The rise in temperature throughout the world is a matter of serious concern. This will be double blow for both our environment and Agriculture. It is hurting the global food security.
This year has been specially worse indicating high rise in temperature as a result of global climate change.
This year, Average global temperatures at the start of June were the warmest ever recorded for the period, trouncing previous records by a “substantial margin”, the European Union’s climate monitoring unit said.
“The world has just experienced its warmest early June on record,” Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), said in a statement few days back.
As a matter of fact, Researchers at the EU’s Copernicus unit reported that the start of June saw global surface air temperatures rise 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels for the first time.
That is the threshold governments said they would try to stay within at a 2015 summit in Paris.
Data and statistics are worrying. According to the data, the daily global average temperature was at or above the 1.5 Celsius threshold between June 7-11, reaching a maximum of 1.69 Celsius above it on June 9.
It is a matter of grim concern that, Earth’s temperature has risen by an average of 0.14° Fahrenheit (0.08° Celsius) per decade since 1880, or about 2° F in total. The rate of warming since 1981 is more than twice as fast: 0.32° F (0.18° C) per decade. The majority of the warming has occurred since 1975, at a rate of roughly 0.15 to 0.20°C per decade.
The rise temperatures which are reality of global climate change hint towards ugly days ahead for world population at large.
The annual observation of World Environment Day, which took place on June 5th, is a day intended to promote action for the preservation and conservation of the environment on our planet. The world gathered once more in 2023 to consider the health of our environment and talk about practical ideas to deal with the urgent issues we face.
World Environment Day 2023, with the theme “Taking Global Action for a Sustainable Future,” serves as an important reminder that the entire world community must work together to combat climate change, safeguard biodiversity, and work towards a greener and more sustainable future for all.
This year, World Environment Day focused on several key areas, including climate action, sustainable consumption and production, and the conservation of ecosystems. These areas are at the forefront of international discussions as we grapple with the consequences of human activity on the planet.
The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and the loss of vital ecosystems. World Environment Day 2023 seeks to encourage individuals, communities, and governments worldwide to take decisive action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and adopting sustainable practices in all aspects of life.
While talking to News Kashmir Magazine, the eminent expert Dr. Ayaz Mohmood Dar Founder & Director: Tehkeek International: An education and research Institute,Lecturer. Higher Education Department, Govt. of JK said that, “The reminder that the future of our world is in our hands comes in the form of World Environment Day 2023. Every person has a responsibility to protect the environment and create a sustainable future. We can guarantee a better, cleaner, and more durable planet for future generations by acting now”.
“Let’s take a moment to consider the great worth and beauty of our natural environment as we observe World Environment Day. Let’s work together to preserve and revitalise the environment while pursuing a peaceful coexistence of humans and nature. We can all benefit from our collective efforts to secure a sustainable future, he further stated.
Journalist Mir Sabeen Gulrez, through Dr Ayaz-on-Record answered questions like this,
Reporter :Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that an estimated 4.2 to 7 million people die from air pollution worldwide every year. What’s the solution now what steps should we take to prevent that?
Dr Ayaz : It requires collective efforts from governments, communities, industries, and individuals to mitigate air pollution and prevent the millions of deaths caused by it each year. There are many steps that can be taken for mitigation, including Enhancing vehicle emissions standards, improvement in industrial emissions control, shifting to clean energy sources, International cooperation, and more importantly Supporting research and innovation.
Reporter : Do you acknowledge that climate change is real and poses an immediate threat to the environment and our health and safety? What specific goals and measures do you support for reducing U.S. carbon missions?
Dr Ayaz : Climate change is real and directly threatens the environment, health, and safety. To reduce carbon emissions, many measures can be taken which should include Carbon pricing, Electrification of transportation, and climate diplomacy.
Reporter : Do your congressional efforts align with the current administration to undermine the science that supports climate change research? Will you encourage federal (or state) agencies to restore scientific data about climate change to their websites to help educate citizens?
