Kashmir’s Tourism boom: Admin’s initiatives transform villages, enrich cultural offerings

Srinagar, Mar 16: The Kashmir administration is actively working to boost tourism in the region by establishing tourist villages and hosting festivals and cultural events throughout the valley.
Jammu and Kashmir received over 2 crore tourists during 2023, and the number is expected to further increase this year.

This year, the administration held snow activities at various places to boost tourism in Kashmir.
On March 23, Asia’s largest Tulip garden, situated in the foothills of Zabarwan mountain range, will also be thrown open.

Last year, over 3.6 lakh people from different countries and states visited the garden. “Since the announcement of the opening of the Tulip Garden, there has been a significant increase in the number of bookings,” said Omar Bhat, who runs a travel agency.
A senior official of the Tourism Department said they are holding various programmes to promote tourism in Kashmir.
“Popularization of local cultures, cuisine, and languages is part of the promotional campaigns, and the Department is committed to providing a wholesome local experience of these components to the tourists coming here,” the official said.
Similarly, five villages in Dal Lake are being developed, which will have all basic facilities for inhabitants as well as tourists and local visitors.
“The development of tourist villages is being carried out in such a manner that they will provide homestay facilities to tourists,” the official added.
The administration has decided to organize programs which will be attended by several Bollywood celebrities in the coming weeks.
“This is aimed at providing a platform for local youth to showcase their talent and motivate them towards Bollywood. Several Bollywood personalities will also perform in these shows, which will be held at picturesque Pahalgam, Dal Lake, and other places,” the official said.
The government has also decided to organize spring, houseboat, and saffron festivals to promote Kashmir-based destinations.
Similarly, the Forest Department has opened 75 trekking routes in Kashmir for trekkers.
These include Badrikali to Galganzara in the Kupwara district covering a length of 7.43 kilometers, Kishtwar to Nilvan-Bangus-Lachar covering 18 km, and Nowgam-Kandi-Botapathri-Gulmarg in Baramulla district covering 18 km.
A senior official of the Forest Department said that the Himalayas offer plenty of opportunities for trekking in the region, which were earlier inaccessible to the locals.
“We aim to popularize these off-beat locations. Trekkers can get the ideal panoramic views and bring them face to face with the surreal beauty of the region,” he added.