Opinion | Development of Tourism Infrastructure ! A unavoidable need of the hour.

By Tahir

February 25, 2021, was no less than an Eid for villagers living along the LoC in J&K. On this day India and Pakistan agreed to strictly observe all ceasefire agreements along the LoC and other sectors. People living in villages near the Line of Control are now happily living a normal life and have hugely benefited from the ceasefire agreement.
Not only this, the government of India has promoted the concept of border tourism, which has changed things altogether. Many places in Kashmir are now introduced as tourism sites. This initiative has brought smile on the face of millions of Kashmiris as they see their future connected with tourism industry . Let me tell u tale of a hidden Place situated close to line of control called Gurez Valley. The beautiful Gurez Valley has been brought on the tourism map. In 2022 and even during the current winter period tourists thousands of tourists have visited the valley . Tourists from across the country visit Gurez Valley . Peace on borders has given a sense of security to those who intend to visit these tourist destinations located close to LoC. The Government of India seems highly interested in developing these areas as tourist destinations.
During my visit to Gurez Valley in 2022 I saw people enthusiastically welcoming tourists. I held interactions with the local people and tourists from different parts of country were seen enjoying the beauty of nature. I was surprised to find an amazing coffee shop, The Log Hut Café, in the town of Dawer has been established by Indian Army. All the staff running the cafe is local and has been trained by army personnel. Such types of cafes and food outlets need to be established at every border tourist spot, like in Bangus Valley, Tangdhar, Machil and Keran.
Those associated with this cafe are earning. Alot of people have connected themselves with the tourism sector and earn their livelihood. People have converted their homes on the guest house where tourists stay. Many young people have established their own restaurants and offer food to the visitors. The tourism activities have provided the immense opportunities to the local population and their fate have started a change.
Gurez now seems emerging as one more Switzerland in Kashmir. Once part of ancient Dardistan, the valley of Gurez falls along the ancient Silk Route which connected the Kashmir Valley with Gilgit. People here speak the Sina language and are full with quality of hospitality.
Gurez is located in the high Himalayas, about 86 kilometres from Bandipore town and 123 kilometres from Srinagar city, in northern Kashmir. At about 8,000 ft above sea level, the valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Razdan Pass connects this valley with Kashmir and it remains closed during the winter season due to heavy snowfall on the pass. The people of Gurez valley are ethnic Dards (Shins). They have the same styles of dress and culture as their kinsmen in Pakistan held Gilgit-Baltistan.
Dawar is the central township in Gurez . The population of the area is estimated to be about 35,000 in its all fifteen villages. Dawar is an important archaeological site. In village Kanzalwan, the last Council of Buddhism is believed to have been held. Just a few miles away in Neelum Valley (in the Pakistan-held part) is Sharda Peeth or the Seat of Sharda, named after the goddess of wisdom Saraswati. Access It was an ancient centre of learning established in 273 B, even before the Takshila and Nalanda universities. Such is the importance of this*valley.
Gurez’s most formidable peak is Habba Khatoon. This pyramid-shaped peak was named after the Kashmiri poet Habba Khatoon. The emperor of Kashmir Yousuf Shah Chak was enthralled by Habba Khatoon’s beauty, intelligence and poetry. Shah is said to have arranged her divorce and married her. When Shah was imprisoned by his rival King Akbar, Habba Khatoon began to wander near this peak that now bears her name to look for her lover. Before the partition of Kashmir, Gurez was a destination for foreign tourists such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who is known to have visited the valley some time before he became the US president.

Sports and Tourism Potential:

Experts believe that if the valley is promoted in a proper way it can attract tourists from across the globe and can generate employment for thousands of unemployed youth of Kashmir. There is unparalleled potential of adventure tourism, sports tourism, trekking, water rafting, skiing, skating, rock climbing and snowboarding etc . The media has a crucial role to play in promoting emerging destinations like Gurez Valley.Developmental of Tourism Infrastructure is an unavoidable need of the hour as this is the only way to absorb unemployed youth in tourism sector .