Anantnag: In the lush apple orchards of Hutmurah in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Rubina Akhter has found an unconventional way to keep her household running, an affectionate pigeon and a smartphone camera.
For the past six years, Rubina, a resident of Seer Hamdan, has carried her pet pigeon to scenic spots favored by travelers at hutmurah Anantnag. For ₹20, tourists pose with the bird perched on their hands or shoulders for a quick photograph or selfie.
Hutmurah, known as an apple valley in Anantnag district, is situated on the route to Pahalgam. Every day, tourists visit these apple orchards to buy fresh apples and take selfies with their families in orchards.
The modest daily earnings go directly toward sustaining her four member family. With her husband working on unstable daily wages as a laborer, Rubina’s pigeon enterprise helps cover essential living costs and supports her two young children an eight year old daughter and a four year old son.
Rubina is not alone in tapping into this micro-economy. Across prominent tourist hubs in Kashmir, a growing number of locals are adopting similar creative ventures, using trained birds and pets to offer affordable, memorable photo opportunities to visitors while carving out an independent living.
Notably, in year 2021, a girl in Kashmir’s picturesque area of Pahalgam captured widespread attention as the “Rabbit Girl.” She offered her pet rabbit to tourists for photos, using the money she earned to run her household. As word spread, Her story captured hearts across the country, drawing visitors from far and wide and sought her out specifically to pose with the rabbit.
Meanwhile, Speaking to NV101, Rubina said that she visits the Hutmurah apple valley every day, using her pet pigeon as a source of livelihood. By allowing tourists to take selfies with the bird, she earns enough to run her household. Rubina is not alone, several others can be seen across popular tourist destinations, relying on pet animals and birds to make a living.
