Harwan valley shall adversely be affected under 48- tourist restrictions: Farooq Renzushah
30/04/2025
Srinagar, April 30 (KIP)- The chairman Kashmir khwaja Farooq Renzushah while commenting on latest Tourism Department advisory on 48- restrictions imposed on various tourist destinations in kashmir. He said no doubt protection of tourists after most tragic massacre in Baisoron valley pahalgam has become paramount for not only administration but for entire kashmir society also. He treated certain restrictions in Bangus valley or Tosamaidan justified being nearer to indo pak Border but having restrictions spread to Badamwari shahar e khass makes entire shahar e khass area as no go area for tourists. He said the most responsible step for protection of all tourists are necessary but logic of security demands that secuirity be enhanced in tourist area's than to bar them for touristsncompletly.
Renzushah chairman kashmir society appealed that the spiritual places which attract maximum tourists to Srinagar should be dropped from the restriction lists.
He said that Buddhist sites where worlds Fourth Buddhist conference was held , Aastan marag, Bulbulshah pal on the holy Aastan marag Harwan, shardavan, Dagwan river beyond Fishries farm, Mama Naeth and Holy of holiest Shankara pal on which shivism through cosmic rays was bestowed by mahadeve on Achariya Vasugupta beyond Fishries Point of Dachigam should not be subjected to restrictions for those who arrive Harwan srinagar valley only for spiritual viewing of these 2500 years old spiritual abodes.
Renzushah said throughout kashmir it was only in Harwan valley of Srinagar where the para gliding was conducted from Astasn marag from Bulbulshah pal(rock) even during most troublesome times of kashmir during the last 3 decades. Similarly Faqeer Gujri and Dara which is named on iconic Tasawuf king Dara Shukuh have been restricted to deprive tourists to know tasawuf contribution of Dara Shukuh. He appealed to the tourism department to ensure revival of Para gliding from Aastan marag which would facilitate airiel viewing of such spiritual abodes of kashmir which are existing witnesses of Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim composite civilization.
He appreciated commitments made by the Centre as well as Jkut administration for ensuring the safety of tourists. However this safety never means to deprive them of para gliding around the spiritual valley of Harwan to view most sacred places. He said Paragliding in Harwan is more popular than Gandola rides .
The project Gandola to Mahadeve was shelved two decades before on political considerations and the tunnel from Faqeee Gujri to Sonmarg was also shelved for the same reasons. Now restrictions on para gliding shall totally deprive lakhs of Spiritual tourists of all faiths to view their abodes of faith.