Now it has truly become a paradise on Earth, 3.5 lakh tourists visited Kashmir in first three months this year compared to an average of 50,000

SRINAGAR: India has its own paradise on Earth, but our neighbors have been trying to make it hell for a long time. The paradise mentioned here is Kashmir. When one hears about Kashmir, they might not think of the snow-capped mountains but the image of soldiers patrolling with weapons to ensure security comes to the mind. But now the situation in Kashmir has calmed down. The Central government has decided to restore calm in Kashmir by minimizing the militant presence in the valley through strong military intervention and by retaliating on Pakistan, which occasionally allows terrorists to cross the border. The number of tourists visiting Kashmir shows that this move has paid off.

About 3.5 lakh people have visited Kashmir in the last three months. Last season, an average of half a million people came to the valley. The number is expected to rise again in the coming months. The airport and Dal Lake, a popular tourist destination, has become crowded. When tourists arrive here, they wonder if Kashmir was such a safe place.

After the Covid period, Kashmir is once again filled with tourists. Last year, 6.6 lakh people from different parts of India visited the valley. By 2020, during the Covid outbreak, it was only 40,000. Even before Covid, the number of tourists was low. This was especially due to the protests following the repeal of Article 370 by the Centre. But this year has been a golden year for Kashmir over the past ten years. Kashmir Tourism Director Dr. GN Itoo describes the current rush as bumper season. He added that this was a sign that people believed that the journey to Kashmir was safe.