Keran residents transform homes into homestays for visitors

Srinagar, July 15: Bashir Ahmad, a 45-year-old resident of Keran in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, once made a living as a laborer in construction across the valley, earning Rs 12,000-15,000 monthly. However, during 2022, with the government’s push for border tourism, he found a new livelihood that kept him in his village throughout the summer.
From May to October, Keran, a village near the Line of Control (LoC), becomes a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The village, surrounded by dense forests, majestic mountains, and landscapes adorned with pine trees, lacks hotels for visitor accommodation. Recognizing this opportunity, Bashir converted his home into a homestay with the permission of the J&K Tourism Department.

“Our wooden house has five rooms. We rent out three rooms to visitors, charging Rs 1000 per night per room, excluding meals. Each room, equipped with bedding, can accommodate four to five people. On weekends, when people from all over Kashmir visit Keran, all our rooms are occupied,” Bashir explained.
By renting out his three rooms, Bashir now earns Rs 40,000-50,000 monthly, a significant improvement from his previous income.
“The government’s initiative to promote border tourism has opened new job opportunities for residents in border areas like Keran. It was tough to sustain on earnings from labor work alone. We’ve always been hospitable culturally, but we didn’t know we could make money from it. We’ve been informed that the government will provide training on running homestays professionally,” he said, who supports his wife and two children with this new venture.
Ashfaq Ahmad, a 28-year-old resident of Old City Srinagar, stayed in Keran for two days in August with three friends. “I had been planning to spend nights along the borders for the last few years. In June, a friend told me that several border areas were open to visitors and had homestay facilities. After obtaining permission from the J&K police, we visited Keran. Staying at a local house was a lifetime experience. We enjoyed barbeques by the Kishenganga River in the evenings,” he shared.
Ashfaq fondly recalled the meals prepared by their host. “The house owner’s wife made us breakfast with parathas, omelets, and Kashmiri salt tea. For dinner, we had chicken, vegetable dishes, and rice,” he said.
Locals said that the wooden houses are not only visually appealing but also naturally regulate indoor temperatures. “Keran is a beautiful part of the Himalayan ecology. We must preserve this for future generations. Promoting eco-friendly homestays made of wood is essential,” said another resident, Farooq Ahmad, who also converted his three-room house into a homestay.
The border tourism initiative has transformed the lives of Keran residents, offering them sustainable incomes and a chance to showcase their hospitality and culture. As more tourists discover this hidden gem, Keran is poised to become a significant player in Kashmir’s tourism industry, promoting eco-friendly and culturally rich experiences for all visitors.