Uri’s untold tourism story begins to find policy backing

Uri, Feb 3: For years, Uri has remained one of Kashmir’s least written-about landscapes—frequently mentioned because of its border location, yet rarely explored for what lies beyond it. Situated on the western edge of the Valley, the region has long been viewed through a narrow security lens, overshadowing its ecological richness, spiritual heritage and potential for slow, community-led tourism.

Unlike Kashmir’s established tourism circuits—Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg—Uri never became part of mainstream travel narratives.

This exclusion was not due to a lack of attractions, but rather a lack of sustained attention. Dense forests, river valleys, high ridges overlooking the Jhelum and centuries-old pilgrimage sites have quietly coexisted here, largely outside the tourism spotlight.

Ecotourism forms one of Uri’s strongest yet least explored possibilities. The forest belts stretching towards Limber and Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuaries are ecologically sensitive zones, home to rare species such as the Markhor. These landscapes lend themselves to low-impact tourism—wildlife observation, nature walks and conservation-based learning—rather than high-footfall recreation.

The region also holds undocumented trekking potential. Trails shaped by geography and local movement pass through forest corridors and river-adjacent routes, offering immersive travel experiences rooted in nature rather than speed.

Border tourism adds another distinct layer to Uri’s identity. Places such as Kaman Post expose visitors to lived border realities—spaces marked by memory, history and reflection. Here, tourism intersects with lived experience, offering understanding rather than spectacle.

Pilgrimage tourism further anchors Uri in spiritual continuity. Sacred sites, including Baba Rangi Hamam, Baba Fareed, Baba Qazinag, Chatti Padshahi, and the Pandav temples of Rajarwani and Rampur, form a dispersed but connected religious landscape. These sites continue to attract devotees quietly, sustaining faith-based travel that predates modern tourism infrastructure.

Leisure tourism also has a place in Uri’s evolving narrative. Areas like Bosiyan–Gingle, known locally as picnic spots, draw families seeking rest and recreation, underscoring the importance of everyday, community-oriented tourism.

Against this backdrop, Uri’s tourism story is beginning to find articulation at the policy level.

Speaking about the future direction of tourism, Uri MLA Dr Sajad Shafi outlined a comprehensive vision to bring the region into the broader tourism framework of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We want Uri to be included in eco-tourism, border tourism and pilgrimage tourism,” he said.

Regarding border tourism, the MLA noted steps already taken to improve access. “For border tourism, we have arranged a bus service from Srinagar to Kaman Post,” he said.

He stressed that infrastructure development would be central to realising Uri’s tourism potential. “Another project has been cleared through BEACON—the road from Gulmarg to Boniyar to Trikanjan to Uri,” he said.

Addressing visitor facilities, Dr Shafi said a tourism reception centre is planned at Salamabad, while the closed trade centre is proposed to be repurposed for tourism use, with accommodation facilities and a cafeteria.

Community participation, he added, would remain key. “People are being encouraged to develop 1BHK rooms and similar accommodations for tourists,” he said.

On pilgrimage tourism, the MLA advocated a circuit-based approach. “Baba Rangi Hamam, Baba Fareed, Baba Qazinag, the Pandav temples in Rajarwani and Rampur, and Chatti Padshahi should be included in a single tourism circuit,” he said, adding that development programmes are already in place for sites such as Baba Fareed.

Highlighting ecological assets, he said, “For eco-tourism, we have rare species like the Markhor in Limber and Lachipora wildlife sanctuaries. People should be able to see and understand these species.”

Culture, he emphasised, must remain visible. “Cultural programmes showcasing Pahari, Kashmiri and Gujri traditions are also being organised,” he said.

While tourism in Uri currently remains largely local, the ambition is to scale it up. “Local tourists visit more often. The vision is to expand this on a broader scale and attract larger numbers,” the MLA said.

Together, ecology, pilgrimage, border history and leisure form a quiet but interconnected tourism ecosystem in Uri—one that is only now beginning to be formally recognised.