Dr Ayaz : Many administrations including the United States, recognize the need to address climate change and support climate science research. However, the scientific data about climate change on government websites to educate citizens is an important aspect for understanding the climate mechanics. The scientific information is very crucial for informed decision-making and public engagement on climate-related issues. The federal agencies should provide comprehensive information which will contribute to a well-informed society a research.
Reporter : What are your plans to support the accelerating adoption of solar and wind technologies? For example, would you support increasing research and development funds to advance renewable technologies?
Dr Ayaz : These are strategies that can be considered to support the accelerated adoption of solar and wind technologies. However, general strategies to support the accelerating adoption of solar and wind technologies will include increased research and development (R&D) funds, Education and trainings, and infrastructure development.
Reporter : Would you support tax credits to help businesses and consumers cover the costs of transitioning to solar and wind? Would you strive to ensure that renewable technologies become the top priority of state/national energy policy?
Dr Ayaz : “Yes”
Reporter : ’Will you support continuation of EPA’s ENERGY STAR program, which encourages appliance manufacturers to improve the energy efficiency of their products while providing consumers with tools that help them make energy-efficient choices?
Dr Ayaz : The EPA’s ENERGY STAR program’s future is determined by the relevant authorities responsible for energy efficiency standards and environmental programs, as well as various factors such as government policies, budget allocations, and public support. I cannot say anything about the decision-making process regarding the program’s continuation.
Reporter : What are your specific plans, including actions and timetables, for helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a substantial amount, and how will you fund and implement them?
Dr Ayaz : Addressing climate change indeed necessitates a collaborative effort involving governments, businesses, communities, and individuals. The plans and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will vary across regions and countries due to their unique circumstances and available resources. Cooperation and coordination at local, national, and international levels are essential for effective implementation.
The specific plans, actions, timetables, funding, and implementation would depend on the policies and actions taken by governments, organization’s, and individuals. Further, funding for climate resilience is must which can come from a variety of sources, including government budgets, private investments, public-private partnerships, international climate funds, and carbon pricing mechanisms.
Climate Change is one of the serious issues facing humanity. In a ecologically fragile zone like Kashmir the climate change is also becoming a serious issue.
As a matter of fact, Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.
The main greenhouse gases that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane. These come from using gasoline for driving a car or coal for heating a building, for example. Clearing land and cutting down forests can also release carbon dioxide. Agriculture, oil and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions. Energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and land use are among the main sectors causing greenhouse gases.
On the other hand of the spectrum, Climate scientists have showed that humans are responsible for virtually all global heating over the last 200 years. Human activities like the ones mentioned above are causing greenhouse gases that are warming the world faster than at any time in at least the last two thousand years.
The average temperature of the Earth’s surface is now about 1.1°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s (before the industrial revolution) and warmer than at any time in the last 100,000 years. The last decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record, and each of the last four decades has been warmer than any previous decade since 1850.
How the Spring season gave feel of winters this year and how less snow was witnessed this year in Kashmir is all but evident of worrying climate change.
Last year, it was revealed that
The average mean temperature in Jammu and Kashmir has increased in the last 28 years due to climate change, a senior official said last year . He said agriculture is the only sector that can help reduce poverty by raising incomes and food security for 80 per cent of the world’s poor populace.
“J&K is also witnessing the brunt of climate change and average mean temperature in last 28 years has climbed up by 2.32°C and 1.45°C in Jammu and Kashmir region, respectively,” Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Atal Dulloo said after inaugurating a two-day international conference on “existing climate change scenario and its arising risks” here.
Also the expert pulse is that,
should prepare ourselves and our farmers to adapt to these weather changes so that they do not suffer on the economic front.
On the otherhand of spectrum, this year the
The quite fluid and unusualweather conditions in the Kashmir Valley have kept the residents and farmers on edge. As the May rains continue in June, when the locals were expecting an ideal sunny afternoon, the direct impact of climate change on the Himalayan region is keeping the growers anxious.
