8 tourist spots closed after Pahalgam to reopen
SRINAGAR: In a boost for tourism revival, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has decided to reopen eight out of 48 tourist destinations closed in Kashmir for security audit after April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
'Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, IGP Kashmir and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and IGP had sought reports from all districts and now we have decided to open some closed tourist destinations,' Sinha told reporters.
He announced the reopening of Betab Valley, parks in Pahalgam market, Verinag garden, Kokernag garden, and Achabal garden in south Kashmir. 'In Srinagar three tourist destinations Badamwari Park, Duck Park (Nageen) and Taqdeer Park (Hazratbal) will be reopened for tourists.'
Sinha announced that eight tourist destinations would also be reopened in Jammu. They are Sarthal and Dhaggar in Kathua district, Devipindi, Siyad Baba and Sula Park in Reasi, Guldanda and Jai valley in Doda and Pancheri in Udhampur. The LG said in the next phase, some other destinations will be reopened after seeking reports from district administrations. 'There is a new enthusiasm in people after the start of Vande Bharat Express. All the tickets of the train have been booked for the next 10-12 days. The number of tourists is slowly increasing,' said Sinha.
In order to attract tourists to Kashmir, the LG said, the Centre will hold meetings of parliamentary delegations, committees and officials in Srinagar. This, he said, will restore the confidence among the travellers. The tourism stakeholders have welcomed reopening of closed tourist destinations.
'Reopening of some closed tourist destinations will send a positive message and instill confidence among tourists to return to the picturesque Valley,' said Zahoor Ahmed Qari, ex TAAI Kashmir chapter.
He urged the government to reopen other tourist destinations including the border area of Gurez in north Kashmir, Yousmarg, Tosamaidan, Doodpathri, Aharbal, and Bangus.
'We are hopeful that more closed tourist destinations will be thrown open in the coming days after completion of security audit,' he said.
Shameem Shah, Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) J&K chapter president, said their motive is to convey the message that 'Kashmir is as safe as any other place in the world.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Tourism in J&K's Pahalgam limping back to normalcy
Nearly two months after the deadly terror attack here left 26 persons dead, the tourism trade in this south Kashmir resort is limping back to normalcy as locals and a "trickle" from Punjab have started visiting the valley of shepherds after the Eid holidays. A significant number of Kashmiris from other parts of the valley made their way to Pahalgam on the third day of the Eid, much to the delight of people associated with the tourist trade in this resort, which is 100 kilometres from Srinagar . "We have been visiting Pahalgam every year irrespective of whether there has been a rush of tourists or not. So, it was no different this year. However, we did feel pampered this time," Nabeel Bhat, a youngster from Srinagar, told PTI here. Bhat was referring to "special attention" showered on the tourists by the locals of Pahalgam and the rock bottom prices for most services. The tourism trade came to a standstill in most of Kashmir after the April 22 terror attack on tourists at Baisaran, a meadow six kilometres from here, in which 26 persons -- 25 tourists and a local service provider -- were killed. Live Events The incident led to air skirmishes between India and Pakistan while cross border shelling took a toll of people along the Line of Control (LoC). "The service providers this time are more affable towards was not the case in the previous years when a large number of tourists used to flock to this place," said Aleena Jan, a resident of Srinagar's Civil Lines area. Most of the local tourists were happy that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had decided to open the parks at Pahalgam, saying it would attract more people to the place. "There is no better advertisement than word of people from various parts of Kashmir started to visit soon after Eid, but the numbers did not increase much as they had no place to sit as all the parks were closed. We hope that it will change now as the LG on Saturday announced that the parks will be opened again," said Mohammad Ishaq, a hut owner. Ishaq said that a few tourists from other states also returned to Pahalgam over the past 10 days. "Most of them were budget tourists from Punjab and they were left dejected as they could not explore the beauty of Pahalgam for which it is famous. We had Aaru closed, Betaab Valley closed and no one should expect Baisaran to open anytime soon," he added. Mohammad Ramzan, a ponywalla, said his community was hoping that the trend of increasing tourists visiting Pahalgam will continue. "Our peak season for earnings has we hope that more locals (Kashmiris) will visit us over the next few months before the onset of winter. That might offset some of the losses," he added. Basheer Ahmad, another ponywalla, said they were also hopeful that a large number of pilgrims will come for the Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin from July 3. "We have a lesser number of pilgrims coming for the Amarnath Yatra via Pahalgam route now. We hope it will change this year," he said. A hotelier, who wished not to be identified, said the Amarnath Yatra usually does not impact his business. "The pilgrims stay in the Nunwan base camp, they do not venture out much for shopping and eating out. So that way, I have not attached much hope for getting direct business from the yatra," he said. The hotelier, however, added that a peaceful and successful yatra will immensely benefit the entire tourism sector of Kashmir as the pilgrims will be "our ambassadors to the rest of India". PTI
