Rafi Mir demands reopening of Baisaran, economic relief for Pahalgam stakeholders

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, Aug 6: Former Pahalgam MLA Rafi Ahmad Mir on Thursday called for the immediate reopening of the Baisaran tourist destination and a comprehensive economic relief package for people whose livelihoods have been affected by prolonged restrictions in the area.

Mir made the demand after meeting tourism stakeholders, pony owners, hoteliers, shopkeepers, transporters and local residents in Pahalgam to assess the impact of the continued closure of Baisaran on the local economy.

According to a statement, Mir said the restrictions had severely affected thousands of families dependent on tourism and allied sectors, resulting in significant financial losses during the peak tourist season.

He urged the administration to reopen Baisaran at the earliest after completing necessary security assessments, arguing that prolonged closure was inflicting avoidable hardship on local businesses and workers.

Mir also sought a special economic relief package for those affected, including financial assistance, loan restructuring, interest waivers and other support measures for tourism-related enterprises and self-employed workers.

The former legislator said Pahalgam’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism and any disruption has cascading effects on hotels, restaurants, transport operators, pony owners, guides, artisans and small traders.

During his interactions, stakeholders reportedly expressed concern over declining tourist arrivals and mounting financial stress, urging the government to balance security considerations with the need to protect livelihoods.

Mir said tourism has long been the economic backbone of Pahalgam and called upon the administration to restore normal tourism activities while ensuring adequate security arrangements.

He also appealed to the Union Territory administration to engage with local stakeholders and take immediate measures to revive confidence among tourists and support businesses affected by the ongoing situation.

Reiterating that sustainable peace and economic stability go hand in hand, Mir said restoring access to key tourist destinations and providing timely relief would help revive the region’s tourism-dependent economy.