A Garden Not Blooming For Long

The Polo Ground Park is in dilapidated condition and the restoration of this historic park to its pristine glory is a matter of concern, concerns Mohamad Yousuf

During Dogra Raj the Polo Ground was considered the most popular play-field in the vicinity of Srinagar, in which horse polo matches were regularly conducted with great pomp and show by the royal family. The ground was so dear to them that they themselves were monitoring its up-gradation. It is said that in the absence of sophisticated mechanized lawn movers and brush cutters Maharaja Hari Singh had fed a flock of special breed of sheep which were engaged to graze the grass at zero level with their tiny teeth to give it a fine carpet like touch. It was also making the ground more graceful and playable. Simultaneously the droppings of the flock were very useful for the thick growth of turf which was working as natural manure.

After independence this royal ground was used for hosting different cultural and social activities like Jashn-i-Kashmir etc.

It was actually stretching from Gor-dav Kadal, present M.A. Bridge, to Polo View. But today the ground is divided into three sections. Eastern section is left for hosting different industrial exhibitions and low profile sporting events. Similarly the western section is earmarked for major football tournaments. After Bakhshi Stadium this ground is considered the second best football field in the valley.

Clearing the field for Santosh Trophy like national level football tournaments by Indian Football Federation was a great tribute to Maharajas who were avid football and polo enthusiasts. Interestingly while watching Football matches Maharaja Hari Singh gave nick names like “Ponz and Tarzan” etc to many veteran footballers for their extra ordinary skills. Late Haji Habib Ullah Dev was a great Goal-Keeper and for his acrobatics and high jumping he was nick named as Habib Ponz by the Maharaja. Similarly, Dr. K.A Tarzan’s uncle Late Ghulam Mohammad was also an ace football player and he was nick named at Tarzan. This title was later adopted by his entire family.

While, the central section of the ground was exclusively developed as Public Park by Agriculture Department. In the recent past this well maintained park was attracting scores of tourists from its locale.

Different varieties of rare flowers, shrubs, creepers/climbers and flowering ornamental and avenue tress were gracefully planted here. The charming weeping willows, Umbrella trees, conifers and variety of roses were adding grandeur to it. The nicely trimmed evergreens in different shapes and sizes were looking magnificent. Some dwarf fruit trees were also excising here. The mighty Chinars are still walling the park from its all sides. During hot summers many people used to sit and sleep under their cool shade for hours together. What a peace and tranquility one was experiencing when seated amidst these mighty trees here, looking at wild nature and forgetting one’s self. But alas! This historic Garden is in shambles today. It has lost its pristine glory. Like Dal Lake this park is also breathing its last.

I remember the Agriculture Department had prepared a fine nursery in a corner of this garden where different varieties of common and hybrid flowers and flowering bulbs including Cannas, Dahlia, Football Lilly, Gladiolus, Lillium, Gerbera, Tulip and Amaryllis etc were sown in narrow and long beds. During its bloom the nursery was giving a carpet like look in different colors when one could catch the sight of this garden from nearby Shankracharya hill top. In my childhood I usually used to climb the hillock and enjoy the view of this fascinating, scintillating, enchanting, mesmerizing and enthralling garden.

No doubt the Floriculture Department has raised the level of the garden after long wait but at many places the water still remains stagnant. Earlier due to raising level of roads and play-fields on all its sides the drainage system was completely blocked and the stagnant water damaged the trees, even many have died. The unwanted grass is grown to knee height. Surprisingly not a single flower bed is properly maintained here which gives bad aesthetic sense.

It is shocking that though the Office of Floriculture Officer, Srinagar is situated in this very garden and the Directorate Office is just a few meters away on opposite side yet they do not initiate any action to preserve this heritage garden. There is a proverb “Near the Church farther from God”, which this Department is observing in letter and spirit. To our dismay they hardly bother to look around their environs and arrange leveling of the garden, fill the ditches, cut tall grass, lay foot paths, cure sick trees, safeguard other rare live trees and shrubs and ensure its preservation. Astonishingly the Department seems more concerned about much hyped Tulip Garden, the flowers of which are not lost for long. The department should spend the bucks, they are earning from Tulip Garden, on other associated parks and gardens.

