Bharat bandh: Trade unions' strike disrupts services in Kolkata
The Amarnath Yatra has seen over one lakh pilgrims visit the holy cave in the Himalayas during its first week. This surge in attendance has sparked optimism among the J&K administration, Amarnath Shrine Board, and the local tourism sector.
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Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
CM Omar Abdullah says tourism bouncing back in J&K post Pahalgam attack
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that there is an air of optimism about the revival of tourism in the Union Territory after the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people, mostly visitors, dead. Speaking at a travel and tourism event here, Abdullah said there is hope for a new beginning in J&K with tourism "bouncing back" after the terror attack. "2025 is not an easy year for us. The year can be divided into two parts - before and after the Pahalgam attack. We all see that tourism is bouncing back in J&K. There is a message of hope," Abdullah said. People of West Bengal are with J&K, he said, adding that the relationship between the two regions transcends over time in the context of "trust and affection". "West Bengal stood with J&K both politically and economically. We offer adventure and destination tourism. On the ground, there is an air of hope of a new beginning," the chief minister said. Abdullah assured that all necessary steps have been taken for the safety of tourists in J&K. "I understand everyone's concern after the Pahalgam incident. But please be assured that all necessary steps have been taken. Please listen to the people who have returned from Pahalgam recently," he said. The Amarnath yatra is also taking place, and there has also been a noticeable increase in the number of direct flights to J&K, Abdullah said. "Tourism is bouncing back. I am here in the city (Kolkata) to boost that", he said. Tourists are allowed to go to Pahalgam now, he said. "There are some places where we are conducting security audits. We are working to give tourists a safe and secure destination," Abdullah added.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Tourism returns to Kashmir after Pahalgam attack: J&K CM Omar Abdullah
KOLKATA: Tourism is returning to Jammu and Kashmir after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack which killed 26 people, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in Kolkata on Thursday. Speaking at the inauguration of the Travel and Tourism Fair in the city, he hoped for a new beginning of tourism in the Valley. Abdullah said, 'This year is not easy for us. 2025 can be divided into two parts - before and after the Pahalgam attack. We now see that tourism is returning back to J&K. There is a message of hope.' He also expressed his gratitude to the people of West Bengal for being with J&K. 'West Bengal stood firmly with J&K both politically and economically,' he added. In his bid to lure more tourists from West Bengal, he assured that all necessary steps have been taken for the safety of tourists in J&K. 'Everyone is concerned after the Pahalgam incident. I understand it. But please be assured that all necessary steps have been taken for the safety of the tourists,' he said, while adding that the Amarnath Yatra has also started. 'Tourism is bouncing back in J&K. I am in Kolkata to further boost that. Tourists are now allowed to go to Pahalgam. But there are some places where we are conducting security audits. We are working to ensure a safe and secure destination for the tourists,' he added.
India Today
4 hours ago
- India Today
Why is Baba Barfani melting so fast this year? Pilgrims share alarming observations
This year's Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 3 under tight security arrangements, has left many devotees in emotional distress, not due to the treacherous path or biting cold, but because of what they saw (or didn't see) inside the holy naturally formed ice Shivling of Baba Barfani, an iconic symbol of Lord Shiva appears to be melting faster than ever before. Aaj Tak reporter Jitendra Bahadur Singh, who undertook the yatra with the first batch of pilgrims, reported a stark contrast compared to previous visits in 2018 and 2022. Back then, the Shivling stood tall at nearly 12–15 feet. But this year, only a 1.5 to 2-foot formation was visible and it had already started melting away. Tent facilities around the shrine. advertisementDUST, HEAT, AND MELTING GLACIERSCamera visuals captured en route from Baltal to the Amarnath shrine show the path blanketed in dust. The once-glacier-laden routes are now dry and muddy. Devotees walking, riding mules, or being carried on palanquins have stirred up heavy dust clouds. The intense heat in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly around Srinagar, appears to be worsening the melting of snow and ice. According to weather experts and local officials, rising temperatures and a lack of snowfall in recent years have significantly reduced ice retention across the FROM THE YATRASanjeev Saurabh from Patna, a pilgrim who has taken the Amarnath Yatra annually for the past 15 years, was deeply moved.'In the early years, Baba's ice form stood 12 to 15 feet high majestic and spiritually overwhelming. But this time, I barely saw a few feet of ice. It feels like Lord Shiva is withdrawing. People say it's global warming. I feel it's a result of declining human values across the globe,' he said, holding back tears.'Once we needed woolens to even enter the shrine; now we can walk in wearing a thin shirt. I did the abhishek (ritual bathing) of my lord with tears.'Vishal Jain, a businessman from Delhi, echoed similar concerns.'This year, I didn't feel the chill I used to. The entire trail was dusty due to the mules. The snow, which used to cover the entire route, is mostly gone. I reached the shrine in just a thin tracksuit and was covered in dust. I saw barely any Shivling, just a fading patch of ice.' Pictures of route while going to the shrine. FORMER IPS OFFICER SHARED GROUND REALITYRaja Babu Singh, former IG of BSF (Kashmir) who supervised the security arrangements along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes in 2022, shared his observations.'There has been a visible reduction in snowfall in recent years. Earlier, the entire route was untouched, natural terrain. Today, due to heavy troop deployment, helicopter traffic, and lakhs of pilgrims, the environment is under severe stress. Climate change has only worsened the situation.'THREE DECADES OF WITNESS: VETERAN PILGRIM SPEAKSadvertisementRavindra Kumar Sharma, chief patron of Shiv Bhakti Seva Trust in Rohini, Delhi, has been visiting Amarnath since 1996 and has had 40 darshans of Baba Barfani. He notes drastic changes over the years.'In the late '90s and early 2000s, the Shivling would remain for 35–40 days and stand as tall as 16 feet. Today, it melts within a week. Earlier, only a few hundred pilgrims would visit. Now, the number has swelled to over 7.5 lakh annually. Helicopter traffic has also increased. While the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has made the journey easier with improved infrastructure, it has also accelerated environmental degradation.'This year, extreme heat and lack of rain further worsened conditions. Dust storms plagued the trail, and even in Srinagar, pilgrims noted summer-like heat, forcing them to wear half-sleeve shirts instead of woolens. Image of the exit route after the darshan. IS THIS NATURE WARNING?The rapid disappearance of the holy Shivling has left devotees with a deep sense of loss and fear. Whether it's the result of climate change, over-tourism, or a deeper spiritual disconnect, the signs are unmistakable: Baba Barfani is melting faster than ever pilgrim Sanjeev Saurabh warns, 'It feels like Mahadev is about to open his third eye. It's time we correct our ways before it's too late.'- Ends
