Srinagar: The Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), University of Kashmir (KU) organized a one-day national seminar on “Sustainable Tourism and Rural Development: Bridging Gaps for a Better Tomorrow.”
The seminar was sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi, under the Vision Viksit Bharat @2047 initiative.
The seminar brought together scholars, researchers, and policymakers to deliberate on strategies for fostering sustainable tourism while ensuring the development of rural communities, paving the way for a more resilient and prosperous future.
While presiding over the seminar Vice Chancellor KU Prof. Nilofer Khan emphasized the crucial role of universities in addressing societal challenges.
Highlighting the responsibility of academia and youth engagement she stated “The quantum of research work done on this direction needs to be disseminated at grassroots level root level for practical results for the benefit of the society. The youth, as agents of change, must actively contribute to sustainable development and it should be our effort as institutions of higher learning and research to engage youth in this direction.”
She stressed the need for interdepartmental collaborations on such issues concerning the economy and ecology of the region and suggested drafting a comprehensive roadmap that would first be shared at the university level before being presented to policymakers.
In his remarks Dean Academic Affairs KU Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, elaborated on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable tourism and rural development. He cautioned against the unregulated use of agricultural land for commercial purpose and deforestation, linking them to climate change and declining rainfall patterns over the past three years.
Speaking on the occasion Dean Research KU Prof. Mohammad Sultan Bhat underscored the multiplier effect of sustainable tourism and rural development on various sectors, including employment generation. Referring to the delay in the Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg due to deficit snowfall, he highlighted the urgent need for sustainable practices to combat climate change.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof. Tariq Chesti, Director, CDOE KU, provided an overview of the seminar’s theme, significance, and objectives in the current global and regional context. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Mushtaq A. Dar, Dean School of Open Learning KU while Dr. Aneeda Jan, Faculty at CDOE KU conducted the proceedings of the inaugural session.
