K D Maini
Poonch is known as Kashmir-e-Sageer (Mini Kashmir) due to its natural beauty, climatic conditions and geography. The district divides Jammu from Kashmir. If the world famous resorts like Gulmarg, Yousmarg, Aharbal Fall are located on the northern slope of Pir Panchal, then the most beautiful natural spots like Sawajian, Loran, Valley of Seven Lakes, snow caps, peaks, meadows, dhoks with colorful tribal life are situated in the southern slope of Poonch area. These places are connected with each other with importance passes like Noor poor Pass Jamia Pass, Choti Gali Pass and Pir Pass. Therefore, there is a tremendous scope of Adventure Tourism in District Poonch. This potential remains neglected and out of site due to locational disadvantages and non-availability of infrastructural facilities in the past. However, now, with the opening of Mughal Road, the Virgin scenic spots, peaks for climbing, passes for trekkers to cross the Pir Panchal range and reach on the other side have come into limelight. With the establishment of Poonch Development Authority for the exploitation of adventure, scenic, religious, and heritage tourism and start of systematic tourism development in the District, it is expected that Poonch District shall become Paradise for trekkers, hikers and expeditions in coming year.
Trekking is not just an exercise of physical fitness, or mental freshness, but to develop love with nature, climb snow clad peaks, enjoy glaciers, meadows and reach the top of the world and pass some days in eco-friendly atmosphere, relish tribal life style culture, and cuisine. Trekking not only provides charming moments but one has to face odd situations and difficult conditions with courage and determination during trekking.
Poonch is an ideal place for climbers, hikers and expeditions because all the important peaks of Pir Panchal like Tata Kutti (15560′), Chor Panchal Peaks (14370′) Sunset Peaks (15550′), Chandan Peaks (15200′), and Kajalana Peaks (14012′) are located in Poonch District which is the main attraction for the climbers in Pir Panchal range. The main objective of Poonch Development Authority is to encourage and assist the youth trekkers, hikers and provide all possible facilities to boost adventure activities in DistrictPoonch.
Tata Kutti is the highest peak in the Pir Panchal Range which is (15650′) above the sea level. This peak was once climbed by a foreign trekker Erenest F Neve on 09 August, 1910. Similarly the other important peaks in this range are still waiting for the climbers. Some trekking parties of this area made a number of attempts to climb this highest peak but due to non-availability of infrastructural facilities and in absence of proper equipment for climbing they could not reach the top of the this peak and do much in this field. The Poonch Development Authority is now planning to construct trekkers Sarai at Kalali and shelter sheds in Hill Kaka area enroute Tata Kutti Peak for the convenience of climbers. The department is also planning to arrange proper equipment for climbing purpose. With the opening of Mughal Road and start of Adventure Tourism activities by Poonch Development Authority, it is expected that the climbing expeditions shall be geared up in the near future.
All the important foot routes leading towards Gulmarg, Tangmarg, Yousmarg and Aharbal water fall on the northern side of Pir-Panchal in Kashmir valley start from Beharamgala, Loran and Sawajian, the base camps for trekkers in Poonch District. These foot routes are very important for trekking purpose.. People can reach Gulmarg, Tangmarg and Yousmarg, the famous resorts of Kashmir in one day from here. These routes includes Sawajian-Rangwar-Sarimagian via Chor Panchal Pass (13010′) or Devar Gali Pass (12360′) and Jamina Gali (13420′).These routes are leading towards Gulmarg and Tangmarg via Feroz Pur Nallah. This route can be treeked by the trekkers in one day from Sawajian in Poonch District to Tangmarg. There are three small lakes and a number glaciers alongside 35 km long route. The state’s famous Markhor Shakarghah (Sanctuary) starts from this very area and goes upto Ganga Choti near Tata Kutti Peak. The wild life and natural birds apart from high pasture lands are also points of attractions for the trekkers in this route. Keeping in view the potential of AdventureTourism in this area, the Poonch Development Authority have started the construction of Tourist Sarai at Base camp Sawajian for the convenience of trekkers because this route will be the most important for trekkers in future which connects the natural scenic resorts of Poonch with Gulmarg. From Loran base camp three important routes are leading towards Tangmarg and Yousmarg via Cheena Merg (13340′)- Khera Gali Pass and Noor Poor Pass (13436′), while Choti Gali Pass (15019′) in the right-side of Tata Kutti Top starts from Hill Kaka, the last habited village of Poonch District towards Tata Kutti Merg and then, leads towards Kashmir valley.
There are three other passes also leading towards Kashmir Valley like 40km long Loran-Sultan Pathari-Jamian Wali Gali (13215′)-Tangmarg foot route. Loran Cheena Marg route(13340′)-Tosha Median route and 43km long Loran-Noorpoor Pass (13436′)- Yousmarg route. Noorpoor Pass route is easiest and most famous foot route enriched with marvellous attractive dhoks, streams and water falls along with snow bound area. Therefore, Poonch Development Authority has started the construction of 20 bedded Tourist Sarai at the basecamp at Loran for the convenience of the trekkers. This Sarai shall also be equipped with Trekkers equipment. There is also a proposal for construction of shelter sheds and widening of these routes after the permission of Forest Department.
There are a number of Mergs (meadows) and Dhoks (Cluster of tribal hutments in thick forest area) which are known for their natural scenic beauty, colorful tribal life style and favorable climatic conditions. These dhoks and mergs include Sarimagana, Barariand Rangwar in Sawajian areas, Sultan Patheri, Tunga Wali, Nansukh Dhok and Noorpoor Dhok in Loran area, Bagla Dhok, Tata Kutti Merg in Hill Kaka area and Girgan, Panjtarni, Valley of Seven Lakes in Panj Sarian Track. Presently, these mergs and dhoks have lot of hustle and bustle during summer season because the tribal families and Phari People of Rajouri and Poonch migrate to these dhoks and Mergs along with flock of sheep, goats and family members.
The most attractive Valley of Seven Lakes, Panjtarni Merg and Girgan Dhok is located in the north of renowned Noori chamb water fallin between Nandan Peaks in the northern side and Dharlli Peak and Ratan Per Peak in southern side.There are about 27 natural lakes existing in this beautiful area out of which Seven Lakes are most famous and known as Nandan Sar, Chandan Sar, Sukh Sar, Bagh Sar, Katora Sar, Neel Sar,Gum Sar and Akhaldachhni. These lakes are located on the elevation ranging from 11500′ to 13500′ above the see level. The Katora Sar Lake is source of Poonch River while the Nandan Sar Lake is a source of Ranbhera River which flows towards Kashmir Valley via Aliabad Sari, Sukh Sari and Shopian.
With the opening of Mughal Roads a number of such places have now come into limelight. The Valley of Seven Lakes is now only 8 km away from Aliabad Sari and 14km from Noorichamb. Recently work on the construction of Tourists Sarai near Noorichamb have been started by Poonch Development Authority to convert this spot into base camp for Adventure Tourism. It is expected that with the completion of this Sarai Adventure Tourism in the Valley of Seven Lakes shall get boost.
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