Suhail Bhat
Tral, June 20: Seven years ago, the residents of South Kashmir’s Tral town were elated after a rare tourist spot – Shikargah -was re-opened for visitors but Government’s failure to put it on the map of tourism has dashed the hopes of residents.
Nearly two decades ago when militancy was at its peak, Shikargarh Park was closed for any sort of tourist activity due to security concerns but in year 2011, the park was thrown open for public with an aim to boost the local economy. “Not a single incident of militant attack on tourists took place here but they were not allowed to visit. Today if you intend to visit the place you have to pass a security check which discourages visitors,” Rouf Ahmad, a local, said.
Once a popular hunting place, the Shikargah is situated at the intersection of Wasturwen and Kherwon mountains surrounded by dense forests. At an altitude of nearly 2130, Shikargah lies at the union of two streams including Aru spring that flows from Kolahi glacier beyond Lidderwat and Sheeshnag that flows through the great Himalayas.
The locals of the area said the successive Governments have repeatedly promised them to promote Shikargah as a prime tourist place but to no avail. “Last month also, we went to the Chief Minister and she has assured us that she will look into it. Nothing has happened so far,” they said.
The locals said she assured them that the area was being connected to the famed tourist destination Pahalgam through a trekking route and a road to make it a part of a bigger circuit, which would give boost to the local economy. While describing the importance of the place, the locals said the Shikargah resembles the famed tourist destination Gulmarg but what makes the place unique was its temperature.
The locals of Tral said the tourist inflow had picked up after it was re-opened after a gap of nearly two decades. “The people were scared to go to the place as they have to go through rigorous security checks to reach there. There were several security camps on the road leading to the Shikargah during the peak of militancy in Kashmir,” he said, adding “but now people would visit the place freely. However, the Government has failed to explore the potential of the place. They did not pay any attention after opening it.”
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Tral Mushtaq Ahmad Shah when contacted said that several initiates were in the pipeline to promote tourism in the area but the environment was not conducive enough for any sort of development. “We have decided to upgrade it to a wildlife sanctuary. Once that is done tourism will pick up in the area,” he said.
The MLA said it was for the first time that an amount of Rs. 8 crores was reserved for the construction of several cafeterias in the area. “We have also identified the land at places including Nagabl, Narastan, Aripal and Gofkal. The land for the cafeteria at Shikargah is yet to be identified and once land it is done we will construct the required infrastructure,” he said. He added that an amount of about Rs. 40 crore has been kept for the widening of Tral- Shaikargah road.
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