DDA removes illegally located tea stalls at Doodhpathri

Budgam, Dec 04: The Doodhpathri Development Authority (DDA) removed the illegally located tea stalls along the roadside of the renowned tourist destination Doodhpathri in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Wednesday.
Shameema, a female tea vendor, said that they sell tea at various points along the Doodhpathri road, relying on this trade for their daily income.
“We offer tea to tourists and local visitors at very affordable prices, earning a profit of approximately 200-300 from our sales,” she said.
Shameema said that the female tea sellers lack any other source of income for their families, as they come from impoverished backgrounds. They are entirely dependent on their tea stalls, with no alternative options available to them.
Another tea seller from Doodhpathri remarked that the Doodhpathri Development Authority’s actions have displaced them from the roadside, despite their reliance on this work for their livelihood.
“The district administration of Budgam and the tourism department must permit us to continue our work, as it is crucial for our survival. There is no other suitable location for all the women tea sellers to set up their stalls and serve tea to tourists and visitors, which is essential for our income,” she said.
An official from the Sub-Division Administration Khansahib highlighted that numerous families provide various services in Doodhpathri, including horse riding, ATV driving, and tea selling. He noted that while four members of a single family may engage in diverse activities, it is unjust for those families who rely solely on one type of service for their livelihood.
“They also throw waste in Doodhpathri, thereby contributing to environmental pollution in the area. The influx of service providers in Doodhpathri is increasing daily. We aim to organize the activities in Doodhpathri to ensure a balanced flow of services, allowing individuals to generate a sustainable income from their offerings. Additionally, we will identify suitable locations for female tea vendors to sell their products to customers,” he said.