“TOURISM OF NINETIES: A CASE STUDY OF KASHMIR VALLEY”

In 1989, a popular movement demanding independence from India and backed by various militant groups badly disrupted life in the Kashmir valley. Frequent curfews and strict security measures by the govt. authorities helped to ensure that hardly any tourists came to Srinagar and the famous houseboats on its lakes found deserted since 1990. The tourist inflow started dwindling and the tourism almost came to a grinding halt from 1989-90 onwards. Those who depended on this industry in one or the other way suddenly found themselves without an occupation and no means of livelihood.