India is setting its sights on reviving two vital sectors tourism and land health with fresh efforts that promise long-term benefits for people and the environment.
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat recently visited the ancient Sun Temple in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, a region slowly regaining confidence after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead. Despite the tragedy, Shekhawat sounded hopeful. He said tourist activity had seen a strong recovery over the past month and a half, and he believed that by December, Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector could return to its earlier heights.
“The spirit of the people here and the beauty of this land cannot be dimmed by fear,” he said during his visit. Shekhawat emphasized that peaceful conditions and proactive government efforts were helping the region regain its place on India’s tourist map.
While Kashmir focuses on welcoming back visitors, another part of India Jodhpur in Rajasthan is tackling a silent crisis: desertification.
At a national workshop titled ‘Strategies for Combating Desertification and Drought’, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stressed the urgent need to protect India’s drylands. Speaking at the event, Yadav outlined India’s growing problem with land degradation, especially in arid zones like Rajasthan. He warned that practices like overuse of fertilizers and unsustainable farming methods were slowly destroying the country’s soil health.
But solutions are on the table. Yadav highlighted India’s plans to promote sustainable agriculture, restore damaged ecosystems, and build drought resilience. He also called on the global community to join hands in reversing land degradation, linking healthy land with food security, economic stability, and peace.
“Fighting desertification is not just about saving the environment,” Yadav said. “It’s about ensuring prosperity for millions of farmers and creating a future where people can thrive even in dry regions.”
With these dual efforts — reviving tourism in Kashmir and saving land from turning to desert — India is hoping to create a future where both nature and livelihoods flourish.