2022 is over. For Jammu and Kashmir, it had started with the hope that things would be better for people having endured tumultuous three years before it. The covid-19 pandemic was largely under control which otherwise extracted a heavy toll on lives accompanied by an evisceration of livelihoods. While many activities happened in 2022 and among others the tourism sector saw record arrivals of more than 1.62 crore as per official data, the challenges remain on various counts.
Figures shared by Directorate of Tourism revealed that the highest grossing months were April (2.72 lakh), May (3.75 lakh) and June (3.33 lakh) while in lean months, there were 62,000 arrivals in January, one lakh arrivals in February and over 1.05 lakh in December.
Predicting the better economic future even as the covid-19 pandemic is threatening to rare its ugly head again, remains a difficult task.
There were lesser losses to schooling which otherwise saw whole disruptions on various accounts in the past including due to the covid-19 pandemic.
People assume 2023 will usher in at least a little more cheer. In a world as interconnected as it is today, the cost of economic insularity would only be more protracted pain for all if efforts to ease it are not made. The people of Jammu and Kashmir would surely hope for better days and that there are no disruptions due to the pandemic.
People also hope that environmental issues are addressed and the rot caused is at least rectified in this New Year.
Let 2023 witness more progress in salvaging water bodies and fragile ecology which otherwise have been at the receiving end of Illegal construction and other unwanted activities. People need to respond to the situation on this front. It is not only the prospect of food and water insecurity that looms large on the J&K but the shrinking green space and water bodies could affect Kashmir’s very fundamental image as a paradise on earth.
Corruption remains a cause of concern and one hopes that tangible action is taken against all persons alike, no matter if the corrupt holds a high position. Hopefully, there are changes for the better in this New Year and there is economic stability for people on fronts.