District administration, Army launch ‘Shumali Kashmir’ to promote border tourism
Aatif Qayoom
Kupwara, June 7: In a major step towards positioning North Kashmir as a key tourism destination, the District Administration Kupwara and the Indian Army on Sunday launched a dedicated tourism portal, “Shumali Kashmir”, and unveiled the North Kashmir Tourism Magazine during a stakeholder engagement programme held in Kupwara.
The initiative brought together tourism officials, entrepreneurs, hoteliers, tour operators, transport unions and community representatives to discuss strategies for promoting sustainable tourism and strengthening the region’s economy.
Officials said the newly launched digital platform and magazine aim to enhance North Kashmir’s visibility, provide reliable tourism information and showcase the region’s cultural, historical and natural attractions. The portal features destinations across Kupwara, Karnah, Keran, Machhal, Lolab and Gurez, offering visitors and travel operators a comprehensive guide to the region.
Speakers at the event highlighted that Kupwara possesses immense tourism potential, particularly in the border areas that remain largely unexplored. They stressed that destinations such as Keran, Karnah and Machhal have the capacity to emerge as major attractions under the growing concept of border tourism, offering visitors a unique blend of scenic beauty, local culture and proximity to the Line of Control.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara and senior officials from the Tourism and Planning Departments attended the programme along with representatives of the hospitality sector and tourism stakeholders from Srinagar and Kupwara.
The event also featured exhibition stalls showcasing products developed under various Indian Army supported initiatives. These included local enterprises such as Barkat Bistro, FLOWK, Harmukh Sheen Washing Powder and Keren LED Bulbs, besides a range of locally produced goods from Tulail and Karnah.
Participants emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government agencies, local communities and private stakeholders to improve tourism infrastructure, create employment opportunities and encourage entrepreneurship in remote areas.
Officials noted that tourism can play a vital role in generating livelihoods, preserving local culture and accelerating economic growth in North Kashmir. They expressed confidence that the new initiatives would help attract more visitors, strengthen stakeholder engagement and bring greater attention to the region’s untapped tourism assets.