Pampore: Residents of various villages of Pampore area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district demand development of Wasturwan top for adventurous and religious tourism.
Local residents of Pampore, Shar Shali, Wahab Sahab, Khrew, Ladhoo , Lethpora, Awantipora and Adjoining areas demanded that Wasturwan, a hilly area dotted with green meadows, be brought on the tourist map of Kashmir.
They called for building necessary infrastructure including roads and other hutments.
Chaudhry Mohammad Yaseen Poswal, a resident of Wahab Sahab village told Kashmir Reader that the place has a central location in the valley hemmed between Tral and Awantipora.
“The area is beautiful as Sonamarg, Phalgam or Gulmarg and has tremendous scope for adventurous tourism,” he said, adding that authorities of tourism department last year carried a survey in the area and prepared a detailed project report (DPR) but till date nothing was heard what happened to the DPR.
He rued that successive governments turned a blind eye to the area and it was neglected despite huge potential.
He said that the location needs road connectivity from Wahab Sahab.
“The place is 10 kilometers from Wahab Sahab but has no path. if a path is opened for movement of horses and facility of drinking water is made available it can attract a huge number of trekkers and also create employment opportunities for local youth,” he said,
Adding that despite a tedious journey, being in oblivion, many nature lovers throng the hilltop every year in droves. He also added that the place has a religious significance too. “It houses the grave of aSufi saint,” he said, adding villagers for many areas visit the grave to pay their obeisance.
The area has birch trees that are locally known as Burza that in the past was used to source material for writing of the ancient manuscripts, besides used for covering of roof tops.
A youth who was on trekking in the area told Kashmir Reader the place has a beautiful landscape and an amusing aura.
“If a road is opened from Wahab Sahab to the peripheries of the hill and portable water is made available, the place can generate huge employment,” he said.

BILAL HABIB