Economic and Environmental Impact of Pilgrimage Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir: A case study of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage

Dr Virender Koundal

Volume : VI, Issue : III, March - 2016

Economic and Environmental Impact of Pilgrimage Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir: A case study of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage

Dr Virender Koundal

Abstract :

Tourism is one of the biggest and fastest growing sectors in the global economy and has significant socio–economic, cultural and environmental effects, both positive and negative. In J&k economy, there are number of tourist places but pilgrimage tourism has its own importance after the eruption of militancy in the state. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage is one such place where visiting once, thought as: one can fulfill all his/her desires and simultaneously such type of visits, boost the economic growth of the state. The number of pilgrims to the Shrine is increasing with each passing year. Presently, 38,000 pilgrims visit the shrine every day, on an average. But this increasing number of tourist not only increasing the growth of the economy but directly or indirectly is influencing the environment of the state also. We have calculated the tourist’s spending per trip within the state. The spending of pilgrims was mainly spread over shopping, boarding, lodging, internal transport, restaurant, Prasad and offerings etc. handicrafts, accommodation, transport and restaurant industry bears maximum impact of pilgrims spending. So we agree that tourism has improved the situation of the state but simultaneously it has put enormous pressures on the environment of the state such as soil erosion, increased pollution, waste generation, natural habitat loss and strains on water resources. Many of these impacts are linked with the construction of general infrastructure such as roads and of tourism facilities, including hotels, restaurants, shops etc. Therefore, the present paper aims to highlight the income effect and environmental impacts of pilgrimage tourism on the economy of J&K state with special reference ot Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.