ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM AND TOURIST FACILITIES IN KASHMIR

Moazam Iqbal

Abstract: Present advancement in field of science and technology has accelerated worldwide growth and progressive development manifold. It is inevitable today for any community or region to explore all its resources and use them optimally for maximum revenue generation and employability. To cater for long-lasting benefits and meeting future needs; adopted expansion model needs to be not merely convincing but also sustainable. In this study a detailed analysis and comparison is drawn between sustainable development and its applicability specifically towards Tourism industry- particularly in context of Kashmir valley. While the region is going for large-scale development in terms of expansion of infrastructure and technology, negative implications of faulty or ill planning and policy deficits in mega tourism related projects needs to be measured prudently. Considering the fragile eco-system of Kashmir valley, any strategy for expansion of facilities needs to be carefully analyzed and logically planned for an effective and ecologically stable long lasting operation. This study highlights some critical aspects for augmentation of existing tourism grid within the region specifically giving attention to sustainable development model for planning and at the same time endorsing some indispensable scientific recommendations for implementation in order to achieve Kashmir (often regarded as paradise on earth) as a rationalized world class traveler friendly and economically viable & sustainable tourist destination for years to come

Keywords: Kashmir, Sustainability, Eco-System, Flora & Fauna, Landscapes

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2016.0503021