Gulmarg, May 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday chaired a meeting of administrative secretaries and other top officials in Gulmarg health resort as part of his governmentís efforts to bring back tourists to Kashmir after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.
The visit came a day after he held a symbolic cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, the site of the recent April 22 terror attack.
Displaying his resolve to bring tourism back on track, CM Omar said, ìFrom Gulmarg ski resort, we want to send a message that the tourist destinations across J&K are open for you. Without waiting for tourist arrival, we have started an initiative aimed to revive tourism after the deadly Pahalgam attack.î
Welcoming the recent voluntary visit by a delegation of members, he said that the visiting delegation came on their own and they hoped their visit would have a positive impact on Kashmir tourism.
Talking of attacks like Pahalgam, the CM said that though all such attacks had affected the tourism industry, the main difference this time had been that people of J&K, irrespective of caste, creed, and religion had condemned the Pahalgam attack.
ìëNot in our nameí was the voice echoed from Kathua to Kupwara, Pir Panjal to south Kashmir, Chenab Valley to central Kashmir. No one forced Kashmiris to come out in the open and condemn such a barbaric attack. They came out on their own and showed that Kashmiris cannot tolerate such incidents,î he said.
Over the issue of the negative campaign launched by some elements against the Kashmir visit after the Pahalgam attack, CM Omar said that the Centre and all the agencies needed to look into this issue and find out who these elements responsible for carrying out the boycott campaign were.
ìThe people of J&K condemned this attack in one voice and showed that they are not with such incidents. Elements responsible for initiating such a boycott campaign should be identified and punished. The Centre should not ignore such a campaign,î he said.
The CM said that holding back-to-back meetings at Gulmarg and Pahalgam was an effort to instil public confidence and encourage people to visit Kashmir.
He said that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi could convene a meeting to review tourism in J&K and tour operators from Maharashtra and Gujarat could visit the region voluntarily, not because they were invited, but because they want to contribute to the normalisation process, then it was imperative for the J&K government to take the matching steps.
ìThese meetings are not symbolic. These are part of a larger effort to initiate a return to normalcy and restore confidence,î CM Omar said. ìWe must do this with sensitivity and without appearing forceful.î
He emphasised the importance of participating in major tourism events outside J&K.
ìOur absence from such events can send the wrong signal. Tour operators, both from within and outside J&K, have expressed the need for our visible presence at upcoming tourism trade fairs. We are already taking part in major events like those in Ahmedabad and Kolkata, and participation in all major events is being planned carefully,î the CM said.
Quoting a couplet of noted Urdu poet and author, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, ëDil na umeed to nahi, nakaam hi to hai; lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai,í he reflected on the importance of optimism during adversity. ìThese lines, which I also quoted at the recent NITI Aayog meeting, serve as a reminder that even in dark times, hope must prevail. What happened recently marks one of the most difficult phases in recent years, but we have endured worse over the past four decades and always found a way to bounce back.î
CM Omar said that this was the first time such an administrative meeting was held outside the twin secretariats of Srinagar and Jammu.
ìIn my previous tenure, we took the cabinet to remote areas, but senior-level departmental reviews were confined to the capitals. Holding this meeting here is to transition away from the unfortunate events of the last six weeks,î he said.
Addressing the issue of the closed off-beat destinations, the CM said the list of 48 such tourist spots was under review and would be revised gradually.
ìSome of these places were never closed even during the worst days. We will have to take measured steps to reopen them,î he said.
CM Omar also spoke of involving schools and colleges to promote local tourism.
ìEarlier, during peak tourist season, we would discourage student excursions due to overcrowding. Now, we must encourage them. Let the children come and experience these places. Itís another step towards normalcy,î he said.
Referring to his participation in the recent NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CM said he had urged the PM and other ministers to consider J&K, especially Kashmir, as a venue for central PSU board meetings and conferences – particularly in the summer when most seek respite from the heat.
ìWe had several parliamentary committee meetings scheduled in Kashmir which were cancelled after April 22. I have requested the Centre to work with the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats to bring those meetings back. Some ministers have already committed to doing so,î he said.
On the livelihoods impacted after the Pahalgam attack, CM Omar expressed concern for those most vulnerable.
ìThe number of people dependent on tourism has grown significantly in recent years. While larger businesses might endure a downturn, smaller players like shikara operators, taxi drivers, and homestay owners face immediate financial distress. For them, daily earnings mean daily survival. Weíre working on an assistance package to support them,î he said.
The CM also pointed to the opportunity presented by the current lull in tourism.
ìNormally, peak season leaves us with little space to focus on development. Now, we can push pending infrastructure and tourism-related projects,î he said.
Touching upon upcoming religious events like Mela Kheer Bhawani, Eid, Muharram, and the Amarnath Yatra, CM Omar said this yearís yatra would be especially challenging.
ìFrom a security and logistical standpoint, we must ensure the yatra is conducted smoothly. I am confident, given your experience, that all necessary arrangements will be made,î he said.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister and the ministers shared departmental updates and assured full cooperation. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir presented a detailed review specific to the division.
The CM reviewed CAPEX works, emergency preparedness, tourist safety, sports and adventure tourism, mobile connectivity, and sectors like health and rural development.
The preparedness for upcoming religious festivals was discussed in detail.
Later, CM Omar also met delegations from various trade associations in Gulmarg and interacted with visiting tourists.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, Javed Ahmed Dar, Satish Sharma, Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Member of Legislative Assembly, Gulmarg, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta.
All Administrative Secretaries, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, senior Police officers, heads of several departments, the CEO Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Gulmarg, and other officials were also present.