Farmers from several districts of the Valley are worried that the heavy, and untimely, rainfall along with hailstorms is also damaging the crops.
The climate change is undoubtedly a issue of serious nature for a place like Kashmir and we need to take steps to mitigate its impacts, otherwise sectors like agriculture would be badly hurt.
Blood donation is key part of saving lives on the planet.
The world Blood Donar Day provides an opportunity to call to action to governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources and put into place systems to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, non-renumerated blood donors. Safe blood and blood products and their transfusion are significant aspects of care and public health. Every day, they save millions of lives and improve the health and quality of various patients.
World Blood Donor Day is observed on 14 June to mark the anniversary of Karl Landsteiner. It was first celebrated in 2004 to spread awareness about the need for regular blood donations and its requirement to save lives. On this day, Blood Donors donate blood themselves to save the lives whether of accident victims or those who are in need of blood transfusion for the surgeries.
The transfer of blood or components of blood from one person i.e. donor into the bloodstream of another person i.e. the recipient. It acts as a lifesaving operation to replace blood cells or blood products lost through bleeding or due to depression of the bone marrow.
As a matter of fact, in May 2005, WHO officially established with its 192 Member States, World Blood Donor Day at the 58th World Health Assembly in order to motivate all the countries worldwide to thank the blood donors for their precious step and saving lives of the people.
Objectives of celebrating World Blood Donor Day
– To provide a global platform to thank individuals who donate blood and to encourage those who have not yet donated.To raise awareness that blood donation action benefits society as a whole.
We should take pledge to donate blood on eve of world blood donor Day 2023 .
The power of the Indian democratic system manifests in our Parliament, which weathered the Indian freedom struggle from colonial rule and witnessed many historical milestones. The existing building served as independent India’s first Parliament and witnessed the adoption of the Constitution of India. Thus, conserving and rejuvenating the rich heritage of the Parliament building is a matter of national importance.
An icon of India’s democratic spirit, the Parliament building sits at the heart of the Central Vista. India’s present Parliament House is a colonial-era building designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, which took six years to construct (1921-1927). Originally called the Council House, the building housed the Imperial Legislative Council. The Parliament building witnessed the addition of two floors in 1956 to address the demand for more space. In 2006, the Parliament Museum was added to showcase the 2,500 years of rich democratic heritage of India. The building had to be modified to a large extent to suit the purpose of a modern Parliament.
“India is the mother of democracy. It is also the foundation of global democracy. Democracy is our ‘Sanskaar’, idea & tradition,” Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has said in his first address from India’s new Parliament building on May 28, 2023 in a ceremony which began with an early morning havan and multi-faith prayer ceremony.
Earlier, PM Modi installed the sacred ‘Sengol’ in the Lok Sabha chamber, right next to the Speaker’s chair, after performing puja. He was handed over the historic ‘Sengol’ by Adheenams before it was installed by the prime minister in the new Parliament building.
After initial deliberations about the shape of the building, a circular shape was finalised by both the architects, Herbert Baker and Sir Edwin Lutyens as that would give the feel of a colosseum design for the Council House. It is popularly believed that the unique circular shape of the Chausath Yogini temple in Morena, (Madhya Pradesh) had inspired the design of the Council House, though there are no historical proofs for this.
The Parliament House building construction was started in 1921 and commissioned in 1927. It is almost 100 years old and a Heritage Grade-I building. Over the years, the parliamentary activities and the number of people working therein and visitors have increased manifold. There is no record or document of the original design of the building. Therefore, the new constructions and modifications have been done in an ad-hoc manner. For example, two new storeys constructed in 1956 over the outer circular part of the building hid the dome of the Central Hall and changed the facade of the original building. Further, the coverings of Jaali windows have reduced the natural light in the halls of two houses of the Parliament. Therefore, it is showing signs of distress and over-utilization and is not able to meet the current requirements in terms of space, amenities and technology.
