Srinagar, July 10 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the Kashmir Marathon is being developed into a major national sporting event to promote sports tourism and diversify the tourism sector in the Union Territory.
Speaking during the unveiling of the Kashmir Marathon 2026 merchandise, Omar Abdullah, as per news agency JKNS, said the government is working to expand tourism beyond conventional sightseeing by promoting activities such as skiing, white-water rafting, angling and marathon events.
“Marathon itself is an event. We want to develop different forms of tourism in Kashmir. Tourism should not remain limited to destination weddings or conferences. We want Kashmir Marathon and Jammu Half Marathon to become events for which people travel from across India and abroad,” he said.
The Chief Minister invited people to participate in the marathon, saying the event would project Jammu and Kashmir as a safe and welcoming destination.
Highlighting the importance of religious tourism, Omar said the ongoing Shri Amarnath Yatra has witnessed heavy participation, with even unregistered pilgrims arriving in large numbers.
He said the yatra contributes significantly to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy by generating income for transport operators, hotels, shopkeepers, pony owners and tent service providers.
“The economy of Jammu and Kashmir also benefits from religious tourism. Thousands of families are directly or indirectly dependent on the Amarnath Yatra,” CM Omar said.
Omar said the government continues to extend full support to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board while maintaining that the administration does not interfere in the Board’s management of the pilgrimage.
The Chief Minister also said several tourist destinations currently closed due to security considerations are likely to reopen after the conclusion of the Amarnath Yatra.
He recalled that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured during a security review meeting that locations such as Aharbal, Sinthan Top, parts of Doodhpathri and certain areas of Gulmarg would be reopened once the pilgrimage concludes and security deployments are rationalised.
On climate change, Omar described the situation as a global crisis.
“We are experiencing extreme heat today. Climate change is a reality. Earlier, snow remained visible on our mountains even during summer, but now it disappears much earlier. This is not a local issue; it is a global challenge that requires collective action,” he said.
The Chief Minister stressed that while Jammu and Kashmir alone cannot solve climate change, governments and societies must recognise the seriousness of the issue and work together to mitigate its impact. (JKNS)
