Tourism's Toxic Turn: The Case Of Keran

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)

Instead of everyday Instagram reels, dramatic public speeches, and asking mobile journalists to make Bollywood-style reels, there is a serious responsibility. Officials have taken an oath and are paid from taxpayers' money. The system will never respond to the silent cries of locals until the 'Babus' walk the same troubled roads that people hope will lead to a better future

By Kamran Ashraf Bhat

In 2016, I had the chance to travel to Keran, a small tehsil near the Line of Control in Kupwara. At the time, I was working with a local newspaper, and we were on assignment to take a firsthand look at the plight of locals who had consistently approached us through our reporter from Kundian, urging us to cover the overall situation in Keran.

The complaints were diverse and concerning-medical services, education, government document processing, roads, drinking water facilities, and the exploration of natural beauty. Every issue was a tale of degradation, and the locals were the first to suffer. We conducted thorough interviews and published many stories, causing the administration of the time some embarrassment. Amid all this, people saw hope in us, but for me, a very junior reporter, I saw a pristine beauty, a pattern of authenticity, and natural charm. I was fascinated and taken aback by how elemental forces-rushing river water, fresh breezes, and lush green but intimidating forests-converged in Keran.

Those two nights our team spent there were awe-inspiring for me. I had never felt so relaxed, so peaceful. Waking up early in the morning, with clouds entering my room through a window and the soothing sound of the river running near the elevated strip of land where this small village was situated, was a transformative experience.

This first encounter had such a profound impact on my life that whenever I wanted to relax or take a break from the stressful, noisy society, I found refuge in the valley of Keran. It became my process of“detox,” and truly, it always was.

However, in the last few years, a campaign to explore border tourism, a brainchild of the Indian Army, has reached new levels. The Army had good intentions: providing a secure way for tourists, both local and from outside Jammu and Kashmir, to visit these areas, thereby promoting sustainable economic development for locals. It was expected that locals could harness resources for a better future. But with great opportunity comes greater responsibility, and it seems Keran is now being exploited in the name of tourism by the administration.

The Indian Army provided a helping hand with security and eased the process of obtaining security passes but they can't be expected to manage civil administration functions. Recent photos, videos, and phone conversations reveal that Keran, once a place for detoxification, is being pushed towards toxicity.

A proper mechanism for preserving its authentic charm and ecological importance is being neglected, and no one from the civil administration seems concerned about the prevailing issues. If a place is promoted as a prime tourist destination, the responsible authorities should always have a plan to protect it from exploitation and pollution.

From riverbanks to the main areas of Keran, plastic bags are everywhere. With the influx of lakhs of tourists, a proper system to manage pollution should have been in place. Slowly, the area is turning into a trash bin. The time is not far when tourists will stop coming, and locals will disown their own place.

Our people have not yet reached a level of civic responsibility where they will carry back their trash, so there should be restrictions and awareness campaigns until better civic sense prevails. But how long will it take for the 'Babus' to realize the importance of ecological safety and environmental preservation over air-conditioned offices?

Our officers, coming from the same society, have an ingrained behavior: we wait for disaster to strike before addressing underlying issues, wasting billions in the process.

Instead of everyday Instagram reels, dramatic public speeches, and asking mobile journalists to make Bollywood-style reels, there is a serious responsibility. Officials have taken an oath and are paid from taxpayers' money. The system will never respond to the silent cries of locals until the 'Babus' walk the same troubled roads that people hope will lead to a better future.

Before tensions escalate between locals and tourists-since there have been incidents of locals exploiting tourists-the system should be in place to ensure everyone's safety.

Views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer

• The author is a former executive editor of a local daily and has completed research on cinema and television at Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, Turkey

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