SRINAGAR: Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani on Thursday appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to reopen soft tourist destinations that were closed following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a tourism event, Wani expressed concern over the prolonged closure of several popular spots, including the Tulip Garden, Badamwari, Doodhpathri, and Beetab Valley. He emphasised that these locations are relatively safe and should not be kept off-limits to visitors.
“There’s no need to keep the softer tourist spots closed any longer,” Wani said. “Even the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has shown concern over the continued shutdown. I request the Hon’ble LG, who looks after law and order, to consider opening up those sites that do not pose any security threat.”
Wani said that the closure of these attractions is not only disappointing tourists but also affecting local livelihoods tied to the tourism sector. “Visitors come here from far-off places, but when they find these famous spots closed, they leave disheartened. We must avoid sending the wrong message,” he added.
Following the Pahalgam attack, which left several tourists dead and raised alarm across the region, the LG administration ordered the temporary closure of multiple tourist destinations across the Valley as a security precaution.
However, with the situation now relatively under control at many places, Wani and other stakeholders believe it is time to make a calibrated reopening of safer locations. “Tourism is the backbone of our economy. We must balance security concerns with the need to keep the sector alive and thriving,” Wani stressed. [KNT]
