Tourist revival sparks new life in Mughal Gardens

Srinagar, Jul 10: With over 79 days after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, signs of tourism revival are evident in Kashmir’s iconic Mughal Gardens, with visitors once again flocking to Nishat, Shalimar, Harwan, and Chashme Shahi and other famed green spaces in Srinagar city.
Officials from the Department of Floriculture and those managing the Mughal Gardens said that a strong revival is underway, particularly noticeable over weekends.
“There has been a clear revival. Tourists have started returning in large numbers, and our gardens are witnessing footfall similar to pre-incident days,” said an official from the Floriculture Department.
He said the larger gardens like Nishat Bagh in Srinagar are hosting significant footfall. “On weekends, these gardens see anywhere between 5,000 to 8,000 visitors. Even on weekdays, the numbers are encouraging,” he said.
Meanwhile, this wave of return is also visible along Srinagar’s once-quiet Boulevard Road and Foreshore Road, where tourists are again lining up for shikara rides, sampling Kashmiri cuisine, and taking photographs on the beautiful Dal Lake Srinagar shores.
Abdul Gani, a shikara operator near Dal Lake, Srinagar, said that for weeks they waited without hope. “Now, the scene is different and there is movement, laughter, and people once again,” he said, adding, “As of now, there is a little movement, but we are hopeful that it will soon change into a full revival of the tourism sector.”
The Floriculture Department officials said they are maintaining garden infrastructure, seasonal flower beds, and fountains to enhance the visitor experience. “We are committed to making the gardens a highlight of every tourist’s Kashmir itinerary,” said the in-charge of Mughal Gardens.
Local people dependent on tourism said the revival brings both relief and hope after a prolonged period of fear and uncertainty. With summer tourism gaining pace, officials remain hopeful that the numbers will continue to rise in the coming weeks. (KNO)