Lifting curbs on Gurez visit enthuses tourism traders

The Valley-based tourism traders Saturday welcomed the state government’s decision to lift curbs on visit to picturesque Gurez Valley.
The tourism players said that Gurez Valley has huge untapped potential as a tourist destination in Kashmir. “This will serve as a paradise for the adventure lovers,” they said.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir (CCIK), Zahoor Ahmad Trumboo said: “It (lifting curbs on visit to Gurez Valley) is a welcome decision. Gurez Valley has such a huge potential as it could attract hordes of backpackers.”
President, Adventure Tour Operators’ Association of Kashmir, Rauf Tramboo said the decision will help Kashmir tourism industry a long way.  “Gurez is considered to be a paradise for adventure tourism activities. It is good for trekking, rafting and other adventure activities which will attract foreigners as well as local tourists,” he said.
To mention, Jammu and Kashmir government has finally done away with the mandatory permit that was required for visiting Gurez Valley in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Chairman, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), JK Chapter, Abdul Khaliq Wangnoo said they will promote Gurez valley in order to make it an attractive tourism destination.
“Lifting curbs on visit to Gurez was a long pending demand of valley-based tourism players, now that the ban has been lifted we are thankful to the government,” Wangnoo said.
Former chairman, JK Tourism Alliance, Faiz Bakshi said: “Lifting curbs will not only help tourism traders, it would also create opportunities for people in the far-flung areas of the Valley who will get employment avenues.”
Manager, Travel Master (a Srinagar-based travel agency) Mushtaq Ahmad said: “Due to restrictions imposed by the government, we were not able to sell this destination. Now that the curbs have been lifted we would add up this destination to the itinerary and sell it in the domestic market.”
The State Home Department vide SRO-635, dated December 31, 2014 has de-notified 24 villages declared as protected under the Public Safety Act in 1978 (SRO 243 of 1978 dated 27.04.1978.
Under the PSA—apart from preventive detentions for six and three months—certain areas and places can be declared as prohibited and protected to regulate the entry of persons in these areas.
“There shall be no travel restriction for Indians to visit the Gurez villages namely Koragbal, Gulshanpora, Kanzalwan, Badwan, Wanpora, Khopri, Khandiyal, Dawar, Mastan, Markoot, Shahpora Baja, ShahporaPayeen, Zedgy, PTL, Jurniyal, Jawdara, Neroo, Budugam, Saradab, Gundgul Sheikh, Malangam, Buduab, Gujran and Abdullan,” the notification issued by Principal Secretary, Home, Suresh Kumar, reads.
According to a mechanism chalked out by the state government in consultation with the Army and intelligence agencies, the Police department shall set-up a check point at Dawar Gurez for registration and verification of incoming tourists.
“The tourists/people visiting these areas/villages shall be required to submit a copy of valid document issued by any government agency/Public Sector Undertaking, as proof of their identity,” the notification reads. “However, the natives of Gurez valley shall not be required to submit any such document.”