Srinagar, Dec 17: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the government is exploring artificial snow generation technology to sustain skiing and winter tourism in Gulmarg, as the impact of climate change has sharply shortened the snow season in Kashmir.
Speaking at the 17th Annual Convention of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) at SKICC Srinagar, CM Omar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said, “If I don’t have snow, I can’t sell Gulmarg. I can’t sell glaciers for ice climbing if those glaciers melt. We see them receding before our eyes.”
He recalled how the Thajwas glacier near Sonamarg has dramatically retreated within his lifetime, underscoring that climate change is no longer a distant concern but a visible crisis for the region’s tourism economy.
“If Gulmarg were a private ski destination rather than government-supported, it might have ceased to exist today,” Omar said. “We barely get snow for a month or a month and a half now, whereas we used to ski from December till March.”
To counter this, the CM said the government is actively considering the use of “artificial snow-making systems” to extend ski seasons. “We have sub-zero temperatures but lack precipitation. That’s where new technology can help,” he added, urging industry stakeholders to innovate for survival.
Abdullah said the shrinking snow cover poses a challenge to J&K’s traditional winter calendar and called for diversifying adventure offerings beyond skiing, including paragliding, whitewater rafting, mountaineering, trekking and hot air ballooning to position Jammu and Kashmir as a year-round adventure destination.
He said the government has already trained a new batch of paragliding pilots and instructors and plans to expand aerial adventure activities in the near future. “Adventure tourism opens doors to unexplored geographies, creating livelihoods and connecting communities,” he said.
The Chief Minister further stressed the need for responsible and safe adventure tourism, remarking that “adventure tourism is not another word for organised suicide. It’s about excitement done responsibly, sustainably, and repeatably.”
Lauding ATOAI for framing national safety guidelines, Omar said the J&K government will work closely with the association to ensure that all adventure activities meet global safety standards.
“This year has tested us in ways not of our making, from Pahalgam to unseasonal rains and the Delhi blast, yet our tourism industry has shown remarkable resilience,” he said, praising operators and stakeholders for “keeping the wheels turning in uncertain times”.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to sustainability, the CM said, “We must protect the very landscapes people come to experience. If we don’t act now, the adventure tourism we enjoy today might vanish before our children get to see it. Let’s ensure we pass on not just memories but mountains, snow and rivers still alive.” (KNO)
