Kupwara, Sep 08: Ghulam Mohiddin Khan, a 45-year-old resident of Keran in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district used to do labouring work in different parts of the valley, earning Rs 12,000-15,000 monthly. However, since last year during summer, he has not moved out of his village in view of the government’s border tourism push.
Between May and October, the Keran village, which is close to the Line of Control (LoC), is one of the most sought-after places for locals and tourists. It is surrounded by dense forest, majestic mountains, and a landscape adorned with pine trees.
As the area is yet to have hotels for the accommodation of visitors, last year he converted his house into a homestay after receiving permission from the J&K Tourism Department.
“There are five rooms in our wooden house. Three rooms we have kept for rent to visitors. For each night, we charge Rs 1,000 for one room excluding meals. Four to five people can be accommodated in one room which is equipped with bedding. All rooms are occupied on weekends when people across Kashmir throng to Keran in large numbers,” Khan said.
Each month, he earns Rs 40,000-50,000 from renting his three rooms. “The government has taken a great step for the promotion of border tourism. It has opened new job opportunities for border residents like Keran. It was very difficult for me to sustain on earnings through labour works in the construction of houses and roads,” Ghulam, who has wife and two children in his family.
They also offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner to visitors for which they are charged separately.
Keran is a village in Kupwara around 130 kilometres from the summer capital of J&K, Srinagar, and has a populace of around 1000.
The adjacent habitation on the Pakistani side across the boundary is also called Keran. The Kishanganga River (known by the name Neelum on the other side), flowing through the village acts as the natural border between the two habitations.
In February 2021, India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire which has brought a much-needed relief to border residents across Jammu and Kashmir. The opening of border tourism has infused a new life into the remote villages along the LoC, offering livelihood opportunities for the locals who have long endured the challenges of living in conflict-stricken areas. Besides homestays, they also offer tent services to visitors.
Locals say the wooden houses are not only visually appealing but also regulate the indoor temperature naturally.
“Keran is a beautiful part of Himalayan ecology. We have to preserve this part for future generations. Eco-friendly homestays made of wood should be promoted,” another local Basher Ahmad, who has converted his three room house into a homestay, said.
He said that Keran is emerging as one of the best tourism destination in the Kashmir Valley and the government is taking ample measures to bring considerable footfall of tourists here.
Director, Tourism Kashmir, Raja Yaqoob said the government has been promoting border tourism.
“We want to have eco-friendly homestays in rural areas also in Keran. Over 40 homestays are presently available in Keran and many more people are converting their homes into homestays,” he added.
The Keran also houses a post office and is also called the ‘First Post Office of India’ as it is the first one from the LoC in terms of distance.
An army official posted in Keran said around 25,000 people visited Keran during July and August. “Over 80 percent of visitors are locals who visit on weekends. This place is open to everyone. Only they have to carry an Aadhaar card for the security checkup,” he said.
