Kashmir is often referred as “ Paradise On Earth” and it was always beautiful throughout the year . Each season was mostly remaining beautiful from others but what was unique to all beauty of Kashmir was the winter especially the months of December, January, February and even March. Always winter season was most beautiful because of the dense snowfall especially in tourist destinations.
There is no doubt that snowfall in Kashmir during winters was really a blessing from Almighty Allah .It was working as a treasure of wealth for the valley of Kashmir . As the Holy Quran frequently mentions rainfall as a blessing from Almighty Allah , with Verses like , Surah An-Nahl ( 16:65) stating “ And Allah sends down rain from sky , giving life to the earth after its death, verily in this is a sign for people who listen,” and Surah Qaf (50:09) saying “ And we send down blessed rain from the sky and make grow thereby gardens and grain for harvest.” So, the key points in the Holy Quran reflect that : Rain is repeatedly described as a blessing and sign of Allah’s mercy and power. And The Holy Quran emphasizes how rain brings life to earth reviving dead land and enabling vegetation to grow . So, it clearly shows that rain and snowfall is abundant blessing from Almighty Allah. The older people in Kashmir were considering it as a gift from Almighty Allah (SWT) Allah has created the topography of Jammu and Kashmir with distinctive features and requirements, where seasonal snowfall is very much important. J&K’s topography is characterized by low-lying valley surrounded by mountain ranges. Seasonal snow is an important part of Kashmir’s climate system. Snowfall is crucial in J&K, particularly in Kashmir Valley because it acts as the primary source of freshwater for the region , replenishing rivers and lakes through melting snow from the hills and mountains , supporting agriculture , particularly horticulture and significantly contributing to the local economy through several ways like winter tourism especially in the areas of tourist destinations , where Shikara ride , pony ride , mountaineering , trekking , skiing , camping ,gondola ride , snowboarding , snow festival etc. were popular activities due to snowfall. Snowfall was significantly giving a boost to the Economy of Jammu and Kashmir by attracting a large number of local and foreign tourists to region particularly to places like Gulmarag, Pahalgam, Sinthantop etc. who came to experience winter sports , thereby generating income for locals businesses like hotels ,restaurants , ski instructors ,pony operators and souvenir shops ,essentially driving the tourism industry in the valley . Kashmir, known for its breathtaking landscapes and picturesque winters, has a rich history of snowfall. The Kashmir’s climate and weather patterns have been meticulously documented over the years, providing valuable insights into the occurrence and trends of snowfall in Kashmir.
Economic Benefits Of Snowfall In Kashmir: Snowfall in Kashmir was not only a source of natural beauty and adventure but also a significant booster of economic prosperity for the region. The snow covered landscapes of Kashmir were attracting tourists from across the globe , contributing to various sectors of the local economy .
Besides Countless Benefits Snowfall Was Giving A Boost To The Economy Of Jammu And Kashmir) But, Present Day Prolonged Dry Spell Amid Rising Temperatures In J&K Is A Matter Of Serious Environmental Concern.
Key Points
1:- Source Of Water : The snowfall was and is the primary source of water in Kashmir. It plays a crucial role in feeding the main rivers of J&K . Snow plays the role of natural reservoir , accumulating during winter and gradually melting in spring and summer . Jammu and Kashmir was a home to numerous glaciers , which acted as long term water storage reserves and it works as a critical element in the ecological and economic well being of the region . But, unfortunately in recent years it was observed that because of prolonged dry spell and rising temperatures, the glaciers in J&Ks Pir Panjal range are melting at a higher rate. The melting of glaciers in J&K is going to impact the water availability in the Himalayan region with consequent adverse effect on the dependent livelihoods.
2:- A Boost To Agriculture : The snowfall in Kashmir was significantly giving a boost to agriculture by replenishing water through snowmelt which was and is very crucial for irrigation and it was providing essential moisture to crops , particularly fruits like apples etc, throughout the growing season ,thus ensuring good yield and quality ; a lack of snow can severely impact the region’s agriculture productivity.
3:- Climate Regulation: Snow in Kashmir was acting as a crucial climate regulator by serving as a natural reservoir of water and maintaining cooler temperatures during the hot seasons , thereby regulating the overall climate of the region. But unfortunately, the reduction in snowfall can significantly impact the local ecosystem and economy due to water scarcity.
4:- Boost To Tourism Industry: The snowfall during winters was also giving a boost to tourism industry by witnessing surge in tourist arrivals . Hotels , guest houses ,resorts, markets and shops were thriving due to increased and heightened tourism activities . Snowfall was attracting tourists to Kashmir and boosting the local economy through various activities like, Shikara riding , horse riding, mountaineering, trekking ,skiing, snowboarding, camping, gondola riding and snow festival etc. Snow was playing a significant role in enhancing food tourism in Kashmir, contributing to the regions cultural economy by drawing attention to its rich culinary traditions and winter specific dishes .The cold snowy weather was encouraging locals and tourists seek out traditional Kashmiri dishes that provide warmth and energy.
5:- Employment Opportunities : The timely snowfall during winters in the valley was generating a substantial number of jobs. From guides to hotels and from ski instructors to transporters , a diverse range of employment opportunities was being generated.
6:- Promotion Of Winter Sports :Snowfall in Kashmir was promoting winter sports by providing a thick layer of snow on the slopes and terrain , which was ideal for activities like skiing, snowboarding, sledding and ice skating ,making places like Gulmarg , Pahalgam etc. prime destinations for winter sports . These sports activities were often leading to development of infrastructure.
7:- Sale Of Local Goods And Handicraft Items Of Kashmir : During winters the local goods ,handicraft items and traditional items of Kashmir like Pashmina Shawls, Kashmiri Shawls ,carpets and other handicraft items were being sold at a large scale .
8:- Natural Beauty: The snow tourism used to present the stunning natural beauty of Kashmir to global audiences. As a result more number of visitors and tourists were coming to the valley to enjoy the natural beauty of Kashmir during winters. (But, unfortunately the current dry spell in Kashmir is worrying and is considered very dangerous). The current dry spell in Kashmir is considered very dangerous because it threatens water scarcity, significantly impacting agriculture ,tourism and overall economy of the region by causing depleted rivers , drying up springs like ACHABAL SPRING in Anantnag district and raising concerns about potential crop failures, all due to lack of snowfall and rain during the winter months. The dry spell can also disrupt the delicate ecosystem of the Kashmir impacting wildlife and vegetation. A decline in agricultural production could severely affect the livelihood of farmers and orchardists, while a drop in tourism due to dry weather further impacts the local economy. Experts warn that if the dry spell persists, it could lead to a serious drought situation in J&K.
Conclusion: To reduce the impact of global warming , all stakeholders including individuals , communities , businesses and government should take steps at both individual and social level by practicing sustainable behaviors like reducing energy consumption , switching to renewable energy resources , promoting sustainable transportation , supporting environmentally conscious policies for conserving water , reducing waste and promoting environmental education within their spheres of influence . Simultaneously, we all should try to please Allah (SWT) both at the individual and social level , so that Almighty Allah Subhana Wa Tallah may be very kind to us all and bless Jammu And Kashmir once again with rain and snow according to the need of hour ,in which ease is created for all of us.
(The author a teacher by profession is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Irshad Ahmad Irshad
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