The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Election Board and Former Minister, Advocate Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, has urged the authorities to reconsider the blanket ban on 48 tourist destinations in Jammu & Kashmir, imposed following the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Highlighting the severe impact on the livelihoods of local communities, Adv. Hanjura called for immediate action to address the hardships faced by those dependent on tourism for their sustenance.
The ban, enforced through a government order, has significantly affected hoteliers, dhaba owners, ponywalas, tourist guides, and other stakeholders in popular tourist spots, including Yousmarg, Doodhpathri, and Tosamaidan in Budgam district. These areas, critical to the local economy, have seen a drastic decline in tourist footfall, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet.
Adv. Hanjura emphasized the dire financial situation of those reliant on tourism, stating, “The people of these notified tourist places are facing immense hardships. Their livelihoods depend entirely on visitors, and the current ban has brought their lives to a standstill. We appeal to the government to either denotify these areas, particularly Yousmarg, Doodhpathri, and Tosamaidan, or provide adequate compensation to support the affected families during this challenging period.”
The PDP demands a balanced approach that ensures security while safeguarding the economic interests of local communities. The party urges the administration to issue a fresh order lifting the ban on these tourist destinations or to roll out a compensation package to mitigate the financial losses incurred by those affected.