Horsemen in Kashmir are facing a severe livelihood crisis due to the ongoing closure of key tourist destinations following the Pahalgam attack, affecting families and their animals.
Srinagar: Scores of horsemen across Kashmir are confronting an unprecedented livelihood crisis as several key tourist destinations remain closed in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. While a limited number of sites have reopened, many popular resorts, including Doodhpathri, Yousmarg, and Tosamaidan, continue to be off-limits, plunging equestrians and their families into distress.
According to official figures, out of the 46 tourist destinations that were shut down following the attack, only 13 have reopened thus far. The ongoing restrictions on access to the remaining areas have severely impacted horsemen, many of whom rely solely on seasonal tourism for their income and the care of their animals.
“We have no other source of income. Our horses are starving, and our families are on the brink. The government must understand that tourism is not just a sector; it’s our survival,” said Abid Ahmed, a distressed horseman from the Budgam region.
In response to the crisis, senior political leader Engineer Nazir Ahmed Yatoo staged a peaceful sit-in outside the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar on Wednesday, accompanied by Javaid Ahmed. Yatoo aimed to personally appeal to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for the reopening of the tourist destinations but was informed that the LG was unavailable.
<p“Earlier, I protested outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Gupkar and was told the matter lies with the LG. That’s why I came here,” Yatoo told the Kashmir News Trust, urging the administration to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of thousands of affected families.
Tourism stakeholders have also expressed concerns that the prolonged closures could inflict irreversible damage on the tourism economy. Small traders, pony operators, hotel staff, and transporters, all integral to the broader tourism network, are bearing the brunt of the ongoing restrictions.
Equestrians have called on the administration to find a balance between security concerns and economic realities. They advocate for the reopening of tourist destinations under enhanced safety protocols, emphasizing that such a move would provide much-needed relief to families on the brink of financial collapse.
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