Opinion | Tourism Promotes Peace !

Syed Aaliyah

Besides prominent tourist places, various new tourist places have been identified and introduced by the government to the public during last two years. These new places become open to the public after decades, due to peace and tranquillity in the Valley, because of the persistent efforts by the government and the armed forces. These places have been widely visited by local, national as well as international tourists. These places are mostly in border areas. The best advantage of opening these new tourist places become a source of income, and employment and explore Kashmiri tourism a new boost.

Most importantly, opening and including these borders in Google Maps for the public makes a sense of peace and brotherhood. This helped in a positive sense and clear confusions regarding among outsiders about the present turmoil and past turbulence. This has only become possible when the Indian army backed by the government curb the infiltration roots of terrorism. Opening of border tourist places like Bungus Valley, Karen, Machil and Sadana Top, etc, generates not only economy but interchange communal harmony, border economy and local engagement.

Army with huge sacrifices eliminates terrorism and pro-people initiates promote positive peace by allowing tourists and locals to the most beautiful places. These places were behind the imagination. The promotion of peace through tourism is the most important tool to reduce conflict, violence, and negative aspects of peace.

Most of these border’ tourist places were restricted due to infiltration and violence erupted by the terrorists. Now by opening these places and organizing winter and summer carnivals with the help of the Indian army are giving a wide and clear message to the people outside national and international tourists that there is peace in Kashmir valley and the people of Kashmir are happy. These efforts of boosting tourism make once again a new Kashmir with new hopes and expectations of peace and prosperity. The last two years were announced as the tourist years.

Kashmir has been an adobe of tourism. Beauty lies in every part of the land. Disturbances and violence have made this beautiful valley a tough sell. Hence, tourists’ fear of visiting Kashmir hit the visitor number which largely haunts the tourism industry as the backbone of the economy.

There was a common question floating on social media, is Kashmir open for tourism? It was a time when tourists were advised to leave Kashmir. Now things are quite changing and most importantly tourism is booming. After opening restricted places like Bungus, Karen, and Guraz Indian army with the help of the government created an environment that will not allow any further violence.

The present situation in Kashmir is normal. Normal means, there is no external or internal interruption. There is no news of violence in the state and the daily life and routine business of the locals are on track.

There is no doubt, that government has taken various steps for the development of tourism in Kashmir. An important one was to conduct local sports carnivals. It is an admitted fact that Kashmir has sports and tourism potential throughout the year. Hence there is an immediate need to enhance and facilitate the sports and tourism industry during winter also.

A step ahead can boost the state as well as the local economy if newly tourist places can be developed and facilities are made available. Likewise, many tourist places in Kashmir are with basic facilities. Hence to accelerate the economy, normalcy and engagement of the youth we need to make every kind of facility available for newly tourist places that will cater tourism during summer and winter as well with good space for sports activities also.

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