Tauseef Ahmad
Bandipora, Feb 17: Residents living around Wular Lake on Tuesday welcomed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s decision to reopen the lake to tourists after nearly ten months of closure imposed in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, saying the move is expected to revive livelihoods dependent on tourism.
Earlier on Monday, Sinha announced on X that 14 tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir would be reopened in a phased manner. The sites had remained shut for security and administrative reasons following last year’s incident, which led to a sharp decline in visitor arrivals and economic activity in several tourism-dependent areas.
Local residents while speaking with the Kashmir Despatch said the reopening is likely to provide immediate relief to families who rely on seasonal tourism for income.
Communities around Wular Lake depend heavily on visitors for earnings generated through boat rides, food stalls, handicrafts, and guiding services. Many said the prolonged closure had pushed them into financial distress, forcing some to take loans or seek daily-wage work outside their villages.
Fayaz Ahmad, a shikara operator, said the announcement has brought hope after months of uncertainty. “For almost a year we had no tourists and no steady income. If visitors return, we can finally support our families again,” he said.
Manzoor Ahmad, who runs a small tea stall near the lakeshore, said tourism is the backbone of the local economy. “When the lake was closed, our earnings stopped overnight. Reopening it means business will restart not just for me but for many others,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rukhsana Bano, a visitor from Bandipora who arrived after hearing the news, said the reopening was encouraging for both tourists and locals. “Places like Wular should remain accessible. Tourism helps local youth find work and keeps these destinations alive,” she said.
Residents hope the government will work to improve the roads and will increase the facilities in villages around the lake so that people will earn their livelihood easily as they said the lake has more potential for tourism than other tourist destinations.
