Travel restrictions lifted in Gurez valley, other places in JK

In a significant development aimed at boosting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has lifted restrictions on travel to various places in the state, including the Gurez valley.
The opening of these areas would also give a boost to the socio-economic development in these remote areas, an official spokesman said today.
"The government has issued an order by virtue of which domestic tourists would now be permitted to visit places beyond Panamik up to Warshi, including Yarma-Gompa and Yarma-Gonboo monastery in Ladakh region," he said.
"Keeping in view the enormous tourism potential of Gurez valley, the government has recently lifted travel restrictions for Indian citizens to visit 24 villages, namely, Koragbal, Gulshanpora, Kanzalwan, Badwan, Wanpora, Khopri, Khandiyal, Dawar, Mastan, Markoot, Shahpora Balla, Shahpora Payeen, Zedgy, PTL, Jurniyal, Jawdera, Neeroo, Budugam, Saradad, Gundgul Sheikh, Malangam, Buduab, Gujran and Abdullan," the spokesman said.

"The opening of these places will substantially expand the opportunities for creation of employment to locals," he said.
Tourists and people visiting these areas and villages would be required to submit a copy of valid document issued by any government agency or Public Sector Undertaking, as proof of their identity.
The natives of Gurez valley have been exempted from such process and they would not be required to submit any such document, he said.
Over the years, Ladakh has emerged as an important tourist destination and many areas of Ladakh region have been opened for tourism, the spokesman said.