It came as a great surprise to me to read a piece tilted “The idea of Incredible Kashmir” by a former Assistant Director of Tourism in GK on October 18. I don’t quite know whether to feel flattered or disturbed to have made it onto the radar screen of a former government tourism official. Clearly, he has taken much time to look into a proposed eco tourism development plan for the Varmul area so that he could voice his opposition in such an erudite manner. I so wished he had also taken some more time to talk to me about the exact details of what is being planned.

A ‘HISTORIC’ trek to Siachen, which caused a furore last month after Pakistan raised objections to tourism activities in the disputed region, ended on a disappointing note for civilian trekkers after they were declared medically unfit to climb the glacier.

Three civilians—the only professional mountaineers in a 27-member delegation that consisted of NCC, RIMC, IMA cadets and mediapersons—had to stay put at Siachen Base Camp after the initial training as Army doctors found them unfit to proceed.

The Indian army has gone ahead with plans to allow trekkers to visit the disputed Siachen glacier, despite protests from Pakistan.

Three civilians were among 42 members of an expedition which left Leh in Ladakh on Wednesday for the glacier area, an army spokesman told the BBC.

It is not the first time that civilians have been to Siachen, between Pakistani and Indian-administered Kashmir.

But new Indian plans for "adventure tourism" there have angered Pakistan.

Srinagar, Sept 16: The Aharabal waterfall in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, nearly 80 kilometers from here, which saw huge tourist arrival this year is fast turning into a death trap.

At least eight persons drowned during last few months in the waterfall. Authorities blame people for accidents and accuse them (people) of not remaining careful.

“Eight people drowned in the fall this year, out of which six were accidental deaths while as two others committed suicide,” Deputy Commissioner Kulgam Lateef-us- Zaman Deva told Greater Kashmir on Sunday.

Does living with a tribe, Bruce Parry style, place isolated cultures at risk from pressure to change? Jonny Bealby looks at the rise in 'wild' tourism

Running an adventure travel company is becoming increasingly complex. With competitors constantly pushing the boundaries of alternative holidays - swimming with sharks, firing AK47s, driving packs of huskies - I am constantly forced to unearth new products for evermore discerning clients. Thankfully "gimmick" holidays are not really our style, but off-the-beaten-track adventures most certainly are, and even here things are being squeezed.