Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 14: The Chief Executive Officer of Gulmarg Development Authority has written a letter to the Director of School Education Kashmir, urging him to ask educational institutions in the valley not to plan excursions or picnics to the famous resort on weekends, citing an “unprecedented flow of tourists” and a threat to the ecologically fragile environs.
The letter stated that Gulmarg has seen an unprecedented influx of tourists in recent weeks, causing frequent traffic jams and other inconveniences in the area. It added that the State Administrative Council (SAC) approved phase 1 of the Master Plan-2032 on November 22, 2018, with decision No. 140/20/2018, detailing “major threats in light of increased tourist influx.”
The letter said an increased tourist influx associated with the promotion of mass tourism to the area will have serious and negative consequences as maximum noise levels in the resort area slightly exceeded the prescribed daytime noise levels. “This continued growth and development of the resort area will impact community noise levels through the introduction of additional private and commercial traffic and intensification of tourism, and will impact wildlife behavior and human health,” the letter stated. In addition to this, it said, there are some other issues such as environmental issues, biodiversity issues, pollution issues, flora and fauna issues, aesthetic issues, etc., which need to be addressed in terms of community noise levels.
In light of this, and the fact that most locals prefer to visit the area on weekends, the CEO requested that the DSEK issue necessary instructions to all valley school heads, directing them to plan their excursion/picnic to Gulmarg any day of the week, except Saturday and Sunday, “so that the ecologically fragile environment is maintained in accordance with the approved Master Plan.”
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