Tourist SUV driven through Jhelum River raises environmental concerns in Kashmir
Srinagar: A video showing a tourist driving a Toyota Fortuner through a stretch of the Jhelum River in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has gone viral on social media, raising serious concerns over environmental responsibility and tourist conduct in ecologically sensitive areas.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the clip, widely shared on X, shows the SUV moving through the flowing water while the driver records the stunt from inside. Several bystanders were seen filming the incident from the riverbank.
Environmentalists and social media users warned that driving vehicles through natural water bodies can pollute the river and disturb the fragile ecosystem of the Jhelum, locally known as Vitasta. They said such stunts risk oil and fuel contamination, damage aquatic habitats, and encourage reckless behaviour by visitors.
“The real issue isn’t the vehicle, it’s the mindset,” one viral post read, urging stricter enforcement of rules for tourist activities in natural areas. Several users demanded penalties, including impounding the vehicle and heavy fines, to deter similar incidents.
The incident has reignited debate on responsible tourism and the need to protect Kashmir’s waterways from activities that endanger public safety and harm the environment. Authorities had not issued any official statement on the incident till the filing of this report.
