Suhail Khan
Gulmarg, Nov 13: Fresh snowfall in the upper reaches of Kashmir is bringing joy to the tourism sector and delighting tourists and locals, especially in the health resort of Gulmarg.
Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, Sandiya, a tourist from Mumbai, said that Kashmir is beautiful—”bahut sundar hai”—with natural beauty everywhere. She emphasized that there is no match for the hospitality of Kashmir worldwide.
She stated that earlier this year, she traveled to Europe but found that the warmth and friendliness she experienced in Kashmir were truly unparalleled. “I feel really lucky to witness the snowfall. Kashmir is incredibly beautiful, with amazing natural scenery, and the people here are so kind and welcoming.”
Preeti, another tourist from Maharashtra, expressed her wonder, asking, “Why do we go to Switzerland when we have such a beautiful, soul-stirring place right here in India?” She said, “Anyone who hasn’t seen Kashmir is truly unfortunate; how can someone not visit such a place at least two or three times a year? People in India spend lakhs traveling abroad, but I want to tell them that no other place can compare to the beauty of Kashmir.”
Preeti also mentioned, “We really enjoyed the snowfall yesterday; it felt like we weren’t even outside our home with such a wonderful atmosphere and such nice people around us.”
She urged the Government of India to impose a blanket ban on fake TV channels that promote negative narratives about Kashmir. “The joy we experienced here and the wonderful people we met simply cannot be found anywhere else in the world.”
Preeti encouraged those who still believe Kashmir is unsafe to reconsider, saying, “Don’t ruin your trip to Kashmir. Come and see for yourself—the reality is different. The people are wonderful, and Kashmir is incredibly beautiful.”
Kashmir’s higher reaches witnessed fresh snowfall on Tuesday, temporarily closing the Srinagar-Leh national highway and other crucial routes in the higher elevations of the valley.
Pertinently, Those involved in the travel and tourism business in Gulmarg are hopeful for more snowfall and a prosperous season ahead, especially after last year’s prolonged dry spell, which posed unprecedented challenges for the union territory due to an unusual lack of snowfall.
The tourism industry was severely affected; however, this snowfall is viewed as a positive sign for what lies ahead.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast generally dry weather for the next two days.
An official at the Srinagar Met office informed Kashmir Despatch that there is a possibility of light rain or light snow from November 14-15, particularly in the higher reaches of Kashmir and a few areas in the Jammu Division. He said chances of light rain or light snow in scattered places in the higher reaches on November 16.
From November 17-23, the weather is expected to remain generally dry, the official added.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
