Dry winter hampers tourism in Kashmir valley, adventure tourist arrivals drop by 70%
dry winter, with no snowfall and unusually high temperatures, in the coldest parts of Kashmir has adversely impacted the tourism sector in the Valley. Adventure tourist arrivals have hit rock bottom.
The Valley is disturbingly warmer than other places in northern India.
As experts point to global warming, dry winter could also lead to flash droughts during summers.
Snowless winter has spoiled a major portion of the adventure winter sports season in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, even as forecasters are expecting a light snowfall later this month and in February.
Srinagar Met Centre director Mukhtar Ahmad said: «We are hopeful of light snowfall in upper reaches in the later part of January and early February, which will recharge our glaciers as well.»
«The situation is worrisome for the adventure tourist industry.
We have seen a 70% decline in tourist arrivals in Gulmarg, where most of the adventure and sports events are organised in winters,» said Rouf Tramboo, president of Travel Agents Association of Kashmir. The snowless Chillai Kalan — 40-day coldest winter period starting December 21 — has marred the excitement of several tourists, who had booked hotels for winter holidays.
«We were fully booked till April, but now the majority of guests are cancelling, some are rescheduling and a few are short staying,» said Muhammad Arif, a hotel manager in Gulmarg.
A few feet of December snow at Sinthan Top — a mountain pass at about 12,500 feet in Anantnag district of south Kashmir, connecting Valley with Kishtwar district of Jammu — has come to the rescue of tour operators there.
