By: Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo
Houseboats are synonymous to Tourism in Kashmir and the houseboats owners have played a pioneering role in shaping the badly hit tourism sector especially after 90s.
I am thankful to Department of Tourism who during my stint at Chairman KHBOA constructed two dockyards, subsidised the timber for repairing and refurbishing of Houseboats and also allotted a dedicated counter at Srinagar Airport etc.
Today, this houseboat industry is ailing and the number of houseboats are declining. Authorities need to take positive steps towards the revival of this ailing heritage houseboat industry. It is saddening to read about the recent statement (published in a local newspaper) of Director Tourism about the construction of houseboats which is not based on actual facts. We request Director Tourism to personally visit the houseboats, take the first hand assessment of the ground situation and witness the plight of houseboat owners, who don’t have the resources to do even caulking (an important yearly maintenance exercise to keep the houseboat afloat).
Besides Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association KHBOA, the major issues faced by the houseboat owners are repeatedly communicated by this association (NTTA Nigeen Tourist Traders Association) also to the concerned authorities. At the present moment, when there is almost no tourism related activities, this pandemic and lockdown has done more damage to the economical conditions of already affected houseboat industry, the authorities must come up with a comprehensive rehabilitation policy/plan for the houseboat owners.
Contrary to the claim that the Houseboats are in a good shape, their sharp decline from more than 3000 (in its prime) to just 900 is a live example of their dilapidated conditions. It is evident from the constant decline, 6 houseboats submerged recently, many gutted to ashes (yet to be repaired), this industry is at the verge of extinction and justice demands that government needs to take every possible step in getting this industry revamped to its pristine glory.
With the recent appointment of Mr. Sarmad Hafeez as Secretary Tourism, a ray of hope has emerged among the tourism fraternity especially houseboat owners and they hope for a positive outcome in coming months which can play a crucial role in shaping a good tourist season.
The writer is Chairman, Nigeen Tourist Traders Association (NTTA)
