Keran, Oct 07 (KNO): Once overshadowed by the fear of cross-border shelling and the constant threat from across the Line of Control (LoC), Keran in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district is witnessing a remarkable transformation, with the sense of insecurity gradually giving way to peace and tourism.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) tourists are arriving in large numbers to explore its mountains, forests and the Kishenganga river and the frontier area is abuzz with activity.
Located along the LoC, the picturesque area has emerged as an attraction for visitors from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir and other states, offering a combination of scenic landscapes and a rare view of communities living on opposite sides of the international border.
The Kishenganga, known as the Neelum on the other side, separates the two sides in parts of Keran.
For many tourists, the experience is unlike that offered by conventional destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam. "Keran is different because you are not only seeing mountains and rivers. You are also seeing the border from very close and watching people on the other side," said Aamir Hussain, a visitor from Srinagar.
The increasing tourist footfall has also created new opportunities for local residents. Several families have opened homestays, while horses are being made available for visitors wishing to explore nearby areas.
"Tourism has given people here another source of income. Earlier, there were very few opportunities, but now families can earn through homestays, horse rides and other services," said Farooq Ahmad, a local resident.
Residents said they were increasingly conscious of the need to make visitors feel welcome while also explaining the area's history.
"We want tourists to leave with a good impression of Keran. We help them with accommodation, guide them around and also tell them about the history of the place," said Riyaz Ahmad, who runs a homestay in the area.
“The Army has also contributed to promote Keran as a tourist destination by facilitating visits by social media influencers and travel content creators,” locals said, adding, “Army initiatives have helped bring attention to Keran. A few years ago, very few people outside Kupwara knew much about this place. Now people from different parts of the country are coming here."
But the rise in tourist numbers has also exposed gaps in basic infrastructure, particularly waste management. Garbage, including plastic bottles and food wrappers, are found at several locations near areas frequented by tourists. "It is disappointing to see people throwing waste along the river. We need proper disposal arrangements, but tourists also have a responsibility to keep the area clean," said Javed Ahmad a local resident.
Mobile connectivity remains another major concern for both residents and visitors.
Rohit Sharma, who had travelled to Keran with his family, said the lack of reliable mobile connectivity made it difficult to remain in contact with relatives and access online services.
"For a tourist destination that is receiving more visitors every year, basic communication facilities are important. The administration should address this issue," he said.
Officials said the administration is aware of the infrastructure requirements and is working to improve facilities in the area.
Several public toilets are being constructed in and around the tourist areas, while a plan for scientific disposal of waste is also under consideration, officials said.
For residents, however, the biggest change in Keran has come not from tourism but from the relative peace that has prevailed since the February 2021 ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan.
The ceasefire brought a significant change to life along the LoC, residents said, after years in which shelling had disrupted daily life and damaged homes and other property.
"Before the ceasefire, people lived in fear. Shelling could happen at any time and families had to remain prepared to move to safer places," said Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Keran.
He said the cessation of firing has allowed people to resume normal activities and opened the possibility of tourism developing in the area. "We have lost people and seen houses damaged during the years of shelling. Nobody wants those days to return. Today, when we see tourists coming here, it feels like a completely different Keran," Nabi said.
Some families who moved away during the years of conflict have not returned, residents said, leaving behind abandoned and damaged houses in the area.
The residents, however, believe that sustained investment in infrastructure could help Keran emerge as one of the major tourist destinations in north Kashmir.
Better roads, mobile connectivity, sanitation and scientific waste management would be crucial for sustaining the growth in tourist arrivals, they said.
For a region once defined by the sound of shelling, the growing presence of tourists along the Kishenganga now offers a markedly different picture of Keran, where the border remains visible but everyday life is increasingly shaped by tourism and the pursuit of peace—(KNO)