The last patches of snow at the Razdan Pass indicates more than a change in season. It signifies the rebirth of Gurez Valley, an unspoiled gem of North Kashmir that has been terribly frozen in its snow-laden misery and has also been unwelcoming to tourists for six months.
This breathtaking Himalayan valley in Bandipora district has been entirely cut off from and isolated from the world for the last six months, completely buried under six feet of snow which has rendered the only road in and out of the valley unpassable.
As Gurez welcomes its first tourist vehicles into the valley—and while they cautiously navigate the crew that is clearing the road—Gurez has now launched into what will undoubtedly be one of the fastest-developing, offbeat tourist locations in Kashmir.
It is a yearly miracle of sorts, but is also a testament to the incredible Gurezian spirit that comes back to life with summer, for it is this summer after a cold, ruthless winter that connects them to hope.
The majestic vistas—towering mountains, gurgling rivers and grassy meadows—had long been trapped in the shadows of Kashmir’s more well-known tourism circuits. Today however, Gurez has begun by truly offering travellers what they crave which is cultivated beauty and cultural experiences.
While the state can be congratulated on nominating Gurez as a tourism centre, there is still more to be done towards viable tourism. Attached to viable tourism will be some significant developments in infrastructure and especially in winter-ready and community-based tourism that will positively impact the local population while causing little harm to the valley.
The opening of the Razdan Pass must also serve a reminder of the urgent need for all-weather-connectivity and reducing the valley’s dependence on seasonal connectivity.
As Gurez emerges as a development name, it does so with the hopes and expectations of an entire region that shares that name. In the case of Gurez, tourism isn’t just about distant going to nice views; tourism is a vehicle towards economic renewal and cultural exchange.
Tourists, when stepping off the local hospitality delivery, the tourists are no longer passive spectators, they join the value chain in ensuring peace and prosperity in this far-off paradise.
Let us welcome the come-back of Gurez – as the first rays of sun and light arrive, melting away the last figures of winter to make way for hope and bright futures, matched to its alpine skylines.
