Gurez Valley in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district has received a major boost to its adventure tourism profile with the inauguration of a new zipline facility at Markote. The project is being seen as an important step toward bringing more visitors to the scenic border valley and creating fresh livelihood opportunities for local residents.
The zipline facility was inaugurated on Monday by local MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi and Director Tourism Kashmir Qamar Sajad. Officials said the adventure activity will add a new attraction for tourists visiting Gurez, which has increasingly gained popularity for its natural beauty, mountain views and offbeat travel experience.
According to local reports, the facility is around 482 metres long and has been developed to attract adventure lovers, families and young travellers. Tourism stakeholders believe the zipline will encourage visitors to spend more time in Gurez instead of treating it as a short sightseeing stop.
Gurez, located near the Line of Control, is known for the Kishanganga River, Habba Khatoon peak, Dawar and the wider Tulail Valley. In recent years, the area has emerged as one of Kashmir’s most promising offbeat destinations, especially for tourists looking beyond Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
Officials said such adventure projects can help local youth through jobs, small businesses, transport services, food outlets and homestays. The new zipline is also expected to support the government’s larger plan of promoting lesser-explored destinations across Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, fresh attention is also being given to Yousmarg in central Kashmir. During a review meeting, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather pushed for better tourism infrastructure and proposed cable car projects linking Yousmarg with Nilnag, Drugtolen, Haijan and Bargah.
Rather also stressed the need for reliable mobile connectivity, ATM facilities, better roads, a ski drag lift and faster completion of the bridge over the Doodh Ganga River connecting Haijan with Yousmarg. He said improved connectivity would help increase tourist inflow and bring economic benefits to local communities.
Yousmarg, located around 47 km from Srinagar in Budgam district, is already known for its meadows, pine forests and mountain backdrop.
Together, the Gurez zipline and proposed Yousmarg ropeway links show Jammu and Kashmir’s push to expand tourism beyond traditional hotspots while promoting adventure, nature and sustainable local development.
