What does snowfall mean for Kashmir

Sahabat Nazir

Kashmir has been rightly called the Paradise on Earth and Switzerland of Asia.Surrounded by hills and mountains,traversed by majestic lakes and rivers,ornated with stunning gardens and meadows alongwith pristine streams and waterfalls,Kashmir epitomizes grace and resilience having braved all odds and being able to survive,thrive and blossom.This exquisite valley is not celebrated only for its scenic beauty represented by picteresque landscape, but also for the people who add charm and value to this place.Kashmir lies in the northern part of India and is bordered by the lofty and historic Himalayas.This mountain range is snow clad and supplies immaculate water to the water reservoirs of Kashmir.Snow has a central position in the life of the people in Kashmir.

  The three-month long winter in Kashmir is completed and complemented by white snow that blankets everything from roads to houses,from trees to roofs of houses and from fields to colonies.Despite the freezing weather conditions,people eagerly await snow to fall as it acts as the lifeline for their survival and backbone of the economy.Children are fond of playing in the snow and hence cherish their childhood which otherwise seems to be lost behind the screens.The winter wonderland Gulmarg gives an incredibly outstanding experience to all the travellers and sports enthusiasts as it acts as the platform for holding a myriad of adventure sports activities like skiing and snow skating.Snowfall leads to a surge in the influx of tourists from across the globe and hence brings Kashmir on the World Tourism Map as one of the hotspots for tourism related activities.Snowfall brings  a glimmer of hope in the lives of distressed individuals and makes them believe in their hidden talent and potential.

 Agriculture and allied activities are dependent on snowfall for a better cultivation and a viable and sustainable harvest.The Hydroelectric Power Plants in the valley utilise water of  the molten snow and therefore illuminate the different parts of the country.

 Unequivocally,snowfall plays a pivotal role in maintaining the ecological balance and in bringing happiness and joy to the lives of people living in Kashmir.