The Indian-administered Kashmir administration on Monday reopened 14 more tourist spots that were closed to general tourists after the Pahalgam attack.
In April last year, 26 tourists, including a local horse breeder, were killed in a gunfight with armed militants in the popular tourist spot of Pahalgam, after which the Indian government declared 50 tourist spots in Jammu and Kashmir, including Pahalgam, as ‘no-go zones’ and banned the entry of tourists.
Limited tourist activities were allowed in Pahalgam only in September last year and later some other tourist spots were also reopened, but tourists were not allowed to explore the mountains or forests.
According to the latest order, after a thorough review of the security situation, tourism has been restored in Kashmir at places like Yous Marg, Doodh Pathri, Dandipora Park in Kokernag, Parpawan and Dhobjan in Shopian, Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Thajowas Glacier in Sona Marg, Hang Park in Ganderbal, Lake Waler and Vitlab. In Jammu too, after several months of ban, places like Devi Pindi in Reasi, Maho Mangat in Ramban and Mughal Maidan in Kishtwar have also been opened for general tourism.
Hotel owners and transporters associated with the tourism sector have welcomed the decision.
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries chief Javed Tenga said in a statement that “We have been requesting for several months that these places be opened for tourism. This is a very good decision because tourism provides employment to lakhs of people and is an important pillar of Kashmir’s economy.”
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