Homestay facilities open livelihood opportunities to youth
Tasaduq Hussain
Kupwara: For the first time since independence, Drangyari— a remote place in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district is witnessing the arrival of visitors from different parts of the country. The remote place was once a no go zone, but now has been hosting the guests in the newly set up homestay facilities.
Drangyari is also turning out to be a famous destination for adventure tourism activities. The place has come a long way from being a no go zone for even the local population to now evolving as the best and prominent tourist destination.
Located in the lap of Bungus Valley, Drangyari offers a lot to visitors like adventure and many other tourism related activities with a fascinating stream passing through it.
Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Javaid Ahmad Khan, a resident of Rangwar Drangyari said that tourism activities have picked up in the last couple of years where the newly set up homestay facilities are available.
He said that this place was once a no-go zone, but things have changed now and “we assure everyone of safety here.”
“Every celebrated dish and fruit of Kashmir like Apple, Walnuts and others are available in the homestay facility here. Any tourist can stay as long as they want to,” he said.
He also stated that the development has taken place in the last few years, paving the way for tourism activities.
Bashir Ahmad, an elderly said that a lot of work has been done for tourism promotion in the area. He urged the authorities to set up a hospital in the locality for the wellbeing of the tourists who visit the place.
He appreciated the concrete steps taken by the administration to help them set up homestay facilities and encourage people to visit Drangrayi as part of their sightseeing destinations.
Maqsood Ahmad Khan, a shopkeeper in the area said that tourism activities in the area opened an ample number of opportunities for them. He, however, urged the authorities to take concrete steps to ensure better cellular connectivity in the area.
Mohammad Afsar Khan, another local, said that the tourism activities which began just two years back have opened up livelihood opportunities for the entire local population and educated but unemployed youth as well.
Locals also said that tourism activities are also providing livelihood opportunities to women and girls at home given the growing homestay demand. They said that their educated unemployed youth have grabbed the opportunity and are investing their time and hard work to make a good living out of it.
Meanwhile, an official said that adventure tourism activities are also available at Drangyari like Zip Line, ATVs, and much more. The official further said that there is always a scope for better development and enhancing facilities.
