At Lok Bhavan, Kashmir’s Tourism Industry Sounds an Environmental Alarm

August 20, 2026 - 09:08

A delegation of tourism stakeholders from Kashmir met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan on Tuesday, bringing along hard data and a clear message about the industry's growing environmental stress. The meeting, which lasted over an hour, focused on the strain that record visitor numbers are placing on the region's fragile ecosystems, particularly around Dal Lake, the Lidder Valley, and the higher reaches of Gulmarg.

Sameer Baktoo, a prominent travel operator who led the group, presented figures showing a sharp rise in waste generation and vehicular emissions during peak season. He pointed out that while tourist arrivals have crossed pre-2020 levels, the infrastructure for waste management and water treatment has not kept pace. The representatives also raised concerns about unregulated construction of guesthouses in eco-sensitive zones and the impact of heavy footfall on alpine meadows.

The LG reportedly listened closely and assured the delegation that a task force would be formed to study the data. He also indicated support for a carrying capacity study for popular destinations, a move the industry has long demanded. The delegation left with a sense that their alarm had been heard, though they stressed that concrete action, not just assurances, would determine whether Kashmir's tourism can survive its own popularity.