Resumo de Travel>log - Nagpal,Jasdeep

MISSING : FOREIGN TOURISTS IN KASHMIR

It is well
acknowledged that peace is finally returning to the
?Paradise On Earth?, the Kashmir Valley. The recent peace
initiatives between the two warring neighbours, India and
Pakistan, have been applauded the world over. In a paradigm
shift from age old positions, both sides have returned to
the negotiating table to sort out their woes in the only way
that really has some promise ? peace talks. And the biggest
beneficiaries from this development are the people of
Kashmir, a whole generation of who have grown up in an
atmosphere of strife and turmoil. Long caught in a vice
between the separatists on one hand and the Security Forces
on the other, the people are beginning to heave a sigh of
relief. At long last, the smiles are finally returning. The
tourists are returning in droves. From barely 0.3 million
two years ago, 0.6 million last year, at last count close to
a million tourists have already visited the Valley this
year!

Known for its peace and tranquility, Kashmir
Valley has been a favorite of foreign tourists over the
decades. Old timers fondly remember the solitary British
tourist taking a three day ?Shikara? ride along the Jhelum
River, or the group of Germans happily camping in an apple
orchard. Guides who?d take the adventurous types along the
innumerable famous trekking trails. Or the backpackers who?d
hire the best modified motorcycles available to bike across
the world famous vale, enjoying the cool air and the
enchanting landscape. All this, however, are barely wishful
glimpses of the past. For though Indian tourists have
returned in vast numbers, the foreign tourists are still
highly conspicuous by their absence. Those who do make the
journey to this part of the world, move right past the
Kashmir Valley, into the calm and quiet of a part of J&K
unfettered by the turmoil- Leh and Ladakh.

Needless
to say, the Kashmiri tourist industry badly misses the
foreign tourist. For an economy that is heavily dependent on
tourism, the foreign currency is like oxygen to a
suffocating man. Much needed foreign currency is added to
the state?s coffers every time a foreign tourist ventures
its way. Add to that the fact that a foreign tourist is much
more likely to be generous with his money. Also, in general,
the foreign tourists are much more adventurous than their
Indian counterparts, and thus give employment to a much
larger variety of people like trekking and touring guides,
boatmen and bike rentals, to name a few. So why is this much
needed messiah of the people staying away?

One major
reason for this is the adverse travel advisory still in
force against western tourists traveling to the disturbed
land. The State Government has not left any stone unturned
in trying to woo back the International Tourists. Be it
holding a Golf tournament for Diplomats at the famous and
picturesque Sher-e-Kashmir Golf Course overlooking the
magnificent Dal lake, or promoting Srinagar as an
international convention centre. Despite the special
invitees going back with a song in their heart, charmed by
the beauty of the place and convinced by the prevalent
peaceful atmosphere, all such efforts have met with only
limited success so far.

Though a few bold tourists
have returned, the majority still stay away. Who, after all,
would like to venture into a troubled land when there is
there are other peaceful options? The terrorists, of course,
aren?t helping any by continuing to indulge in violent acts
that attract the media attention. The entire Kashmiri
population is the sufferer. The latest tactics of car bomb
attacks are designed to attract maximum media attention. On
the one hand, the separatists claim they are not targeting
tourists, with the aim of winning brownie points with the
local populace. And yet their actions have only resulted in
potential tourists staying awway due to the omnipotent threat
of violence.

No International tourist would
willingly like to go to a violent land, however beautiful.
And this at a time when Islamic terrorism is raising its
ugly head like never before. People the world over are
getting wary of the menace of fundamentalism, so it is never
going to be easy to convince them to frequent a land torn
apart by strife. Let?s be objective. How many of us would
willingly plan a trip to Afghanistan or Iraq in today?s
world? Agreed, the level of violence in Kashmir is much
lower than any of these hot-spots, but that argument doesn?t
really hold much water with a potential tourist. Nobody of
his own free will would like to become another Daniel Pearl,
or even take the remotest step in that direction!

So
perhaps it is time for the people of Kashmir to give a hard
thought to revive the miniscule foreign tourist flow. Time
to tell the separatists to let the people alone in their
quest for rightful economic activity. To woo back the
International tourists to this much famed land, dependent so
much on tourism as a source of livelihood for its
impoverished people. At a time when tourists the world over
are beginning to rediscover India, Kashmir should be the
forerunner. And surely but surely, the tourists will return
to enjoy the serenity and rejuvenating experience only the
Kashmir Valley has to offer. After all, it is Paradise on
Earth!

Resumos Relacionados