Bandipora in Jammu and Kashmir, where the lofty peaks of Mount Harmukh speak to the sky, and nature’s full glory is spread across the valleys. Lush green pastures, dense forests, and undiscovered paths that remained hidden from the world for years. This area has always been known for its silent beauty, but now its identity is changing. One name behind this change is Shabnam Bashir. Through her passion and hard work, this tribal trekker from Bandipora has introduced these hidden paths to the world and given Kashmir’s tourism a new direction.
Shabnam Bashir, a Tribal Community, Becomes an Example
Shabnam Bashir belongs to a tribal community where, even today, it’s difficult for girls to leave their homes in many areas. In such an environment, trekking alone through mountains, forests, and unknown paths is a significant achievement. However, Shabnam Bashir never let these restrictions deter her courage. She says, “This journey wasn’t easy, but her dreams were bigger than hers.” Today, Shabnam has become an example for girls who want to make their dreams come true.
A Childhood Dream and Studying Tourism
Shabnam Bashir explains that this journey into tourism research has been her childhood dream. She has always loved traveling and exploring new places. The mountains, forests, meadows, and valleys have always drawn her. She had a deep desire to not just travel but to do something better for her community. With this thought in mind, she studied tourism and transformed her dream into a purpose. This is where her true journey began.
‘Unexplored Kashmir’: A Documentary Story of Undiscovered Kashmir
To give her work the right direction, Shabnam Bashir wrote a book titled ‘Unexplored Kashmir’. The purpose of this book was to highlight unexplored destinations that were unknown to both the public and the administration. Through this book, Shabnam Bashir documented hidden places that had remained obscured for years. Fortunately, the destinations she discovered are now attracting tourists, and tourism is gradually blossoming.
‘Unexplored Kashmir’ is not just a travel book, but a complete guide. It details the location of each destination, its distance from headquarters, how to reach it, and the available accommodation facilities, all in simple language. The book’s purpose is to provide comprehensive data in one place, so that the administration can also pay attention to these overlooked places.
The Strong Relationship Between Homestays and the Local Economy
Shabnam Bashir has worked not only in Bandipora but also in many other places. In contrast to Bandipora, Nagmarg has now emerged on the tourism map. These places are also receiving the attention of the administration. This change is proof that with the right intentions and hard work, the face of any area can be transformed.
There are no large hotels in these areas, so tourists stay in local homestays. They eat local food and live with local people. The tribal community is benefiting the most from this. Shabnam Bashir has explored approximately 16 destinations so far. She believes that it was difficult to convey information about each place individually, so writing a book seemed the best way.
Shabnam Bashir is also working with the Tourism Department to register homestays. This allows tourists to stay in local homes, strengthens the local economy, and protects nature. She believes that if tourism is promoted properly, people’s lives can be improved without harming nature.
Government Schemes and Ground Impact
Shabnam Bashir explains that the aim of every government scheme is to benefit the people. Recently, the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, specifically for tribals, selected four districts of Jammu and Kashmir. This included Bandipora in Kashmir. Under this scheme, work was carried out in 31 tribal villages. The best part was that the gap between the administration and the local people narrowed. Officials, senior citizens, and youth volunteers visited villages and directly asked people what they wanted.
Shabnam Bashir believes that Kashmir is often perceived as limited to Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Dal Lake, whereas the entire Kashmir is full of tourist destinations. There is a need to explore it wisely, so that nature is preserved and the economy is strengthened.
Support from the Government, Society, and Family
Whenever Shabnam Bashir approached the government with her ideas, she received a positive response. She organized several camps and events. Shabnam Bashir believes that family support is crucial, especially for a girl. Throughout this journey, she received support from her family and many members of her community, which gave her the courage to move forward. Shabnam Bashir’s story isn’t just about tourism, but about courage, vision, and change. She shows that even mountains can give way when determination is strong.
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