Only 800 Foreigners Visited Kashmir In August,

Jammu and Kashmir have been facing unprecedented restrictions for nearly a month now, as normal life remains affected across the Valley with markets shut and public transport off the roads since August 5.SONAMARG, JAMMU, AND KASHMIR: Empty houseboats, vacant hotels, and deserted resorts present a gloomy picture of Kashmir’s tourism sector which is going through one of its worst phases due to the prevailing situation after the Centre scrapped provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution and reorganized the state into two Union territories. Kashmir has been facing unprecedented restrictions for nearly a month now, as normal life remains affected across the Valley with markets shut and public transport off the roads since August 5.

Days before announcing the decision on Article 370, the state government had asked all tourists in Kashmir to leave the Valley. According to officials in the Tourist Department, about 20,000-25,000 visitors were present in the Valley, which was in its peak tourist season. Since then, the Valley is without tourists, which has brought the industry — believed to be the backbone of Kashmir’s economy — to its knees. Sonamarg — considered as the gateway to Ladakh region — is a picturesque resort in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and usually remained crammed with visitors.