Uncertain weather conditions threatens tourism sector
SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: With Kashmir Valley facing persistent dry spell and experiencing less or no snowfall, the fate of 4th Edition of Khelo India Winter Games 2024, scheduled to be held in the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg from February 2 hangs in balance.
It is likely that the event may be postponed till the third week of February.
As per Sports Authority of India (SAI), the 4th Khelo India Winter Games 2024 would be held in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh UT from February 2-6.
The ski resort of Gulmarg would host competitions in Skiing and Snowboarding, while Ladakh will be have Ice Skating and Ice Hockey events.
During the winters, tourism in Gulmarg gets boost due to the national winter games. If the situation remains same in the coming days, the games may be cancelled this year or deferred, says President Traders Association.
People associated with tourism are sitting outside their shops and hoping for snowfall as an unusually dry winter disrupts tourism and threatens livelihoods in the Himalayan region.
Ski trainers said that usually they are booked almost every day between December and February, as millions of tourists visit Gulmarg, skiing on its white slopes and sightseeing around the snow -capped mountains and dales. But unfortunately this year trainers and guides are out of work.
According to hoteliers and other resort owners, all the booking up-to February have been cancelled.
“Almost 30 percent booking have been cancelled and it is increasing day by day”, says a hotel manager in Gulmarg. The famous Gulmarg ski resort located close to the LoC now wears a deserted look .
“This is for the first time in two decades of my skiing career that there is no work. Everybody is sitting without work and that is in the month of Jan”, a trainer said.
In Kashmir, the economy broadly depends on tourism, which contributes 7 percent to the regions gross domestic product. But the lack of snowfall this year has again raised fears of another wasted year– not just for ski trainers, but for hoteliers, guides and other workers.
Experts say, unregulated tourism may have contributed to pollution and climate change in the Himalayan region, increased footfall often leads to resource overuse, waste generation and carbon emissions impacting local ecosystem.
Meanwhile the Met office has predicted dry weather till January 24. The department recorded a 79 percent rainfall deficit in December and a 100 percent deficit in January. The Valley is also experiencing warmer weather, with most stations in Kashmir, recording a 6 to 8 C rise in temperature this winter.
