Hadi Hidayat
Ganderbal, June 15: Tourism stakeholders in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal & the picturesque town of Sonamarg, have urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to reopen the region’s renowned trekking routes and tourist destinations, including the iconic Thajiwas Glacier, which were closed following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and the launch of Operation Sindoor.
The suspension of these adventure routes as part of enhanced security measures has dealt a heavy blow to the local tourism economy. Stakeholders such as trekking guides, ponywalas, hoteliers, and others associated with the sector have voiced their deep concerns over the ongoing restrictions.
“Not only is Thajiwas Glacier inaccessible, but several famous trekking trails like the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, the Seven Lakes route, and the historic Naranag to Gangbal trek have also been closed,” said a local tour operator. “We were receiving consistent bookings and inquiries, especially from trekking groups both within India and abroad. But now, all plans are in limbo.”
The tourism community has appealed to the administration for a balanced approach—ensuring security while also allowing controlled and regulated access to these routes, which are a major attraction for adventure tourism in the region.
They emphasized that a continued suspension during peak season could cause significant economic damage and impact the livelihoods of hundreds of families in Ganderbal who rely on seasonal tourism.
Tourism stakeholders hope the government will act swiftly to reopen these trails with necessary safety measures in place to ensure the revival of tourism and the well-being of local communities.
