Book:         Ecotourism Destinations Gurez, Gangbal & Gulmarg
Reviewer:  Suhail Muhammad
Author:     O P  Sharma ‘Vidyarthi’ IFS
Price:        Rs. 400/=
Publisher: Manvi Prakashan, Panjtirthi, Jammu

It focuses on lesser explored eco-tourism spots like Gurez and Gangbal. Suhail Muhammad reviews a book authored by O P Sharma.

The Valley of Kashmir plays home to a rich cultural and natural heritage including picturesque mountains, lush green meadows, high altitude lakes, fascinating forest flowers, glaciers and mountain springs which attract tourists from across the world. ‘Eco-tourism’ is a more recent concept which involves traveling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with a specified object of studying and enjoying the scenic landscapes with its wild plants and animals as well as existing cultural traditions found in those areas.
The book under review, “Eco-tourism Destinations: Gurez, Gangbal and Gulmarg” focuses on lesser explored eco-tourism spots like Gurez and Gangbal, highlighting thrills of travels in spring, summer, autumn and winter seasons in these areas. The book written by a Senior IFS officer of J&K is a useful compilation highlighting the immense potential of Eco-tourism in J&K. The national parks, Sanctuaries and several forest areas located outside the Protected Areas Network offer tremendous opportunities to the tourists to appreciate nature, flora, fauna, local culture and traditions. The Civil Society needs to be made aware that Eco-tourism represents a shift in focus from economic aspects of tourism towards ecologically sustainable tourism having focus on livelihood and income generation by expanding the job-opportunities in the fields like snow skiing, mountaineering, photography, river rafting, transportation, botanization, wildlife viewing and bird watching.
Conscious of the potential and necessity to promote eco-tourism to keep the environment clean and healthy, the author has explained in detail the floristic and faunistic composition of Gurez, Gangbal and Gulmarg besides highlighting the traditional utility of mountain flora and fauna incorporating their Shina, Gojri, Dogri and Kashmiri names. There is also a chapter regarding mountain wildlife including insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Mountain poetess Habba Khatoon who has been adored and revered by the Kashmiris since centuries has also been discussed in detail in the book. The inclusion of coloured photographs of wild ornamentals, Mountain Shrubs, Medicinal herbs, Forest Edibles, Butterflies and insects, birds & animals Mountain Festivals and nomads  has made the book quite attractive.
The book provides an in-depth survey of flora and fauna found in the sylvan surroundings of these areas. The Book is going to benefit all those interested in planning and implementing the Eco-tourism facilities and also to encourage visit of the tourists, academicians, nature loves, bird watchers and trekkers to the beautiful and picturesque landscapes of Kashmir. Forest Department and Tourism department need to work together to prioritize Eco-tourism spots for expanding job opportunities and Conservation of natural & cultural wealth of the ethnic Communities in the State.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 7 Sep 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
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