SRINAGAR: Pahalgam has welcomed approximately 1.1 million visitors this year, excluding Amarnath yatris, with ongoing initiatives aimed at preserving the renown of this tourist haven during the winter season.
Tariq Hussain Naik, Chief Executive Officer of the Pahalgam Development Authority, while speaking to KNO said, “According to available records, roughly 1.1 million tourists, excluding yatris, have visited the region thus far this year. Foreign tourists also showed notable interest.”
Naik added, “This year, all stakeholders have enjoyed prosperous business due to the substantial influx of tourists. We anticipate that the surge will persist in the upcoming months.”
Regarding winter plans, Naik revealed that adventure activities, including skiing and snowboarding, will be arranged. Pahalgam is poised to welcome tourists throughout the year, with ongoing improvements to its infrastructure.
When questioned about sanitation challenges arising from the substantial tourist flow, the CEO of PDA clarified that urban sanitation in Pahalgam is managed by the municipal committee, while rural areas have outsourced services. The Rural Development Department (RDD) has also established segregation pits to maintain the cleanliness of the tourist destination. Frequent sanitation drives are conducted by the PDA.
Naik urged all tourists, whether domestic, international, or local, to exhibit responsible behaviour and refrain from using polythene to preserve the cleanliness of Pahalgam.
Furthermore, on World Tourism Day, a seminar and awareness camp were organised in collaboration with the Department of Tourism at the Central University of Kashmir. Various stakeholders participated, with speakers emphasising the importance of responsible tourism. They deliberated on necessary measures for sustainable tourism.
“A commitment was made to conduct a study to determine the carrying capacity of the tourist destination, along with the development of accommodation and infrastructure in line with that pattern,” he concluded. (KNO)
