Bhadarwah Valley to be developed as international tourist destination

Bhadarwah, Dec 19: Bhadarwah Valley is set to receive a significant tourism boost after being selected by the World Bank for development as an international tourist destination.

Bhadarwah, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, snow-peaked mountains, flower valleys, and unique Nag culture, has been identified as one of four key sites for comprehensive tourism infrastructure development.

The World Bank, in collaboration with the Union and Jammu and Kashmir governments, has chosen Bhadarwah alongside three other destinations: Kokernag in Anantnag district, Baradari in Reasi district, and Doodhpathri in Budgam. The selection followed a World Bank delegation’s visit to J&K in September.

Bal Krishan, CEO of the Bhadarwah Development Authority (BDA), highlighted the significance of this partnership. He emphasized that this is a major development for tourism in Bhadarwah, describing the project as a joint venture that will help flourish adventure and cultural tourism in the coming days.

Local tourism stakeholders are optimistic about the potential economic impact. Vikas Sharma, an adventure tour organizer, expressed excitement about the opportunity to gain international recognition for the region’s Nag culture, adventure sports, and traditional handicrafts.

The valley offers an impressive array of attractions including snow sports, white water rafting on the River Chenab, pilgrimage tourism to ancient Nag temples, and the high-altitude Kailash Kund glacier lake. Tourist Irene James from Mumbai, a regular visitor to the region, welcomed the news, believing this development will bring Bhadarwah onto the international tourism map and significantly increase its profile.

According to BDA figures, popular sites like Guldanda, Jaie, Padri, Seoj, and Chattargalla have already attracted over 750,000 tourists since January this year, demonstrating the valley’s growing appeal. The World Bank’s involvement promises to transform Bhadarwah into a world-class tourist destination, potentially bringing substantial economic opportunities to the region.