Srinagar, June 08: The apple and cherry orchards on the 50-kilometer Srinagar-Gulmarg highway have become an attraction for tourists and they are often seen stopping and enjoying at the orchards.
While travelling from Srinagar to Gulmarg, visitors can have view of huge rice fields and apple orchards with mesmerizing green landscapes that add to the beauty of the travel. They often stop on the road to have tea on the roadside and take selfies.
Basharat Ahmad, an orchard owner from Chandilora area of Tangmarg said in summer months during the peak tourist season 500 tourists visit his orchard.
“We have made a park here and tourists enjoy seeing apple trees and the fruit crop. The apple orchards on the highway have become a source of livelihood for many educated unemployed youth,” he said.
“We also make apple juice and apple pickle here during season and we also sold that to the tourists. When the apple is in the harvest stage we also sell apples to them,” he said.
Basharat’s orchard has become a source of employment for two youth as tourists regularly visit there. After completing his MA and B.Ed., Basharat was doing a private job in Srinagar.
“I lately maintained my two kanals orchard and turned it into a tourist point. Now, I am not interested in government job. The youth should take advantage of the apple orchards and these have the potential to earn a respectable income,” he said.
The Tangmarg area is gateway to several tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Babreshi, Drang and Sranz waterfall, Drang Temple and other areas.
The apple orchardists who live on the highway said these have turned an attraction for tourists and they often stop there and spent their time in the orchards.
Ghulam Nabi, another orchard owner said that 30 percent youth of the area are dependent on the tourism industry and apple tourism is generating income for locals. “The youth here are solely dependent on tourism due to lack of job opportunities,” he said.
These days the apple orchardists whose gardens have turned tourist points also sell stored apples like delicious, American and golden and they get a good price.
“Last year in September one apple box was sold at Rs 400-500 but today we get Rs 1500 for one apple box from tourists and it is beneficial for the farmers. It is an opportunity by which the apple industry can get a boost and grow further,” he said.
The orchardists have also set up their stalls in the orchards near the highway where they sell fresh fruits like strawberry, cherry and other local fruits.
There are many cherry orchards on the highway and tourists also visit there and purchase fresh cherry. As the cherry harvest season has started the cherry points are very famous and are liked by tourists.
“This year we are very happy and the tourist flow has increased over the years,” said Abid Ahmad, a farmer from Tangmarg.
