Gulmarg’s popular Children’s Park has become a growing safety concern, with stray dogs roaming freely inside the facility as large groups of schoolchildren continue to visit during the peak picnic season.
The park is a popular attraction for visitors, particularly schoolchildren who arrive in groups for picnics and spend hours playing and relaxing. However, the unchecked presence of stray dogs inside the recreational facility has raised concerns among visitors over the safety of children.
Basharat Ahmad, a resident of Pattan, Baramulla, said it was disturbing to see stray dogs roaming in a park meant for children.
“The presence of so many stray dogs is frightening. It is extremely risky to leave a child unattended here. The dogs are constantly roaming around and surrounding visitors,” he said.
Visitors said there appeared to be no effective mechanism to keep stray dogs out of the park or prevent them from coming into close contact with children and families.
The concern is particularly serious during the school-picnic season, when the park witnesses a heavy influx of students.
Visitors also questioned the collection of a Rs 50 entry fee, saying authorities should ensure basic safety within a facility specifically designed for children.
“Despite collecting an entry fee, authorities are charging visitors to enter a designated children’s recreational space. Who is responsible for ensuring that the premises are reasonably safe?” said another visitor, Bilal Ahmad.
Visitors said any bite or attack involving a child could have serious consequences, turning a routine picnic into an emergency.
For parents and teachers accompanying school groups, they said, the responsibility for managing the risk posed by stray dogs should not be left entirely to them after paying to enter the facility.
The situation has also raised questions about Gulmarg’s image as a premier family tourist destination, with visitors saying the condition of a children’s facility reflects a gap between tourism promotion and on-ground management.
“The Rs 50 entry ticket may provide access to the park, but it cannot become a price parents pay for heightened anxiety over their children’s safety,” said Fayaz Ahmad.
