Snowfall in Kashmir revives tourism Gulmarg, a beautiful tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir, located in the Pirpanchal range of the Western Himalayas,
was deserted last summer. Tourism was suspended when Kashmir erupted over the killing of militant leader Burhan Wani in July.
But after six months of tension and heavy snowfall in Kashmir,
there is a glimmer of hope among the common people and tourism circles. Situated at an altitude of 8700 feet above sea level, the town of Gulmarg is fifty kilometers north of Srinagar. For the past several years,
there was very little snowfall in winter. But in January this year, there was heavy snowfall which attracted tourists from India and other countries to Kashmir.
there is a glimmer of hope among the common people and tourism circles. Situated at an altitude of 8700 feet above sea level, the town of Gulmarg is fifty kilometers north of Srinagar. For the past several years,
there was very little snowfall in winter. But in January this year, there was heavy snowfall which attracted tourists from India and other countries to Kashmir.
Leena Acharya, who came from Gujarat with her sister, says: 'We are enjoying the snowfall,
but the people here are very nice. They say on TV that Kashmir is like that, but we are calling everyone and telling them that Kashmir is paradise.
but the people here are very nice. They say on TV that Kashmir is like that, but we are calling everyone and telling them that Kashmir is paradise.
We were told go to Singapore, go to Switzerland, but we will not go anywhere, we will only come to Kashmir and come again and again.'
He says that after traveling all over the world, he realized that 'If you don't see Kashmir, you don't see anything.'
He says that after traveling all over the world, he realized that 'If you don't see Kashmir, you don't see anything.'
Not only the tourists but also the local people are enjoying the snowfall. Student Saqib Bashir says: 'Our generation is living in stress and fear. What we have seen recently is very painful.
When it snowed, we thought of going to Gulmarg to refresh our hearts and minds. As soon as we came here, we felt that all was not over.'
Business circles are also hopeful that the snowfall will revive tourism and partially offset the loss of thousands of crores that the economy suffered during last summer's tensions.
When it snowed, we thought of going to Gulmarg to refresh our hearts and minds. As soon as we came here, we felt that all was not over.'
Business circles are also hopeful that the snowfall will revive tourism and partially offset the loss of thousands of crores that the economy suffered during last summer's tensions.
Imran Hamza, the owner of several hotels in Srinagar and Gulmarg, says: 'Snowfall is God's gift to us.
The number of tourists is low, but we hope people will come and the deserted hotels will once again be bustling.'
The number of tourists is low, but we hope people will come and the deserted hotels will once again be bustling.'
The government is also taking steps to revive tourism. Mehmood Shah, Director of the Department of Tourism,
told the BBC that his department is conducting road shows in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Lucknow, to inform the Indians about the conditions here and encourage them to visit.
Mehmood Shah says: 'We have started an advertising campaign in Indian TV channels, newspapers and other media outlets. I hope that the arrival of tourists will be restored before February.
told the BBC that his department is conducting road shows in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Lucknow, to inform the Indians about the conditions here and encourage them to visit.
Mehmood Shah says: 'We have started an advertising campaign in Indian TV channels, newspapers and other media outlets. I hope that the arrival of tourists will be restored before February.
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