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Snowfall, New Year Crowds Lift Kashmir Tourism With Security Tightened at Resorts

Multi-layer security featuring facial recognition at entry points reflects efforts to rebuild confidence after the April Pahalgam attack.

Overview

  • Gulmarg and Sonamarg reported full occupancy for New Year’s Eve, with planned cultural programmes, musical shows and night skiing drawing large turnouts.
  • Police and paramilitary forces expanded checkpoints, intensified patrolling and used facial-recognition screening at Pahalgam to keep celebrations incident-free.
  • Officials reported roughly 5,000 tourist arrivals per day in the past week, indicating a return to pre-April flow at key sites.
  • Tourism totals for 2025 reached about 10.47 lakh domestic visitors versus roughly 26 lakh in 2024, underscoring a recovery still short of last year.
  • Fresh snowfall in higher reaches over the past day contrasted with rain in the plains, keeping Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam busy through New Year festivities.