….and see how people will be attracted to it the way they once were
Kashmir known for its natural beauty was once called as Eden of east. The valley surrounded by hills, green pastures, meadows, thick forests is rich in fresh water lakes.
During the second half of the twentieth century the valley was a good tourist destination for the domestic as well as for the foreign travelers. The serene and calm atmosphere in the lush green meadows would always delight and thrill them. The house boats which are made of high class deodar wood, with artistic Kashmiri Khatambandi and fine architecture, look very elegant. The tourists were always fascinated and would love to stay in these house boats. In the past Gulmarg and its golf course was a great attraction for foreign tourists. The flourishing tourism had a cumulative effect on the hotel industry and its subsidiary business activities like handicrafts such as shawl, carpet, crewelwork and papier-mache.
The peaceful political atmosphere is a paramount and pre-requisite for tourism to flourish in the state. Unfortunately with the onset of the militancy in Kashmir, the tourist industry, which was the backbone of our economy, received a great set back and badly effected the overall business activities in the state. The tourist infrastructure available during 1970s and 80s was totally damaged. The famous Dal lake got squeezed and Anchar lake has almost become non existent due to the illegal encroachments and complacent policy of the government.
A number of concrete residential houses and commercial buildings have come up on the Zabarwan Hills from Brain Nishat to Shalimar and has deprived it of the panoramic view, that once it used to present. This mess has been created as no concerned authority has ever implemented the master plan strictly. It was during Sadiq sahibs time that the first violation took place on boulevard road and later on during Sheikh Sahibs 2nd term as C.M it gained momentum in the shape of hotels and commercial units on the prohibited area of boulevard. It was with the return of normalcy during the first decade of 21st century, that the reconstruction work started and the tourist rush picked up in the valley. Though two more hotels like Mumtaz and Vivanta Taj had come up in the Srinagar but are insufficient to meet the tourist rush . The hotel grand palace with panoramic view though has added to its available accommodation capacity but the hotel Nedoo’s is yet to restore its old glory. Even now the accommodation capacity in the hotels of Srinagar is very less as compared to the number of tourists visiting the city. The stay in the hotels depends upon the income and affordability of the tourists. The super rich domestic and foreign tourists who have more spending power, hesitate to visit Kashmir because of the non availability of hotels with the world class facilities.
The summer capital Srinagar is still categorized as “B” class city and it will take lot of time to promote it as “A” class city. It also does not even fulfill the conditions required for declaring it as a smart city. The road communication which forms the main component of the basic infrastructure of the development are presently in shambles and in dilapidated condition and have been further worsened by the September deluge. There is hardly any five or seven star hotel available at any tourist place in the valley and therefore how can we expect a high class tourist to visit Kashmir.
In the past the tourists would come to Kashmir to enjoy its natural beauty. We are the biggest enemy of our selves. We have played with the nature by constructing huge concrete structures in the shape of hotels and commercial buildings in the famous tourist resorts like Phalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg, some times by encroaching upon the surrounding forest and government land. We have made these places as concrete jungles. We did not even preserve forests and instead looted this natural wealth (an open treasure) and disturbed the echo and environmental balance. In the past the Kashmiri Popular trees on Srinagar- Baramullha and Narabal- Tangamarg roads would give a majestic view and had become a famous out door shooting destination for many reputed film directors of the Bollywood of the time.
It is therefore very essential to first built up our basic infrastructure that could boost up the tourist industry. We must also explore and develop the new tourist destinations in addition to the traditional resorts and construct echo-friendly structures. We could also promote the adventure tourism. The valley is bestowed with number of tourist places with virgin natural beauty yet to be explored. The Lolab, Bungus and Tuleil valley could be brought on the tourist map of Kashmir. The development of Phalgam depends on maintaining its environment and serenity. Reducing the period of Amarnat yatra would help in preserving its echo balance of the area. Conversion of Phalgam into concrete jungle will definitely damage its natural beauty and increase the pollution there.
The development authorities already established at various tourist places should take care of this aspect also to enhance the natural beauty of the area and its surroundings. The valley has remained the abode of Sufi saints. There are number of Muslim shrines in the valley. Kashmir is known as ‘pir var’ as many saints and Sadats from central Asia have come and visited each and every corner of the valley and settled here in pursuit of spreading the Islamic Knowledge to the inhabitants of this part of the world. So there is a lot of scope to explore the religious tourism here for the students and the research scholars of the Islamic history of the world. Even the ancient Hindu temples of historical importance could attract the students of history to do the research work.
The development and preservation of the Buzahama site from the tourism point of view could fetch many research scholars to visit this area. In this way the valley can become the educational hub of learning and higher studies. Similarly the preservation of the ancient ruins of Hindu temple at Naranag and its surroundings could also attract many devotees and trekkers from all over the world. Naranag is a small hillside village located at 15 kms behind Gangabal. And onwards Gangabal, the Tulial valley starts. The government needs to appoint the head of the tourism department, a person who is a dedicated, honest and has love for Kashmir and possess the vast knowledge of international tourism. The CEOs of the tourist development authorities should also be professionals having expertise to take care of echo-friendly and environmental aspect besides preserving the natural beauty of the area. To promote the handicraft sector, the concerned minister I/C, may also look into the pitiable condition of handcraft artisans who are being exploited by the middleman and the big businessmen for taking lion’s share from the profit.
To keep the prices of the handicraft products under check, the government needs to strengthen the Government Arts Emporium so to have a cut throat competition between the private and government sectors. Before the minister I/C tourism department visits Bombay to invite Bollywood actors and directors for shooting their films in Kashmir he has to work hard to built the basic infrastructure required for promotion of the tourism. Mr. CM It will take centuries together to make Kashmir a tourist destination like ‘Devos’. Once the roads are built and the Srinagar city and other tourist places look clean, the tourists and the Bollywood personalities, would like to visit Kashmir on their own.
(Abdul Rashid Khan is IGP(rtd) hailing from Rawalpora- Srinagar)
abdulrashidkhan47@gmail.com
