Budget promises development of eco-trails in J&K

Srinagar, Feb 1: The Union Budget 2026 has announced the development of eco-friendly mountain trails in J&K and other Himalayan states.

This is a significant step towards sustainable tourism frameworks in the fragile environment zones.

The proposal could have a particular significance for J&K where unregulated tourism and land-use patterns are accelerating climate change and eroding fragile ecosystems and threatening local livelihoods. J&Kís economy is connected to climate-sensitive sectors such as tourism, horticulture and hydropower.

The proposed trails offer strict ecological safeguards, and if implemented, could help in shifting tourism away from high-impact infrastructure expansion.

A regulated, low-footfall access in vulnerable landscapes is expected to be imposed through the proposal.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that India has the potential and opportunity to offer world-class trekking and hiking experiences.

She emphasised low-impact activities that integrate conservation with economic growth.

In J&K, tourism industry experts have long demanded focus towards responsible tourism.

As per stakeholders, this could revitalise the region’s adventure economy with ecological safeguards.

Tourism pressure exaggerates the vulnerabilities of Kashmirís eco-fragile regions.

Famous destinations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg witness sharp seasonal spikes in visitors.

This overwhelms local waste management and sewage systems, plastic wastes creating a havoc of sorts everywhere. Moreover, the unregulated and unmonitored encroachment of tourism activities into the nascent natural lakes, mountains and forests is a major threat that is swelling every year.

The social media trends further compound the concerns.

This initiative announced by the Finance Minister is expected to develop the Himalayas in India as a potential global hub for trekking and hiking.

However, the projects will be designed to preserve fragile ecosystems and boost local economies.

Focus will also be on job creation in the tourism sector.

J&K has already witnessed extensive environmental degradation over the past decades.

Peer-reviewed assessments show Kashmir has lost more than 152 sq km of forest cover since 1989.

In addition, glacier retreat is a major threat to Kashmirís water security.

Kolahoi Glacier has retreated by nearly 3 km since the mid-19th century.

This is among Kashmirís most important ice masses.

Scientists have warned that continued warming will further disrupt meltwater flows, impacting agriculture, drinking water supplies and also downstream hydropower projects.

Many studies have shown that high-altitude regions in the Himalayas are warming significantly faster than the global average.

This increases the frequency of cloudbursts, flash floods and prolonged dry spells.

The recent extreme events in the Himalayas reinforce these warnings.

Cloudbursts and flash floods in 2025 created devastation in Jammu and Kashmir, in addition to the neighbouring Himalayan states.

Scientists have cautioned that such extreme events are likely to become more frequent with erratic temperatures and precipitation patterns.