Jammu & kashmir government’s claims to explore and develop new tourist spots in the Valley notwithstanding, about two dozen lakes surrounding the world famous health resort Pahalgam are yet to be brought on the tourism map.

Official sources said that of the 24 freshwater lakes in the Himalayan region of Pahalgam, only three namely Sheeshnag, Tarsar and Marsar have been brought on the tourism map. All the other lakes, small as well as big, are yet to be brought on the tourism map as per a .report in Greater Kashmir by Khalid Gul.

They said the lakes though discovered decades ago and yet to find place on the tourism map include Tulyan, Asthan Marg, Chorch, Sonsar, Katrinag, Haribagwani, Hoksar, Chandarsar, Chernag I, Chernag II, Zeasar, Gogjisar, Hutur Talab, Ruhil, Doodsar, Chumnai, Chandersar, Tabaksar, Muniwarsar, Chunsar I, Chunsar II, Ountkash and Budsher." 

The officials said if the lakes are promoted as tourist spots, they can lure legions of tourists from India as well as abroad and bring a lot of foreign exchange to Kashmir. 

Many tourism players said that it was an irony that they had come to know about these water bodies from foreigners. “Many foreign tourists visit these lakes even as the state is yet to promote them and bring them on the state tourism map,” they said.