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International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (IJPAB)
Year : 2018, Volume : 6, Issue : 6
First page : (1095) Last page : (1106)
Article doi: : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.7210

Tourism in Kashmir Valley: Growth, Environmental Impacts and Sustainability

Junaid Aslam¹*, Satish Kumar Ameta¹, Raouf Aslam² and Owias Iqbal³

¹Department of Environmental Sciences, Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
² Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana, Punjab
³ Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar, Punjab
*Corresponding Author E-mail: jaslam64@gmail.com
Received: 7.10.2018 | Revised: 20.11.2018 | Accepted: 27.11.2018  

 ABSTRACT

In the recent past, tourism industry has witnessed a tremendous surge worldwide and has become an integral part of human leisure and expedition, thus contributing to the growing global economy. Kashmir valley, also referred as “Paradise on Earth” is rich in picturesque scenes, snow clad mountains, lush green meadows and high altitude lakes, hence attracting tourists from all over the world. Although, tourism plays a vital role in the upliftment of a region, by creating employment opportunities and improving infrastructural facilities but it can also have deteriorating impacts on the environment, if not properly managed. Present state government policies are not adequate to properly manage tourism in the region. The study was aimed to assess the environmental impacts of tourism in Kashmir valley. Data collected from various secondary sources were assessed and it was observed that most of the popular destinations in Kashmir are being thronged by tourists above their respective carrying capacities. This has put enormous pressure on the natural resources in the form of over-production of sewage, litter, loss of animal habitats, deforestation and pollution of almost all forms. This study can thus serve as a wake-up call for all the stakeholders who can make a change in proper management of tourism in the region, so that the sustainability of natural resources is ensured.

Key words: Kashmir, Tourism, Environment, Sustainability.

Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782

Cite this article: Aslam, J., Ameta, S.K., Aslam, R. and Iqbal, O., Tourism in Kashmir Valley: Growth, Environmental Impacts and Sustainability, Int. J. Pure App. Biosci.6(6): 1095-1106 (2018). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.7210