Peace Dividends Post 2019: From Battlefields to Tourist Hotspots: Border tourism picks up in JK as peace prevails

Mudassir Ahmad 

Srinagar, July 27: Abdul Rehman, a 45-year-old resident of Balakote Uri in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district can’t remember how many nights he has spent, sleepless, listening to the endless shelling during 2020. However, since India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire in February 2021, Rehman like other inhabitants of bordering areas have heaved a collective sigh of relief.

The peace on LoC has also helped border tourism to grow and providing local people a source of livelihood.

        “Once we had to move three kilometres back and were accommodated in government buildings including schools till the shelling stopped. Government has been promoting border tourism which leads to generating huge employment opportunities for the youth,” he said.

        The ceasefire and the subsequent peace in the valley has given confidence to tourists and locals who visit the border areas in large numbers these days.

        “Since announcement of a ceasefire by India and Pakistan and the end of violence and frequent shutdowns in valley, a large number of people have visited Uri. Many go for trekking in various villages of the area,” Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Uri said.

        During May, June and July so far, according to a senior official, over 17,500 people visited Kaman Post Uri.

        “Over 4000 visited during May and the number increased to 6000 in June. During July so far, over 7500 visited Kaman Post. It has become one of attractions for tourists these days after the announcement of the ceasefire,” the official said.

        Most people are working in the Army and police here. Others make their earning through farming.

        Similarly, scores of people also visit Teethwal in North Kashmir these days. “I spent two nights in Teethwal. This was the first time when I visited any bordering area,” said Asif Ahmad from Sonawar Srinagar.

        Another bordering area Keran in Kupwara also witnesses a good rush of visitors. “Over 6000 people visited Keran during July. Some prefer home stays while others stay in tents,” said an official.

        He however said the government needs to put adequate facilities available. “Around 7 kms of road leading to Keran is yet to be macadamized. The government should create better facilities here. Borders in J&K should be developed on the pattern of the Wagah-Attari border in Punjab,” he added.

        Wagah is a village which is famous for border ceremony and also serves as a goods transit and a railway station between India and Pakistan. It is located 24 kilometres from Lahore in Pakistan and 32 kilometres from Amritsar in India.

        Similarly, once a major infiltration route for militants, the picturesque Gurez in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district is also turning a major attraction for the tourists due to continuous efforts by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration and the locals alike.

        Gurez was once a vital stopover on the Silk Route connecting Kashmir to Kashgar, an oasis city in Xinjiang province of China. However after 1990 when the militancy broke out, militants used this route to infiltrate into Kashmir. The Gurez was closed for general people or tourists’ for security reasons and only locals were allowed to stay there.

        However, from past few years, it was thrown open for all people including tourists and is now turning into a major tourist destination.

        The government takes tour operators and hoteliers to Gurez and encourages them to explore the place. These days, a lot of tourists can be seen at Gurez to enjoy its mesmerizing beauty.

        Manish Gupta, a tourist from New Delhi along with his three friends stayed in Gurez for three days last week.

        “We stayed in tents and it was a lifetime experience. We have never seen such beauty anywhere. It is a great achievement that Gurez which was once a major route for infiltration is now turning into a major tourist destination,” he said.

        Sunjit, a 40-year-old man who runs a Dhaba at Suchetgarh in RS Pora of Jammu region would earn around Rs 200 profit daily. However, for the last two years, there has been an abrupt increase in his sales of 200 to 300 percent.

        “Since announcement of a ceasefire by India and Pakistan, a large number of people are visiting the Suchetgarh border. From Rs 200 profit, I now make Rs 400 to 600 profits each day,” he said.

        Suchetgarh, the bordering area and comprises several villages, is 27-kilometres away from Jammu city.

        Pakistan army could be seen very closely and their posts are located just a throw away distance.

        The villagers expressed hope the ceasefire is followed in letter and spirit without any violations.

Director Tourism Kashmir, Raja Yaqoob said government has been all efforts to promote  unexplored tourist destinations.

        "Border tourism is also picking up in Kashmir. Events are being held to promote border tourism. Tourists are also showing interest in trekking. Government has been building infrastructure in far far flung so more and more tourists visit those destinations," he added.