Post Pahalgam, a new crisis is brewing in Kashmir

On April 22, 2025, tourists were attacked in the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, resulting in 26 people tragically losing their lives. In the immediate aftermath, significant unrest was noted in the region; homes of alleged militants were demolished and many were detained. Visits to 48 of the 87 tourist destinations in Kashmir were also banned.

This has severely affected the local economy in the area, which heavily relies on tourism. Since the weeks following the attack, there has been a monumental increase in hotel and flight cancellations, and most tourists have left the region.

With no other option, many hotels have been forced to fire their staff, several of whom are migrants from smaller towns in Kashmir. Showket Ahmad, owner of a hotel in Srinagar, reported that since the attack, there have been no bookings—all 26 rooms remain empty. He has refunded advance payments and has retained only three of his 15 staff members due to financial constraints. Showket has incurred losses of approximately INR 10 lakh, and has ongoing expenses but no income.

Irfan Lone, a migrant worker from Palhallan village in Baramula district and former housekeeper at a hotel in Zakura, Srinagar, lost his job shortly after the attack. “I feel helpless,” he stated. Imtiyaz Ah, a waiter at a hotel in Khanyar, Srinagar, mentioned how he was asked to leave his job as tourists in the area declined. The sole breadwinner in his family, Imtiyaz is struggling to provide for them during this challenging time.

But it isn’t just the hotel workers who are facing problems.

Mohammad Arif from Sonamarg organises horse rides for tourists. He said, “I usually earn INR 2,000 a day by taking tourists through the meadows on horseback, but now I have no work and I am just sitting at home.”

Shahnawaz, a street vendor on Boulevard Road leading to the Mughal gardens in Srinagar, said as he stood by Dal Lake waiting for customers, “I have been selling falooda ice cream here for 10 years, and I have never seen a situation like this. Earlier I used to earn approximately INR 3,000 a day, now I earn only INR 500. It is difficult to manage household expenses, including school fees and tuition for my children. There are six members in my family—what can I do with this INR 500?”

He continued, “I want to request tourists to come and visit Kashmir as it is safe and beautiful, but I wonder how far my request will go.”

Shabir Ah, a houseboat owner, spoke about the impact of the attack. He reported cancellations from guests, within India and even abroad, and highlighted the uncertainty faced by shikara and houseboat owners in the region. “We depend on tourism,” he stated.

The attack in Pahalgam has affected the livelihoods of many individuals and families in Kashmir. As the region grapples with the consequences, the call for a return to normalcy and the revival of tourism remains urgent.

Ilhak Ahmad Tantray and Umer Farooq Zargar are freelance journalists based in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

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