Vehicles roar Razdan pass as Gurez gears up for record tourist influx

Srinagar, May 06: As the snow starts melting away with the onset of the spring, Razdan Pass in Gurez Valley of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district has yet again come alive with the noise of vehicles, signaling the start of an exciting tourism season.
The Bandipora-Gurez Road, sole lifeline connecting the Gurez Valley to the outside world, has witnessed a remarkable reduction in its seasonal closures as historically burdened with closures lasting up to six months, the road has achieved a record minimal closures in 2024 so far.
As per the official details of District Administration Bandipora, after the extensive efforts of Border Roads Organisation to clear the heavy snow from the roads and its recent reopening following winter, tourists have begun to flock to Gurez, setting the stage for a potentially record-breaking number of tourists visiting the area this year.
In 2021, Gurez Valley began to attract a large number of tourists, both domestic and local when in a significant development on February 25, 2021, armies of both countries unexpectedly declared a ceasefire and reaffirmed their commitment to the 2003 Vajpayee-era ceasefire agreement.
Since the ceasefire agreement, there has been a noticeable change in the Border Valley of Gurez as improved infrastructure and job opportunities have helped heal the wounds caused by past shelling and destruction, leading to a positive social transformation.
Ajaz Ahmad, a local who has been associated with Tourism industry for the past two years, told Rising Kashmir that Gurez valley has emerged as the top tourist destination of the country.
He said that the Gurez valley has everything a tourist wants to explore, including majestic peaks, glaciers, alpine lakes, potato fields, alpine-Himalayan flora and fauna, and a totally different tribal culture would leave an indelible impression on the minds of the visitors.
He further said that Gurez Valley is already witnessing a rush of tourists and this would increase this year due to improved infrastructure. Construction of hotels, guest houses and home stays has already started in the entire valley; besides, people have also started providing tented accommodations.
Ajaz further said that while the rapid growth of tourism has brought economic benefits, it has also posed many challenges, especially managing the garbage.
“We have requested the administration to devise a viable solution for the effective management of waste. One potential approach is the establishment of a garbage processing facility within the valley”, he added.
Arshid Lone, a local social activist, told Rising Kashmir that the Gurez valley has the potential to become a sought-after winter destination due to the presence of ski slopes. During the summer season, paragliding, trekking, and zip-line activities could serve as key attractions, he said.
As per the official details, District administration Bandipora is now turning its attention towards the Tulail valley, following the continuous surge in tourists flocking to the Dawar area of Gurez Valley. With an influx of visitors exploring the beauty of Gurez, officials are keen to explore the tourism potential of the adjacent Tulail valley.
After witnessing the successful tourism boom in Dawar, the district administration sees an opportunity to promote Tulail valley as another attractive destination for travelers to diversify tourism offerings and distribute the benefits of tourism across different areas within the border valley.
Officials revealed that efforts are underway to assess the infrastructure and facilities available in Tulail valley to accommodate tourists comfortably. The administration is working on improving road connectivity, accommodation options, and other necessary amenities to ensure a pleasant experience for visitors.