Kupwara, May 30 (KNO): Once a little-known village tucked away in the forests and meadows of north Kashmir's Kupwara district, Nagranar is rapidly emerging as a tourist hotspot, attracting visitors from across the country.
The scenic pond, surrounded by lush grasslands and mountains, has become a major draw, while a recent Bollywood film shoot for the horror film "Pashaan" at the location has further boosted the destination's profile.
Officials attribute the rise in tourist arrivals to improved infrastructure and growing awareness about the destination's natural beauty.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), In-charge Forest Department official Sajad Hussain said several developmental works have recently been completed to enhance the tourist experience.
"We have developed a selfie point, constructed a rain shelter and built a deck overlooking the scenic landscape. These facilities are aimed at making the destination more visitor-friendly while maintaining its natural character," Hussain said.
He said Nagranar, approximately 10 kilometres from Handwara town, now witnesses heavy tourist inflow during Eid celebrations, public holidays and weekends.
"Thousands of people visit the destination during festivals and holidays. On normal days as well, hundreds of tourists come here. We are receiving visitors not only from different parts of Kashmir but also from various states across the country," he said.
The official said the department is preparing additional projects to cater to the increasing footfall. "We are planning to construct a tree house and install benches for visitors. More infrastructure projects are under consideration to improve facilities while ensuring environmental sustainability," he said.
Hussain said preserving the natural ecosystem remains a top priority.
"We continuously appeal to visitors not to litter the area and to avoid swimming or bathing in the pond. Residents actively support the department in maintaining cleanliness through regular awareness and cleaning drives," he said.
Tourists visiting the area described the destination as a hidden gem. "The pond, open meadows and surrounding mountains create a beautiful setting. What makes the place special is its peaceful atmosphere and untouched beauty," said Aqib War, a visitor from Sopore.
Another visitor, Mohammad Saleem from Srinagar, said they travelled from Srinagar after seeing videos of Nagranar online. The destination is worth the journey and deserves greater recognition among tourists.
"What impressed us most was the cleanliness of the area. Visitors and locals seem conscious about protecting the environment, which adds to the appeal of the destination", he said.
Residents believe tourism is bringing new opportunities to the village while helping showcase its natural wealth.
For decades, Nagranar remained largely unnoticed despite possessing some of the most scenic landscapes in north Kashmir, said Danish Bhat, a local. "Earlier, very few people outside the area knew about this place. Today, tourists arrive almost every day. The recent film shoot has generated excitement and helped introduce Nagranar to a wider audience," Bhat said.
Another resident, Mohammad Shafi, said tourism has started benefiting the local economy.
"Small businesses, transport operators and local vendors are seeing opportunities because of increasing tourist arrivals. If development continues, Nagranar can become a major destination in the Kupwara district," he said—(KNO)