The department perhaps does not even have sufficient manpower and machinery to maintain the garden. There is a requirement of at least 50 gardeners while as just ten are deployed. They also need modern machines like small rollers, light and heavy mechanized lawn movers and brush cutters etc.

It depicts that the Floriculture Department is not serious to maintain its assets. If so, the Tourism Department has a role to play. They must come forward and initiate its comprehensive facelift, up-gradation, and beautification and restore its original environs like they are brilliantly maintaining the Nigeen Resorts and Zabarvan Park etc. Credit goes to Director Tourism, Mr. Farooq Shah and his nature loving Tourist Officer, Mr. Javed Iqbal Khan for converting barren land near Nehru Park, Ashai Bagh, Nigeen Club and Nand Pora into majestic and prideful gardens. Mr. Javed has great passion for flowers and is monitoring the Nigeen Boat Club lawns himself.

Like Tulip Festival the Tourism Department must organize Flower and Rose Shows in Polo Ground Garden which would certainly attract a sizeable number of visitors to the Park. Since the park is situated in the tourist hub of summer capital the restoration of its pristine glory is badly felt. This garden catches first sight of a tourist so we cannot afford to ignore it. The people in Srinagar are now becoming more health and environment conscious. They love going such parks and gardens often.

Surprisingly the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleague happen to pass through this garden daily but perhaps they too have no interest in nature watching. They do not gaze environs while roaming around in the city centre. Urgent steps are required to be taken to preserve this heritage garden. Making Srinagar a green city doesn’t mean that the Floriculture Department allows the unwanted grass to grow shoulder height behind which scores of dogs take shelter and create menace. The authority concerned must therefore pass effective guidelines for conservation and protection of plant wealth. M.L.A, Amira Kadal constituency must also look into the matter and take up the matter with the concerned authorities and ensure its beautification.

Poonch-Gulmarg Road - A Disastrous Move

Linking Poonch to Gulmarg by road over Pirpanjal range would be environmental and wildlife disaster in Kashmir, cautions Mohamad Yousuf

This refers to the meeting of some J&K Ministers and bureaucrats, held in Srinagar recently in connection with the construction of a road on Poonch-Gulmarg sector in Kashmir. Many environmentalists, explorers and the adventurers are not happy with this proposal. They fear that it would be detrimental for preservation of natural beauty of the scenic and walling Pirpanjal range in Kashmir Himalayas. The Forest and Environment Minister is requested to review the decision taken in the meeting.

The tourism, players connected with adventure tourism, feel that the construction of the proposed road via Ferozpur nallah over fragile Pirpanjal range near Gulmarg would never help promote tourism there as is presumed by the Government. It would instead prove disastrous for Gujars, adventure tourism and wildlife. The proposed road would undoubtedly destroy wild mountain beauty of the area, where there is immense scope of promoting snow sports like snowboarding, Alpine ski, ski-touring, lug, bobsledding; trekking and other adventure tourism related outdoor pursuits. . It is admitted fact that Pirpanjal range is considered the best place for skiing in entire Himalayas. There are many virgin ski resorts just behind Mount Apharwat which need to be connected to Gulmarg through cable cars. The nearby Tosamaidan region and lofty Sunrise, Sunset and Tatakoti peaks are other attractions for extreme skiers.

