Srinagar, October 15: The Ecotourism Association of Kashmir (ETAK) has initiated consultations to formulate a comprehensive ecotourism policy for Jammu and Kashmir, with plans to submit a white paper containing policy recommendations to the government for consideration.
The association held the first round of its Eco Tourism Special Board of Advisors meeting at Hotel Palm Springs, Wazir Bagh, Srinagar, on Thursday. The meeting brought together representatives of the tourism and hospitality industry, environmentalists, legal experts and academia to discuss a framework for sustainable tourism development.
The meeting was chaired by Mushtaq Chaya, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club, and convened by ETAK president Sameer Baktoo.
Participants included Vinit Chabbra, general manager of The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg; Akib Chaya, chairman of the J&K Hoteliers Club’s Gulmarg chapter; Rouf Tramboo, president of the Adventure Tour Operators Association; Nasir Shah, chairman of the IATO J&K chapter; Advocate Nadeem Qadri, legal adviser to ETAK; environmentalist Dr Tausif Bhat; and Prof. Riyaz Ahmad of the University of Kashmir’s Department of Tourism Studies.
The discussions focused on developing a practical and inclusive policy that balances tourism growth and local livelihoods with the protection of Kashmir’s natural landscapes, biodiversity, water bodies and fragile mountain ecosystems.
Participants also stressed the need for better coordination among tourism associations, hospitality businesses, adventure tourism operators, environmental experts and academic institutions to develop actionable policy recommendations.
Speaking at the meeting, Baktoo said responsible tourism and environmental conservation needed to go hand in hand to ensure that tourism-generated economic opportunities did not compromise the region’s ecological integrity.
He highlighted the importance of sustainable tourism practices, environmental awareness, responsible visitor behaviour, effective waste management and protection of ecologically sensitive destinations.
Baktoo said Thursday’s meeting was the first stage of a wider consultation process. ETAK plans to hold further meetings with tourism stakeholders, environmentalists, subject experts and other representatives before finalising the proposed white paper.
The document will incorporate suggestions and expert inputs gathered during the consultations and will subsequently be submitted to the concerned government authorities for consideration and possible incorporation into the ecotourism policy framework.
The association said the consultation process would seek to include the perspectives of the tourism industry, environmental experts, academia and local communities, taking into account Jammu and Kashmir’s geographical and ecological conditions.
ETAK reiterated its commitment to working with the government, tourism industry and academic and environmental organisations to promote responsible tourism and protect the region’s natural heritage.
The initiative is being guided by the association’s stated principle, “Love for Kashmir, Love for the Environment.”
