One of the relatively unknown areas of kashmir with vast tourism potential is the Vaadi e Lolab . Its blissful aura can never be expressed in words . Lolab – known as Land of Love and beauty is Home to many ancient springs and covered with dense forests , the Oval – Shaped Lolab valley in North Kashmir's Kupwara district is all set to mesmerise tourists this season . Apart from the scenic natural beauty , this place is also historically important as Varnow village , a small settlement in the region , is the birthplace of Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri (RA) a distinguished islamic scholar known globally. Some few decades ago it has been an area of attraction for Bollywood fraternity . It has been appreciated by Saints , poets, philosophers for centuries together . In an article written by Dar Javed in one of the publications, he mentions. Though the poet of East had not visited physically the valley of Lolab but still in his powerful imagination, he had perceived the glimpses of the beauty of valley of Lolab. He, out of sheer love for this valley, expresses in the Armughaan-e-Hejaaz (urdu) under the assumed name of Mulla Zaada Zaigham Lollabi, Paaniterai Chesmunka Tadapta Huwaseemab Murgan-e-Sahar Teri Fazan wu Main Hai BaitabAai Wadiyai Lolab.
Travel for Lolab is increasingly becoming experimental. There is increasing trend of experiential tourism to know new things and experiencing culture , tourism and tradition . Lolab can be a pivotal part for tourists However both the Govt and common people need to engage in fostering tourism activities. Few suggestions for good Lolab tourism I’m penning down :

Promoting Home Stay

Rural home stay provide authentic rural experience. It is very important that Govt provides capacity building trainings to those interested in Providing home stay experience to tourists in Lolab.

National Strategy for Promotion of Lolab Tourism

Ministry of tourism Govt of india and department of Tourism JK should notify a roadmap for tourism cycle to foster tourism activities in LOLAB valley . Good media hype must be to strengthen the support for Lolab tourism.

Role of Ministry of Culture and Environment

Both the Ministry's must adopt some strategies to help boost LOLAB tourism. Culture deptts should be lined up to bring out the best cultural preservatives and showcase them to the tourists for better flow of Lolab.

Horticultural Tourism

There must be a centre of excellence hub in Lolab for horticultural tourism. This would help in boosting tourism Flow.

TRC Chandigam and Dourusa

Tourism reception centres must be lined up with 100 percent connectivity of internet , water , and superstar electricity transformers to incur any shortfalls.

Road Connectivity and Plantation

A smooth levelling and widening of Road is must in Lolab for a better experiential tourism . The signage of I LOVE LOLAB must be at every road junction. 2022 has reshaped hope for kashmir anf for Lolab as well . According to J&K tourism officials, March 2022 broke the 10-year tourist arrival record in Kashmir, signalling that Kashmir’s tourism industry is finally on the path to recovery. Data show that 1,62,664 domestic travellers and 490 foreigners visited the Kashmir Valley in January and February. During the first three months of 2022, more than 3 lakh tourists arrived in Kashmir to enjoy the snow in Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam followed by the spring tourism around Srinagar’s Dal Lake. Officials add that Kashmir's Tulip Garden at the foothills of the Zabarwan range in Srinagar had received 2 lakh visitors within 10 days of opening for the season.
According to the Union tourism ministry, 1.42 lakh tourists had visited J&K during February alone, breaking the seven-year record.

Writer is a science graduate
Email:-------Aliyawrites35@gmail.com