Anza Tariq and Dr. Lokeshver Singh Jodhana
Abstract:
Tourism remains one of the fastest-growing global industries, contributing significantly to economic development, employment, and cross-cultural interaction. However, its rapid expansion has also led to profound implications for the environment both beneficial and detrimental. In ecologically fragile destinations like the Valley of Kashmir, famously known as the “Paradise on Earth,” the tourism–environment nexus is particularly critical. Owing to limited industrialization and a heavy dependence on natural assets such as pristine landscapes, snow-capped mountains, serene lakes, and unique biodiversity, tourism serves as a principal driver of the regional economy.
