“From No-Go Zones to Must-See Spots: Tourism's Triumph in North Kashmir.”

Once associated with tension, troop movements, and tightly restricted civilian life, the border villages of North Kashmir are quietly rewriting their story.

- AFROOZA NABI

In recent years, these remote settlements, nestled along the Line of Control (LoC), have emerged as unlikely yet thriving tourism hotspots. The shift from conflict zone to cultural haven is being hailed as one of the most remarkable transformations in the post-conflict narrative of Jammu and Kashmir. With improved security conditions, government-backed initiatives, and an active push from local communities and the Indian Army, regions like Keran, Machil, Gurez, Teetwal, Uri, and parts of Tangdhar and Bangus Valley are drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually a trend that is not only altering perceptions but also breathing life into stagnant local economies. The reaffirmation of the 2003 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan in February 2021 acted as a watershed moment for border tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. After decades of intermittent cross-border firing and frequent civilian evacuations, the ceasefire brought a long-missing sense of security to communities along the LoC. This relative calm paved the way for tourism infrastructure and local engagement to flourish. Official records show a staggering 430,000 tourists visited North Kashmir's border destinations in a single recent year. Of these, Kupwara district alone attracted over 300,000 visitors, while Uri and Gurez saw 70,000 and 60,000, respectively a development once thought unimaginable in these sensitive areas. Each of these regions offers a unique experience, blending untouched natural beauty with cultural depth and historical sign