by Nawshaba Iqbal Follow Us On G -N e w s | Whatsapp

SRINAGAR : Once the lifeline of Kashmir’s tourism, Dal Lake’s shikara owners are now facing an unprecedented crisis. Following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, tourism in Kashmir has sharply declined, leaving hundreds of boatmen without work and forcing many to abandon their boats.

Where the lake once bustled with visitors and the rhythmic paddling of shikaras , today only a few boats glide over its still waters. According to Wali Mohammad, president of the Shikara Association, “It has a huge impact. Where once there used to be crowds of tourists, now only 2–3 per cent remain. Earlier, from each ghat, 10–12 shikaras would go out, and nearly 200–300 shikaras operate throughout the day. Now, only two or

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