The present building was never designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature for a full-fledged democracy. The number of Lok Sabha seats has remained unaltered at 545 based on the delimitation carried out on the basis of 1971 Census. It is likely to increase substantially after 2026 as the freeze on total number of seats is only till 2026. The seating arrangements are cramped and cumbersome, with no desks beyond the second row. The Central Hall has seating capacity only for 440 persons. When the Joint Sessions are held, the problem of limited seats amplifies. Due to limited space for movement, it is also a huge security risk.
Over the period addition in services like water supply lines, sewer lines, air conditioning, fire-fighting, CCTV, Audio Video system, which were not originally planned, have led to seepages and destroyed the overall aesthetics of the building. The fire safety is a major concern as the building is not designed according to the present fire norms. Numerous new electric cables have been put up which are potential fire hazard.
The new building is triangular in shape, mostly because the plot of land that it is built on is a triangle. According to architect Bimal Patel, the shape is also a nod to the sacred geometry in different religions. Its design and materials are meant to complement the old Parliament, with the two buildings expected to function as one complex.
The new Parliament building has three storeys and a built-up area of 64,500 sqm. The Lok Sabha chamber will have 888 seats, up from the existing 543, with the option of expanded seating up to 1,272. The Lok Sabha will be used for joint sittings of both Houses in the absence of a Central Hall, which was the fulcrum of the old building.
The building has three ceremonial entrances on three sides for the President, the Vice-President, the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Prime Minister. The entrance for the public, including visitors for the Parliament tour, is likely to be on Parliament Street, near the Press Trust of India building, where a temporary reception has been functioning throughout the construction period.
Built using green construction techniques, the new building is supposed to reduce electricity consumption by 30 per cent, compared to the old one. Rainwater-harvesting and water-recycling systems have been included. It has been designed to be more space efficient, and meant to function for the next 150 years, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
As per building codes, since Delhi is in seismic zone-V, the building is primed to be earthquake-safe. While arguing against the legal challenges to the project, the government had said the existing Parliament building was at risk from earthquakes.
The new Lok Sabha chamber has a peacock theme, with designs drawn from the national bird’s feathers carved on the walls and ceiling, complemented by teal carpets. The Rajya Sabha chamber has been decorated with the lotus as its theme, with red carpets. In both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, two MPs will be able to sit on one bench and each MP will have a touch screen on the desk.
The Rajya Sabha chamber can accommodate 384 Members of Parliament (MPs), as opposed to the existing capacity of 250. The increased capacity of both chambers is meant to cater to any future increase in the number of MPs following delimitation.
For the interior and exterior of the building, construction materials have been brought in from across the country, including sandstone from Sarmathura in Dholpur and granite from Lakha village in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Similarly, the wood used in the decor is from Nagpur and craftsmen from Mumbai have led the wooden architecture design. Bhadohi weavers from Uttar Pradesh have made the traditional hand-knotted carpets for the building.
The 16-foot-tall bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, which has been the site of numerous protests and gatherings by MPs and photo-ops for students, will remain on the lawn between the old and new buildings. The statue, which was installed at the main entrance of the Parliament in 1993, was shifted during construction. Made by Padma Bhushan-awardee sculptor Ram V Sutar, the statue now faces the old building, near the entrance used by the Lok Sabha Speaker.
The building is replete with national symbols, including the national emblem — the Lion Capital of Ashoka — that weighs 9,500 kg and is 6.5 metres in height, and is visible from a distance. To support this massive bronze sculpture, a structure of 6,500 kg was constructed on top of the central foyer. At the entrance, the Ashoka chakra and the words ‘Satyameva Jayate’ have been carved in stone.
Before being selected as the site for the new Parliament building, the 9.5-acre plot opposite the old Parliament House was earmarked for “recreational use” in the Delhi Masterplan 2021. While it was supposed to be developed as a park, in reality the site was used for parking and to house utilities for the Parliament complex. The Delhi Development Authority changed the land-use of the plot to “Parliament House” in March 2020.
