Kashmir - The Future of Tourism

Kashmir at a Crossroads

Why Governance Must Return to the People

Kashmir🎬

The region of Jammu & Kashmir, long considered the crown of India, has immense potential in two critical sectors—agriculture and tourism. Yet, its journey toward peace and prosperity remains stalled. The abrogation of Article 370, hailed by some as a bold move for integration, increasingly appears to have deepened governance gaps, especially after incidents like the Pahalgam internal security fiasco and Operation Sindoor.

These recent security lapses underline a harsh truth: centralized governance cannot replace local accountability. Kashmir’s local police and administrative apparatus must be led by the region’s own people. Without a sense of ownership and representation, any top-down approach will fail to bring stability or trust.

Agriculture and Tourism: Time for a Reset

If Kashmir is to grow, it must be built from the grassroots up. Agriculture, the backbone of the local economy, needs modern infrastructure, sustainable practices, and market linkages that empower local farmers, not distant corporations. Tourism, too, needs a reorientation—one that benefits local communities, protects the environment, and builds authentic experiences rather than hollow, security-heavy showcases.

The Political Misstep of Union Territory Status

Transforming Jammu & Kashmir into a Union Territory was seen by many as a step toward better control. In reality, it has stripped the region of its democratic agency. The people of Kashmir deserve a leadership that is both accountable and rooted in their realities—not distant bureaucrats with little understanding of the ground situation.

While the government used its majority in both Houses of Parliament and secured the President’s nod to push through constitutional changes, such actions highlight a troubling pattern of executive overreach—something India has seen recently in other controversial matters, such as the administration of Waqf properties.

Reclaiming the Future

The Kashmiri leadership must now press its legal and constitutional challenge to these amendments. India’s strength has always come from its democratic ethos—not merely economic ambitions. In focusing too narrowly on being a business-friendly state, the current leadership risks alienating regions that need empathy, not just efficiency.

There’s an old adage: “You can hide your agendas, but not your ignorance.” Kashmir’s future cannot be scripted by those who lack insight into its history, people, and complexities.

It is time to bring local governance, dignity, and development back to the Valley. If Kashmir must rise, it must do so with its people—not in spite of them.

In just four years, as private players, we achieved what massive Govt Budgets & decades of infrastructure have struggled to deliver. This Campaign is proof that with agility, innovation & unwavering intent, transformation is possible—even in the most complex landscapes like Kashmir.🤔

© Rohit Singh Negi