Security curbs after Pahalgam attack cripple Kashmir's adventure tourism earnings

An attack on the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025 killed 26 people, including 25 tourists, and triggered heightened security measures across Indian-administered Kashmir. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered checkpoints and restricted adventure activities, allowing only brief daytime visits. Local entrepreneurs like Ghulam Qadir Jagil, who also guides treks, claim losses of Rs 600,000, while motel owner Khursheed Ahmad Magray says his stock remains unsold and only a few visitors appear.

The tourism industry, which accounts for nearly seven percent of the region’s GDP and sustains about 500,000 livelihoods, has seen visitor numbers drop from more than 460,000 in the first four months of 2025 to around 250,000 in the same period of 2026. Trekking companies such as Cliffhangers India report a collapse of annual turnover from Rs 20 million to zero, with no alternative sites open for operation. Professionals argue that while security concerns are understandable, the prolonged bans are choking both the local economy and the freedom of outdoor enthusiasts.