JDU State President meets Doodhpathri delegation, calls for reopening and development of Tourist Destination

SRINAGAR: Janata Dal (United) State President G.M. Shaheen on Monday met a delegation from Doodhpathri at the party office in Rajbagh, Srinagar, to deliberate on the livelihood crisis faced by locals after the closure of the tourist destination in the wake of the recent Pahalgam attack.

Shaheen said Doodhpathri—renowned for its meadows, scenic beauty, and cool climate—has always been a lifeline for the local population. Pony operators, hoteliers, transporters, and vendors depend on its tourism flow, but the closure has pushed hundreds of families into distress.

“Tourism is not a luxury for us—it is our bread and butter. Without tourists, our community is facing a severe financial crisis,” Shaheen said.

He assured the delegation that he would raise the matter with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, pressing for the immediate reopening of Doodhpathri.

The JDU President also highlighted the infrastructure neglect of the destination and called for a comprehensive development plan covering better road connectivity, medical facilities, organized parking, eco-friendly accommodations, and recreational infrastructure.

Calling Doodhpathri a “jewel of Kashmir”, Shaheen said the spot deserves consistent promotion and development to rival Gulmarg and Pahalgam. He stressed that security concerns must be addressed without sacrificing livelihoods.

Reiterating JDU’s commitment, Shaheen said the people of Doodhpathri were only demanding their basic right to livelihood, not luxuries. He urged all political parties to rise above differences and work collectively for the revival of tourism in J&K, noting that it is not a partisan issue but one affecting “every household in the Valley.”