IMPACT OF CONFLICT ON TOURISM INDUSTRY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Author Name: Kahkeshan Shanaz

Volume/Issue: 1/09

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/09.2021-46416287/UIJIR

Affiliation:

PhD. Research Scholar, University of Jammu (180001) India

ABSTRACT

Tourism plays a vital role in economic development of number of countries across the globe. During the last two and half decades Jammu and Kashmir has been under the political turmoil. During the turmoil hundreds and thousands of precious lives have been wasted. When we look into the circumstances in Jammu and Kashmir it is not only the precious lives that has been lost, other segments of the state also received a considerable down fall. The specific objective of the study is to get the inferences about the impact of armed conflict on tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Known for its extravagant and breath-taking beauty throughout the world, Kashmir has aptly been described as “The Paradise on Earth’’. Bubbling streams, lush green meadows and lily-laden lakes- the vale of Kashmir is any tourist’s dream. While as places like Gulmarg, Phalgam, Dal Lake, Wular Lake are worth seeing tourist spots in the valley. Besides these, Shri Mata Vashino Devi, Amar Mahal place, Ragunath Temple are most attractive tourist’s destination in Jammu region. Ladakh is no less important when it comes to the question of Tourism in J&K. Tourism tag has always placed state of J&K in the limelight of national as well as international scene. Efforts have been made to increase arrival of tourists in the state. However, state has witnessed ups & downs in the last thirty years of turmoil. The start of armed struggle in mid-80’s created the sense of fear both within the state as well outside. The state saw worst days in its history and tourism industry was greatly harmed by both armed struggle as well as by counter operations by security forces. There was hardly any tourist who would visit the state particularly valley of Kashmir once lauded as heaven on earth. However, it was only in recent last decade when state saw its revival phenomena of tourist industry. But with the growing violence and turmoil in the Kashmir since 2008 once again have put this industry in backseats. The present paper attempts to empirically study the economic impact of armed conflict on Kashmir tourism.

Key words: Armed conflict, Jammu and Kashmir, tourism, violence.