Srinagar: The ongoing unrest in Ladakh over the demand for state status and sixth schedule status has dealt another blow to its bustling tourism sector, which was enjoying the influx of minor tourists in the current season. The cold desert bordering China and Pakistan was shaken on September 24 when a 14-day hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk turned violent clashes with police.
Four locals were killed and nearly 90 injured in the day-long protests. This was followed by an indefinite curfew and internet shutdown, in addition to some brief relaxations to maintain peace. Since then Vanchuk, who was leading the fight for the legislature of Ladakh, statehood and sixth schedule status in the Indian Constitution, has been locked up in jail under the National Security Act and transferred to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.
Ladakh now has a terrible calm with the easing of curfew restrictions, but the internet continues to be down and uncertainty remains as the main Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which advocates for Ladakh’s security, have pulled out of crucial talks with the Home Ministry on October 6. Ladakh attracts millions of tourists every year to its natural scenery, towering mountains and shimmering lakes including Pangong, as well as heritage monuments.
Tawang Dorje, president of the All Ladakh Adventure and Tour Operators Association, told ETV India that the tourism sector was improving with the arrival of foreigners from the end of July after the initial setbacks after the killing of 25 tourists and a local by militants at the Besran ground on April 22.
He went on to say, “When the recent unrest broke out, tourists were coming from Europe and enjoying trips to different places. We were improving to some extent after tourists fled the area after the Pahalgam attack, but about one percent of arrivals have been canceled.”
The tourism sector is the mainstay of revenue generation for Ladakh and contributes more than 60 percent of the total revenue. According to official data, more than half of the population (3 million) is directly or indirectly economically dependent on the industry and tourist arrivals begin in June and end with temperatures dropping in the first week of October.
Many people associated with the tourism sector, such as Dorje, said tourists were enjoying their trips amid the unrest, but the closure of shops and other commercial establishments caused inconvenience to tourists. “Tourism is considered a “”lifeline”” for Ladakh’s economy, where thousands of people are connected to the region by renting hotels, homestays, cafes, restaurants, taxis or even bikes.” Ladakh’s major tourist destinations, Pangong Tso Lake, Nubra Valley, Tsomoriri Lake, Leh Palace etc. are quite popular among international and domestic tourists, where many Bollywood films have been filmed in the region, including the famous 3-Idiots film.
However, Rigjin Wangmo Lachik, president of the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association (ALHAGHA), said that the recent tragic incident has deepened the crisis for the tourism sector in the region. “””This year has been particularly challenging for the tourism industry in Ladakh.”
“””Tourism is the lifeline of Ladakh and each stakeholder represents not only individual enterprises but also the livelihood of a large part of our population,”” he said.” Most have started their business with huge bank debt and today they are in a huge financial crisis. According to him, the government should pay attention to the severity of the economic crisis caused by the deficit.
The union territory has rarely stood at the crossroads in terms of tourism, as it has seen the first political upheaval since 1987, when it started a fight for separation from a union territory and the then state of Jammu and Kashmir.
