試すGOLD- Free

Ice Loss

Outlook|July 21, 2024
Thajiwas, once a large glacier extending to Sonamarg, has receded 12-15 metres annually since the 1960s due to insufficient winter snowfall, higher summer temperatures
- Naseer Ganai in Sonamarg
Ice Loss

THE two-hour climb up the Thajiwas Glacier is punishing, even for ponies familiar with the trail. Ferrying tourists on their backs, the frail ponies ascend on a stone-paved path, instinctively seeking soft patches of earth to secure a grip for their weary hooves. They wrestle with pain and the strain of their carriage, as they navigate the path, dodging tricky stones and boulders along the way.

After the arduous climb, horsemen, who also serve as guides, halt the ponies at the peak and announce: “This place is called Hazroon Saal Ka Baraf (Thousands of Years of Snow).”

Ironically, despite its name, no snow is visible along the riverbank deep below, where the Thajiwas glacier water flows into the fast-moving Sindh River. Neither is there snow on the high mountains of the Thajiwas glacier, which sits at an altitude of 9,186 feet and attracts thousands of visitors every day, looking forward to the thrill of a sledge ride downhill.

But tourists on ponies continue to ascend from the peak to the Thajiwas meadow through tough terrain. The horseman occasionally points to two snowless peaks, saying, “Those are the original Thajiwas Glacier peaks, now called Down Thajiwas.” The mounted posse of tourists continues onward.

Once the stony path ends, the Thajiwas stream appears in the meadow. Ignoring their riders, ponies head straight to the stream to drink, sometimes triggering panic among tourists riding them. To the right, shepherds tend their herds. Ahead, locals have set up makeshift coffee and Maggi shops and offer guided sledge rides. The Thajiwas Glacier has become a bustling tourist spot with visitors haggling over prices, taking selfies and negotiating with sledge drivers and guides, at the glacier’s foothills.

Glaciers appear to be the newest offering in Kashmir’s bouquet of tourism experiences.

この記事は Outlook の July 21, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Outlook の July 21, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

OUTLOOKのその他の記事すべて表示
Who is Afraid of Hindi?
Outlook

Who is Afraid of Hindi?

The sentiment of Hindi imposition in Karnataka is not yet strong within the state because of the absence of the archetype of Hindi

time-read
6 分  |
April 11, 2025
Repressed Memories
Outlook

Repressed Memories

It was at the end of 2016 that ‘Repressed Memories’ was initiated in Chennai. I was in my twenties, searching for direction and my place in the world. With a borrowed Holga toy camera in my bag; my Enfield took over an hour to escape the city where I had grown up.

time-read
3 分  |
April 11, 2025
A Drop in the Ocean
Outlook

A Drop in the Ocean

Is the Centre going out of its way to find means to punish “disobedient” states? The fund and project allocation pattern proves this

time-read
4 分  |
April 11, 2025
Legal Limitations
Outlook

Legal Limitations

Delimitation, if done mechanically, could fracture India's federal fabric. If done wisely, it could strengthen democracy

time-read
4 分  |
April 11, 2025
Code Green in Orange Country
Outlook

Code Green in Orange Country

As the ghost of Aurangzeb comes back to haunt the Sangh's once peaceful backyard in Nagpur that saw only two riots in a century, the police draw flak for their action targeting only the Muslims

time-read
10 分  |
April 11, 2025
My Name is Red
Outlook

My Name is Red

The recently concluded Moscow Fashion Week got it all. The pretty press, the performed patriotism and the positively political. But there was more

time-read
8 分  |
April 11, 2025
For the Sake of Palestine
Outlook

For the Sake of Palestine

Francesca Albanese reminds us that it's easy to be a decent human being

time-read
5 分  |
April 11, 2025
10 Stunning Wedding Venues To Explore
Outlook

10 Stunning Wedding Venues To Explore

IF YOU ARE DREAMING OF A WEDDING CELEBRATION FIT FOR ROYALTY, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THESE PALACES AND FORTS ACROSS RAJASTHAN

time-read
5 分  |
April 11, 2025
The Arithmetic of Injustice
Outlook

The Arithmetic of Injustice

Delimitation will reduce Tamil Nadu, and by extension much of the south, to spectators in a democracy where they have long been equal stakeholders

time-read
4 分  |
April 11, 2025
A Southern Storm
Outlook

A Southern Storm

“Women and children have no part in war, yet they pay the highest price.” —Leymah Gbowee, Liberian peace activist & Nobel Prize winner

time-read
5 分  |
April 11, 2025

当サイトではサービスの提供および改善のためにクッキーを使用しています。当サイトを使用することにより、クッキーに同意したことになります。 Learn more