Srinagar, Aug. 6 -- Eco-tourism in Jammu and Kashmir is a test of whether development can proceed without dismantling the environment. Valleys, lakes, wetlands, and forests form the base of the tourism economy. These assets are under pressure from expansion, construction, and profit-driven projects. Destination-specific master plans are essential. Each ecological zone has limits, and without safeguards, eco-tourism will collapse.

The framework that identifies carrying capacity, biodiversity conservation, and waste management is clear. Plastic-free zones, sewage treatment plants, and community-led conservation are necessary. Yet wetlands continue to be encroached upon, water bodies degraded, and illegal structures built. Enforcement remai...