Kashmir history lives in its stones and waters. The Mughal gardens of Srinagar, the old structures scattered across towns, and the shrines along its rivers all tell stories that stretch back centuries. Tourists come with cameras and curiosity, often unaware that every step leaves a mark. Protecting these treasures has become a daily struggle.

Local caretakers know this struggle well. The Shankaracharya Temple, calm and timeless, overlooks Srinagar, but its steps and walls show the wear of time, weather, and visitors. Small towns with historic mosques face the same challenge. Tourism brings income, but it also chips away at the very heritage that draws people in.

Srinagar roughly sees over 1.5 million tourists each year. Visitors bring money, but they also bring pressure: crowded streets, litter, and delicate carvings at risk. Many of these buildings are centuries old, and keeping them intact requires skills that fewer artisans now practice. Repairs are slow, expensive, and often beyond the means of local communities.

The tension between tourism and preservation is clear in conversations with guides and shopkeepers. Some see heritage as a resource to share and sell. Others worry that turning it into a business erases the soul that makes it special. A guide in Old Srinagar remembers when the market around Jamia Masjid was unruffled. Today, shops fill every alley, and he fears the calm, reflective atmosphere is disappearing.

There are ways to protect Kashmir's past. Community projects maintain key sites, digital archives preserve carvings and frescoes, and training programs revive traditional skills among local artisans. But these efforts need attention, support, and a careful balance between earning a living and honouring culture.

Kashmir heritage isn't just for visitors. It carries the dreams of poets, the visions of rulers, and the memories of generations.

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