Residents and stakeholders in central Kashmir’s Budgam district have urged the government to reopen Yusmarg, a picturesque tourist destination, which has been closed to visitors following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. As temperatures soar and a severe heatwave grips the region, the closure of the popular hill station has sparked concern among locals, tourism players, and nature enthusiasts.
Yusmarg, known for its sprawling meadows, cool pine forests, and breathtaking views of the Pir Panjal range, is traditionally a summer haven for both locals and tourists seeking relief from the heat. However, the area was placed under heightened security restrictions soon after the Pahalgam incident, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local service provider.
Now, with daily temperatures in the Valley exceeding 34°C, the absence of access to Yusmarg is being felt acutely.
“Yusmarg is not just a tourist destination, it is a lifeline for hundreds of local families who depend on tourism for their livelihood,” said Mohammad Ashraf Dar, a pony-wallah from Nagbal. “We understand security concerns, but closing the area for the entire season punishes the local economy and the people.”
Several hotel owners and guesthouse operators echoed the sentiment. They reported mass cancellations, financial losses, and fear of permanent reputational damage to Yusmarg as a safe tourist spot.
“June and July are peak months,” said Mohmmad Muzfar “Even after the COVID years, we managed to attract guests. This summer was expected to be our comeback—but the blanket shutdown has pushed us back again.”
While the government had earlier stated that tourist activity in certain areas was being reassessed in light of “enhanced security protocols,” no formal reopening date for Yusmarg has been announced.
Tourists who had planned summer visits to the Valley are also expressing disappointment. Shaista Bano, a teacher from Srinagar who had scheduled a weekend getaway with her children, said, “Yusmarg is the most peaceful and cleanest spot near Srinagar. With the heat becoming unbearable, we really hoped it would be open. The government should strike a balance between security and access.”
In response to growing calls, civil society members in Charar-e-Sharief have submitted a memorandum to the district administration, requesting immediate steps to reopen Yusmarg with appropriate security arrangements.
“We fully support the administration in its efforts to ensure safety, but prolonged closure serves no purpose. Security personnel can be deployed as in Pahalgam and Gulmarg..
Tourism department officials, when contacted, acknowledged the concerns and said that a review is underway. A senior official, requesting anonymity, said:
“There is no permanent ban on tourism in Yusmarg. We are working with security agencies to ensure a safe reopening. A decision may be announced soon.”
Meanwhile, environmentalists have warned that keeping such eco-sensitive areas inaccessible during peak months could lead to unregulated tourism pressure elsewhere, including overburdened destinations like Gulmarg and Sonamarg.
As temperatures continue to climb and the demand for cooler retreats rises, Yusmarg’s closure is turning into a flashpoint between security priorities and local economic aspirations. Residents remain hopeful that the government will soon take a balanced and timely decision to allow the meadows of Yusmarg to reopen—not just for tourists, but for the revival of livelihoods and community morale.