Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Mar 7: Newly constructed tourist huts built by the Tourism Department in the picturesque Shikargah area of Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have allegedly been left abandoned, drawing sharp criticism from locals who say that crores of rupees spent on the project are going to waste due to official neglect.
Residents of Tral and its adjoining areas said that they had welcomed the government’s decision to construct tourist huts in Shikargah, hoping that the initiative would place the scenic destination firmly on Kashmir’s tourism map and generate livelihood opportunities for local youth. However, they said the situation on the ground tells a different story.
According to locals, the construction of the huts was completed a long time ago, but the infrastructure has not been put to use. With no staff deployed for maintenance and no clear plan for their operation, the huts are reportedly lying abandoned and gradually falling into disrepair.
Basharat Ahmad, a local, said the structures have started getting damaged even before they could be used for tourism purposes, due to the lack of care and maintenance.
“There is no one to take care of these huts. We were happy when the government announced that Shikargah would be developed as a tourist destination, but the ground reality is very different. These huts are lying unattended and are slowly deteriorating,” he said.
He added that if the government had appointed caretakers or maintenance staff, the infrastructure could have been preserved and utilised for tourists visiting the area.
Another resident, Manzoor Ahmad, said that spending crores of rupees on infrastructure without ensuring its upkeep defeats the purpose of development projects.
“If the government has spent such a huge amount on these huts, it should have hired a few people to maintain them. Clean and well-managed huts could attract tourists and create employment opportunities for locals. But leaving them abandoned will only damage them before they are even put to use,” he said.
Locals also pointed out that the government recently announced that the population of Hangul, the critically endangered Kashmir stag, has shown a gradual recovery, with numbers rising to over 320 at the Tral Hangul Conservation Breeding Centre. They believe that improved tourism infrastructure around Shikargah could further help attract visitors interested in wildlife and eco-tourism.
Residents claimed they repeatedly brought the matter to the notice of concerned authorities, but no concrete action has been taken so far.
They have now sought the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Tral MLA Rafiq Ahmad Naik, urging them to look into the issue and ensure that the infrastructure created with public funds is properly utilised.
In May 2017, the government announced plans to develop Shikargah as a major picnic destination in Tral to boost tourism in the region. The plan also included connecting Tral with the famous tourist resort of Pahalgam through a trekking route. However, locals said that little progress has been made on these promises on the ground.
Perched at an altitude of about 2,130 meters and located nearly 40 kilometres from Srinagar, Shikargah is known for its breathtaking landscapes and dense forests. The area is also home to the Hangul Conservation Breeding Centre, which plays a key role in the preservation of the endangered Kashmir stag.
Situated at the confluence of the Wasturwan and Kherwon mountain ranges and barely three kilometres from Tral town, the destination is often compared by residents to the famed resort of Gulmarg. Unlike Gulmarg, however, Shikargah experiences relatively moderate night temperatures, making it a comfortable tourist spot throughout the year.
Historically, Shikargah holds significance as it was once a favoured hunting retreat of Maharaja Hari Singh. In 2011, the area was officially opened to the public to promote tourism and boost local economy.
While the number of visitors to the scenic destination has increased over the years, locals say the absence of adequate infrastructure and maintenance continues to hamper its tourism potential. They hope that timely intervention by the government will ensure that the abandoned huts are restored and properly utilised to promote tourism and generate employment in the area. (KNO)
