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India’s Jammu And Kashmir Records Significant Growth In Tourist Arrivals, Raising Alarm Over Overcrowding And Strain On Local Infrastructure

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Published on
August 25, 2025

Tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir have surged significantly in 2024, with a notable increase in both domestic and international visitors. The region welcomed 2.35 crore domestic tourists, a substantial rise from 2.06 crore in 2023, along with a growth in foreign tourist arrivals, reaching 65,452 compared to 55,337 the previous year. This upward trend can be attributed to the growing popularity of the region, driven by its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and improved accessibility. However, this boom in tourism has raised concerns over overcrowding, particularly in popular destinations, leading to challenges in managing infrastructure and preserving the environment. As India’s tourism sector continues to flourish, there is an urgent need for better crowd management and sustainable development strategies to ensure the region can handle the influx of visitors without compromising its appeal.

Tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir have experienced a notable increase over the past year, marking the region as one of the top travel destinations in northern India. The latest data released by the Union government reveals that Jammu and Kashmir attracted 2.35 crore domestic tourists in 2024, marking a notable increase from 2.06 crore in 2023. Foreign tourist arrivals also saw a rise, climbing from 55,337 in 2023 to 65,452 in 2024, reflecting growing international interest in the area.

This surge places Jammu and Kashmir ahead of other popular northern destinations, including Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, in terms of domestic tourism numbers. In contrast, Ladakh, a neighboring region, saw a decline in domestic visitors, dropping from nearly 4.9 lakh in 2023 to 3.36 lakh in 2024. However, foreign arrivals to Ladakh experienced a modest increase, indicating that while domestic travel may be down, international interest persists.

These figures were presented in Parliament following a question about overcrowding at India’s top tourist destinations. Despite growing concerns, the Union government admitted that no dedicated study has been conducted to evaluate the problem of overcrowding in these areas. Instead, it was noted that the responsibility for managing tourism flows falls under the jurisdiction of state and Union Territory administrations, leaving the matter largely in local hands.

To address these challenges, the central government has made efforts to support sustainable tourism development through various initiatives. The Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme and the Challenge Based Destination Development initiative are among the programs providing financial assistance to state governments and Union Territories. These schemes aim to improve infrastructure and promote responsible tourism practices, including measures for managing carrying capacity at popular destinations.

Among the proposed measures are eco-friendly transportation options, surveillance through CCTV monitoring, solar-powered lighting, waste management systems, and the installation of bio-toilets. These efforts aim to enhance the sustainability of tourist destinations while managing the increasing number of visitors. In addition, through the ‘Special Assistance to the States for Capital Investment’ programme, the central government has sanctioned 40 initiatives nationwide aimed at enhancing and modernizing tourism infrastructure.

As part of these initiatives, states and Union Territories are advised to assess the carrying capacities of their tourist destinations, ensuring that growth in tourism does not overwhelm local resources or damage the environment. Additionally, the government has introduced the ‘Travel for LiFE’ programme, encouraging travelers to adopt more responsible and eco-conscious travel behaviors.

Despite the growing influx of tourists, concerns about safety have been raised, particularly as the government does not maintain comprehensive data on tourist accidents. Opposition members in Parliament highlighted this issue, stressing the need for better tracking and reporting to ensure the safety and well-being of visitors. The absence of such data has been viewed as a gap in the government’s ability to address potential risks in the tourism sector.

The significant increase in tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of northern India reflects the region’s rising appeal. However, without comprehensive studies on the impact of overcrowding and proper safety measures, there are concerns that the tourism boom could lead to further challenges for local communities and infrastructure. The government’s focus on sustainable tourism practices and carrying capacity management is a step in the right direction, but the growing popularity of the region requires ongoing attention to balance development with the preservation of natural and cultural resources.

As Jammu and Kashmir continues to attract more visitors, both domestic and international, the region’s tourism management strategies will need to evolve to keep pace with the demands of the industry. Sustainable tourism practices, along with a focus on safety and crowd management, will be key in ensuring that the area remains a desirable and accessible destination for all.



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Travel slump: June sees a dip in number of Indian visitors in US; first decline since 2001 | India News

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NEW DELHI: The desi peak outbound travel month of June saw a decline in the number of Indian visitors to the US in 2025 over the previous year for the first time this Millennium — barring the Covid period. With 2.1 lakh Indians headed to America in June, the number was 8% lower than 2.3 lakh in same month last year, according to data from US commerce dept’s National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). The provisional figure for this July shows 5.5% fall over same month last year.Overall, the US has been seeing a decline in international visitors — and not just from India — in recent months. NTTO says total non-US resident international visitor volume to the US decreased 6.2% in June 2025 over June 2024; 7% in May; 8% in March; 1.9% in Feb. This Jan saw 4.7% increase over same period last year and April was up 1.3%.

