Baramulla, Dec 17: The border areas of north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Kupwara districts are experiencing a substantial transformation in infrastructure, border tourism, and road development following India-Pakistan ceasefire along the LoC in February 2021
Following the ceasefire that improved the lives of people along the Line of Control, they are now reaping benefits in terms of business and wellness, with noticeable changes in agricultural produce like mushrooms and walnuts. The boom in border tourism adds to the betterment in their lives.
BARAMULLA:
Fayaz Abbasi, the Sarpanch of Ishm, a village on the zero line of Uri sub-division in Baramulla, told Rising Kashmir that previously, shells and bullets from the Pakistan side used to impact the village.
However, since the ceasefire, significant improvements have taken place, including six school buildings, tiled lanes, medical health centers, and two parks.
“We now have two telecom towers in our area. People can now talk to people, relatives and friends. Life has changed,” added Fayaz highlighting the impact of improved connectivity in the once-isolated Ishm village.
The opening of Kaman Aman Setu as a tourist destination has not only brought joy to locals in the border sub-division of Uri but has also contributed to employment generation through increased tourism.
Fayaz mentioned the positive shift in dynamics where tourists engage with the local people of Ishm and dozens of other villages, a scene that was rare in the past.
Road connectivity and grassroots development have taken shape due to the active involvement of Sarpanchs, PRI, and local bodies.
Sarpanch Gingal, Farooq Ahmad Beigh, reported that under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), almost 90 percent of the people have received water schemes in the area.
“In Gingal A and Gingal B, around 700 households have received drinking water facilities on their doorstep,” Beigh added.
While acknowledging positive developments, Sarpanch Boniyar, Ghulam Nabi, urged the government to focus on the broader development of roads, tourism, and other sectors.
He emphasized that Boniyar has immense potential comparable to Pahalgam but requires dedicated attention from the government.
DDC Boniyar, Mohd Ismail Khan, acknowledged the challenges posed by the mountainous terrain in Uri but stressed the need for increased funds, machinery, and human resources to bolster development efforts.
“The challenging terrain in Uri subdivision poses obstacles, but it shouldn’t hinder our commitment to providing the best for locals. Improved infrastructure, roads, and electricity are essential for fostering border tourism. Increased funds are crucial for sustaining progress in Uri areas,” Khan further added.
The ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan on February 25, 2021, has played a pivotal role in fostering positive changes in the lives of people residing in the border areas of Baramulla district.
KUPWARA:
Keran, situated 135km from Srinagar, is experiencing a tourism revival after decades of isolation. Being the main infiltration route in the 1990s, Keran is now witnessing a tourism boom.
A tourism official said that relaxed travel restrictions in Kupwara’s untouched landscapes are attracting tourists, with around 1000 visitors daily.
Previously inaccessible areas like Teetwal, Bangus, and Machil in Kupwara, with immense tourism potential, were historically isolated due to geopolitical turmoil.
These regions, once primary infiltration routes, have opened up for tourism since the India-Pakistan ceasefire along the LoC in February 2021.
Officials in Kupwara said that the surge in tourism, coupled with eased travel restrictions, has led to the emergence of homestays in border areas.
Locals, once affected by border tensions, now benefit from the tourism boom, contributing to improved livelihoods.
Suhail Ahmad Khan, a local tourist guide in Keran, reflects on the transformation, stating that in the early ’90s, visiting the area was unthinkable due to border shelling.
“Today, a sense of hope and joy prevails as tourists bring life to a place once marred by conflict,” he added.
