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Kashmir, often hailed as the paradise on earth, has long been a favoured tourist destination worldwide. However, following the turmoil of the early nineties, tourists were deterred from returning due to prevailing circumstances. Nevertheless, after the abrogation of Article 370, a significant shift has occurred.

The tourism industry is experiencing a rapid resurgence. Recently, the Administrative Council (AC), led by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, granted approval for the absorption of 145 employees from the Hotel Corporation of India Limited (HCIL), stationed at Srinagar’s Centaur Lake View Hotel, into various corporations under the Tourism Department.

Analysts highlight numerous reasons enticing tourists to visit the Kashmiri valley. Yet, during autumn, visitors relish the experience of saffron cultivation, often referred to as the red gold of Kashmir.

As autumn graces the Kashmir valley, villagers in Pampore, known as the saffron town in Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, delicately pluck flowers to fill their wicker baskets. Kashmir’s saffron (Crocus Sativus Kashmirianus), renowned for its distinctive flavour and vivid colour, is harvested just once a year, from late October to mid-November.

Of the total 5,707 hectares dedicated to saffron cultivation in Kashmir, over 90 percent lies in Pampore tehsil of Pulwama district in South Kashmir, with the remainder in Budgam and Srinagar districts of central Kashmir. 

Saffron, prized for its exceptional aroma, serves as a potent flavouring and colouring agent. Saffron flowers have bloomed across several locations in Pampore, creating a picturesque landscape adorned with maroon, yellow, and purple hues that captivate hundreds of tourists.

“Over the past week, tourists have begun arriving in these fields, capturing the scenic beauty through their lenses,” remarked Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Letpora. He noted that recent rains have prompted the saffron fields to bloom, luring hundreds of tourists with their increasing numbers each passing day.

Ramn Verma, a tourist from Delhi, expressed to Business Economics that visiting Kashmir and spending time in saffron fields had been a long-standing dream now fulfilled.Similarly, other tourists echoed Ramn’s sentiments, regarding it as a rare and exceptional experience to immerse themselves in saffron fields and witness the flowers of what is known as the world’s most expensive spice.

Both the administration in Kashmir and at the central level are resolutely committed to elevating this industry. During a recent visit to the Indian International Kashmir Saffron Trading Centre (IIKSTC) in Dusso area, Pulwama district, South Kashmir, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, reiterated the government’s dedication to promoting Kashmir Saffron on a national and international scale.

Dr. Pandey emphasized the global recognition of Kashmir Saffron, accredited with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, and stressed the paramount importance of safeguarding its unique identity and purity. The IIKSTC’s establishment aims to preserve the sanctity of Kashmir Saffron and shield it from adulteration.

The Union Minister assured saffron growers of the government’s unwavering commitment to propagate this heritage crop from Jammu and Kashmir across the country and globally.