Snow-clad trees can be seen near the Zojila hill pass that connects Srinagar to Ladakh. File photo | photo credit: Nisar Ahmed
Buoyed by a record footfall of 23 lakh tourists last year, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department on Thursday decided to put the less-travelled Dudhpathri grasslands in Budgam district on the winter tourism map.
Just 44 km from capital Srinagar, Dudhpathri hosts a day-long snow festival, which is attended by hundreds of local and domestic tourists. Exciting snow sports like snow kabaddi, tug of war, rallies of all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and ski runs were organized on the occasion.
“Doodhpathri is promoted as a winter destination. The destination has been kept open this winter to attract more tourists. The introduction of various snow activities and operation of a ski shop will be a game changer for the destination,” said Fazlul Haseeb, director tourism, Kashmir.
The ski drag lift is also being made functional by next summer, which will make Dudhpathri a major skiing resort in the valley after Gulmarg.
Budgam Deputy Commissioner Syed Fakhruddin Hamid has welcomed the move of the tourism department. “The event has a unique model where tourism, employment and infrastructure sectors are being approached for sustainable development of the region,” Hamid said.
Kashmir to host 23 lakh tourists in 2022, the highest figure since 2013 when around 13 lakh tourists visited the valley. The tourism department is building on the inflow of tourists and expanding winter tourism infrastructure.