Shikara business increases as tourist season peaks in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 18 (ANI): Shikara, a wooden boat, is in huge demand in Kashmir as large number of tourists flock the valley during summer season.

Those related with tourist trade are doing very good business. hikara owners are one of them.

"Well it is a lovely experience. I didn't know about Kashmir before coming. I arrived here and my friend fixed everything and I didn't know what to expect about these boats so I discover something very beautiful, " said Ben Dek, a tourist from Belgium.

"Its very peaceful, in Switzerland we have lakes, we have mountains but not these pretty boats, we have a very nice time," said Ingrith, a tourist from Switzerland.

Some year's ago the number of Shikaras was not more than 2500, but with huge flow of tourists their number has gone up to about 4000.

Shikaras are used for various purposes like transportation, fishing and domestic use.

"The sale of Shikaras a few years back was very low, of only about 2500 but because of so many tourists coming here our sale has reached to 4000-5000 which is good for us, " said Abdul Majeed, a boat maker.

Kashmir, which is known as paradise on earth because of its natural beauty, is incomplete without Shikaras. (ANI)