Srinagar: The Kashmir Valley is witnessing an unprecedented change within the climate. It is January and many of the vacationer resorts like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg by now used to have ample snow amassed. However this yr, the winter wonderland of Kashmir, Gulmarg is dry with no snow anyplace to be seen. The specialists blame international warming whereas the vacationers visiting to witness the snow are left disillusioned.
Dry Spell Impacts Glaciers, Groundwater, Horticulture
Kashmir Valley is dealing with a dry spell this season, with no snow or rain within the valley. The MeT Division says that there’s round 75 % rainfall deficit via December and January. And the world-famous ski resort Gulmarg slopes are wanting barren with no snow cowl.
“The climate is dry all through Jammu and Kashmir and in the course of the subsequent one week until 16th to 17th January, the climate goes to be dry. There isn’t any main reduction from this dry spell for the following few days. Through the years, the glaciers have shrunk, and this yr there was no snow, and the speed of shrinkage could be speedy attributable to absence of snowfall. Long run implications of the dry spell may have an effect on groundwater stage and horticulture sector too. There isn’t any snow, and it’ll impression tourism as properly,” mentioned Mushtaq Ahmad, Director, MeT, Kashmir.
The climate specialists have mentioned that the warming of sea floor temperatures has disrupted the worldwide climate and can also be one of many causes for much less rains and snow within the Himalayan area.
Vacationers Cancel Journeys, Locals Lose Earnings
The vacationers visiting locations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam are extremely disillusioned as there is no such thing as a snow cowl on these hill stations. A lot of them had deliberate their journeys in January to see snow and revel in winter sports activities, however they’re now regretting their resolution. Daman, a vacationer from Delhi, mentioned, “We had deliberate a visit in January to see snow and we’re disillusioned that there is no such thing as a snow. We spent a lot cash and got here thus far, and we’re form of disillusioned.”
The dry spell has additionally now began to impression the livelihood of the locals whose lives depend upon tourism. The frustration among the many vacationers visiting is now spreading by way of social media and many individuals are cancelling their journeys to Kashmir. The vacationer stakeholders are additionally praying and hoping for climate change in order that the vacationer rush continues.
Touseef Parray, a vacationer information, mentioned, “We’re shedding out some huge cash attributable to no snow. Normally there was once a number of snow, round 5-6 toes however the dry spell has led to a number of losses. The sledge guys, the guides and everyone seems to be shedding out on cash attributable to dry spell.”
Locals Blame Authorities, Demand Motion
Individuals residing at these vacationer locations are additionally offended with the federal government, they consider that each one the bushes which are lower all the way down to construct lodges and huts are additionally an enormous cause for local weather change. They request the federal government to concentrate to this, in any other case a foul scenario will flip in worst.
“The forests in Gulmarg which are being constantly lower all the way down to construct lodges appear is proving disastrous. Other than this, rubbish and different plastic wastes being dumped in forests can also be affecting local weather. Authorities wants to concentrate to in any other case these vacationer locations will likely be destroyed,” mentioned Shahid Salim, a social activist.
The Meteorological Division has mentioned that no reduction is predicted for subsequent one week as no main western disturbance is approaching to Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg Growth Authority had already organized winter sports activities and winter carnival a month in the past, together with 4 Video games India Video games and different ski programs in Gulmarg, Pehlgam and Sonamarg however is ready for snow.
