Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged a sharp decline in tourism across the Kashmir Valley, stating that the sector has been “hit quite badly” this summer.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, he said the government’s immediate focus is to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.
“There are hardly any tourists coming here,” Abdullah said. “We want every pilgrim to leave from here safe and sound. We want an incident-free annual pilgrimage, and later on, we will start looking at what we can do to promote tourism.”
The Amarnath Yatra, which draws tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims each year to the sacred cave shrine in Pahalgam, is seen as a vital source of economic activity. However, security concerns following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and recent India-Pakistan tensions have led to a steep drop in visitor numbers.
Omar also confirmed that the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and international border is currently holding, with no recent violations. “Damage assessment is underway, and once completed, compensation will be provided. We will seek central assistance wherever necessary,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister welcomed the Centre’s decision to send an all-party delegation abroad to communicate India’s position on the Kashmir issue. Citing past precedent, he noted a similar diplomatic initiative was undertaken during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure following the 2001 Parliament attack.
The government is now counting on the peaceful conduct of the Amarnath Yatra to restore confidence and pave the way for efforts to revive the ailing tourism sector.
