Tourists throng Kashmir to witness fresh spell of snow

Srinagar, Feb.21 (ANI): Following a fresh spell of snowfall, tourists have converged in large numbers in Pahalgam to enjoy adventure sports like horse riding and skiing.

Located in the southeast of the Kashmir Valley, Pahalgam is surrounded by lofty mountains and is washed by gushing streams and rivulets making it a perfect tourist spot.

Many tourists were left awestruck by the picturesque locales, as the fresh spell of snowfall enthralled them.

"I've come to Pahalgam for the first time. I am really happy to see the scenic beauty and the snowfall. I have enjoyed the horse riding and the horses are well-trained and it's really nice to enjoy the beauty by sitting on the horses," said tourist, Darmesh Jain.

Swati Mehra, another tourist, from the plains was excited to see the snowfall as she was experiencing it for the first time.

"Its amazing experience and I had earlier heard about all this and saw only in books but real ground experience is amazing. So, I would suggest that everyone should visit this place at least once in their life," said Swati.

The influx of tourists in large numbers has also brought smiles on the faces of the people involved in tourism industry.

"We want that tourists should visit the place as it provides a source of employment for the shopkeepers, taxi drivers and horse riders. Every person is dependent on the influx of the tourists," said horse rider, Abdul Rehman Lone.

Pahalgam is located at an altitude of 2130 m above sea level amidst the Himalayan range.

The State Government is planning to develop Pahalgam a centre for mountaineering, camping, trekking, rafting and fishing.

Kashmir, still sullen and deeply alienated from India, cannot, it seems, escape the power of India's $1.6 trillion economy growing at 8 percent despite severe problems of governance that have taken the shine off the country as an investment destination. (ANI)