The Government’s utter failure to promote Kokernag, Daksum, Achabal and Sinthan Top as tourist destinations has drawn flak from the people residing in the adjoining areas of these places. These scenic resorts located at different places in the South Kashmir have a huge tourism potential and can generate employment for the youth, the locals at these places said.

While accusing the government of ignoring these beautiful places and failing to put them on the tourism map, the locals said the authorities were only concentrating on Gulmarg and Pahalgam, which according to them, have now been developed to a large extent.

Prior to the 90’s, Kokernag, the heart of Brengi river valley and famous for fresh water springs used to attract a large number of tourists and students picnics every year, but due to the off late callous approach of the government, these places have been almost forgotten by the people, particularly the tourists as per a report by Khalid Gul in Greater Kashmir

“The water of these springs is the purest you can get and is highly digestive and good for health. There was a proposal to export the water of this spring in bottles to other parts of the country,” the locals told Greater Kashmir. Though, the locals here are against construction of concrete structures, but they feel the need to develop this place as an eco friendly tourism destination to regain its glory as it has chain of tourist spots from Achabal to Daksum to Sinthan Top.

Besides, Kokernag is also connected to Verinag, another scenic resort known also for the springs and origin of Jhelum river. “We don’t want this place to be turned into a concrete jungle like Pahalgam. But what we want is that in order to woo the tourists, the basic infrastructure should be provided,” said the locals.

They said that government should construct some huts and restaurants in the area and also encourage the locals to turn their houses into small guest houses with a traditional look to provide accommodation to the tourists. “We don’t want the ecology of this region consisting of lush green forests, meadows, streams and fresh water springs to be disturbed at the cost of the development.

So, the government instead of inviting the hoteliers to construct huge hotels in this area, should focus on beautification of adjacent villages like Vailoo, Gohan, Bidihaad, Bidar, Hillar, Wangam, Larinoo and Dandipora and provide accommodation to the tourists there in the form of huts and small guest houses,” locals said. They said that Daksum wildlife sanctuary and fish farm in Kokernag which are the source of attraction should be properly maintained.

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