Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, June 17: Tourists visiting popular destinations in Anantnag district, including Betaab Valley in Pahalgam and Kokernag, were greeted with warmth and hospitality today as the Jammu and Kashmir administration reopened 16 tourist sites that had been closed following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
At Pahalgam, visitors were welcomed with shawls and bouquets. In Kokernag, school children lined up along the roads, waving flags, singing songs, and offering flowers. “I have been to Kashmir before, but the love and warmth I felt today were extraordinary. It was a special moment. I urge everyone to visit-not just for the beauty, but for the kindness of its people,” a tourist from Punjab said. Click here to watch video
Bharkat Ali, a tourist from Rajasthan, echoed the sentiment. “It is nothing like what the media portrays. Kashmir is, and will always be, a paradise. We feel completely safe here.”
Local student Azqa Shabir, who participated in the welcome ceremony, said, “I want to tell every tourist there is no fear here. Come and see the real Kashmir-we are here to welcome you with open hearts.”
In Kashmir, reopened sites include Betaab Valley, Pahalgam Market Park, Kokernag, Achabal, and Verinag gardens in Anantnag, along with Badamwari Park, Duck Park near Nigeen, and Taqdeer Park near Hazratbal in Srinagar. In the Jammu region, destinations such as Sarthal and Dhaggar in Kathua, Jai Valley in Doda, and Pancheri in Udhampur have also reopened.
Security arrangements have been reinforced at all locations, with tourist police deployed to assist visitors and ensure their safety.
Local MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir welcomed the move, calling it a vital step toward restoring tourist confidence and reviving the region’s economy.
Hoteliers, restaurant owners, and pony operators said the reopening offers hope. “This sends a clear signal that normalcy is returning. It is a lifeline for thousands whose livelihoods depend on tourism,” a hotelier said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