The circular Mughal Road Trekking via Shopian, Poshiana, Alliabad, Pir Ki Gali, Poonch, Loren, Zamian pass, Ferozpur Nallah and Gulmarg was most popular amongst the students of Kashmir University in early eighties. Half of the trekking route from Hurpora (Shopian) to Poonch is already vanished with the construction of Mughal Road in this area so we will have to preserve the remaining part from Poonch to Gulmarg for our posterity. The destruction of trekking routes will badly tell upon the increasingly popular adventure tourism. We will have to safeguard the areas where there is possibility of conducting bush walking, high altitude trekking and climbing for our growing tourism. We have paid heavy toll for such mistakes in the past. I quote an example here that the Lehinwan to Inshan trek in Kishtwar Himalayas was very popular among foreign tourists in recent past. Nearly 1000 high end tourists used to undertake trekking on this route annually but ever since the road was laid here no one desired to trek around there. It was a big setback for adventure tourism in Kishtwar area. It is estimated that Kishtwar trekking expeditions were generating directly about 30,000 man days of work for laborers, cooking crew and pony owners etc. every tourist season with the annual income of nearly 2.5 crores of Indian rupees. Similarly after construction of many other roads in Zanaskar Himalayas the foreign travel companies severed their trekking programmes there. Another most popular route from Panikhar to Manali also met the same fate.

How nice it would have been if the Government could operate Twin Otter aircrafts for conveyance of handful mountain dwellers instead of laying expensive black toped roads through the mountainous terrains. Due to soil erosion and heavy snow fall in the Pirpanjal range we doubt if the Gulmarg-Poonch road could ever become all weather road.

The proposed road from Poonch to Gulmarg would perhaps also be not in the interests of Gujars and Bakerwals who otherwise prefer to travel through pastures to feed their cattle enroute. The wildlife and Gujar community will be badly affected as the road may demolish their habitat. Pertinently this area habitats some extinct species of wildlife including snow leopard, brown bear, fox and musk dear etc. Similarly it would tell upon the environment and future adventure tourism here. The Forest and Environment Minister is appealed to keep all these drawbacks in mind before implementing the deliberations of the meeting.

I do not understand what made them to think of laying yet another road to link Kashmir to Poonch when the Mughal Road has just been opened for general traffic. Connecting Poonch to Gulmarg through Cable Car could be suitable both for the development of winter tourism and for providing round the year transportation to the locals here. This is amazing that many European countries are linked to each other through cable cars. One can travel from Switzerland to Austria or other neighboring countries by a Cable Car but alas! We cannot travel from one district to another through this mode of transportation. Laying road on this mountainous terrain would perhaps cost more money than the cable Car

So far winter sports are concerned these are becoming increasingly popular in Gulmarg. On weekends and holidays thousands of tourists are seen skiing here. It is certain that after fifty years there will be no space for people to ski here. The back drop of Mount Apharwat is the treasure for winter sports athletes, so is to preserve it for our posterity. The authorities should therefore desist from constructing one more road in Pirpanjal range. The Government should consult the subject experts before taking big decisions concerning the environment and biodiversity etc. The Union Minister of State for Kashmir Affairs, Mr. Prithvi Raj Chouhan is also requested to stop facilitating the J&K Government in building the proposed Poonch-Gulmarg road. Instead he should arrange construction of tunnels at Shitkari (Sonamarg) and Zojila to make it all weather roads, which would help us to develop Sonamarg as winter sports destination. Constructing an all weather road between Bandipore and Gurez for promotion of tourism there is also essential.

It is astonishing that besides Pirpanjal, there is a plan to lay one more road in Sindh valley connecting Kangan to Gangabal which may later be extended to Telail. This road will certainly end up the most popular alpine trekking route from Sonamarg to Naranag via Krishensar and Gangabal and perish number of high altitude lakes. Gangabal is a sacred lake for Hindus. The Kashmiri pundits believe that the Ganga actually originates from this Lake. If the Minister for Forests and Environment, Jenab Mian Altaf Ahamad is serious to develop Sonamarg as adventure hub he must order stop the proposed Gangabal road immediately and pursue the construction of “Z” Morh Tunnel from Hung to Shitkari.

Published on 2nd August, 2010 in Daily Greater Kashmir

Dilapidated Foot Bridge Between Aloochi Bagh - Old Barzulla Needs Repair

By Mohamad Yousuf

Aloochi Bagh and Old Burzalla are situated in the core of Srinagar city just a few miles away from city centre of Lal Chowk. The flood channel, running from Ram Bagh to Tengpora bridges, demarks the two Mohallas. During Maharaja’s rule both these Mohallas were falling in the Batamaloo pargana. This is why both these Mohallas are still observing the Urs of Saint Sheikh Dawood Khaki (RA), popularly known as Bata-Maloo Sahib.

