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Jammu and Kashmir Parks Reopen as Tourists Return under Heightened Security

The phased reopening of 16 parks aims to restore confidence through reinforced security measures such as no-fly zones for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.

Overview

  • Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the phased reopening of eight parks each in Kashmir Valley and Jammu region on June 17 to jumpstart tourism.
  • Security personnel have been deployed across reopened sites and all routes of the Amarnath Yatra declared no-flying zones from July 1 to August 10 to deter potential threats.
  • Visitors have begun returning to Betaab Valley, Verinag, Kokernag and other attractions, lifting hotel occupancy in Pahalgam from near zero to around 20 percent.
  • The inauguration of the Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided the first direct rail link to Kashmir and spurred travel demand.
  • Tourism officials project that these combined measures will help recoup losses suffered after the April 22 attack that killed 26 people and disrupted local livelihoods.