Tourists and adventure sports enthusiasts are beginning to trickle back into the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir after years of unrest and violence. Photo Credit: AFP

July 11, 2009, (Sawf News) - Tourists and adventure sports enthusiasts are beginning to trickle back into the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir after years of unrest and violence.

The state hosted nearly half a million visitors last year.

Once a favored holiday destination, often compared to Switzerland, state tourism brochures refer to Kashmir as paradise on earth.

The state capital Srinagar was one of the top holiday destinations in Asia in 1989 with nearly a million tourists visiting it.

Kashmiri tourist boat owner waiting for tourists Photo Credit: AFP

However, during the past two decades the lush green rolling meadows and lakes of Kashmir valley and the pristine snowcapped peaks and streams that surround it lay forlorn as separatist violence festered in the state.

The violence has now ebbed though nearly half a million Indian security personnel continue to camp there. Despite improvements in security, tourists still face warnings about travelling to the state from their governments.

The state government led by the youthful Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, is investing on improved infrastructure with new five star hotels and golf courses being built

Tourists and adventure sports enthusiasts are beginning to trickle back into the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir after years of unrest and violence. Photo Credit: AFP

In a bid to promote adventure sports in the state, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department recently conducted a two-day 25-km-long trekking expedition from Gulmarg to Bonyiar in Uri sector, 100 kms from Srinagar.

Though violence has reduced, the state continues to be plagued by protests and shutdowns.

Abdullah recently slammed the frequent protests incited by vested interests.

Indian police patrolling on Dal Lake . Photo Credit: AFP

"Everybody regrets that tourism in J&K, particularly Kashmir, once the only hub of tourists, today, in spite of government efforts being made to attract tourists, is being ruined by day-to-day hartals and stray protests created by vested elements, which make tourists to flee from this paradise", Mr. Omar said speaking at a public function.

Keen to minimize the presence of the security forces in the state Abdullah also promised to soon get all hotels and huts vacated by them.

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