Baramulla, Dec 26: With the surge in tourist arrivals in North Kashmir’s Baramulla and Kupwara districts, the eco-parks developed by the Forest Division have emerged as major attractions, drawing over 2 lakh visitors and hosting more than 36,000 offbeat destination enthusiasts who explored various routes in 2023.
The Forest Division has implemented successful initiatives over the last two years to develop ecotourism parks, aiming to enhance the tourism potential of North Kashmir.
According to official data from the conservator’s office of Forest Division Kashmir north circle Sopore, the flow of tourists in Eco parks established in North Circle Sopore up to Oct 31, 2023, exceeded 2 lakhs.
J.V Forest Division has developed two eco-parks, namely Biodiversity Park Venkura and Salamabad EcoPark, attracting 11,188 visitors, with Venkura Park drawing 10,038 visitors only.
Kamraj Forest Division has developed four eco-parks, namely Montane EcoPark Rampura-Rajpor, Kairevan Forest Adventure Park, Nagri Wari Park (Nagar Van), and Satbaran EcoPark. These were developed and opened for tourists, contributing to livelihood opportunities for local families and attracting 160,870 visitors.
Likewise, Langate Forest Division has Green Park Kiterdhaji, Bangus Valley (Bod Bangus), Baderkeli Forest Camp, and Medicinal Plants Resource Center, attracting 32,664 visitors.
Meanwhile, Ecopark TeePee Van in Kehmil Forest Division attracted 16,410 visitors.
Officials emphasized that these eco-parks have become central attractions for both the locals and visitors from various states.
Irfan Rasool Wani (IFS), the Conservator of the North Kashmir circle, emphasized that besides being tourist attractions, these eco parks have significantly contributed to the local economy.
The engagement of local youth as trek guides and the concept of homestays have provided additional livelihood opportunities.
“The forest department has engaged local youth as trek guides who earn a good amount by guiding the trekkers in exploring new places. The concept of homestays has also contributed to the local economy,” Irfan Rasool added.
In addition to the eco-parks, Forest Division has developed 28 trekking routes which received 36564 trekkers.
Seven trek routes in Langate Forest Division, including Badrikali to Galganzara, Badrakali to Nagranar, Sanzipora-Mankal-Nilvan-Bangus, Rishwari-Monbal-Dudkhul-Hamam Markoot, Bangus to Lacher, Munddaji-Kafarnard-Vijtop, and Ladua to Vijtop, attracted a total of 22,874 visitors.
Among these, the trek from Bangus to Lacher recorded the highest with 18,421 visitors, while the Ladua to Vijitop trek recorded 1,420 visitors.
In Jehlum Valley Forest Division, ten trek routes were developed, including Venkura-Hajibal-Bosian-Vijitop, Babagil-Waterfall-Limber, Nowgam-Kandi-Botapathri-Gulmarg, Namblan-Botapathri-Gulmarg, Shaldajan-Chorkhadan-Trikanjan, Mardiyan Kamalkote-Baba Qaznag-Parotala-Dhana-Bande Sarie, Uri Salamabad-Sumgali, Bijhama-Jabedar-Gowashar-Brairipora, Nowshera-Guwas-Zandfaran, and Malpora-Sheenkoh.
In Kamraj Forest Division, six trek routes, including Rajpur-Pathri-Trmukhan-Lashkoot, Rampur-Marbal-Emberzalwari-Harven FRH, Harvan-Hilltop, Sagipora-Darnatop-SadhuGanga, Manigah-Safawali-Awoora, and Kalaroos-Sarkuli-Z-gali-Machil, were developed.
In Kehmil Forest Division, four trek routes, including Hengnikoot-Bangus, TeePee-Bangus, Chowkibal-Rangwar-Budnambal-Roshantop-Dat Farkin, Teetwal-Seemari-Phugwan-Usha Post-Jadda-Tangdar, and Keran-Cobra Post-Purana Post, have been carefully developed, with over 36,000 trekking enthusiasts undertaking these routes in the current year.
These routes have been carefully developed to preserve the natural beauty, the official said, adding that over 36564 trekking enthusiasts undertook these routes this year.
