Srinagar, India - Where rebels once fought deadly gun battles with soldiers in Indian Kashmir, officials are now planning wildlife safaris, reflecting a sharp drop in violence.
Trips through grasslands and rocky outcrops - scene of many clashes between Indian forces and Islamic rebels - will give visitors a chance to observe nature "close-up," senior tourism official Sarmad Hafiz said.
"It will be a thorough adventure," said Hafiz, joint tourism director.
The first safaris will start by June in Dachigam wildlife sanctuary, 22km outside summer capital Srinagar, Hafiz told reporters.
The move follows a big fall in insurgency-related bloodshed in the spectacularly beautiful region known as the "Switzerland of the East" for its snow-capped peaks, fast-running rivers and verdant valleys.
"Dachigam is absolutely safe. We'll encourage such ventures," said army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Anil Kumar Mathur.
The sanctuary, which sprawls over an area of 140 square kilometres is home to endangered red deer, black and brown bears, musk deer, leopards and large bird species such as black partridge and pheasants.
It is located in the mighty western Himalayas with terrain ranging from gently sloping grasslands and pine-clad hills to sheer cliffs.
"Watching rare stags dancing will be a real treat for visitors, as will be spotting bears and leopards," said wildlife warden Rashid Naqash.
"We also have rare species of wild flowers, shrubs and trees to show off."
While the insurgency has killed people in their thousands, animals have flourished after locals were ordered to hand in their guns as part of efforts to quell the revolt.
"It meant there were few weapons left to shoot animals and birds, and they flourished," said Naqash.
The walk-and-drive safaris, which will last for seven days, will serve as a pilot project for similar ventures elsewhere in the state.
"We'll house people in tents and small huts," said Hafiz, adding the safaris would be made up of a maximum of 12 people to avoid damaging the environment.
The insurgency, launched in 1989, has left more than 43 000 people dead by official count. Rights groups put the toll at 70 000 dead and disappeared.
But during the last few years, militants have been cleared of Dachigam, the Indian army says. Overall in the state, the number of insurgency-related deaths has fallen to an average two daily from 10 in 2001.
The fall in violence comes against the backdrop of a slow-moving peace process between India and Pakistan to settle the future of the disputed region, which is held in part by both countries.
Kashmir also plans to re-introduce trekking and mountaineering in remote areas to bring back tourists scared away by years of shootings and bombings.
"We're expecting a bumper tourist season," Hafiz said.