Trekkers in Kashmir may soon be permitted to use advanced gadgets for better connectivity. One of the options being considered, according to Director of Tourism Raja Yaqoob Farooq, is the use of satellite phones.
Raja told THE WEEK that the Adventure Operators of India have raised the demand with the Ministry of Tourism, which is now discussing it with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Tourists sometimes face adverse weather conditions, including avalanches,’’ he said.
“The two ministries are considering what types of communication devices should be allowed for adventure enthusiasts.”
He said that in certain areas, trekkers often find themselves in no-network zones, making such gadgets particularly useful.
Over the past few years, trekking has gained popularity among tourists. The Tourism Department has identified 75 new trekking routes.
“Some of these routes, like the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, are already operational and have become very popular,” Raja said.
“Others include trekking routes in Gulmarg and the Tarsar Marsar trek. We are working on mapping these new tracks.”
Without providing specific figures, he said that Kashmir has seen the highest-ever foreign tourist arrivals this year, with an average of 200 to 300 foreign tourists arriving daily, many of whom are trekkers.
The Tourism Department focuses on adventure tourism and organised rafting in Gurez, located in Bandipora.
Raja revealed that a proposal has been received from the World Rafting Federation to host a world rafting championship in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Ladakh will host the Khelo India from January 23 to 27, 2025, while Jammu and Kashmir will host the event from February 22 to 25, 2025. The Khelo India Winter Games began in 2020, with nearly 1,000 athletes participating in the inaugural edition, including 306 women. Participation has grown significantly over the years, with more than 1,350 athletes in 2021 and over 1,500 in 2022, highlighting the increasing popularity of the Games in Jammu and Kashmir.
