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Amir Karim Tantray
Tribune News Service
Doda, September 18
Abrogation of Article 370 and division of the state into two union territories has affected the entire tourism industry in the Chenab region in general and Bhaderwah in particular.
Since August 5, tourism inflow in Bhaderwah has gone down drastically. Even locals are not going anywhere for picnic and it looks like the sense of exploring new areas has vanished. People are in a fear that if they make any plans, they will not be able to return home easily.
“We used to visit places almost every Sunday and enjoy with friends but since August 5, the trend has stopped. We want to go out but our families don’t allow us anymore,” said Mohammad Arif, a resident of Doda.
Till the end of July, over three lakh tourists visited the area but no one seems to be interested to come here now.
“Earlier, it was looking that this year we will be hosting a record number of tourists in Bhaderwah but curfew was imposed here due to some local reason and then after August 5, no tourist wanted to come here,” said Rajinder Khajuria, chief executive officer, Bhaderwah Development Authority. The absence of tourists from the scene has led to huge losses to people as their earning was dependent on the tourist influx.
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