Despite strict laws and repeated assurances from authorities, incidents of child labour continue to be reported at several tourist destinations across Kashmir, raising alarm among teachers, social activists and civil society members. They are calling for tougher enforcement of laws and sustained awareness campaigns to curb the growing menace.

Children, many of them under 14 years of age, are increasingly seen engaged in activities such as pony riding services, helping tourists at scenic spots, and working in factories. In several cases, non-local minors are also reportedly employed, particularly in industrial units.

Activists warn that the practice not only violates child labour laws but also severely impacts the education, health and overall development of these children, pushing many away from schools.

A teacher from Pahalgam in Anantnag district voiced serious concern over the increasing involvement of school-going children in tourism-related work. Speaking to News agency, the teacher said that when children witness their peers earning money at tourist spots, they are tempted to follow the same path, which directly affects classroom attendance.

“When students see children ferrying tourists on horses instead of attending school, it sends the wrong message. This gradually leads to absenteeism and eventually school dropouts. The government must intervene strongly,” the teacher said.

He also held parents responsible for allowing their underage children to work during school hours. “Children below 14 belong in classrooms, not at tourist destinations. Parents permitting this are harming their own children and negatively influencing others, which disrupts the academic environment in schools,” he added.

The issue recently gained widespread attention after a video went viral on social media allegedly showing a minor guiding tourists in Betaab Valley. In the clip, the child is seen calling his ‘boss’, believed to be his father, to confirm the amount to be charged—Rs 1,500—sparking outrage online and reigniting the debate on child labour in the tourism sector.

The teacher stressed the importance of awareness campaigns at tourist locations. “People must first be educated that engaging children in such work is illegal and harmful. If awareness alone does not work, strict legal action must be taken against violators,” he said.

Sharing similar concerns, Waqar Fayaz, Chairman of Noorkash Foundation J&K, said that although the government has initiated steps through various departments to curb child labour, stronger vigilance is urgently needed.

“Child labour often goes unnoticed at tourist spots, hotels, restaurants and factories. Tourism-related child labour becomes more visible during peak seasons, yet enforcement remains weak,” Fayaz said.

An official from the Jammu and Kashmir Labour Department told News agency that the department is aware of the issue and is closely monitoring the situation. “We are tracking such cases and will intensify inspections to ensure child labour is eliminated. Action will be taken wherever violations are found,” the official said.

Social activists and educators have urged the administration to adopt a comprehensive strategy that includes strict law enforcement, regular inspections, awareness programmes and financial support for vulnerable families, so that poverty does not force children out of schools and into labour.