The two neighboring Mohallas are connected with a long but narrow wooden footbridge running all across the Dood Ganga Nallah and flood channel.

Every day hundreds of people walk over this bridge. But to dismay of local denizens the bridge is badly damaged and makes it a hazardous for children, women folk and old age people to walk on it safely.

The old planks lying on the surface of bridge are either broken or damaged by weathering. Many are put to ablaze by miscreants. There is a gap of nearly 2 to 4 feet between one plank to another at many places. At some places the weak and unsecured planks are put unsupported across big gaps causing threat of life to heavy weight pedestrians. Many loose and unsecured planks make seesaw at some places.

The bridge is nearly twelve feet high from ground level. The recently dredged water way in the middle of flood channel create height phobia to weaker heart people when they look down from the bridge and if balance is lost at such vulnerable places they will certainly fell in deep ditches and water way. The cross high winds could also prove fatal at times. It is also not possible to walk on it in rainy days when the muddy planks become too much slippery. The ditches underneath the bridge are filled with deep waters. It is not possible for ladies and senior citizens to walk on it without the support of youngsters. Slipping down from the bridge through big gaps could sometime kill the pedestrians. There are no railings on the sides of the bridge. The cyclists can never dream of crossing the flood channel over this antique bridge because of its pathetic conditions.

This is perhaps only kind of bridge in the entire city with unique features. Like preserving the heritage buildings in the city the INTACH must also pay attention towards the preservation of such heritage bridges.

Though the area lies within the Srinagar Municipal limits but alas! The SMC hardly bothers to repair such important connectivity. This footbridge is purely meant for two densely populated neighboring Mohallas. The poor pedestrians of the area cannot afford to travel by cars or auto rickshaws via Rambagh or Tengpora bridges. The residents of these two localities have urged the SMC and the Flood Control Department to look into the matter and arrange its immediate repairs. If the local M.L.A is really a native of this constituency it is time for him to wake up and provide funds for its repairs from his Constituency Development Funds and obliges We The Srinagarites.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on July 26, 2010

Srinagar Lacks Public Swimming Pools

By Mohamad Yousuf

This is most unfortunate that we do not have any public swimming pool in Srinagar. The need to have one in the town is badly felt by We the Srinagarites for long but no one comes to our help.

Surprisingly almost in every tehsil of Punjab and other neighboring states they have a swimming pool of international standard but alas! We alone lack this facility. When we talk of civic hygiene and health we say it is the responsibility of Srinagar Municipal Corporation. If so, why do they lag behind in creating infrastructure that is essential for health care of citizens? In other states one could find scores of Swimming pools owned by the local Municipal Corporations which not only help to inculcate a spirit of competition among youth or maintain health but it also generates revenue for them. It is in fact social responsibility of SMC to arrange construction of at least one Swimming Pool in the city. The duty of SMC Health Officer should not only to take care of civic hygiene but should create all such avenues which are useful for maintaining civic health like pools, gyms and fitness parks etc.

Swimming is not only one of the oldest sports in the world but most early civilizations regarded it as a military skill. In ancient days many civilizations included it in the military training of young soldiers. It is an important source for lifesaving as well. It is perhaps why Islam considered learning swimming vital. Not only military aspect but the swimming is the basis for all sports and conditioning ones health. It develops strength, endurance, flexibility, courage, coordination, confidence, patience and of course it tones us up physically. Swimming is the safest, least painful journey to fitness and hence another ticket to mental and emotional stability.

Some time ago people in Srinagar were learning swimming in open lakes, rivers and ponds but due to increasing pollution in these water bodies’ people do not allow their children to learn swimming in these vulnerable water bodies. It is sure that a drop of polluted water, swallowed by a child, would cost heavy toll to his parent on his treatment. We appeal the SMC to take up the matter with Union Ministry of Human Resource Development for funding the project on missionary basis. The SDA should also extend help to SMC in its endeavor. It is regrettable that nearly 90% of children of this civilized nation do not know swimming.

