Tourism industry is the backbone of Kashmir's economy. Without a vibrant and strong tourism the welfare of the people of J&K mind Kashmir is not possible. The tourism in Jammu and Kashmir was thriving and huge number of Indian and foreign tourists were thronging Kashmir up to the very recent time. People connected with tourism directly and indirectly were eking livelihood from tourism. The thriving and stable as well as hospitable tourism was not digested by Pakistan and that country exported terror to derail and disturb tourism in Kashmir. Recently dastardly terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Baisaran valley, Pahalgam have shattered the nation and thus people fear to visit kashmir now due to insecurity, impacted tourism industry of Kashmir.
The Pahalgam tragedy consumed the innocent of terrorism. The Pahalgam terror attack was unprecedented and the very first attack of such brutal dimension where terrorists shot dead tourists on the basis of their religion and this Kashmiris condemned the gruesome terror attack and showed their opposition to such terror attacks which gave a bad name to Kashmiriyat and attacks like Pahalgam terror attack is a black stain on the face of Kashmiriyat and it exposed the hypocrisy of Kashmiriyat and some Kashmiris.
The terrorists who descended the serene meadows of Biararan valley near the world famous tourist destination Pahalgam and created mayhem by killing male tourists before their wives was a despicable terror act which is coward attack and has no place in the modern society and as such is unacceptable and most condemnable. Kashmiris have also condemned this gruesome carnage but what is required is to vociferously condemn the Pahalgam terror attack which has deprived Kashmiris from the money gained from tourism. The Pakistani terrorists are not only the enemy of India but more so the enemies of Kashmiris as they have snatched tourism and tourist industry from the people of Kashmir. The Pahalgam terror attack gave a great setback and shock to tourism and tourism came to a grinding halt because of the terror tragedy at Pahalgam were the husbands were killed in front of their wives without any remorse .The people of Kashmir should stand up and come on roads and denounce and condemn terrorism in strongest words and they should give terrorists a message that people of Kashmir do not want terrorism and consequent killings of the innocent people and particularly the tourists who are our revered guests.
In the wake of Pahalgam massacre at least 80% tourists have left the valley and many more have cancelled their advance bookings and the tourist spots, Mughal gardens, Dal Lake markets, hotels, houseboats stand all deserted by the tourist because of the fear psychosis and they do not want to take any risk and tourists are now turning towards Jammu division where there are many tourists’ spots worth seeing and enjoying. Kashmir after 22nd April presents a deserted and desolate look and their no charm and no hustle and bustle at tourist spots and scenic places and thus tourism got an unprecedented setback and all those people who are associated with tourism directly or indirectly have been harmed by the despicable act of terrorists.
One thing haunts mind of every one and that is without the local support and logistics such a terror attack is not possible and so there is a local angle to Pahalgam attack and this local angle and support to Pahalgam tragedy should be investigated. OGWs and UGW’s of terrorists should be unearthed to expose all those nefarious elements who were hell bent to destabilize and derail tourism and thus cause much harm to all those people who were directly and indirectly associated with tourism. The reality is tourism got a great unbelievable shock and virtual setback and as a result Kashmir stands aloof from tourism and the tourist industry is in great peril. With much painstaking hard work Kashmir was brought on rails after the abrogation of article 370 in August 2019 ,but now al the tourism has been ruined due to the shocking and most brutal carnage and the tourism was the first causality because of the terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 civilians were killed with sadistic pleasure by the enemies of nation, humanity and religion.
Terrorism has brought tourism again to halt and it will take much time to get the tourism revived and strengthened. Kashmiris who have been harmed by the Pak sponsored terrorists by creating Pahalgam carnage should handover local Over ground workers and other supporters of Pahalgam incident to security agencies so that others will not dare to support terrorists. By supporting Pak sponsored terrorists we are digging our own graves and terrorism will devour and sallow us if we will not learn to oppose and condemn it in strongest terms. Kashmiris should themselves guard tourists and give the impression that everything is OK now and the UT government should work in unison with the centre government and try sincerely to gain the confidence of tourists and also provide fool proof security to tourists. Mela Kheerbawani at Tulmulla, Manzgam, Tikker and Devsar is approaching and the government and the tourist and travel operators should work hard to see that pilgrim tourists visit these religious places on 3rd of June which is Zaishta Ashtami and a very sacred and auspicious day for Kashmiri Pandits.
The KP’s and other Hindu devotees should be encouraged to visit their religious shrines of Mata Ragynia Bhagwati. The world famous Amarnath Yatra is also fast approaching and for the participation of people in this yatra ,the government, NGO’s and the general people and religious bodies of Kashmiri Muslims should take lead and persuade pilgrim tourists to visit Kashmir for having the glimpse of the holy ice lingum of Lord Shiva and also to encourage the pilgrims to visit other scenic spots. In fact tourism should be revived and strengthened so that tourists will again like to visit Kashmir and it is the responsibility of Kashmiris to make tourist to fell at home in Kashmir and the people should stand guard for the protection of every tourist. In Pahalgam attack, there is the angle of lack of security.
The pertinent question which haunts every bodies mind is why were the tourists allowed to visit Biasaran valley and were was the security. If Biasaran was a prohibited area why were the tourists allowed to visit that place? Or alternatively why was the security not there when tourists in thousands were visiting and enjoying horse rides? Whose security lapse it is at the ground level? All these questions need answers and all those who responsibility it was to give security to tourists at Biasaran meadows should be taken to task. In short there is no way out and the tourism and tourist footfall should be revived slowly and steadily as we cannot afford to shut tourism in Kashmir without our ruin.
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