minus the carbon offset cost. This negative burden accumulates due to limited forest cover, resulting in long-term loss of livelihood and habitat for residents. Nature’s cost is ‘time,’ borne by the planet through thousands of years of evolution. Restoring nature by other resources will cost money and land to increase the carbon sink.
Balancing flourishing tourism with the need to restore nature and increase the carbon sink is essential. The answer lies in “Sustainable Tourism.” Many countries have achieved this through eco-tourism, reducing fossil fuel dependency, and efficient waste disposal. Kashmir is blessed with abundant natural resources for renewable energy, and many households still practice natural living. Sharing these rich traditions with tourists sustainably can create significant opportunities for eco and adventure tourism in the valley.
Kashmir’s mesmerising beauty must be preserved for future generations. Kashmir can become a model of hope and resilience by adopting sustainable tourism practices and leveraging its natural resources. It is essential to present this paradise as an example of harmonious coexistence between economic development and environmental preservation, ensuring its breathtaking landscapes remain a source of awe and inspiration for years.
