Over the years, the Jammu and Kashmir government is seriously pursuing its agenda of promoting tourism across the world and attracting growing number of footfalls. It has succeeded in its endeavor significantly with not only increase in the domestic tourists, there is 300 per cent increase in international tourists according to JKTDC officials.
This has led to discover and open new places of attraction to over come the crowding at destinations besides opening economic opportunities for the locals who have been bereft of reaping the benefits of tourism economy.
Nilnag is one of the attractions that over the years has been developed and opened up for the tourists. The road leading towards the lake is fully macadamized though it attracts the local visitors only.
The outside tourists are little seen at this place given the poor promotion of the place. However, what has been disturbing on this site, open littering, polluted lake and no facilities for the visitors to attend the call of nature. It doesn’t even have a drinking water facility.
Those who lack the civic sense throws the waste and left out easily into the waters of lake. Before the lake could become the attention for tourists from other parts of the country, it has already started struggling with serious pollution issues.
Not only these uncivil behaviors of people affect its pristine waters, however, the deep woods are equally facing a challenge where the garbage and litter is dumped callously. No official from the Yousmarg Development Authority is seen on the ground who have actually developed the destination for the tourists to guide the people and implement the rules for its preservation.
This callous attitude of our officials can only bring more destruction of such places since the fragile economy of Kashmir is already facing an onslaught on many fronts. If the officials in helm of affairs are incompetent or helpless to preserve the environment, let them not open and develop these places for the people.
