Baramulla, May 18: With tourist arrivals witnessing a steady rise at the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg, the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) is increasingly focusing on technology-driven tourism management, regulation of tourism-related trade and environmentally sustainable infrastructure to manage the growing influx of visitors.

Speaking to media persons in Gulmarg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Gulmarg Development Authority, Tariq Hussain, said the premier tourist destination has emerged as one of the country’s preferred travel destinations and continues to gain national recognition for its scenic beauty, tourism facilities and hospitality.

“Gulmarg has carved a strong identity for itself across the country in terms of tourism and tourist preference. We are hopeful that the number of visitors will continue to increase in the coming seasons,” he said.

Hussain said the growth of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir holds significance not only from an economic perspective but also in strengthening confidence, connectivity and cultural integration between the Union Territory and the rest of the country.

He said both the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Central Government are making sustained efforts to further expand and strengthen the tourism sector in the region.

Highlighting the administration’s focus areas, the CEO said efforts are underway to ensure a safer environment for tourists, regulate tourism-related trade and introduce modern, technology-based services for visitors.

“As part of these initiatives, plans are underway to develop a mobile application that will provide tourists with information and facilitation services directly on their phones,” he said, adding that the move is aimed at improving convenience for visitors and streamlining tourism-related services.

“We are a technologically advanced country today. By using technology, we want to become digitally stronger in tourism management as well,” Hussain added.

Describing tourism management as a “joint responsibility,” he said cooperation between the administration, tourism stakeholders and local traders was essential for maintaining Gulmarg’s reputation as a premier tourist destination.

He said Gulmarg’s major attractions, including the famous golf course, the Gulmarg Gondola cable car project, convention facilities and private tourism infrastructure, continue to serve as the resort’s major strengths and attractions for visitors.

“At the same time, there is a need for discipline within the tourism sector. We must preserve the long-standing reputation of hospitality for which this region is known,” he said.

The CEO stressed that sanitation, cleanliness, greenery and preservation of forests remain critical to sustaining Gulmarg’s tourism potential and ecological balance.

“Gulmarg’s tourism potential is rooted entirely in its natural environment. Protecting that environment is essential for the future of tourism here,” he said.

Hussain also said Kashmir’s comparatively cool climate could emerge as a major attraction for tourists seeking respite from the intense heatwave conditions prevailing in several parts of the country.

“If it is hot in other parts of the country, visitors can experience a completely different climate here. Gulmarg offers a natural atmosphere and cooling environment unlike the artificial cooling systems used in cities,” he said.

Srinagar, May 18: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Srinagar has asked the competent authority to consider representations of 25 lecturers who challenged their transfer to Gurez from various districts of Kashmir, observing that their pleas be decided on merits within 10 days.

A bench of Judicial Member, M S Latif, passed the order while disposing of a plea filed by the aggrieved lecturers who had challenged the School Education Department’s order dated May 8, 2026, through which they were transferred and posted to Gurez as lecturers.

The transfer, they said, were arbitrary, violative of the government’s transfer policy notified on April 24, 2023, and issued without jurisdiction by the Director School Education Kashmir.

“The applicants shall move individual representations before the competent authority and the competent authority shall decide each representation, if filed, on its merits,” the tribunal said.

Moreover, if the competent authority finds merit in any representation, it may modify the transfer order accordingly, the tribunal said.

It also directed that the representations be decided positively within 10 days and said the authorities may retain the applicants at their present places of posting during this period, if deemed appropriate.

The applicants submitted that they belong to the Sheena Tribe and are originally residents of Gurez who had migrated and settled in districts including Bandipora, Budgam, Srinagar and Ganderbal due to border clashes, harsh climatic conditions and construction of the National Hydroelectric Project.

They argued that despite already serving in Gurez, categorised as a hard zone under the transfer policy, for substantial periods during their careers, they were again transferred there solely on the basis of their nativity.

The lecturers contended that the transfers were discriminatory, mid-term in nature and not based on administrative exigency.

They also maintained that several applicants were nearing retirement, while some had serious family and medical concerns, including one lecturer whose child suffers from 100 percent disability due to cerebral palsy.

The petitioners further argued that as senior lecturers and gazetted officers, they could only be transferred by the Administrative Department or the government, and not by the Director School Education Kashmir.

Counsel for the applicants, Advocate M Ashraf Wani, argued that the impugned order was a “colourable exercise of power” and had been issued on a “pick and choose” basis.

The tribunal observed that the transfer policy only creates a legitimate expectation and is not enforceable as a vested right.

It also noted that the impugned order did not prima facie appear vindictive or tainted by serious mala fides and had been issued after approval of the competent authority in the interest of administration.

At the same time, the tribunal said hardships faced by employees, particularly in cases involving disability or compelling family circumstances, deserved consideration by the competent authority.