Srinagar, Dec 19: Describing Jammu and Kashmir an adventure capital of India,
President of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), Ajeet Bajaj, on Friday said that the association will work closely with local stakeholders and the government to promote the region as a global tourist destination.

Speaking during a press conference in Srinagar after the conclusion of ATOAI’s 17th annual convention, Bajaj said the convention titled “Safe, Sustainable and Resilient Adventure Tourism” received an overwhelming response from across the country.

“We have had a great convention and enjoyed the very warm hospitality of Kashmir,” Bajaj said.

He said, “Our members visited Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonmarg and returned impressed. Jammu and Kashmir truly is the adventure destination of India and we want to work with the government to bring more adventure tourists here.”

He said ATOAI had held B2B sessions with local adventure operators to build direct business linkages. “All adventure operators from different parts of India met the local operators here to forge partnerships. We want to create a network through which local businesses benefit directly from national and international traffic,” he added.

Bajaj also said the association is coordinating with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to accelerate tourism revival in the Union Territory.

“This is the jewel in the crown of our tourism sector. Everything is normal here, and we have seen it for ourselves. We are proud of our men and women in uniform and want to get more tourists back to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest,” he said.

Another ATOAI delegate who has been visiting Kashmir for decades said the perception of insecurity needs to change.

“I have been travelling in Kashmir for 35 years and never felt safer anywhere else. The hospitality and warmth here are unmatched,” he said, adding that 2026 “will be a great year for Kashmir tourism.”

Bajaj also underlined the need for gradually reopening all adventure zones in the region as conditions improve. “We are keen that slowly and steadily all areas be opened for adventure tourism. The local people are welcoming, the mountains are magnificent and Kashmir has everything that makes it a world-class adventure destination,” he said.—(KNO)

Srinagar, Dec 19: After an extended dry spell of over two months, Jammu and Kashmir is likely to get rain and snow during the next 48 hours as the Meteorological (MeT) Department on Friday forecasted moderate snowfall in the higher reaches and rain in the plains starting late evening on December 20.

Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the local MeT Department, told IANS that snow in the higher reaches and rain in the plains of the union territory are expected during the night intervening December 20 and December 21, and the same is likely to continue till late afternoon on December 21.

The officer said some higher reaches in Ganderbal, Bandipora and Kupwara districts might receive heavy snowfall, particularly on December 21.

Authorities in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts have issued advisories asking people living in the higher reaches not to venture out of their homes during snowfall.

During the last two months, almost all the water bodies have been flowing at very low discharge as rivers, streams, springs and lakes have been adversely impacted by the dry spell.

An extended dry spell has given rise to chest-related ailments as a bad cold, dry cough and flu have become common complaints at hospitals across the Valley these days.

Doctors have advised people, especially children and elderly people, not to expose themselves to long periods of cold and chilly air.

The 40-day-long period of harsh winter cold called the ‘Chillai Kalan’ starts on December 21 and will end on January 30. During this period, most water bodies in the Valley freeze as the minimum temperature drops between minus 6 to minus 8 degrees Celsius. The day temperature remains below two digits during the Chillai Kalan, thereby narrowing the gap between minimum and maximum temperatures.

The minimum temperature was minus 2.1 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, minus 2.6 in Pahalgam and one in Gulmarg on Friday. Jammu city had 9.9 degrees Celsius, Katra 9.2, Batote 6.7, Banihal 3.5 and Bhaderwah 2.3 degrees as the minimum temperature.

Bandipora, Dec 19: Bandipora Police late Thursday night rescued several fishermen from Baniyari Hajin who were stranded in Wular Lake after their boat developed a technical fault. The fishermen were stuck in the lake for hours without communication, creating panic among their families.

After receiving a distress call, Police Post Ajas under Police Station Sumbal launched a rescue effort. A team led by DO Ajas Aeraf Niyaz reached the spot around midnight, traced the stranded boat in darkness and difficult conditions, and brought all the fishermen back safely.

The rescued fishermen said they feared for their lives as their equipment failed and network connectivity was poor. They thanked Bandipora Police for reaching them in time.

Locals also appreciated the prompt and coordinated response that ensured the safe return of the group. [KNT]