Kulgam, Sep 06: The famed tourist destination – Aharbal in south Kashmir is seeing a steep increase in the footfall of tourists this year.
Chief Executive Officer, Aharbal Development Authority (ADA) Ghalib Shah said in just eight months 1.5 lakh tourists have visited Aharbal.
Aharbal has recently been identified as an off-beat destination by the J&K tourism department.
CEO ADA said, “Tenders have been floated for the river crossing zip line and Bungee jumping sports at Aharbal and other activities will also be started here. All this is happening after the spot was identified as an offbeat destination.”
We are getting trekkers from the national level, summer and winter festivals are held, adventure sports are taking place and promotions from other quarters are because of an offbeat tourist place, he said.
Camping, trekking, fishing, hiking, cycling and the exploration of fossils are easily accessible to adventure enthusiasts, he added.
Aharbal has great potential for adventure tourism, the destination has a waterfall and is known as the Nigerian waterfall of Kashmir. The place is completely endowed with tall pines that give it a bewitching look. The roaring sound of the waterfall is heard from afar, the waterfall mesmerising the visitor.
Aharbal Development Authority (ADA) keeps the parks clean and restricts visitors from going close to the waterfall. The tourist huts built by the tourism department are in good condition and multiply the beauty of the tourist spot.
The J&K Tourism Department in collaboration with the Kulgam District Administration organized a summer adventure camp in Aharbal in which several adventure sports activities were organised.
“DC Kulgam is also taking a keen interest in promoting tourism in Kulgam in general and Aharbal in particular,” official said.
He is providing all support to the ADA for making it one of the premiere destinations of the U.T., he said.
Identified as an offbeat destination
Notably, a mega Aharbal festival is scheduled to be held at Aharbal tourist destination on Sunday, September 11.
DC Kulgam, Dr Bilal Mohideen yesterday convened a meeting of officers at mini-secretariat Kulgam to review arrangements for the scheduled festival.
“Apart from the normal activities, stalls will be set up there which will exhibit the vibrant traditions, culture and crafts of the valley so that visitors become aware of them,” DC Kulgam said.
