India's security restrictions after Pahalgam attack throttle tourism income for Kashmiris

India’s security measures implemented following the Pahalgam attack have severely impacted tourism revenue for the people of Kashmir, leaving many in uncertainty about their livelihoods.

At the entrance to a seven-lake trek, a sign marks the route leading to Naranag, a village in high-altitude terrain. Shopkeeper Ghulam Qadir Jagil, a resident of Naranag, stands amidst the deserted streets, awaiting customers for his grocery store. This picturesque mountain village, renowned for its ancient architectural heritage and as a starting point for various treks, traditionally attracts visitors during the peak tourist season from May to August.

Local estimates put the population of Naranag and its surrounding areas at around 2,000 to 4,000 inhabitants, many belonging to the semi-nomadic Gujjar and Bakarwal communities. Jagil, who is 45 years old, also serves as a trekking guide, offering services such as sleeping bags, cooking, and porters to adventurers seeking to traverse a 70- to 75-kilometer high-altitude trail.

The journey takes seven to eight days, passing through seven alpine lakes. However, since the Pahalgam meadow attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people, including 25 tourists and a local pony handler, Jagil has suffered losses exceeding thousands of dollars due to restrictions imposed on adventure activities.

The attack on Pahalgam escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, India and Pakistan, bringing their relationship to the brink of a full-scale conflict in May 2025. Kashmir has been a point of contention between India and Pakistan since both nations gained independence from British rule in 1947.

The Pahalgam attack also dealt a significant blow to the broader tourism industry in the region, which contributes nearly seven percent of the local GDP, according to the 2025-26 J&K Economic Survey. The sector employs around 500,000 people directly and indirectly, including those working in hospitality, handicrafts, transportation, tour operations, and local commerce.

Currently, the scene is deserted, with only a handful of visitors permitted until 5pm, and earnings from selling tea, snacks, and small groceries are insufficient to sustain families' livelihoods.

Deserted motels, like Khursheed Ahmad Magray's, further depict the grim reality of the situation. Despite signs of a gradual recovery in tourist activity at mainstream destinations, many tourism-dependent communities in Kashmir continue to grapple with the consequences of the Pahalgam attack.