Less snowfall at Kaghan dampens winter tourism

The effect of climate change has adversely affected winter tourism in Kaghan Valley due to a lack of snowfall in the ongoing winter season.

Every year, millions of tourists visit tourist destinations like Shogran, Kaghan and others in Kaghan Valley to see snowfall but this winter most of the mountain ranges appear dry due to lack of sufficient snowfall in the current year.

Only minor snowfall was seen at various places in the valley even during the recent monsoon. Snowfall used to start shortly after the onset of winter in previous years and the tourist destinations of Kaghan Valley used to be covered with a white sheet of snow. Winter tourism has also not seen the same pace in the current year as compared to previous years.

The access of tourists to Naran and adjacent places ends after the snowfall season starts in Kaghan Valley. However, the access of tourists to Kaghan, Shogran and other places is open round-the-clock as tourists visit Shogran, Mahandri and Khaniyan to see snowfall.

So far, Kaghan Valley has received very little snowfall than usual. There is only one and a half months left for the winter season to end and there is not much chance of snowfall. If January passes like this, then it is hoped that snowfall will take place next year. The main reason for tourists coming to Kaghan Valley in winter is snowfall.

The business community associated with the hotel industry gives discounts to tourists in December and January which makes both tourists and traders happy. A good number of tourists visited Shogran and Kaghan to enjoy the charming weather even in the recent snowfall. However, if the situation remains like this and climate change continues, its losses will affect the weather as well as the tourism industry.

Explaining various reasons, Professor Muhammad Rafique of Degree College Balakot, who is familiar with climate change in Kaghan Valley, says there is a decline in snowfall in the mountainous areas.

"There are a number of reasons for the decrease in snowfall in the mountainous areas and the very first reason is climate change. The earth's temperature is increasing due to global warming, as a result of which snowfall is decreasing in cold regions."

He says glaciers are melting and the duration of winter is decreasing, while deforestation in mountainous areas is affecting local weather conditions due to which the chances of snowfall are decreasing.

Similarly, Rafique adds, urbanisation and industrial pollution are also adding fuel to the fire. "The environment is warming due to industrial pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, which affects snowfall.

He further says particles such as black carbon accumulate on the surface of the snow and melt it more quickly, and adds the change in monsoon, weather patterns, air pressure and rainfall systems also affect snowfall. "Increased intensity of monsoon or other seasons can reduce snowfall."

Another reason, the academician says, is natural factors such as weather phenomena including El Niño and La Niña which can affect the climate, leading to a decrease in the proportion of snowfall. Apart from this, other reasons such as earthquakes and land changes can also change the climatic nature of mountainous areas, he says and adds agricultural and local activities are increasing pressure on natural resources due to unsustainable land use and local activities, which are affecting the climatic balance.