Sajad Lone
Kupwara January 18 (KNS): In a positive trend, the frontier Kupwara district in northern Kashmir witnessed a significant increase in tourist footfall over the last four years.
With its expansive meadows, perennial rivers, and dense forests, the district has transformed into a new tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, hosting over 3 lakh tourists in 2023.
According to data obtained by Kashmir News Service (KNS), Kupwara recorded a tourist footfall of 306,772 in the current year, compared to 258,924 in 2022-23, 46,380 in 2021-22, 42,676 in 2019-21, and 6,961 in 2018-19.
Key contributors to Kupwara's tourism include border destinations like Keran, Machil, and Tangdar, along with Bangus and Lolab Valley. Tangdar attracted around 1 lakh tourists, while Keran hosted 60 thousand.
The Jammu Kashmir Forest Department's development of eco-tourism, with the creation of several parks, has further enhanced the tourism sector.
However, visitors highlight issues such as all-weather road connectivity, infrastructure, and mobile network availability that need attention from the administration.
Addressing the accommodation shortage, the tourism department has initiated the establishment of home stays. Currently, 57 home stays have been registered in the district, with 40 more in progress to generate livelihoods and employment opportunities.
Following the recent award given to Lolab Valley in the gold category for the best offbeat tourist destination in India by Outlook Traveler Magazine, the government is considering a proposal to enhance the infrastructure of Lolab Valley for comprehensive exploration.
The Lolab Bangus Drangyari Development Authority (LBDDA) has prepared a proposal to develop the tourism sector across Kupwara by bringing the district onto the tourism map through eco-tourism infrastructure development.
Various aspects are under consideration to explore tourism in the district, including a focus on Adventure Tourism, Border Tourism, Mountaineering, Rafting, Cultural & Heritage Tourism.
The government is also eyeing the development of important tourist destinations such as Rehwari, Bangus, Lolab, Drangyari, and Farkivan (Raja Ram Ladi at Meelval).
While emphasizing the role of the army in promoting border tourism, well-known tourism stakeholder Azad Naqkshbandi highlighted the need for proper direction and promotion of Kupwara's massive tourism potential.
He furthermore emphasized the district administration's focus on infrastructure upgrades and all-weather connectivity for tourism growth.(KNS)