Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad on Monday inaugurated an eco-friendly camping resort at Sonamarg, aimed at promoting sustainable tourism in the alpine destination.
The ‘Sounsar Camping Resort’, set against snow-capped peaks and pine forests, seeks to offer visitors a nature-based experience while following zero-carbon principles.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mian Altaf stressed the need to balance tourism growth with ecological conservation.
“Sonamarg is one of our most fragile alpine ecosystems. As tourism expands across Jammu and Kashmir, our primary focus must shift towards responsible, low-impact development,” he said.
He said the valley had been blessed with immense natural beauty and resources, and preserving them was a collective responsibility to ensure their sustainability for future generations.
“Facilities like this eco-resort demonstrate that high-quality tourist experiences can coexist with nature without degrading our meadows or rivers,” he said.
Local hospitality representatives welcomed the initiative, saying sustainable adventure tourism, including glamping and eco-camping, could attract environmentally conscious travellers while helping reduce pressure on conventional hotel hubs.
The resort is now open for bookings and will offer eco-tours and guided alpine treks.
