Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, pony riders in Pahalgam have strongly opposed the “one license, one horse” policy introduced by the authorities, saying the move would severely impact their livelihoods.
According to Kashmir24, the decision was announced by the authorities in the name of anti-pollution drive. However, pony operators termed it a deliberate attempt to restrict their earning capacity, as many depend on multiple horses to sustain their families during the tourism season.
“This is injustice and tantamount to depriving us of our right to earn a living,” several riders said, expressing resentment over the policy. They urged authorities to consider alternative measures, including opening additional routes and creating more opportunities for operators, instead of imposing strict limitations.