Tobacco is a monster adversely hitting our society. Throughout world and also in our country India it poses a grim challenge. Rampant Tobacco use is also a challenge for Jammu and Kashmir region.
Recently This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
The Member States of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. In 1987, the World Health Assembly passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for 7 April 1988 to be a “a world no-smoking day.” In 1988, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on 31 May.
The data points out serious issues we are seeing on front of Tobacco use in Kashmir.
About 32 percent men and one percent women consume tobacco in Jammu and Kashmir with cigarettes being the main tobacco product, NHFS-5 data revealed.
Official data available showed that only 1 percent of women in the age 15-49 group use some form of tobacco.
“Tobacco products mostly used by men are cigarettes (27%), bidis (4%), hookah and cigars or pipe (2% each). Among women and men, the use of any form of tobacco is slightly higher in rural areas (1.4% for women and 35% for men) than in urban areas (0.7% for women and 24% for men),” the data adds. “Over one-third (35%) of men who smoke cigarettes smoked 5 to 9 cigarettes in the past 24 hours.”
The data observed around 0.2 percent women in urban areas and 0.5 in rural areas use cigarettes while 21.1 men in urban areas and 28.7 percent in rural areas smoke cigarettes.
We need to bear in mind that There are 267 million tobacco users in India, making it the country with the second largest number of tobacco users in the world (behind China).
Approximately 100 million people ages 15 and older currently smoke tobacco (cigarettes and bidis).
Approximately 200 million people ages 15 and older use smokeless tobacco.
Tobacco use is higher in rural areas, among those with a lower socioeconomic status, and among those with lower levels of education.
Tobacco use prevalence is also significantly higher among men (42.4%) versus women (14.2%).
Despite increased awareness campaigns and stringent regulations, tobacco use continues to impact the youth in various ways, leading to both immediate and long-term consequences.
The pulse on ground zero in Kashmir, Country and world is that steps should be taken to end use of tobacco.
Smartphones have become integral part of our lives but they have negative impacts .
The new global study gathered data of 27,969 adults aged 18 to 24 years from over 40 countries, including around 4,000 from India. It found that women appear to be more affected.
As many as 74% of female respondents who received their first smartphone at age 6 were found experiencing serious mental health challenges as young adults with scores that fell within “distressed” or “struggling” MHQ range. This decreased to 61% for those who got their first smartphone at age 10 and 52% for those who acquired the device at 15 years. Among those who got their first smartphone at age 18, 46% were assessed as mentally distressed or struggling, the study found.
For males, the trend was similar though less acute. Around 42% of those who got their first smartphone at age 6 were classified under “distressed” or “struggling” mental states, which fell to 36% for those who got the device at age 18.
The study, “Age of first smartphone and mental wellbeing outcome”, used an assessment covering a range of symptoms and mental capabilities that were combined to provide an aggregate Mental Health Quotient (MHQ). These scores were then compared to the reported age of first smartphone or tablet ownership among the respondents.
The findings come against a backdrop of progressive global decline in the mental health of each younger generation across the internet-enabled world that began around 2010-2014. It is particularly relevant to India. According to McAfee’s Global Connected Family study released last year, smartphone use among Indian children aged 10-14 was at 83%, which was 7% above the international average of 76%.
In Kashmir valley too especially the children are facing much adverse impacts of smartphone. The need of the hour is to raise awareness about addiction towards smartphones.
The about to end 3 day G20 summit of global powerhouses on Tourism in Srinagar, Kashmir has not just proved biggest mega event of grand success but biggest global event in Kashmir history. As many as 53 foreign delegates from G-20 nations, invitee countries and multilateral organizations are participating in the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting currently underway in Srinagar, it was said. Sources said that 53 delegates including 46 from G-20 and invitee countries and seven from multilateral organisations, are taking in the high-profile event being held in SKICC.
