Baramulla, Jun 4: Police in Baramulla on Thursday issued an advisory restricting the movement of tourists towards the interior areas of Mulbangil and Batoo through the Hajibal-Babareshi axis, citing safety concerns and the absence of adequate tourist infrastructure in the area.
According to the advisory, authorities have noticed a recent increase in tourist visits to the remote Mulbangil and Batoo areas, with some tourism service providers, guides and transport operators reportedly facilitating such trips.
“Qazipora-Ziran-Batoo-Mulbangil-Hajibal route is not part of any notified or established tourist circuit and passes through isolated terrain where emergency response mechanisms and visitor support facilities are either limited or unavailable,” the advisory reads.
It states, “In the interest of public safety and to prevent tourists from venturing into areas not designated for tourism activities, movement towards the route has been prohibited with immediate effect and until further orders.”
The police have directed hotel owners, guest house and homestay operators, travel agencies, tour operators, taxi drivers, tourist guides, pony operators, and other stakeholders not to advertise, organise, facilitate, or encourage visits to the restricted areas.
To ensure compliance, police teams will be deployed at strategic locations along the route.
Authorities warned that any individual or establishment found violating the restrictions or facilitating unauthorised tourist movement will face strict legal action under relevant laws.
Tourists have been urged to cooperate with the authorities and restrict their travel to approved and established destinations in the Tangmarg-Gulmarg region.
