Reopen these destinations for tourists

After remaining closed for tourists on account of security-related issues post Pahalgam massacre, the J&K Government in September last year reopened several popular tourist destinations. These included Aru valley in Pahalgam, Yanner rafting point Pahalgam, Akkad Park Pahalgam road, Kaman post Uri, Dhaggar Kathua, Shiv cave Salal Reasi etc. Before these places were reopened the Govt threw open tourist destinations like Verinag, Kokergan, Betab valley, Achabal etc., in June last year. Along with many tourist destinations that were closed down for tourists, Yusmarg, Doodhpathri & Tosamaidan in district Budgam were also declared out of bounds for tourists. Initially it was believed that both Yusmarg and Doodhpathri would be re-opened in June 2025 when Kokernag, Veerinag, Betab valley Pahalgam etc., were reopened but that didn’t happen? When the Govt again threw open places like Aru Pahalgam and other tourist destinations in September last year, it was for sure Yusmarg, Doodhpathri and even Tosamaidan would be reopened, but this didn’t happen?

 Peaceful destinations

By keeping destinations like  Yousmarg, Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan closed for tourists for the last 10 months, this is having a severe impact on local livelihoods. I understand that there will be security concerns which prompted the Govt to keep these destinations closed, but keeping these destinations closed for 10 long months is a matter of concern? Yusmarg, Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan in district Budgam are beautiful tourist destinations in Kashmir which are easily accessible through roads. These places have always remained peaceful and never witnessed any untoward incident with tourists in past. Doodhpathri especially had witnessed huge tourist inflow in the last 3 to 4 years. Even during the winters of 2023, 2024 and 2025 the area witnessed a huge rush of people. Yusmarg and Tosamaidan were also getting a good number of tourists and people were struggling to get a better inflow of non Kashmiri visitors, but the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack smashed the dreams of local people associated with tourist trade?

 Women’s livelihood snatched

It makes my eyes wet when I see Yusmarg and Doodhpathri closed down and the local population struggling? Few days back the aggrieved people associated with the tourism trade in Yusmarg had  assembled at Nilnag to protest. It is unfortunate that they can’t even assemble to protest in Yusmarg which is like their Karam Bhoomi? I remember how happily women from Raiyar and adjoining villages near Doodhpathri began selling fresh makki rotis and noon chai, kehwa etc., on the roadside from the last 3 to 4 years? This was further upgraded and within one or two years post COVID 19 2022 to 2025, almost 200 such women-led makeshift  dhabas had been set up on both sides of the road right from Raiyar to Doodhpathri. It was looking so fascinating and women were earning a decent livelihood along with their male members of the families. Infact by 2024-2025 this was replicated in Yusmarg and Tosamaidan as well. The women especially around Doodhpathri further upgraded these makeshift samovar chai centres into small dhabas selling makki rotis, Kashmiri haakh (collard greens), sabzi, achaar, omelette, maggi and many things. This work had been flourishing even in winters in the last 2 years & financially empowered these women who otherwise would hardly earn even a penny before 2021? The dreams of these poor women were also shattered post Pahalgam attack. Their husbands, sons or brothers who worked with them or as horse-handlers in local areas are also jobless for 10 months and Govt has not compensated even a single family till date?

Bank Loans

We understand the security concerns of the Government, but closing these destinations for such a long time is a matter of concern. For the last 10 months people have cooperated and this is the time now to reopen Yusmarg, Doodhpathri, Tosamaidan and other closed tourism destinations. Authorities can provide enough security in these areas, plus use modern gadgets like drones to keep the security grid intact.  Not only are poneywalas or horse handlers suffering in Yusmarg and Doodhpathri especially but the people who had invested in building guest houses, home-stays, dhabas, restaurants, camping agencies etc are frustrated. They have taken huge bank loans and are in serious debt as they are unable to pay the monthly instalments for the last 10 months?Conclusion

I am sure the tourism players in Yusmarg, Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan and even in other places which are closed like Bungus will fully cooperate with government and security agencies to ensure safety and security of tourists. If tourists were attacked in Pahalgam and that place has been reopened again many months back why shall people in Yusmarg, Doodhpathri or Tosamaidan continue to suffer? We live in a welfare state but our elected Govt hasn’t even thought about the small business these women had set up in Yusmarg, Doodhpathri or Tosamaidan? Has the Govt ever spoken to these aggrieved women? Did authorities ever make contact with the Poneywalas of Yusmarg or Doodhpathri and provide them some kind of support, like ration, feed for horses etc.? These poor horse-handlers have to not only feed their families but they have to feed these animals as well?  It is the duty of all MLAs from Budgam to jointly meet the Union Home Minister, Hon’ble LG  and Union Home Secretary to ensure Yusmarg, Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan are thrown open for tourists without any delay. The J&K Assembly must also pass a resolution in this regard in the upcoming session of assembly.

Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat is Chairman Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement and Founder of JK Climate Action Group -JKCAG