Details reveal that five foreign delegates who are arrived here are from Singapore, four each from United Kingdom and Nigeria, three each from USA, Australia, Canada and Spain, two each from Brazil, France, Mauritius, South Korea, South Africa and United Arab Emirates and one each from Argentina, Bangladesh, Germany, Indonesia,Itlay, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands and Russia.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and the Development of the North Eastern Region, Shri G Kishan Reddy today addressed the side event on the theme ‘‘Promoting Incredible India through Film Tourism’ on the sidelines of 3rd Tourism Working Group Meeting. The side event was also attended by Secretary Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, Sh. Apurva Chandra.
The side event on Tourism was aimed at furthering the scope of the film tourism sector and highlighting all the aspects of Incredible India.
During the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, India has no dearth of talent having the century old film legacy with leading names of Guru Dutt and Satyajit Ray who have been acknowledged for their art work despite no avenues and facilities, Dr. Singh added.
Dr. Singh hoped that the business community will help in scaling up the efforts already taken by the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of I&B.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said, ease of film making and up gradation of the existing studious has to be pursued rigorously to support the film industry. Liberalisation of state regulations has to be taken up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to encourage film making throughout India, Dr. Singh added.
We hosted over 18 million tourists last year which was unparalleled since independence. After three decades, the new Film Policy, modern infrastructure and ease of doing business have made Jammu & Kashmir a favourite destination for shooting films: J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha addresses a news conference following the third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting underway in Srinagar. All were in praise of G20 meet in Srinagar.
Ambassador of Republic of south Korea CHANG Jae Bok while talking to media said that politics should not come in the way of Development we should resolve our differences and work towards development of Global tourism sector. People of Kashmir are more than elated that G20 summit in Kashmir proves a gamechanger for entire region ,and foreign tourists flood Kashmir.
The wait is over. Historic G20 meet on Tourism has Kickstarted in Srinagar. It is the biggest event of Kashmir history since the independence from British in 1947. The mood is over the moon. Tourism stakeholders are expecting that this meet would be great game changer for people of Kashmir, Tourism advisories issued would be now things of past. Both foreign and domestic tourists will flood Kashmir.
The revival of Tourism since past two years signals perfect stage for the G20 Tourism summit in Kashmir.
India has taken up the chairmanship of the G20, an organisation of wealthy global economies. The organising committee has taken on the duty of allocating time and opportunities among selected areas throughout the country, with the primary goal of highlighting its potential. This project aims to highlight India’s inherent diversity, embracing both geographical and cultural features, as per a report published in International Centre for Peace Studies.
The pulse on ground zero is that burning problems of youth like unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir would get swift solutions as conduct of G20 meet would lead long lasting impressions on the place.
Perfect changes are happening . The Kashmir valley has seen a significant increase in investment in recent months.
Notably, the Emaar enterprise, a business organisation based in the United Arab Emirates, has initiated building a commercial tower in the city centre, thereby generating a job market for the local young.
As a matter of fact,
The third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting being held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Center (SKICC) from May 22 to 24. The first Working Group meeting was held in February at Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. The second meeting was held from April 1 to 3 in Siliguri, West Bengal.
Srinagar has been decked like a bride for the G20 meeting. The Interior and exterior of the venue are being reworked to suit the theme of the meeting.
People are with sigh of relief stating that G20 meet changes face of Kashmir towards betterment forever.
G20 tourism summit : A historical opportunity for Kashmir
News Kashmir Exclusive
History has been written in golden words.On the shores of the Dal Lake, Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) is all set to host this year’s largest international summit from May 22 to May 24. Kashmir hosting G20 summit on Tourism is a historically much optimistic news for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Tourism players in Kashmir believe that the G20 Summit can attract investors and tourists from across the globe.
