Gauhar Peerzada
Known for its breathtaking landscapes and bustling spring tourism, Pahalgam is witnessing an unusual silence this season. The scenic destination in south Kashmir, which typically welcomes large numbers of visitors during spring, now presents a starkly different picture following the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack at the popular Baisaran meadow.
The tragic incident, which claimed 26 lives—most of them tourists from outside Jammu and Kashmir—has dealt a severe blow to the region’s tourism sector. Visitor numbers have dropped sharply, leaving roads unusually quiet, hotels partially vacant, and hundreds of families dependent on tourism struggling to sustain themselves.
A visit to Pahalgam reveals the depth of the crisis. Streets that are usually crowded with tourist vehicles and bustling markets now appear largely deserted. Hotel owners report widespread cancellations and very few fresh bookings. Taxi stands are lined with idle vehicles, while pony operators wait anxiously for customers who rarely arrive.
For many locals, tourism is not just a seasonal source of income but their primary means of livelihood.
Among them is Abdullah, a pony handler, who sat near the pony stand hoping for tourists who never seemed to come. Supporting a large family, including daughters of marriageable age, he spoke with visible concern about the uncertain months ahead.
“This season has been very difficult. We depend on these few months of work to manage expenses for the entire year,” he said. “If tourists do not come, how will we pay for education, marriages, and household needs?”
His concerns reflect the wider anxiety spreading across the Valley.
Taxi drivers Mohammad Shafi and Ghulam Mohammad were also seen waiting helplessly at the taxi stand, like hundreds of others whose vehicles have remained without bookings for days.
“We have loans to repay and monthly EMIs pending. Every day without tourists adds more pressure,” said Mohammad Shafi. “People outside may think things are normal, but on the ground, people are suffering.”
Ghulam Mohammad echoed similar concerns, saying that many drivers are now struggling even to cover fuel and maintenance costs.
Despite the gloomy atmosphere, a few visitors could still be seen. A small group enjoying pony rides offered a rare sign of hope.
Joseph, a tourist from Kerala travelling with his wife, said they felt safe in Kashmir and appreciated the efforts of security forces.
“We feel secure here. Security arrangements are good, and local people are very welcoming,” he said. “However, the weather has been challenging. There has been heavy rain this April, and the cold is much more than we expected.”
His wife agreed, adding that while security concerns were manageable, the unseasonal rain had disrupted parts of their travel plans.
Tourism stakeholders believe that the reduced footfall is not solely linked to security concerns but also to several other factors.
Gurpriya Kour, a local hotel owner, said the government had made genuine efforts to revive tourism by organising events such as the Winter Festival and Baisakhi celebrations, but the response from visitors remained weak.
“Festivals help generate attention, but after incidents like the Baisaran attack, people hesitate to travel. Rebuilding trust takes time,” she said.
She also highlighted the untapped potential of medical tourism in Kashmir.
“With our climate, natural beauty, and improving healthcare facilities, Kashmir has the potential to attract wellness and recovery tourism. We need to diversify beyond seasonal tourism and focus on sectors like medical tourism as well,” she added.
Local shopkeeper Abdul Majeed attributed the decline in visitor numbers to the continued closure of major tourist spots such as Baisaran and Chandanwari.
“When major attractions remain shut, naturally fewer people come. Shops remain empty, guides have no work, and pony owners sit idle. Everyone suffers,” he said.
He appealed to the government to reopen these destinations after proper security assessments.
“We understand security is important, but complete closure hurts poor families the most. The government must find a balanced solution,” he added.
Officials, meanwhile, maintain that the overall situation in Kashmir is under control. Security has been strengthened, and efforts are underway through promotional campaigns and official assurances to restore tourist confidence.
However, the reality on the ground in Pahalgam tells a more complex story.
Tourism in Kashmir—especially in places like Pahalgam—is deeply interconnected with daily life. Even a single incident can trigger widespread cancellations and months of financial hardship for thousands of families.
For local residents, tourism is not measured simply in visitor statistics, but in school fees, wedding expenses, loan repayments, and the ability to put food on the table.
As spring advances and the peak tourist season approaches, people here continue to hope for the return of visitors. For now, however, the silence of Pahalgam speaks louder than official reassurances.
Until confidence is fully restored, the empty roads and anxious faces of those dependent on tourism will remain a stark reminder of how fragile peace can be in this paradise.
