The experts’ observations regarding water-based activities at Mansar Lake and the Baglihar Hydroelectric Project dam site reveal a significant shift in the region’s tourism and environmental strategies. While these areas were initially considered for such activities to boost tourism, expert opinions and environmental restrictions, particularly due to Ramsar site regulations, have steered the discourse in a different direction. Mansar Lake, designated as a Ramsar site, holds immense ecological significance, which comes with stringent restrictions on activities that may disturb its delicate ecosystem. Given the constraints, motorboats and water sports cannot be introduced here without violating international agreements and disrupting aquatic life. This restriction, while perhaps disappointing from a tourism development perspective, is crucial for the preservation of biodiversity, a priority that must not be compromised. The Baglihar Hydroelectric Project dam site faces a different but equally valid concern-safety. Experts, including those from the National Institute of Water Sports in Goa, have advised against such activities, recognising the hazards inherent in the Chenab’s flow. Ignoring such expert advice would endanger lives, which cannot be allowed at any cost.
Beyond these environmental and safety issues, the Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority also faces financial constraints. With a limited budget of Rs 1-1.25 crore per year, it is nearly impossible to fund large-scale tourism infrastructure projects. This financial limitation, combined with the environmental restrictions imposed by the Wildlife Protection Department, means that any future development will need to be eco-friendly and modest in scale. The significant road sinking around Surinsar Lake is another pressing concern that demands urgent attention and resolution. By ensuring long-term solutions based on expert advice, authorities can prevent recurring damage and ensure safe, sustainable tourist access. Keeping the constraints, there is limited tourism potential within activities such as bird-watching, hiking, and eco-tours. The constraints highlight a disconnect with the region’s on-the-ground realities when drafting tourism policies. The much-publicised Surinsar-Mansar Rejuvenation Plan has reached a standstill. Substantial unwanted delays have been there. The Tourism Department must develop alternative plans to effectively tap region’s tourism potential.
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