Indians With Valid US Visas Can Now Easily Travel To Argentina Without Needing Any Additional Visa

India is the fourth largest source market for international visitors for the US. Since the two biggest source markets — Mexico and Canada — share a land border, India is the second biggest overseas source market with the UK being the biggest. “Combined, these top five source markets (with Brazil being the fifth) accounted for 59.4% of total international arrivals” this June, says NTTO.While travel industry biggies here say it is too early to pin the blame for fall in Indian visitor numbers on the stricter visa regime adopted by President Trump in his second presidency which has seen souring of India-US ties, the impact could be more pronounced going ahead if the same continues. The reason: US mostly issues 10-year validity multiple entry visitor and business visas (B1/B2) so people who already have the same can keep travelling. But if new visas get impacted for reasons like long appointment time or stricter issuance norms, then with a time lag the impact will be visible.“We are seeing a very visible impact on student segment this year due to delay in visa issuance even after people securing college admission. Historically, the biggest categories of visitors headed from India to the US have been visiting friends & relatives (VFR), business and students. The US was never a top leisure destination for Indians. That space has been led by Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe. North America came after that. Right now apart from students we are not seeing a dramatic impact on the other segments but if new visa issuances are affected, they will also be hit with a certain time lag,” said a leading travel agent.With an Indian diaspora of over 50 lakh, the US sees great demand for travel from the India. NTTO data shows since the start of this Millennium, every June had seen a jump from same month in last year till 2025 broke that trend.April was a great month as far as outbound from India is concerned. According to Indian tourism ministry data, 29 lakh Indians travelled abroad this April with the maximum going to the UAE followed by Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Singapore and the US.“But after May and June, travel was severely impacted following the Pehelgam terror attack, closure of Pakistan airspace (which continues for Indian carriers & vice versa) and then the Air India Ahmedabad crash. So every destination, especially in the west, was impacted badly. The drop to the US may not be in isolation as fast as western destinations go,” said another travel biggie.





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Putin to travel to India in December; visit to focus on defence and energy ties

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Russian President Vladimir Putin will make an official visit to India in December, marking his first trip to the country since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, according to a report by AFP citing Kremlin officials.

The visit comes at a time of heightened tension between New Delhi and Washington, as U.S. President Donald Trump escalates pressure on India over its ongoing oil trade with Moscow. Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total import duty to 50 percent. The U.S. has accused India of indirectly funding Russia’s war effort through discounted crude purchases.

India has strongly rejected the accusations and called the new tariffs hypocritical and unjust. Officials in New Delhi have emphasised that their oil procurement decisions are guided by market dynamics and national interest. India has also highlighted that several other major economies, including countries in Europe, continue to maintain significant trade ties with Russia but have not been targeted with similar penalties.

The Kremlin had initially announced that Putin had accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India earlier this year, but a date had not been confirmed. News of the December visit follows an upcoming bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin, scheduled to take place on September 1 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

As India’s relationship with the U.S. faces new strains, its ties with Russia and China appear to be strengthening. The upcoming visit is expected to focus on bolstering cooperation across several sectors, including defence, energy, and trade.

Russia remains a key strategic and defence partner for India, with a relationship that dates back to the Soviet era. Moscow has publicly supported India amid U.S. tariff actions, calling the American measures “unjustified” and accusing Washington of “double standards.”

The Russian embassy recently stated, “If Indian goods cannot go to the U.S. market, they are welcome to Russia.”

 



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Weekly Horoscope Pisces, August 31-September 6, 2025: Work-related travel is foreseen | Astrology

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Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)

Weekly Horoscope Prediction says, avoid controversies

Look for happy moments in love and ensure you take up new roles at the office. Do not invest blindly and instead have a proper investment plan. Health is good.

Pisces Weekly Horoscope: Read our expert astrological predictions to find out what the stars have in store for you. (Freepik)

Be fair in your love life and consider taking risks at work. Despite the prosperity, you should be careful about the expenditure. Health is also on your side.

Pisces Love Horoscope This Week

Your relationship will be creative, but there may also be minor issues that demand attention. You should be ready to discuss the issues to settle them. Do not impose your concepts on the lover and instead provide the space to personally express your opinions. This will strengthen the relationship. You may also patch up with the ex-lover who had broken up on ego issues. Married females may get pregnant in the second half of the week.

Pisces Career Horoscope This Week

Pay attention to the details while handling a project. Be ready to face minor issues while settling professional issues, and clients must also be convinced about certain flaws or missing points in a project. Artists, authors, actors, musicians, and politicians will see more opportunities to prove their mettle. You may visit the client’s office, and your communication skills will be a major factor in winning a new contract. Some professionals will travel for job reasons and perhaps even to places abroad. The commitment, discipline, and integrity are unmatched.

Pisces Money Horoscope This Week

Wealth will be there, but you may have issues related to investments, especially in the stock market. Some females will win a part of the property through legal battle. Senior natives can also consider the division of property in the first half of the week. Businessmen will raise funds through promoters, while you may also expect good returns from the business. Avoid lending a large amount, as you may have issues getting it back.

Pisces Health Horoscope This Week

If you make any travel plans, try to go out to places that would make you feel more relaxed and rejuvenated. Female natives need to be careful about pain in joints, breathing issues, and migraine. Pregnant females need relief from office stress and should consider taking leave for a few days. Avoid heavy exercise and be careful while boarding a train or bus. It is good to be careful about the diet.

Pisces Sign Attributes

  • Strength: Conscious, Aesthetic, Kind-hearted
  • Weakness: Sentimental, Indecisive, Unrealistic
  • Symbol: Fish
  • Element: Water
  • Body Part: Blood Circulation
  • Sign Ruler: Neptune
  • Lucky Day: Thursday
  • Lucky Color: Purple
  • Lucky Number: 11
  • Lucky Stone: Yellow Sapphire

Pisces Sign Compatibility Chart

  • Natural affinity: Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn
  • Good compatibility: Virgo, Pisces
  • Fair compatibility: Aries, Leo, Libra, Aquarius
  • Less compatibility: Gemini, Sagittarius

By: Dr. J. N. Pandey

Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert

Website: www.astrologerjnpandey.com

E-mail: djnpandey@gmail.com

Phone: 91-9811107060 (WhatsApp Only)



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