Sinthan Top shines as Kashmir’s exclusive winter wonderland

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Sinthan Top in J-K emerges as a snowy oasis amid a dry spell, drawing global tourists eager for winter experiences as other areas face a snow deficit.

Sinthan Top, located in Jammu and Kashmir, is currently the only snowy destination in the region, attracting numerous global tourists. This unique mountain peak, standing at 12,500 feet, links Anantnag in southern Kashmir with Kishtwar in the Jammu region via Kokernag. With Kashmir experiencing one of its driest spells, Sinthan Top remains an exception, retaining some snow cover while other areas usually blanketed in snow are now bare.

Many global travelers, who came to Kashmir around New Year’s Eve hoping to enjoy winter sports in Gulmarg, left disappointed due to the absence of snow. However, Sinthan Top offers a glimmer of hope, providing a winter experience for global tourists. Travel agencies are now recommending Sinthan Top to global travelers seeking snow.

Visitors from various places, like Aslam Saleem from Dhaka, Bangladesh, have expressed joy upon experiencing snow at Sinthan Top. Tourists are altering their itineraries to include this spot, with some like Vaishali from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, changing plans specifically for Sinthan Top’s snow.

Rouf Tramboo, President of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), notes a significant decline in tourism due to the lack of snow, with a 75-80% drop in bookings. Travel agencies are suggesting postponing trips to February or March in hopes of snowfall.

Hotelier Asif Burza, managing director of Ahad Hotels and Resorts, remains hopeful for a tourism boom, emphasizing Sinthan Top as a favored travel destination in the absence of snow elsewhere. Studies indicate a significant reduction in Jammu and Kashmir’s glaciers over the past six decades, with further declines projected due to climate change.

Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo, an earth scientist and glaciology expert, warns of the impact of climate change on the region’s snow and glaciers. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also reported a substantial shortfall in winter snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh, with no significant change expected before Republic Day. December 2023 saw a 79% deficit in rainfall, and the first half of January has been predominantly dry, apart from a minor snowfall in areas like Gurez.

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