Stating that G-20 was purely a peoples’ event, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on April 15 said the event would provide a great opportunity to push J-K’s handloom, handicraft, Pashmina, and dry fruit to international markets.
To make the occasion attractive and historic, Srinagar has been transformed into a smart city.
As plans were being finalised for the third meeting of the G20 tourism working group, Kashmir is getting ready to welcome visitors from a number of nations.
“G-20 which is scheduled to be held from May 22 to May 24 in Srinagar will provide an opportunity to push J-K’s handloom, handicraft, Pashmina, dry fruit, saffron and other products to international markets.
“This is a great opportunity to showcase the real potential of the Union Territory to the world. It is not administration’s event but purely a people’s one,” the J-K LG said.
The G20 tourism summit would take place at a time when Kashmir is experiencing a boom in tourism and J-K draws significant investments in the tourism sector, besides medical cities, educational institutions, and other sectors.
We spoke to number of iconic personalities on the importance of the event for Kashmir.
Rekha Mody, eminent women face of the country and head Stree Shakti and world traveller states:” G20 summit is a historical occasion for Kashmir.
Biggest prospect of prosperity of Kashmir valley is tourism as in case of Switzerland. Peace will ensure flourishing tourism which will bring economic empowerment for all its native people. Both domestic and global tourism arrivals would see great change with respect to Kashmir valley.”
Dr Kuwarani Ritu singh, eminent educationist and hospitality personality of the country stated :”
Under the G20 presidency, the tourism and hospitality sector in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is poised to receive a significant boost to its economy. As one of the largest service industries globally, the tourism and hospitality sector plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and development. With the increasing influx of international tourists, Jammu and Kashmir has the potential to capitalize on this opportunity and further enhance its position as a prominent tourist destination.
The tourism and hospitality industry is one of the largest service industries in India. As other parts of hospitality rely heavily on the success of this all-encompassing sector, without travel and tourism, all businesses in any given location, would not be able to grow or even sustain themselves without this sector.
The recent upward trends in the growth of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir have greatly benefitted the hospitality sector.
The rise in religious and experiential tourism can be catered to through Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural heritage, adventure sports, and spiritual tourism offerings along with sustainable and eco-friendly tourism practices placed ideally against the picturesque backdrop of Jammu and Kashmir’s breath-taking landscapes.
The emergence of digital platforms and social media has transformed travel experiences, and hospitality businesses can leverage these tools to showcase their offerings.
By promoting film and adventure tourism, Jammu and Kashmir can diversify its tourism offerings and attract a wider range of travelers, ultimately bolstering the economy and creating employment opportunities within the hospitality sector.”
Elected representatives are also voicing their opinions. Safina Baig, Chairman DDC Baramulla stated : ” G20 session in Kashmir is a positive development of historic proportions. The need of the hour is now that we build the required infrastructure to cater to growing needs of tourism and progress. Often escalating airfares is without a doubt a serious challenge and we need to take a holistic look into it and make them normal. Tourism , international summits all will contribute to peace and prosperity in region.”
Even eminent voices are sharing thoughts on sustainable tourism.
Shahala Ali Sheikh, renowned entrepreneur and environmentalist stated :”
if you really think that the environment is less important than the economy – then try holding your breath while you count your money . We are hopeful that G20 Tourism summit in Kashmir would further strengthen the sustainable tourism in our entire region.”
Dr. Rashmi Singh, IAS, Commissioner Tax Jammu and Kashmir states :”Tourism promotion gives a significant boost to taxes we collect in form of GST.This is on account of hosts of services associated with tourism that come under tax net.
All hotels with room rents over 1000 have to charge GST as per recent notification. We are also bringing awareness amongst other service providers like house boat owners to collect and pay taxes on booking done by them
Revenue thus collected after all goes to boost infrastructure which in turn further boosts tourism. So development and tax are interconnection.”
G20 tourism summit in Kashmir is a great opportunity to see peace and prosperity in entire region.
