Kashmir is experiencing an unusual winter without snow, causing alarm among locals and impacting the region's tourism industry. The absence of snowfall has led to a significant decrease in tourist numbers, with hotel reservations being cancelled and businesses suffering. The tourism sector accounts for about 7% of Jammu and Kashmir's GDP, so the snowless winter will have a disastrous impact on the territory's economy. Additionally, the lack of snowfall will also affect farming and water supply, as the snow usually replenishes groundwater reserves. Experts attribute the snowless winter to climate change, which has caused extreme weather events and prolonged dry spells in the region.

The warmer weather and lack of snowfall have disappointed tourists who visit Kashmir in winter to enjoy skiing and other winter activities. Hotel owners report that over 40% of reservations have been cancelled, and new bookings are on hold. Local businesses that rely on tourism during the winter months are also suffering, with many unable to earn much in the last three months. The decline in tourists is impacting the livelihoods of many, such as pony riders who rely on snow for their business.

The absence of snowfall will not only impact tourism but also other sectors such as hydroelectricity generation, fisheries, and farming. The neighbouring territory of Ladakh is also experiencing a snowless winter, which will affect farming and water supply in that region as well. Experts warn that the lack of snowfall could lead to a drought-like situation and water scarcity in the future. Some experts believe that snowfall in the region has been declining in recent years, and attribute this to climate change.

Despite the current situation, locals remain hopeful for a miracle and are praying for heavy snowfall. The weather department has not predicted any significant snowfall until later in January, but there is still hope that nature will be kind to them. However, experts warn that the region could face even more catastrophic levels of heat by the end of the century if climate change continues unchecked.

Original news source: Kashmir's rare snowless winter sets off alarm bells (BBC)

– Headline Creation
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will create catchy headlines for news articles about the absence of snowfall in Kashmir. They should try to capture the attention of readers and highlight the impact on tourism and the economy.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Each team will take turns selecting a word from the article related to the absence of snowfall in Kashmir. One student from the team will then have to draw a picture to represent the word, while their team members try to guess the word. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Give each student a copy of the article. Set a timer for 2 minutes and challenge students to summarize the main points of the article as quickly as possible. After the time is up, have students share their summaries with a partner or small group. Encourage them to focus on the impact of the absence of snowfall on tourism and the economy.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will come up with a question related to the absence of snowfall in Kashmir and its impact on tourism and the economy. Students will then conduct an opinion poll within their group, asking each member the question and recording their responses. Afterward, groups can share their findings with the class and discuss the different perspectives.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will discuss and make predictions about the future of tourism in Kashmir if the absence of snowfall continues due to climate change. They should consider the potential economic and environmental consequences and present their predictions to the class.

Kashmir is experiencing an unusual winter without snow, causing ? among locals and impacting the region's tourism industry. The absence of snowfall has led to a significant decrease in ? numbers, with hotel reservations being cancelled and businesses suffering. The tourism ? accounts for about 7% of Jammu and Kashmir's GDP, so the snowless winter will have a disastrous impact on the territory's economy. Additionally, the lack of snowfall will also ? farming and water supply, as the snow usually replenishes ? reserves. Experts attribute the snowless winter to climate ?, which has caused extreme ? events and prolonged dry spells in the region. The warmer weather and lack of snowfall have disappointed tourists who visit Kashmir in winter to enjoy skiing and other winter ?. Hotel owners report that over 40% of reservations have been cancelled, and new bookings are on hold. Local businesses that rely on tourism during the winter months are also suffering, with many unable to earn much in the last three months. The decline in tourists is impacting the livelihoods of many, such as pony ? who rely on snow for their business. The absence of snowfall will not only impact tourism but also other sectors such as hydroelectricity generation, fisheries, and farming. The ? territory of Ladakh is also experiencing a ? winter, which will affect farming and water supply in that region as well. ? warn that the lack of snowfall could lead to a drought-like situation and water scarcity in the future. Some experts believe that ? in the region has been declining in recent years, and attribute this to ? change. Despite the current ?, locals remain hopeful for a miracle and are praying for heavy snowfall. The weather department has not predicted any ? snowfall until later in January, but there is still hope that nature will be kind to them. However, experts warn that the region could face even more catastrophic levels of heat by the end of the century if climate change continues unchecked.

1. What is the significance of snowfall for the tourism industry in Kashmir?
2. How would you feel if you had made hotel reservations in Kashmir for winter activities and then found out there was no snow?
3. Do you think climate change is the main cause of the lack of snowfall in Kashmir? Why or why not?
4. What other industries besides tourism do you think will be affected by the absence of snowfall in Kashmir?
5. How do you think the lack of snowfall will impact farming and water supply in the region?
6. Do you believe that snowfall has been declining in recent years in the region? Why or why not?
7. What other regions do you think might be affected by the lack of snowfall in Kashmir and Ladakh?
8. How do you think the absence of snowfall will impact the livelihoods of pony riders and other local businesses?
9. What do you think the future holds for the region if there continues to be a lack of snowfall due to climate change?
10. How do you think the locals in Kashmir are coping with the lack of snowfall and the impact on their economy?
11. Do you think the weather department's prediction of snowfall later in January will be enough to save the tourism industry in Kashmir? Why or why not?
12. How do you think a drought-like situation and water scarcity would affect the region?
13. What do you think can be done to mitigate the impact of climate change on snowfall in Kashmir?
14. How do you think the lack of snowfall in Kashmir could be connected to other global climate change issues?
15. What are some potential long-term solutions to address the impact of climate change on snowfall in the region?

Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!