Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Dec 29 : The Tourism Department has registered 367 homestays in the border areas of Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts, following the government’s initiative to enhance tourism in these border villages of union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
An official at the Directorate of Tourism told The Web Story that a total of 433 applications were received from the districts of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora, of which 367 homestays were approved, while 13 applications were rejected.
“The registered homestays offer a total of 1468 rooms with a bed capacity of 2936,”an official of the department said.
He said in popular tourist spots like Gulmarg and Tangmarg, 255 out of 275 applications were registered, providing a bed capacity of 2040 with 1020 rooms.
The official said that areas like Mundaji, Kitterdaji, and Ecopark in Baramulla have 12 registered homestays with 48 rooms and 96 bed capacity.
In Bandipora’s Watlab and other regions, 50 homestays with 200 rooms and 400 bed capacity have been registered.
In the border areas of Kupwara, including Lolab, Bangus, Keran, Machil, Tangdhar, and Teetwal, 50 homestays are registered, with 41 under progress, offering 200 rooms and a bed capacity of 400.
The tourism officials said that a minimal registration fee of Rs 250 is charged for the registration of homestays, aiming to boost the local economy in the border regions of north Kashmir.
They said that the Tourism Department, especially the Directorate of Tourism Kashmir, indirectly has a significant role to play in the economy.
“The registration of homestays can boost the local economy if they have the will,” officials added.
The official said that the Department is the facilitator and is hopeful that it will boost the economy in the border areas of north Kashmir.
Raja Sajad Hussain Khan, a local homestay owner in Ladua Ladoora village of Rafiabad, while talking to The Web Story expressed gratitude for the boost in tourism.
He reported hosting over 600 people in 2023, including 7 foreign tourists, 13 from other states of the country, and around 500 locals.
Raja Sajad acknowledged the positive impact on the local economy and thanked the administration and tourism department for their initiatives.
He mentioned that homestays are boosting the local economy, and not only are homestay owners generating revenue through this process, but other people associated with the tourism sector are also benefiting.
“Twenty-nine trekking groups trekked with me in 2023, wherein local horsemen and guides were employed for the trekkers. We are thankful to the LG administration, Tourism Department, and Forest Department for such initiatives, wherein local people from border areas have also started earning good revenue,” Sajad said.
Sajad owns three homestays: Viji Top Homestay, Siterwan Homestay, and Warni Vijji Top Homestay.
Skinder Gulzar, another homestay owner in Keran, Kupwara, highlighted the increased revenue and employment opportunities in border areas due to the rise in tourism.
Around 1500 tourists stayed at his homestay during the season, contributing to the economic progress of the area, once a no man’s land in early 90’s, due to ceasefire violations due to Pakistan and infiltration attempts.
The success of homestays is seen as a significant step in promoting border tourism and generating income for locals in the border areas, appreciating the efforts of the LG administration and the Tourism Department.
Mohammad Asim, a resident of Teetwal Kupwara, expressed his delight at the increase in tourism in Tethwal since 2022.
He said previously that traveling to this area was difficult, but with the government opening border tourism, more people have started coming here for both day and night trips.
As a result, I have been able to serve around 100 tourists at my homestay in just 8 months, which has provided me with a source of income. However, Asim suggested that the government should allocate land for a tent colony to accommodate the influx of tourists from across India.
Asim further said that relaxation in tourist movement would not only increase the number of visitors but also benefit the region, which has long suffered. Moreover, he urged the authorities to organize winter games in Tethwal, similar to other border areas.
Mohammad Mushtaq, another local who also helps tourists by providing them with homestays, told this correspondent that this helps us earn a sustainable livelihood.
“We host tourists at affordable rates with comfortable stays, at this place, which used to remain cut off from the rest of the world for six months due to the closure of road connectivity in the winter months,” Mushtaq added.
He said opening border tourism by the government is really a treat for the border residents, as they too start earning for our survival.
“Tethwal used to be a bucket-list destination for many, but due to restrictions, no one was able to visit. However, after the government approved the go-ahead for border tourism, every day there’s a huge hush of people here,” he added.
Mushtaq said since last year, people have been staying at night too, which is a great sign as well as a benefit for the locals.
