Preserve houseboats in Srinagar

With the flow of tourists increasing in Jammu and Kashmir with each passing day, the government needs to give attention towards the major spots and attraction, which would help in giving further boom to the tourism sector in the Union Territory. Some of the major attractions include the world famous Dal Lake, houseboats, Gandola in the famous ski-resort and other things. However, it needs to be understood that these attractions must be given priority so that the flow of tourists will not decline. While the figures shared by the media has revealed that there has been a massive decline in the number of houseboats in the waterbodies where these tourists prefer to stay and spend a day or two during their tour to Jammu and Kashmir. The figures have revealed that the number has reached to just over 900 from 2500 some years back, which is the outcome of the government’s least concern over ensuring timber to the owners for the renovation of the houseboats. While the most of political parties issuing their manifesto have given a miss to preserving the houseboats, the houseboat owners at this juncture are feeling alienated and have now demanded the reservations at par with the Gujjar and Bakerwals. There is a need to take immediate measures towards preserving the houseboats here so that the people from different parts of the country and elsewhere would continue to visit J&K to stay and spend time in the houseboats.