Pahalgam, August 22, Come summers and the locals turn to tourist spots like Pahalgam, Gulmarg especially on weekends to beat the hot and humid days. However, with the on-going COVID-19 Pandemic, most of the hotels here in Pahalgam are shut while some who afford to operate below their capacity is unaffordable for many. For such local tourists, the erecting of tents comes handy and a cheap mode to spend their night here. But now, the Pahalgam Development Authority is asking for a fee for camping too which earlier was not chargeable.
“The thrill and also the benefit of spending a night inside a tent is altogether a different experience. Many prefer erecting of tents near river banks here to save the expenditure on high hotel charges but the problem is that there are no free spaces earmarked or designated by the Pahalgam Development Authority for camping now. Earlier, the local visitors were allowed to pitch their tents anywhere in Pahalgam for free but now PDA is asking for a certain amount of fees if you put up a tent anywhere in this tourist resort,” said a group of locals.
The tour operators and several local visitors while talking to news agency said that PDA after fencing the open spaces is charging a fee for camping which is unacceptable. The fenced and develop a portion of land for camping which was accessible for free to local budget tourists should not be charged now which can allow everyone to enjoy this picturesque place who otherwise can’t afford hotel charges. (CNS)
