Suhasini Gupta
Jammu and Kashmir which is called “Switzerland of East” consists of three regions Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Jammu and Kashmir “the Paradise on earth” is well known for its scenic beauty. Tourism industry is one of the major industries of J&K for which contributes to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Tourism is an essential source of revenue generation and thus, a major factor for economic development. Tourism is a single industry and it includes hotels, restaurants, travel agencies etc. However, Tourism Product can be defined as all those products with which a tourist comes in contact during his visit. Basically, it is a composite product. It includes attraction, accessibility and attraction. Tertiary sector plays a crucial role in economic development of an economy.
The famous tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir are Patnitop, Sanasar, Nathatop, Pahlgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Shanti Stupa, Baramulla and many more. Besides these, Dal Lake, Wular lake, Manasbal Lake, Sheshnag , Achabal spring, Anantnag spring are the various water bodies that are the major sources of tourist attraction. The state is also blessed with various shrines like Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Shri Amarnathji Shrine, Sukrala Devi Shrine. It has been estimated that handicrafts (Wood carving, Pashmina shawl) in J&K generate a revenue of more than Rs.1000 cr with about 4-5 lakh artisans being employed in this sector (J&K Economic survey). J&K is a suitable destination for several other types of tourism which are yet to be exploited like Adventure tourism, Medical tourism, Eco-tourism, Polo tourism and Leisure tourism. Handicrafts of J&K like pashmina shawl and paper mache is famous in the whole world. J and K is also well known for its Cricket bat industry. Tourism acts as a catalyst in the development of backward and far flung regions of a particular area. Developing the tourism industry can significantly impact the overall growth rate of the state. This tourism industry is responsible for generating direct as well as indirect employment.
Terrorism and conflicts create obstacles in the path of development of J&K. The terrorist attacks that are taking place since 1998 in this state badly affected the various macroeconomic indicators like standard of living, GDP, income level etc. Strikes, curfews, stone pelting prevent the tourists from visiting this state. There was an ongoing conflict in J and K after the killing of a Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani. Lot of violent activities have taken place after this incident and it shook the State with an unnecessary anger. Educational institutions were closed in some parts of Kashmir region and students suffered unnecessarily in these regions. Services of IT sector were withheld in few parts of Kashmir Valley and in Poonch, Rajouri District of Jammu region. Therefore, these conflicts over the terrorist killing, hamper the economic growth and hence, economic development of the State.
The Amarnath Yatra started from 29th of June this year. The first attack on this pilgrimage took place in 1993 when Pakistan-based Harkat-ul-Ansar announced a ban on the annual yatra. The attack on Amarnath pilgrims on Monday (11th July, 2017) who were returning from Amarnath shrine can be defined as crossing of another red line by militants. In this attack, 7 persons were killed and 19 persons were injured. Terrorists are not killing pilgrims but are killing Kashmir’s fragile economy. The various parts of Jammu and Kashmir observed bandh in order to protest against the terror attack. Moreover, mobile internet service remained suspended after killing of Amarnath Yatris in this deadly attack.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir’s Economic Survey 2016, the industrial activity came to halt due to the ongoing turmoil last year. The industrial units in industrial estate Lachipora, Khonmoh, Rangret, Anantnag, Baramulla, Bijbehara, Kupwara etc came to a halt which resulted in the idle payment of wages to the skilled labour for more than 4 months and loss of production in Kashmir valley. That brought an estimated loss of Rs 13,291 crore during the last year comprising Rs 6,548.00-crore from private sector and Rs 6,713.00 crore from the government sector on account of hartals/curfews (130 days). Without much industrial activity, the Valley is heavily dependent on pilgrims and tourists for revenues and employment. This sector has been a saviour for even unskilled workers as it provides direct employment to guides, ponywallas, jobs in hotels/houseboats, besides those working in allied sectors like handicrafts, handlooms and transport. But an increasingly hostile situation in the Valley has worsened the economic scenario. According to the Jammu and Kashmir’s Economic Survey, total number of tourists in Kashmir valley was 15.15 lakhs in 2013, which declined to 6.2 lakhs in 2016, including 2.2 lakhs Amarnath Yatra pilgrims.
Thus, due to terrorism and conflicts, J&K lags far behind in terms of economic development as compared to other states. Moreover, the Government should do its level best to provide more security to pilgrims. However, more and more areas should be explored as tourist spots which will help the Government in earning revenue which will ultimately help in development of J&K.
(The author is Student of M.Sc. Economics in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra)
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