Srinagar, July 10 (KNS): JK Tourism Council on Monday expressed its reservations on identifying 75 new trekking routs in Kashmir valley by Directorate of Tourism, saying “Unless we have a sustainable standard in place the move can turn to be a disaster owing to ongoing climate change”.

Speaking to KNS, the spokesperson of JK Tourism Council said though it is a welcome step in promoting new destinations but there is a need to put in place sustainable standards otherwise it can turn to be a disaster for the whole J&K.

“While identification of new trekking routes is a welcome step to promote new destination, but unless we have a sustainable standards in place this can turn to be disaster,” spokesperson JK Tourism Council said.

He also said, “We are already seeing a disastrous climate change effect in valley, without taking that into consideration we are up for a god forbid a catastrophe”.

Notably Director Tourism Kashmir while speaking to media earlier in the day had said that the department is identifying new 75 trekking routes for which they have already hired agencies.

“Various trekking groups have approached us from across the country and today they flagged off two groups, one will go to KGL and other to Tarsar-Marsar. You will be happy to know that the department of tourism is identifying 75 new trekking routes for which we have already hired an agency to bring them on trekking map,” he said. (KNS)