Srinagar, Jun 16 (KNO): Once known for cross-border shelling and insecurity, villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir are witnessing a tourism boom.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) destinations such as Keran, Machil, Teetwal, Tangdhar, Gurez and Bangus Valley are emerging as major attractions.
Situated on the banks of the Kishenganga river in Kupwara district, Keran has become one of the most visited border destinations in Kashmir. The river forms the LoC between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), offering visitors a rare glimpse of life across the border.
Tourists can often be seen gathering along the riverbanks, exchanging waves with people on the opposite side and enjoying the scenic landscape of forests, mountains and flowing streams.
The surge in tourist arrivals has opened new economic opportunities for local residents, many of whom have converted their homes into homestays and tourism facilities.
“We have learned from established tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. People have decorated their homes, prepared homestays and even arranged horse rides for visitors to explore nearby scenic areas,” said Suhail Ahmad, a homestay owner in Keran.
He said tourism has become a major source of livelihood for residents who for decades lived under the shadow of conflict.
“Before the ceasefire, shelling was a regular occurrence and life was extremely difficult. Today, tourists are visiting throughout the year and local families are benefiting from it,” Ahmad said.
Residents credited the February 2021 reaffirmation of the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement for bringing stability and creating conditions conducive to tourism and development.
“Over the past few years, we have witnessed a complete transformation. Earlier, people would leave their homes during shelling. Now, those same homes are welcoming guests from different parts of the country,” said Abdul Majeed, a resident of Karnah.
Official figures indicate that more than 4.30 lakh tourists have visited border destinations in north Kashmir this year. Of these, nearly three lakh visited areas in Kupwara district, while Gurez recorded around 60,000 visitors and the Uri sector witnessed about 70,000 tourist footfalls.
Apart from Keran and Karnah, destinations such as Bangus Valley, Lolab, Machil, Teetwal, Tangdhar, Gurez and Tulail Valley are drawing increasing numbers of visitors seeking offbeat travel experiences.
Locals said the tourism boom has generated employment opportunities for youth and encouraged small businesses, including transport services, pony rides and hospitality ventures.
However, the rapid increase in tourist footfall has also created challenges.
Tanveer Ahmad, a resident of Keran, said improper disposal of waste by some visitors was becoming a concern.
“Tourists should avoid littering along riverbanks and scenic spots. Proper waste management is essential to preserve the natural beauty of the area,” he said.
Visitors also highlighted the need for improved mobile connectivity and additional public facilities.
Officials said work was underway to improve infrastructure, including the construction of public washrooms and the formulation of plans for scientific waste disposal.
They said cultural events organised by the administration, tourism department and security forces had helped bring border destinations onto Kashmir's tourism map and attract visitors from across the country.
Meanwhile, a tourism portal and a tourism magazine aimed at promoting North Kashmir's tourist destinations and boosting border tourism were launched in Kupwara by the Indian Army.
Officials said the portal and magazine have been designed to showcase the tourism potential of North Kashmir and provide visitors with information on destinations, cultural heritage, adventure tourism activities, local traditions and travel experiences across the region.
The platforms feature several destinations in the frontier districts, including Keran, Machhal, Karnah, Lolab, Tangdhar, Gurez and Kupwara, which have witnessed a rise in tourist arrivals in recent years.
“The objective is to create a comprehensive platform that highlights the unique attractions of North Kashmir and facilitates access to information for tourists planning to visit the region,” an official said.
Officials said the tourism portal would serve as a digital gateway for visitors by providing details about destinations, accommodation facilities, local attractions and tourism-related services available in North Kashmir.
The tourism magazine, meanwhile, seeks to document and promote the region's scenic landscapes, cultural traditions, local crafts and emerging tourism circuits—(KNO)