Till about two years back, Kashmir’s border areas like Teethwal, Gurez, Keran, Machil, Nambla and Garkote used to witness heavy shelling and even bombing by Pakistan. However, after a ceasefire agreement was signed by both the countries and a truce agreed upon, the Valley has over time fallen silent. The movement of people has become easier and, as a result, the border areas have now become popular destinations for domestic tourists.
These border areas are filled with picturesque locations but had to lose out on tourism earlier because of the security factor, and suffered damages to houses and livestock due to cross-border shelling. However, after the truce, tourism is picking up fast and tourists are flocking to these areas to feast their eyes on the scenic beauty and indulge in the adventure activities that are on offer.
CHANGE IN THE AIR
Kashmir has seen a decline in ceasefire violations as per the official records. In 2019, 3,479 incidents of ceasefire violations were reported. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), of these 3,479 incidents, 1,565 violations were reported since August. After the Central government abrogated Articles 370 and 35A granting Jammu and Kashmir a special status, the year 2020 saw an all-time high ceasefire violations with 5,100 incidents. It killed 36 people and left 130 wounded on accounts of ceasefire violations.
However, in 2021, a steep decline in ceasefire violations were recorded. From a high of 5,100 last year, the figures went down to 664 till June, 2021. Of these, almost all took place in the first two months of the year, before the joint statement of the armies of India and Pakistan on 25 February.
Also, for the first time since India’s Independence, network towers have been made operational in forward areas like Keran, Teethwal, Gurez and Uri. This was not less than a dream come true for the people of the Valley as this basis requirement was pending since decades. This moreover, connected them to the outside world and also encouraged people to visit such beautiful places.
As most of these forward areas come under the forest department, the responsibility also falls under it to mark new areas for development and promote them for border tourism.
BOOSTING TOURISM
While speaking with Indian Masterminds, Conservator, Forest Department, North Kashmir Circle, Irfan Rasool, IFS, said “We have identified tourism in North Kashmir mainly in five places which includes, Teethwal, Keran, Machil, Gurez, and Uri. These places have their unique lifestyles and cultures, which attract a large number of tourists. There are two ways through which we have promoted tourism in these border areas. Firstly, we have developed trekking routes, and secondly, we have started homestays for tourists.”
Around 75 trekking routes have been developed in the whole of Kashmir which includes one each in these five border areas. Earlier, Gulmarg, Srinagar and Pahalgam used to be the most common spots for tourism in Kashmir. However, times are changing and these border areas are also recording decent footfalls.
Mr. Rasool said, “Visitors coming from various parts of the country mostly prefer offbeat destinations. Department is committed to promoting border tourism by facilitating every visitor without disturbing or causing harm to natural habitats. In absence of hotels and other facilities, the department is focusing on developing homestay facilities.”
ENCOURAGING HOMESTAYS
The officer also mentioned that the forest department has guesthouses in these areas which now take reservations online. Moreover, homestays are being developed in these areas for the first time by actively involving the local population as stakeholders. In addition, camping in areas like Gurez has become a hit as a large number of people opt for pitching camps on their own.
Local people are being trained and educated on how to run these homestays and about the kind of facilities they need to offer. Also, the fact that these people serve local cuisine is adding more value to these places.
As these areas are sensitive, tourists have to visit the official website of DC Kupwara to seek permission for visit first.
This year Kashmir created a record of around seven lakh bookings in a period of five months from January to May, 2022. This is four times of what the Union Territory recorded during the same period last year. This has opened many doors of livelihoods for the people living in these sensitive areas, who till recently stayed disconnected from the outside world.
