With majority of the shikara owners switching over to other jobs, the world famous Dal Lake is fast losing its boats. Rough estimates suggest that of the 4500 shikaras only 400 row in the lake.
The shikara owners have ascribed the reason to zero inflow of tourists. The government of India issued an advisory on August 3 last year urging the tourists to leave the Valley. On August 5 the government of India revoked Article 35 A and article 370 of the Indian constitution that conferred special status on the state which was bifurcated into two union territories same day. The people observed strike that lasted around four months hitting the tourist industry hard. The shikara owners said some boatmen shifted to other jobs.
In Kashmir there are almost 4500 Shikaras that would row in Dal, Nigeen, river Jehlum and other areas. But at present, only 400 Shikaras are rowing in Dal Lake that too against the 50 per cent discount rate.
“Despite discount or half rate, what we call it, there is no income. We hardly see any tourist asking for a Shikara ride,” said Wali Muhammad, president of Shikara Owners Association Kashmir (SOAK). He said more than 2.5 lakh people are dependent on the Shikara business but since past six months there is hardly any income.
“Tourism has been hit badly,” said Wali. He said that many Shikara owners have sold their boats and many have switched over to other businesses. “Many of us are selling vegetables, fruit and dozens of us are going for daily labour to sustain their living,” he said. “All of us have families. I have myself not been able to pay electricity duty of past five months. You can imagine the nature of loses we have faced and the situation we are going through.” Wali hoped that in the coming months, if all goes well and if peace prevails, tourist foot-fall is expected to increase.
There has been a slump in tourism since August 5 even though the GoI rolled back the harsh advisory and asked tourists to visit Kashmir again without any worry. However, tourist arrival according to tour operators is almost zero. “Hotels, houseboats and lodges are empty. Very few tourists are present in Kashmir at present,” a tour operator said. (KNO)
With majority of the shikara owners switching over to other jobs, the world famous Dal Lake is fast losing its boats. Rough estimates suggest that of the 4500 shikaras only 400 row in the lake.
The shikara owners have ascribed the reason to zero inflow of tourists. The government of India issued an advisory on August 3 last year urging the tourists to leave the Valley. On August 5 the government of India revoked Article 35 A and article 370 of the Indian constitution that conferred special status on the state which was bifurcated into two union territories same day. The people observed strike that lasted around four months hitting the tourist industry hard. The shikara owners said some boatmen shifted to other jobs.
In Kashmir there are almost 4500 Shikaras that would row in Dal, Nigeen, river Jehlum and other areas. But at present, only 400 Shikaras are rowing in Dal Lake that too against the 50 per cent discount rate.
“Despite discount or half rate, what we call it, there is no income. We hardly see any tourist asking for a Shikara ride,” said Wali Muhammad, president of Shikara Owners Association Kashmir (SOAK). He said more than 2.5 lakh people are dependent on the Shikara business but since past six months there is hardly any income.
“Tourism has been hit badly,” said Wali. He said that many Shikara owners have sold their boats and many have switched over to other businesses. “Many of us are selling vegetables, fruit and dozens of us are going for daily labour to sustain their living,” he said. “All of us have families. I have myself not been able to pay electricity duty of past five months. You can imagine the nature of loses we have faced and the situation we are going through.” Wali hoped that in the coming months, if all goes well and if peace prevails, tourist foot-fall is expected to increase.
There has been a slump in tourism since August 5 even though the GoI rolled back the harsh advisory and asked tourists to visit Kashmir again without any worry. However, tourist arrival according to tour operators is almost zero. “Hotels, houseboats and lodges are empty. Very few tourists are present in Kashmir at present,” a tour operator said. (KNO)
© Copyright 2023 brighterkashmir.com All Rights Reserved. Quantum Technologies
