PARADISE ON EARTH : UNEXPLORED KASHMIR
As a government employee, I get to travel a lot as part of my job and I must confess that I love it too. Of all the places that I have visited, Kashmir, the paradise on earth, is one place which has always been close to my heart. While the major tourist spots in Kashmir like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam attract huge a number of visitors every year, there are numerous less-explored unconventional places with amazing views and nature with its untouched beauty that go unnoticed. These places are perfect for people like me who prefer to spend their time with nature alone. Some of these unexplored places like Lolab Valley, Gurez Valley and Bangus Valley, have had a lasting impression on my mind that I look forward to visiting them time and again.
Lolab Valley
Synonymous with divine beauty with enticing scenery, Lolab valley instantaneously makes you fall in love with it. It is an oval-shaped valley located in the north-western side of Srinagar city and it lies 9 km from Kupwara. This remote place has surprised me with its raw beauty. From apple orchards, paddy fields, lakes, springs and meadows, this valley offers everyone to explore and enjoy the bewitching nature. Some of the prominent towns/villages in the Lolab Valley are Kalaroos, Kigam, Tekipora, Kandi, Chandigam and Muqam. While visiting these places, I got a glimpse into typical Kashmiri villages and the local lifestyle. One can also visit village Lalpur, located around a kilometer from Lolab, which is said to be the resting place of Rishi Kashyap after whom the valley of Kashmir has been named.
Gurez Valley
123 km from Srinagar, at a height of 2400m lies the Gurez Valley touted as one of the most blissful destinations in Kashmir, Gurez valley falls along the ancient silk route which connected Kashmir valley to Gilgit. The valley is quite picturesque with the sight of snow-capped mountains, and the river flowing through the valley. It is also home to some of the exotic and rare wildlife, such as brown bear and snow leopard, one might get to spot them in case one is lucky. At this place, I have always felt as if I am in the lap of mother nature and that time has come to a standstill.
Bangus Valley
Bangus valley is one of the most amazing places to visit in Kashmir. It has been compared to Switzerland by numerous travelers. It is a hidden gem with great charming views which had left me enthralled. Being a relatively unknown place it doesn’t invite much attention from tourists but its potential has been realized by the J&K tourism department and many promotional tours and trek are being organized in the valley. It is located in the north of Kashmir in the Kupwara district and lies within the Handwara sub-district. The valley has some really interesting ecological areas surrounded by green grasslands, meadows and springs. It is proposed to declare the Bangus Valley as a biological reserve as it produces a fine quality of grass for cattle which has medicinal value. It is an unexplored place with pristine picturesque beauty, a must visit place for all nature lovers.
Having visited these valleys once, I have always wished to keep coming back and somehow mystical forces of universe have always granted my wish always and hope they continue to do so. I wish all the travelers and nature lovers to come to these valleys and see with their own eyes rather than through the eyes of the others like me as words will never be enough to describe them. However, I would like to quote Chief Seattle here who rightly said that “Take only memories, leave only footprints” to ensure preservation of these natural treasures for generations to come.
– Col Arun Salhotra
