Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The Chinar Corps of the Indian Army, in collaboration with CBC Corporation India Pvt Ltd and the Umang Foundation, has inaugurated the Keran Heritage Centre at Pharkian Gali, in a move aimed at boosting tourism and socio-economic development in North Kashmir.
The inauguration carries particular significance because tourist footfall in Keran has crossed 55,000 this year, an unprecedented milestone for this remote region. The figure reflects Keran’s growing prominence on the tourism map of North Kashmir and underlines its potential to emerge as a destination for tourism, entrepreneurship and economic advancement.
The Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara lauded the initiative, acknowledging its potential to strengthen tourism infrastructure and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local population. Ashish Goyal, Founder and Managing Trustee of the Umang Foundation, Mumbai, and Durgesh Sharma of CBC Corporation India Pvt Ltd were also present at the ceremony. Their contributions, in close coordination with the Army, were instrumental in turning the project into reality.
Officials described the Keran Heritage Centre as a testament to collaborative effort and shared commitment to progress. In their words, it is more than a tourist landmark: it symbolises hope, opportunity and national pride, and marks a new chapter in Keran’s emergence as a centre of sustainable tourism and prosperity in North Kashmir.
Keran lies along the Line of Control in the Kupwara district and, until recent years, was difficult for visitors to reach. Improved road connectivity, better security conditions and growing awareness of the area’s scenic beauty have brought a steady stream of tourists. The river valley setting, forested slopes and proximity to other offbeat destinations in the Kupwara belt have made it attractive to travellers looking beyond the more familiar Kashmir circuits.
Tourism-led growth in border areas can have a far-reaching effect on local communities. Homestays, guides, transport providers, small food outlets and handicraft sellers all stand to gain when visitor numbers rise, and a dedicated centre can serve as a focal point for information, cultural display and visitor services. Army-led community initiatives under the broader outreach approach have often sought to combine such infrastructure with skill development and local employment.
The involvement of a foundation and a private corporation alongside the military and the district administration shows how multi-stakeholder partnerships are being used to build facilities in remote locations. The test will be how effectively the centre is managed and how many local families benefit in the coming seasons.
