Jammu: The opening of the enchanting Tulip Garden at Srinagar a few days ago heralded the tourist season 2026. The rains and snowfall in higher reaches last Thursday and Friday (March 19 and 20) lowered the temperatures all across Jammu & Kashmir. That also has helped as the day temperatures, particularly in the Kashmir valley, were mostly far above normal before these days of precipitation.
With weather being perfect for an escape from plains all over the country, where temperatures are above 35 degree Celsius at many places, J&K is ready to welcome tourists. However, the bitter memories of the last year’s April 22 terrorist strike at Baisaran(Pahalgam) are still fresh in the minds of everyone. This had led to a premature demise of tourist season 2025 and summer months were idle for the tourist operators.
Dozens of tourist spots in the Kashmir valley, as also in the Jammu region, were closed on orders from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha who holds the Home portfolio in J&K. Most of these spots have been opened now with tight security being maintained. To prevent any mischief and possible harm to tourists from terrorists and their sympathisers, the Central government, the LG and the Army, particularly Northern Command, have been very proactive these days.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has directed authorities to ensure stringent and fool-proof security arrangements at all tourist destinations in J&K to prevent any untoward incident in the days ahead. Mr Mohan chaired a high-level review meeting via video conferencing, with special focus on safeguarding tourists and strengthening the overall security grid in the UT.
In the review meeting held on Monday, top UT officials, including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Home Secretary Chandraker Bharti, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, besides intelligence agencies, participated in the meeting. The modernisation requirements for the JKP for the next financial year (2026-27) were also on the agenda during the meeting.
The meeting came amid a focus on intensifying counter-insurgency (CI) operations in the region. Teams of Special Operations Group (SOG) are being equipped with better equipment and already started search operations in many difficult higher reaches, mostly snowbound, to track down and hunt terrorists, officials said.
A coordinated strategy involving Army, paramilitary forces, JK Police and SOG is already in place to neutralize threats and dismantle terror networks operating in difficult terrains. As part of these preparedness, Northern Command chief Lt Gen Pratik Sharma has been on the move these days. He has visited some forward locations along the Line of Control (LoC) to check the security grid meant to prevent infiltration. Simultaneously, he has also visited places in hinterland like parts of Kishtwar district, which have been potential trouble spots in the recent days.
During Monday’s security review meeting,, the Home Secretary stressed upon taking proactive measures, close monitoring and seamless coordination among agencies. This is vital for ensuring peace, stability and a safe environment for residents as well as visitors, he added. Incidentally, J&K has been included in the Himalayan tourism circuit under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, with multiple projects sanctioned. These are meant to boost tourism infrastructure across key destinations, including Jammu, Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Baramulla and Kupwara.
According to official details given in the Lok Sabha, several projects worth crores of rupees have been sanctioned in J&K under the Himalayan Circuit. These are focus on the development of tourist facilities, connectivity and infrastructure in the UT. The identified spots include projects pertaining to areas such as Anantnag, Pulwama, Kishtwar, Daksum and Ranjit Sagar Dam, among others. Ranjit Sagar Dam lake in Basohli tehsil of Kathua district is being pushed as a venue for water sports. A new tourist circuit of Bani-Bhaderwah is slowly developing now with the start of a road on this stretch.
Under the PRASHAD scheme, the government has also sanctioned development works at Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar to enhance pilgrimage tourism and improve facilities for visitors. Highlighting future plans, the government said that in the Union Budget 2026-27, special emphasis has been laid on developing world-class trekking and hiking trails in Jammu and Kashmir, recognising its vast potential in mountain tourism.
The Centre added that under various national schemes, financial assistance is being provided to improve tourism experiences, infrastructure and sustainability across the region, aiming to position Jammu and Kashmir as a global tourism destination.
