Pampore Set to Shine as Key Tourism Destination: CM Omar | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Pampore, widely recognised as India’s Saffron Town, is steadily emerging as a major tourism destination, combining cultural heritage, eco-tourism, pilgrimage circuits, and adventure activities, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday.

Responding to a question in the Legislative Assembly from MLA Hasnain Masoodi, the Chief Minister noted that the Tourism Department has been promoting saffron-based tourism through the annual Saffron Festival in Pampore. He added that seasonal events such as the Spring Festival and Wild Tulip celebrations on the Pampore Karewas have become significant attractions, drawing tourists from within and outside the state.

To promote eco-tourism, a Birding Festival has been introduced in the Pampore wetlands to raise awareness about local avian diversity and wetland ecosystems while encouraging nature-based travel. Abdullah stated that these festivals are now permanent fixtures in the Tourism Department’s calendar, contributing to destination branding, visitor engagement, and local economic growth.

The Chief Minister also highlighted that curated digital content showcasing Pampore and surrounding areas is being actively promoted through official tourism social media channels to boost visibility.

“For holistic tourism development, pilgrimage circuits are being enhanced through facility upgrades at key religious sites, including Wahab Sahib Shrine, Jawala Mata Temple in Khrew, and Sheikh-ul-Alam Shrine in Laddu, under the Capex Budget 2025-26,” Abdullah said. He noted that improvements include resting shelters and visitor amenities to enhance the pilgrim experience.

While acknowledging the tourism potential of water bodies around Pampore, Abdullah said no dedicated wetland development projects have been sanctioned yet, adding that feasibility and tourism value will be assessed before any intervention.

A comprehensive tourism development plan for Pulwama district, incorporating Pampore under the VIHI (Village Industry and Heritage Integration) District scheme, is under consideration. The plan includes new trekking routes connecting destinations such as Shar/Baten Nagberan to Tarsar and Marsar Lakes, Narastantral to Aru and Pahalgam, and the Shar-Baten-Zantrag route towards Dachigam National Park.

The Tourism Department has implemented several on-ground initiatives across the VIHI District, including Shar Shali, Khrew, Wahab Sahib, Pampore, and Wasturwan. These include tourist signage at strategic points, upgrades to the Tourist Facilitation Centre and historic park at Shar-i-Shali, paragliding trial runs from the Wasturwan hills, and continued organisation of annual festivals.

CM Abdullah added that villages such as Wahab Sahib, Gossanard, and Ladu are being included under the Tourism Homestay Policy-2022 and the PM-JUGA scheme to promote community-based tourism. Applications have been forwarded for police verification and land certification, with more villages potentially added in the future.

However, he clarified that Khrew has not been prioritised for additional tourism infrastructure due to its industrial character and high air pollution. Tourism developments may be considered there in the future if environmental conditions improve.