Clamour grows for reopening of Kashmir’s ‘Niagara Falls’ as Aharbal businesses suffer

Aharbal, Jun 11: Nestled amid dense forests and towering mountains in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, Aharbal—renowned for its roaring waterfall and breathtaking natural beauty—continues to remain off-limits to tourists, dealing a severe blow to the livelihoods of hundreds of people directly and indirectly dependent on the tourism sector.

Popularly known as the “Niagara Falls of Kashmir”, Aharbal had emerged as one of the Valley’s most sought-after tourist destinations in recent years, attracting thousands of visitors during the summer season. However, the destination was closed following the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead, prompting authorities to impose restrictions on several tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir as a precautionary security measure.
The prolonged closure has left local stakeholders struggling to make ends meet. Hotel owners, shopkeepers, cab operators, restaurant owners and street vendors say their incomes have declined drastically, with many facing acute financial hardship over the past several months.
“We are sitting completely idle. There is no work since the place was shut for tourists,” said Bashir Ahmad, a local hotel owner, adding that businesses which once thrived during the peak tourist season are now witnessing little to no activity.

According to local residents, Aharbal would normally witness a steady flow of tourists during the summer months, generating employment and business opportunities for hundreds of families. Small restaurants, souvenir shops and transport providers rely heavily on tourist arrivals for their earnings.
A local cab driver said the impact has been particularly severe on transport operators. “Most of our vehicles remain parked throughout the day. Earlier, we would make multiple trips carrying tourists to Aharbal and nearby destinations. Now there is hardly any work,” he said.
Vendors operating near the tourist spot echoed similar concerns, saying the closure has disrupted their only source of income. Several families, they said, have been compelled to seek alternative livelihoods to sustain themselves.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, authorities closed nearly 48 tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir as part of enhanced security measures. After a comprehensive review of the security situation, we reopened 41 destinations in phases. However, a handful of sites, including Aharbal, continue to remain closed to visitors.

Local stakeholders have urged the administration to review the prevailing security situation and reopen the destination, arguing that the prolonged restrictions are adversely affecting the local economy. They contend that reopening Aharbal would not only revive tourism-related businesses but also restore livelihoods for hundreds of families whose survival depends on the sector.