SRINAGAR, June 16: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday announced the phased reopening of 16 key tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir, following their temporary closure in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam.
Among the locations set to reopen, eight are situated in the Jammu Division and eight in Kashmir. In a significant move to revive tourism in south Kashmir, Betab Valley, along with parks in the Pahalgam Market area, Verinag Garden, Kokernag Garden, and Achabal Garden, will reopen to the public from June 17.
In Srinagar, Badamwari Park, Duck Park, and Taqdeer Park will also be accessible again. Meanwhile, in Jammu Division, tourist destinations such as Sarthal and Dhaggar (Kathua), Devi Pindi, Siyad Baba, and Sula Park (Reasi), Guldanda and Jai Valley (Doda), and Pancheri (Udhampur) are included in the reopening plan. LG Sinha said the process will be carried out in a systematic, phase-wise manner.
The closures were part of enhanced security measures after the Pahalgam attack, during which authorities had ordered the suspension of operations at 48 out of 87 identified tourist spots.
During his visit to Pahalgam, the Lieutenant Governor met with a delegation comprising Members of the Legislative Assembly, DDC Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons, as well as representatives from the tourism sector, including travel agents, hoteliers, and the Ponywala Association. He assured them that remaining restrictions would be lifted based on security reviews conducted by law enforcement agencies.
Expressing optimism about the revival of tourism in the Valley, LG Sinha said the upcoming Amarnath Yatra would serve as a catalyst. “The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is not just an administrative or security responsibility—it belongs to the people. Everyone should take pride in contributing to its success,” he remarked.
He highlighted the substantial infrastructure upgrades undertaken in recent years to support the Yatra, including improved road networks, expanded accommodation facilities, enhanced telecom and electricity services, and robust security arrangements. The Lieutenant Governor urged pilgrims to strictly follow security protocols and travel in designated convoys.
As part of his visit, LG Sinha inspected the Nunwan Base Camp and reviewed preparations for the Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 3. He assessed progress on key facilities, including the Disaster Management Centre and Yatri Niwas.
The Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, CEO of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and Principal Secretary to the LG; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi; Anantnag Deputy Commissioner Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid; and other senior officials from civil administration, police, armed forces, and the Shrine Board.
