Baramulla, Apr 04: Gogaldara village in the Tangmarg tehsil of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district has emerged as a popular destination for both tourists and local visitors.
Mohammad Ashraf, a resident of Gogaldara village, informed Rising Kashmir that the village has gained significant appeal among tourists and locals alike during this period. Gogaldara is one of the last villages in the Baramulla district, serving as a connection point to various villages in the Tangmarg area and the Budgam district.
“This winter, numerous tourists from different states across India have visited this location. The unique ambience of Gogaldara village has garnered attention worldwide, which explains the high influx of visitors during the winter season. Surrounded by mountains and forests, Gogaldara’s natural beauty enhances its attractiveness for tourists and locals throughout the year,” he said.
Ashraf said that while Gogaldara village has adequate road connectivity, there is a pressing need for the development of parking facilities, restrooms, a Tourist Police post, hotels, and waste disposal bins to ensure that visitors do not encounter any difficulties during their stay.
“If the government establishes these facilities and provides loans to local residents for constructing small hotels and restaurants, many unemployed youth could find livelihoods in this area. Tourists would likely choose to stay overnight, creating a significant source of income for many individuals, both directly and indirectly,” he added.
Mir Iqbal, the Panchayat Secretary of Gogaldara said that over the past three years, the area has experienced a significant influx of tourists and local visitors.” This location has rapidly gained recognition as one of the most popular destinations in India.”
“We are planning to install proper dustbins in this area to encourage tourists and visitors to dispose of their waste responsibly, thereby keeping the site free from pollution. Additionally, we are deploying garbage collection vehicles to transport waste to the designated dumping site,” he said
Iqbal noted that during this Eid-ul-Fitr, the number of visitors to Gogaldara was unexpectedly high, surpassing previous expectations for the festival. He emphasized the importance of responsibility among all visitors, urging them to refrain from littering and to utilize the dustbins provided to maintain the cleanliness of this tourist attraction.
“We have also submitted a proposal to the government for the construction of a road leading to the private lands of the residents. Due to the presence of forest land, we have been unable to build the road or establish any private parking facilities in this area. Once we receive government approval for the road construction, the residents will also provide land for private parking, with rates to be determined by the department following government consent,” he added.
