In the past two years alone, Kashmir has seen an unprecedented surge in tourism, attracting more than 57 lakh visitors. While the record-breaking influx has boosted the economy, it is also posing a grave threat to the fragile environment that is already grappling with the effects of climate change.
According to data from the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, Kashmir welcomed 31.55 lakh tourists in 2023, up from 26.73 lakh in 2022 and 6.65 lakh in 2021.
This year, amid a sweltering heat wave across the country in May-June, tourists once again flocked to Kashmir. According to media reports, over 15 lakh tourists including 25,914 foreign tourists have already visited Kashmir so far, and based on current trends, 2024 is poised to break all previous records.
This story was originally published in frontline.thehindu.com. Read the full story here.