The article was published in Daily Greater Kashmir on 24th June 2010

More About Skiing In City

By Mr. Mehraj Din

This refers to the feedback by Idrees Ahmad titled “Not Possible” (GK June 6) in response to the write-up titled “Skiing Possible in Srinagar” of Mohammad Yusuf (June GK June 5). It is highly appreciating that at least someone has expressed concern about safety of wildlife around Dachigam National Park. No doubt if skiing is started in the heels of Zabarvan range, there could be concerns about safety of wildlife around Dachigam National Park. But this has always been there.

When we talk of eco-tourism there is possibility that we may occasionally face the wildlife but not necessarily there could always be man-wild animal conflict.

The intensive exploration made by Mohammad Yusuf in We the Srinagarites column some time back about skiing in Zabarvan range is of immense use from the tourism point of view.

He has mentioned that the Jungle walk could also be conducted in the area.

In Nepal tourists are taken to Chitwan National park where they are shown the wildlife. It is one of the biggest sources of foreign exchange earning there. In his article Yusuf has tried to highlight the potential of adventure tourism that could be conducted within the vicinity of Srinagar. It is surprising that Idrees did not raise hue and cry when a French skier, Sylvan Sudan was operating the Heli-Skiing in Mahadev area during winter, which caused not only the noise, but air pollution in the area as well. The regular Helicopter sorties could be more harmful to wildlife than laying a calm Cable Car. The cable car could also be beneficial for the Wildlife Department to keep watch and ward and for providing food to animals on upper reaches during winter when it becomes impossible to reach there in waist deep snow. I believe that adventure activities could be nicely organized in the Zabarvan range without harming the wildlife. From here one could go to Pahalgam and Sonamarg and is ideal place for bush walkers as well.

Organizing Ski-touring in the upper reaches of Dachigam National Park could be in the best interest of wildlife protection because it is not possible for wildlife guards to roam around in winter. The explorers and ski- mountaineers are in fact good friends of wildlife. They never harm them but keep giving reports about their existence in the far-flung areas. I quote an example here that in 1986 an International ski-mountaineering expedition was conducted in Lidder valley in which me and my friend Mohammad Yusuf were also participating. While skiing in Sekiwas and Marsar area (upper reaches of DNP) we spotted the foot prints of Snow leopard. On our return we informed the wildlife Department about the existence of this extinct specie in the Lidder valley. We were not believed and our report was nullified at that time. But after lapse of about 5 years a villager found a cub in the area which confirmed that we were correct. It seems that Mr. Idrees has no concept of eco-tourism so is criticizing Yusuf. He is suggested to take a daylong trek from Dhara to Lidwas, see the countryside and feel the nature. He will certainly feel pride there and desire that every Srinagarite go there on every weekend. He will also see that how high we the Srinagarites are now living, sharing the domain with wild animals without any conflict. For SDA I suggest to clear the mass which has accumulated on the rocks at Dhara. One could organize Sport Climbing there on every holiday for Srinagarites and SDA could earn revenue out of it.

About Author:

Mr. Mehraj Din, 56, was born in Srinagar. After graduating with an Arts degree from the Sri Pratap College in Srinagar, he briefly attended the University of Kashmir. Along with his studies he took advanced studies in adventure sports like mountaineering and skiing. He is one of the pioneers of Ski-mountaineering and Paragliding in India. He is now an adventure tour consultant, running a tour and travel business with outlets in Srinagar, Nepal and Bhutan. He is associated with many voluntary adventure sports organizations and is heading the J&K Ski & Mountaineering Association. He has intensively trekked and skied in India, Nepal, Europe and Australia. Feedback dinhighland@gmail.com or called at 9906597335.

The article was published in Greater Kashmir on June 21, 2010

Skiing Possible In Srinagar...!

