Srinagar, Feb 06: Almost 47 km from Srinagar, Yousmarg is one of the Pir Panchal range’s breath-taking meadows. Believed to have been Roosmarg, a meadow of deer’s, the wildlife abundant lush green pasture is permanently surrounded by snow-clad mountains peaks. It is the main base camp for scaling three major Pir Panchal peaks – Tatakoti (4725 meters), Romesh Thong (4700m) and Sunset Peak (4746m). Tatakoti is a glacier that feeds Doodganga, the mountain stream that feeds part of Srinagar.
Despite being one of the major tourist attractions and a potential ski hotspot,Yousmarg lacks even basic amenities like mobile tower, ATM facility,proper electricity and water supply. There are no bins or garbage disposal machines at the destination.
Yousmarag has a potential to be an alternate destination to Gulmarg, said a local mountaineer Basit Nabi. The slopes are very good for skiing here and the snow accumulation is almost at par with Gulmarg.
“Here we have the best slopes for skiing. It is a best-suited place for winter sports,” said a group of shopkeepers. “But dreaming about these things when we do not have internet and ATM here is just foolishness.”
Gul Mustafa, Olympian and in charge of winter sports at YSS said that the Yousmarg is an old tourist destination, and there can have a basic, intermediate and advanced form of skiing.
“It can be a good ski destination, provided this will be given priority by the concerned officials,” Mustafa added.
Yousmarg houses more than a dozen huts, a government-owned hotel, and a private hotel.
Locals and the shopkeepers said that they have time and again requested the authorities for the installation of the mobile tower in Yousmarg but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“In 2014, a base was made at the cost of Rs 2.5 lakh for the installation of the mobile tower. We approached every officer, every department, they assured us that a tower will be set up but did nothing,” said Rafiq Ahmad, the owner of a private hotel.
“I wonder government boasts so much about tourism here but we had never imagined a tourist destination would be without internet and ATM facility,” said a local tourist,Mohammad Salman.
The nearest ATM to Yousmarg is some 12 km away at Pakherpora.
Residents said that Yousmarg has the potential to be a gateway to a number of potential destinations in its South, West and East including Doodhpathri, Nilnag, Bargah, Tosamaidan, Dargdolan, and Liddermand.
“No tourist stays here for the night because there is no ATM or internet here. It is shame, the world is going for 5G and we are asking for just 2G here,” said Rafiq Ahamd, a hotelier.
The development authorities get Rs 3 crore funds per annum for the development of the tourist spot. But in past few years the funds have lapsed due to non-availability of CEO.
Yousmarg witnesses the tourist season for a maximum of four months. The local shopkeepers said that this spot could be a round-the-year tourist attraction.
Local youth will also get involved in winter games and will get exposure to these games which will boost the winter games in the area, Basit added.
Pertinent to mention here that department of Youth Service and Sports has started basic courses of skiing at Yousmarg since last two years but the officials of the department too cried official apathy towards Yousmarg.
