Protest Erupts Over Livelihood Concerns
Budgam, Dec 04 (KNO): The Tourism Department has instructed tea stall owners in Doodhpathri to relocate their businesses to a designated area near the toll post, removing their setups from various other locations.
This decision has sparked protests from the affected vendors, who argue that the move jeopardizes their livelihoods.
“We were supporting our families by selling tea and Kashmiri bread without causing any harm to the environment. Forcing us to operate from one location will make it hard to earn a living,” one of the protesters told Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The vendors also claimed they had not received any recent eviction notice and appealed to the authorities to reconsider their decision in order to address their issues.
Meanwhile, Riyaz Ahmad, CEO of Doodhpathri, defended the move, stating that many of these operations were unauthorized.
“Several families were involved in multiple trades, such as horse riding, ATV services, and tea stalls, which created an imbalance. The department aims to promote fairness through a ‘one family, one trade’ policy,” he explained.
He further assured that discussions with service providers are being scheduled to resolve their concerns. Ahmad added that the newly assigned area near the toll post has ample space for vendors to continue their businesses.
The department emphasized that unauthorized stalls will no longer be permitted, aiming to enhance tourist experiences and ensure the sustainable use of resources. (KNO)
