Pulwama, Jul 30 : Shikargah, a picturesque and serene destination, nestled in Tral town of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, continues to be overlooked by the government despite its immense tourism potential.
Perched at an altitude of 2,130 meters and located around 40 kilometers from Srinagar, Shikargah is not just known for its scenic charm but also for being home to the Hangul Conservation Breeding Centre.
However, the locals lamented that the area has been left to languish due to the apathy of the tourism department.
Located at the confluence of the Wasturwan and Kherwon mountain ranges and just 3 kilometers from Tral town, the spot is often compared by residents to the famed Gulmarg resort.
Unlike Gulmarg, however, Shikargah enjoys moderate night temperatures, making it a more comfortable destination year-round. “Yet, it remains largely undeveloped.”
“Shikargah was once a favourite hunting retreat of Maharaja Hari Singh. In 2011, it was officially opened for the public to promote local tourism and economy. Since then, the number of visitors has grown steadily, but the infrastructure remains inadequate,” said a local resident.
Residents point out that there is an army camp at the entrance of Shikargah and no facilities are available causing inconvenience to tourists. While some washrooms have been constructed, most remain locked and inaccessible. Additionally, the area lacks basic amenities such as transport facilities, parking space and a nearby market.
Junaid Ahmad, a resident, said, “In May 2017, the government had announced plans to develop Shikargah as a picnic spot and to connect it with Pahalgam via trekking route, but no visible progress has been made since then.”
He further added that the absence of dustbins and waste management has led to littering with polythene and garbage strewn across the landscape, marring its beauty and annoying visitors.
An official from the tourism department acknowledged the situation, saying, “We have constructed a Tourism Facilitation and Reception Centre in the area. However, the tourist inflow is still low, which affects our prioritization.”
“Despite the low footfall, we are committed to developing Shikargah and bringing it fully onto the tourism map,” he added.
Locals, however, urged the authorities to expedite development and promotion efforts to unlock Shikargah’s full potential and transform it into a thriving tourist destination
