SRINAGAR, JAN 31: As the upper reaches of Kashmir has been receiving snowfall for the last several days, there is excitement among people of Gurez in North Kashmir’s Bandipora where youth have started playing snow cricket.
On Tuesday, the locals organized snow cricket matches amid zero temperatures.
“We were eagerly waiting for the snow. For the last several days, Gurez has received snow. Around 1 foot of snow has accumulated here which has brought a huge excitement among cricket enthusiasts,” said Gowhar Ahmad, a resident of Gurez.
Gurez, which remains cut off from the world in winter, witnessed an unusual lack of snow until January this year. However, with around one foot of recent snowfall, locals hope for more in the coming days.
Mohd Sharif, another local expressed the anticipation that had built up for the season’s inaugural snowfall in the plains of Gurez.
“Snow cricket in Gurez Valley not only brought joy to local cricketers but also cast a magnetic charm. We hope more snowfall will grace us in the coming days as the winter wonderland was without snow until January this year,” he said.
The meteorological department, in a weather advisory, predicted more snowfall in both hilly and plain areas of the Kashmir valley.
Ishfaq Ahmad, a local cricketer said playing cricket on snow is unmatchable. “We have been playing cricket during summers but we really enjoy playing it during winters on snow. Large numbers of villagers are gathering to witness these matches. Cricket keeps us physically and mentally fit amid severe cold,” he said.
He appealed to the government to organize winter games to boost winter tourism and create employment opportunities for people in Gurez.
Gurez houses lofty mountains and lush meadows and is covered with snow these days.
Mohammad Iqbal, another cricketer, said they also played cricket on snow and enjoyed it last winter.
“We received huge appreciation across the world as many international cricket players had also shared videos of how the youth of Gurez play cricket on snow,” he added.
Gurez houses around 40,000 people comprising over 15 villages. They have to keep a huge stock of firewood for the winter when it remains closed due to snowfall. The locals have also developed guest houses and small hotels and locals have been demanding to bring it on the tourism map. Prior to the partition of Kashmir, Gurez had been a popular destination for foreign tourists. In 1925, Ted and Kermit Roosevelt, sons of the 26th president of the United States of America, visited Gurez. “Most of the people are associated with farming or working in the police and army. If the government develops facilities here like better roads, sanitation and electricity supply, it will be a major tourist destination, especially during winters at par with picturesque Gulmarg,” Mohammad Amin a local said.
