Umar Raina
Srinagar, May 31: Nestled amid lush green forests and overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the River Sindh, the picturesque village of Gagangir in Sonamarg of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district witnessed a significant influx of visitors on Sunday, with tourists and local residents alike calling for the area to be developed as a model tourism village and brought prominently onto Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism map.
Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, Gagangir offers a unique blend of dense forest cover, pristine landscapes, and the soothing flow of the Sindh River, making it one of the most scenic locations in the Sonamarg region. On Sunday, several spots across the village remained crowded with visitors, the majority of whom were Kashmiri tourists enjoying family outings amidst the serene surroundings.
Many tourists described Gagangir as an unexplored gem with immense potential to emerge as a major offbeat tourism destination. They said the village possesses all the ingredients needed to attract nature lovers, adventure seekers, photographers, and families looking to spend time away from crowded tourist hotspots.
“Gagangir should be brought onto the tourism map and declared a model village owing to its immense tourism potential. The place has extraordinary natural beauty and offers a peaceful atmosphere that is difficult to find elsewhere,” said a visiting tourist.
For decades, Gagangir held strategic importance as it lay along the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, with all vehicular traffic passing through the village en route to Sonamarg and Ladakh. However, with the commissioning of the Sonamarg Tunnel, a substantial portion of traffic now bypasses the old route, resulting in reduced movement through Gagangir.
Locals believe that while the tunnel has improved connectivity and travel efficiency, it has also affected the visibility of Gagangir as a stopover destination. They argue that dedicated efforts are now needed to ensure the village does not remain overlooked despite its rich tourism potential.