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
5 hours ago
- First Post
Jammu-Kashmir: Massive rush of tourists in Pahalgam after reopening of the tourist destination
People visiting the Union Territory said they loved Jammu and Kashmir and wanted to deliver a powerful message to the world that they must visit Pahalgam read more Advertisement Tourists in large numbers are flocking to Pahalgam after the reopening of the site In a refreshing sign of the revival of tourism in Pahalgam, the site where terrorists massacred innocent Hindu tourists in April, a massive rush of tourists was seen in the area over the weekend. People visiting the Union Territory said they loved Jammu and Kashmir and wanted to deliver a powerful message to the world that they must visit Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination and hill station. On Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had announced the opening of 16 tourist destinations across the UT. Of these tourist spots and parks, eight are in Jammu division and eight in Srinagar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The town is also the starting point of the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath Temple, which takes place in July–August. Security has been beefed up in the area, especially in the wake of the 38-day upcoming Amarnath yatra, slated to begin on July 3. According to sources, the security arrangements would be the most stringent yet. Hindustan Times quoted a senior home department official as saying that nearly 360,000 people have registered for the pilgrimage this year. 'To ensure their safety, over 581 companies of paramilitary forces—including CRPF, SSB, ITBP, and BSF—will be deployed. This excludes the routine presence of Jammu and Kashmir Police and the army. Each paramilitary company typically comprises 100-110 personnel,' he said. 'Security forces on the ground, including Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), will be equipped with automatic weapons, surveillance equipment, satellite phones, and bomb disposal squads. Jammers will also be installed to pre-empt potential terror threats. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags will be mandatory for pilgrims and service providers to enable real-time tracking of their movement,' he added. Earlier, on May 30, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also visited the area and directed officials to maintain heightened alertness and vigilance throughout the yatra.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
J&K LG announces reopening of 16 of 48 tourists destinations closed after Pahalgam attack
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha on Saturday announced that 16 tourist destinations across the Union Territory have been thrown open for tourists that were closed following the attack in Pahalgam that killed 25 tourists and one local. Following the attack on April 22, the administration had closed 48 tourist destinations mostly in the upper reaches of mountains, for the security review. The LG said that other destinations would be reopened in phased manner. We have got reports from all the districts of J&K and it was decided that some spots would be thrown open for tourists in Kashmir and Jammu Divisions, which were temporarily closed as precautionary measures," said Sinha. Eight destinations inclduing Betab valley and Parks in Pahalgam Market, Verinag Garden, Kokernag Garden, Achabal Garden, Badamwari Park, Duck Park, Taqdeer Park in Srinagar have been opened in Kashmir valley. In Jammu divison, Sarthal and Dhaggar in Kathua, Devi Pindi, Siyad Baba and Sula Park in Reasi, Guldanda and Jai valley in Doda and Pancheri in Udhampur have been thrown open. The destinations would be better remain open from June 17. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Victoria Principal Is Almost 75, See Her Now Reportingly Undo "People are excited after the start of Vande Bharat train and tickets are booked for next 10 to 12 days. Tourists arrivals are slowly increasing. Parliamentary committee meetings and other government functions would be held in Srinagar. This is aimed to restore trust on ground," said Sinha, who met the delegation of legislators, DDC Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons, tour and travel operators, Ponywala association & hoteliers' associations at Pahalgam. "I've assured the delegation that restrictions on other tourist spots will be lifted after thorough security assessment," he said. The LG also met the family of Syed Adil Hussain at Anantnag, who was killed on April 22 and handed over appointment letter to his wife Gulnaz Akhter on compassionate ground. Live Events The ruling National Conference legislator Tanvir Sadiq in a sarcastic reference to LG's handing over of appointment letter to Akhter said that the job order was already prepared by the Fisheries Department which is under the elected government led by the minister Javed Dar. "This reflects the maturity and responsibility shown by the elected government, we did not allow egos to come in the way, but stood by our commitment to Adil's family in their moment of grief," said Sadiq. "Just as earlier, the elected government had prepared similar job orders for NoKs in Poonch, which were later distributed by the Home Minister after the CM had personally visited and personally committed these jobs to the families immediately after the shelling," said Sadiq adding, "In moments of pain, politics must make way for compassion, and governance must honour its word."
