A Study on Geography of Pilgrimage Tourism and Environment: A Case Study of Kashmir Valley

Pilgrimage, a journey resulting from religious causes, externally to a holy site, and internally for spiritual purposes and internal understanding is one of the religious and cultural phenomena most common to human society throughout the world. Pilgrimage have powerful political, economic, social and cultural implications, and can affect world trade and health. It is an important subject due to its scope and spatial influence. It stimulates geographer's interest with distance traveled and the phenomenon's affect on behaviour. Kashmir is one of the most preferred destination of tourists worldwide. However, considering the description of the Kashmir valley, significant impacts are produced by the slightest negative aspects attached with tourism industry. Present development at the cost of future is not acceptable. The study area is Kashmir valley, a beautiful mountainous area, is one of the most preferred destination of national and international tourists. The aim of our study is to focus on biophysical carrying capacity which deals with the extent to which the natural environment is able to tolerate external interference. The paper concludes that Kashmir valley has a tremendous potential to absorb tourists, but at the same time the results propose that for increasing human welfare we have to set environment at priority and limit tourism to the carrying capacity of the region; promote sustainable tourism in Kashmir valley.