WASEEM AJAZ !
“Explore Gurez” Influencers meet which is being conducted by the Indian Army in collaboration with J&K Tourism and District Administration Bandipora from 14 to 18 April in Gurez Valley was launched today. The five day adventure trip comprises of eight social media influencers from different parts of the country including two celebrities from Kashmir who would explore different parts of the pristine valley through their lens and promote it on a large scale on social media platforms to boost the tourist inflow of this off beat location in Kashmir.
Gurez valley has witnessed a massive boost in tourism last year due to numerous initiatives undertaken by the Indian Army, J&K Tourism, Civil Administration and locals of Gurez as joint stake holders. Approx 15000 tourists visited Gurez last year as a result of these arduous initiatives as compared to a total of 300-400 tourists visiting Gurez in the year 2020. This major swell in the footfall of tourists in the valley after the pandemic has brought a new ray of hope in the lives of the unemployed youth and locals of Gurez as many of them have now taken up various avenues of self employment through tourism related activities. Promotion of tourism in this remote valley not only switches the mindset of the locals toward peace and prosperity but also acts as a catalyst to boost the socio-economic development of Gurez.
First day of the trip comprised of a scenic drive from the Srinagar Airport to Gurez via the Wular Lake, Bandipora, Tragbal, Razdan pass and into the Kanzalwan valley. The influencers explored the raw beauty of Kanzalwan, Bagtore, Badwan and Khandiyal areas of the Gurez valley and were mesmerised by the unparalleled natural beauty of the Kishanganga river and Badwan damsite. A jam session with the local artists and youth of the valley is planned for the evening at the Jashn-e-Gurez Campsite on the banks of Kishanganga river in the evening followed by camping under the stars and bonfire before proceeding to explore the Tulail valley tomorrow.
This initiative will not only promote Gurez valley on a extremely large scale but will also attract attention of tourists and investors from across the globe. It possess the potential of finally marking Gurez on the World tourism map and transforming lives of thousands of Gurezis yearning for a peaceful and prosperous life in Kashmir.
