Climate change threatens J&K adventure tourism; CM calls for urgent sustainable action

Addressing the 17th ATOAI Convention, Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir, cautioned that climate change is a serious and immediate threat to adventure tourism, particularly skiing and glacier-based activities. “I can’t sell Gulmarg as a skiing destination if I don’t have snow. I can’t sell glaciers for ice climbing or mountaineering if those glaciers are melting before our eyes,” he said. Highlighting shrinking ski seasons and receding glaciers, Abdullah stressed the need for responsible and sustainable tourism. He said protecting fragile ecosystems is essential to ensure adventure tourism remains viable for future generations.