16 parks at tourist hotspots reopen in Kashmir

SRINAGAR — Sixteen parks at tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir, including those in Pahalgam, reopened today, officials said.

The tourist spots had been closed following the April 22 attack that claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local resident.

The tourist spots which reopened in Kashmir during the day included Betaab Valley, Pahalgam Market Park, Verinag Garden, Kokernag Garden, and Achabal Garden — all located in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

In Srinagar, Badamwari Park, Duck Park near Nigeen and Taqdeer Park near Hazratbal were also reopened.

Officials said there was a good turnout of visitors on the first day of reopening, with a large number of tourists thronging the gardens.

“The tourist places were abuzz again with non-locals and locals,” said an official in south Kashmir.

A tourist from Tamil Nadu told reporters in Pahalgam that people should visit this place again.

“Apart from the scenic beauty, the locals are really hospitable,” he said.

A group of foreign tourists was also seen in Pahalgam on Tuesday.

To ensure the safety of visitors, heavy security deployment was seen outside these parks.

The reopening follows Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s announcement on Saturday, in which he said that eight tourist sites each in Kashmir and Jammu would reopen on June 17.

After the April 22 attack, authorities had temporarily shut down 48 of the 87 tourist sites in the Valley as a precautionary measure. However, major tourist destinations such as Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and the Dal Lake were open after the deadly attack.

More parks and tourist spots would be opened in a phased manner.

Meanwhile, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah underscored the importance of reopening destinations that were temporarily shut post the Pahalgam tragedy.

“We have begun this process. It’s a matter of restoring confidence — for tourists and for ourselves,” Omar said during an interactive session with a visiting delegation of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) here.