Kashmir tourism in defiance against Indian decree as business goes bust

Record ID: 1427884

  • Title: Kashmir tourism in defiance against Indian decree as business goes bust
  • Date: 20th August 2019
  • Summary: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA (AUGUST 20, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF A 70-YEAR-OLD SHIKARA BOAT OWNER, WHO HAS BEEN FERRYING TOURISTS FOR OVER 50 YEARS, ABDUL RAZZAK, ROWING A SHIKARA IN DAL LAKE A KASHMIRI WOMAN STANDING ON HOUSEBOAT AND LOOKING ON CLOSE OF BOAT OAR IN WATER RAZZAK ADJUSTING PILLOWS IN A SHIKARA TETHERED SHIKARAS IN DAL LAKE (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) 70-YEAR-OLD SHIKARA BOAT OWNER, WHO HAS BEEN FERRYING TOURISTS FOR OVER 50 YEARS, ABDUL RAZZAK, SAYING: "We are in all sorts of problems. But we are not bothered even if we die, even if our children die. We have been living in curfew for over 10-12 days now, everything is shut under curfew, movement is shut, mobiles are shut -- that is how they have kept it, but even this does not bother us." VARIOUS OF FLOATING MARKET IN DAL LAKE WITH MOST OF THE SHOPS SHUT AS SEEN FROM A SHIKARA KASHMIRI WOMEN ROWING A CANOE IN DAL LAKE CHILDREN SITTING IN A CANOE TOURIST CITY CENTRE SRINAGAR, KASHMIR BUILDING A BOARD ON THE BUILDING READING (English): 'TOURIST CITY CENTRE SRINAGAR, KASHMIR' (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) JOINT DIRECTOR TOURISM, KASHMIR, FAYAZ AHMAD BANDAY, SAYING: "People usually prefer to go to those areas where there is peace and tranquillity. Why will they take so much risk, spend so much money to come here and then face trouble here? Usually, the attitude they will have towards this location would be of a bit of uncertainty and fear as they would be afraid about what is going to happen here." A CENTRAL RESERVE POLICE FORCE BOAT PATROLLING EMPTY HOUSEBOAT HOTELS EMPTY ROOM INSIDE A HOUSEBOAT HOTEL (SOUNDBITE) (English) HOUSEBOAT OWNER AT THE DAL LAKE, NILOFAR SALIM TUNDA, SAYING: "We don't have any business right now, from 5th of August everything is closed here. And what is the problem... we don't need the business here. What is (are) our rights - we need that. We don't need your phone lines, mobile connection, Internet - nothing we need. We need our rights, we are Kashmiri and we shall have our identified (identity) that we are Kashmiris." A KASHMIRI MAN LOOKING AT A MOSQUE A KASHMIRI WOMAN ROWING A CANOE IN DAL LAKE TOP VIEW OF A CANOE BEING ROWED IN DAL LAKE TOP VIEW OF SHIKARAS AND HOUSEBOATS IN DAL LAKE
  • Embargoed: 3rd September 2019 11:41
  • Keywords: Jammu and Kashmir India Dal Lake tourism business boats
  • Location: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
  • City: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA001AT0UCSV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Tour operators in Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar, home to scenic Dal Lake that houses hundreds of floating houseboat hotels and Shikara boats, were defiant against New Delhi's move to repeal their autonomy, saying they would rather die than bow down to the Indian decree.
    Known as the paradise on earth, the scenic region nestled in the Himalayan peaks and picture-postcard Chinar trees, Kashmir is a magnet for hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.
    But a recent Indian government move to scrap the special status of the region and allow non-residents to buy property there has turned Kashmir into a virtual fortress with communication and movement snapped from the rest of the world.
    Despite complete drying up of business, Shikara boat owners and floating houseboat owners are ready to rather die fighting for their rights as Kashmiris than succumb to Indian pressure.
    "We are not bothered even if we or our children die. We have been living in curfew for over 12 days, movement is shut, mobiles are shut but even this does not bother us," said a 70-year-old shikara boat owner, who has been ferrying tourists for over 50 years Abdul Razzak.
    Empty houseboat hotels, shut floating markets, vacant shikaras was to be seen on Tuesday (August 20) in an otherwise popular tourist spot of Dal Lake. The situation prevailing in Kashmir will create uncertainty and fear among tourists who usually prefer to go to a place where there is peace, said Joint Director Tourism, Kashmir, Fayaz Ahmad Banday.
    Kashmir, once dubbed the Switzerland of the east was heaven for skiers, honeymooners, and film-makers who were drawn to its soaring peaks and surreal beauty, has over the years staggered under dissents, militancy, and unrest.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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