Tag: kilaar

Riots in Kishtwar have proved fatal for adventure tourism of Himachal along Manali-Kilaar-Kishtwar as most of the bike and jeep safari tours on this route have cancelled for the season. Taxi operators in Himachal are not ready to lend their cabs to tourists for any part of Jammu and Kashmir. Dhani Thakur from Himalyan Eagle Adventures said, “I cancelled my bike and jeep safari tour on Kilaar-Kishtwar-Jammu route as I don’t want to take any risk with lives of my clients.” Most of the travel agents are not accepting booking for this route for August month. Some years back it was presumed that this route has many flood prone areas which may block the least maintained road any time and it may take months for authorities to make it worth driving. Even today drivers charge almost double fare to accept booking for this road. “This route is paradise for adventure lovers but violence in Kishtwar has ruined the season. Some safari tours have diverted to Manali-Leh road while others have cancelled their plans,” said Suresh Sharma from Himachal Vacation Travels and Adventure who organizes safari tours on this route. According to him the entire length of the route is in good condition as the areas along road are receiving almost no rain. Even a query of hiring cab for Manali-Kishtwar route is sending shivers down the spines of drivers. “Even if somebody pays ten times more fare I will not go on this road. Residents of Kishtwar are putting vehicles on fire. I’m not ready to take the risk,” replies Ghanshyam Thakur, a Manali based taxi driver. After this route between Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir was gaining popularity, many local residents had erected dhabas and offering accommodation in Gulabgarh, Sol, Kilaar, Purthi, Shor and Tindi who are now suffering