Letter To The Editor
I want to share something important that I have observed recently, which I think is necessary for the good future of our beautiful Warwan Valley.
Tourism means people visiting a place and bringing money and benefits to the area. But true tourism should also protect nature and help the local community economically. As a student of tourism, I feel that we must balance tourism with care for the environment and society.
These days, a number of tourists from different locations are visiting Warwan Valley, especially during the busy and peak season. Most of them bring their own tents, food, and other things. This directly means that the host community has no benefit from such tourism, and obviously, the local people do not get a chance to derive livelihood from this source, as this is the only earning source left for us underprivileged people to be economically well.
Also, one more thing I want to add here is that more tourists are causing damage to nature. Many throw plastic waste and garbage, which is dangerous for the valley’s clean and delicate environment.
So, I request our youth to come forward and help in saving and protecting our beautiful places. Let’s spread awareness and ask everyone to be responsible tourists who respect nature.
I also request the government and local concerned authorities (or the concerned Tehsildar) to start imposing the Green Tax on visitors. Also, I request our social activists and leaders to please start raising questions regarding this issue to the concerned. Once the issue gets resolved, this money can help with cleaning, local work, and stop careless behaviour by visitors.
Let us all work together to keep Warwan Valley and other such peaceful places clean, green, and safe for the future.
Regards,
Firdous Ahmad Khanday
Resident of Warwan
Pursuing a Master’s Degree in the Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure Studies, University of Kashmir
Feedback: fi****************@***il.com