SRINAGAR, Oct 24: Muhammad Yaqoob Dunoo, former General Secretary of the Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association, has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, to announce a dedicated relief and rehabilitation package for Kashmir’s houseboat industry, citing decades of demands for subsidised timber, financial assistance and support for renovation.
Dunoo said the government’s recent announcement of support measures for eligible homestay operators had renewed concerns among houseboat owners over the lack of comparable assistance for their traditional tourism businesses. He stressed that while supporting homestays was a welcome step, the government should extend similar attention to the houseboat sector, which remains an important part of Kashmir’s cultural heritage and tourism identity.
Describing houseboats as the “pearls of Kashmir’s crown,” Dunoo said generations of houseboat owners had preserved the region’s distinctive hospitality traditions and continued serving visitors even during periods of militancy, unrest and uncertainty. He maintained that the industry had contributed significantly to Kashmir’s international tourism appeal while supporting local livelihoods.
Dunoo called upon the Chief Minister to direct the Forest Department to establish a transparent mechanism for supplying subsidised timber in approved quantities to eligible registered houseboats for essential repairs, renovation and authorised reconstruction. He said the absence of a clear and accessible system had remained a major concern for owners seeking to maintain their ageing vessels.
He also demanded time-bound approval procedures for pending applications, with a designated officer coordinating between the Tourism and Forest departments. According to Dunoo, clear deadlines and regular reviews would help eliminate unnecessary delays and provide houseboat owners with greater certainty.
Highlighting the financial challenges faced by the sector, he urged the government to facilitate access to bank loans and suitable government-backed schemes for renovation, safety improvements and modernisation. He also called for applicable subsidies or a dedicated incentive scheme to encourage eligible houseboat owners to install solar-energy systems.
Dunoo further advocated a comprehensive houseboat preservation and rehabilitation policy that recognises the sector’s historical importance, employment potential and contribution to the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We welcome government support for homestays, but the same commitment must be demonstrated towards houseboats. We are not asking the government to withdraw benefits from anyone; we are demanding fair treatment for a traditional industry that has served Jammu and Kashmir for generations. After nearly four decades of representations, houseboat owners need timber, financial assistance and clear deadlines—not another series of circulars and assurances,” Dunoo said.
He appealed to the Chief Minister to convene a meeting with representatives of the houseboat community and officials of the concerned departments to review outstanding grievances and announce a concrete action plan with clearly defined timelines.
Emphasising the need to protect Kashmir’s traditional tourism assets, Dunoo said preserving houseboats was not merely the responsibility of individual owners but a shared obligation involving the government and other stakeholders.
“If Jammu and Kashmir is the Crown of India, its houseboats are among its most precious pearls. Preserving them is a shared responsibility to protect Kashmir’s heritage, livelihoods and tourism identity,” he added.