The government on Monday threw open seven tourist spots in the Valley that were closed after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 25 tourists and a local ponywala were killed.
The tourist spots were opened following directions issued by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha after a meeting of the Unified Headquarters on Friday.
“After a thorough security review and discussion in today’s UHQ meeting, I’ve ordered reopening of more tourist spots in Kashmir and Jammu Divisions, which were temporarily closed as precautionary measures,” Sinha said.
The LG administration shut down 48 tourist spots following the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran in the Pahalgam.
The seven tourist spots that were reopened in the Kashmir today include Aru Valley, Rafting Point Yanner, Akkad Park, Padshahi Park and Kaman Post.
The LG had ordered the reopening of five tourist spots in the Jammu division as well. These include Dagan Top in Ramban, Dhaggar in Kathua and Shiv Cave in Salal, Reasi.
The LG administration had reopened 16 tourist destinations, including some parts of Pahalgam, in June.
The tourist stakeholders have welcomed the reopening of 12 closed tourist spots and urged the Lt Governor administration to reopen other closed tourist destinations also.
Meanwhile, adventure tourism resumed in Reasi district as operators restarted rafting in the Chenab river after a long halt, with scores of tourists thronging the venue to enjoy the water sport.
Reasi is famous for rafting at Baradari, where the Chenab flows amid majestic mountains and forested riverbanks, attracting thousands of adventure seekers.
“Adventure tourism is back in action. We restarted rafting in the Chenab today after a suspension of several months. We are happy to resume it,” said operator Surinder Singh.
The tourism industry had suffered badly following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, subsequent Operation Sindoor and floods.
“The government had closed rafting for safety precautions. It has restarted after almost six months, and we hope it will get even better in the coming days,” Singh said.
Long closure of rafting activities had severely hit livelihoods, but operators and guides are now relieved as work picks up again.
Authorities have also ensured strict safety measures for tourists.
“This will bring the adventure tourism industry back on track and provide livelihood to many people connected with rafting. Several companies had been set up on loans to promote adventure tourism, but the suspension had hit the economy hard. Now, it is back,” Singh said.
“We are happy to be here. The rafting was thrilling. We heard it had been suspended for a few months, so we were excited to try it. Once you raft in the cold waters of the Chenab, your tiredness goes away,” said Arjun Shukla, a tourist from Gujarat.
Last week, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department handed over 14 commercial river rafting permits to adventure operators in Baradari, Reasi, in a bid to promote adventure tourism and provide livelihood opportunities to local youth.