By Mohamad Yousuf

When we talk of extreme sports we just think of Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg etc unaware of the fact that a vast sea of adventure lies open to us within the Srinagar limits. Surprisingly snow skiing is also possible here but should someone explore the possibility of its promotion. A mountain called Mahadev, in Zabarvan range at Harwan offers great challenge for adventurers. It has the potential for skiing and snowboarding. It is now time for Srinagar Development Authority to adopt the mountain and promote adventure here. To our dismay the SDA is just concerned about raising huge buildings with no plans of making Srinagar a Green City. Srinagar does not only offer heritage, religious, conference and pleasure tourism etc but it has vast scope of hosting adventure tourism as well. The SDA may say that promoting adventure tourism is the duty of Tourism Department but like other Development Authorities they are supposed to, besides construction work, indulge in the promotion of tourism in Srinagar city.

Srinagar is walled by Zabarwan range on its eastern area. This range offers best possibilities of hosting trekking, orienteering, jungle safari, paragliding, rock-climbing and the fascinating snow skiing. Certainly, the word skiing must have surprised all of you. Yes, Mt. Mahadev remains snow bound till late May and has excellent ski runs. Notably Mahadev, 13,013 feet is the highest peak in Srinagar. Credit goes to Biscoe School for exploring this magnificent mountain nearly hundred years back for undertaking trekking by their students but unfortunately they never conceived idea of promoting skiing there. The rich Heli-skiers have been skiing in the area for long. But for the first time a local team, led by this writer undertook a ski-mountaineering expedition to Mahadev in May 1998. The team carried their skis from Harwan to Chakdara on their shoulders and there onwards they climbed the mountain with specially designed mountain skis, fitted with seal skins and crampons. The skis, fitted with Special Mountain Bindings permitted them to walk up on steep snow covered slopes. The expedition set up base camp at Lidwas and zoomed down all nearby ridges including Mahadev top. It was first attempt of its kind in Srinagar. If we really have to put Srinagar on Skiing map of India we need to install a cable car from Chakdhara to Lidwas and some poma lifts near the peak. The J&K State Cable Car Corporation must give thought to it. Surely in summer the lift would earn good revenue because everybody now desire to go deep in the city jungles to seek pleasure. I desire that every school should facilitate their students to climb Mahadev and have 360 degree panoramic view of the city. If Government has any plan to develop Srinagar Mount Mahadev must be kept in mind.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on 5th June, 2010

Destination Sonamarg

Sonamarg, the Golden Meadow, has a tremendous potential of hosting many adventure tourism events. Are we prepared to tap it, asks Mohamad Yousuf

Sonamarg is set high in the Sindh valley before the Westward flow of the river Sindh is turned south to the vale of Kashmir. At this point it cuts through a line of igneous rock running North-West to South-East, weathered and firm. Nichnai and Thajewas Valleys form North and South run alongside these harder strata to join the Sindh just below Sonamarg near shitkari village. Sonamarg is not simply a picnic spot and a base for Shri Amarnathji yatra but is a wonderful destination for adventure tourism. It has tremendous potential for outdoor pursuits which need to be exploited by the tourism players. It is also one of the best places to study flora and fauna of the state but unfortunately it has always remained out of focus of the Government.

This tourist destination stands second to none all over the world. There is no other place in India where all types of snow, water and mountain based adventure activities could be conducted simultaneously. God has gifted it with all those ingredients that are required for seeking high adventures. Sonamarg could offer a host of many adventure sporting activities round the year. It has a wild mountain beauty that always greets the explorers.

The gushing River Sindh is ideal for wild water sports, such as rafting, kayaking and hydraulic Zorbing. The river, from Baltal to Shitkari, has grade 1 to 4 rapids, making it ideal for novices as well as for extreme rafters. One can further extend his rafting trip up to Ganderbal if he does portage at Hung/Shitkari for about a kilometer because huge rocks and other hurdles are lying in the middle of the river here, making this stretch a hazardous one. Should someone arrange clearing these hurdles the river Sindh could offer enchanting long commercial rafting/Kayaking run straight from Baltal to Ganderbal passing through picturesque countryside of north Kashmir? The Tourism Department has conducted two International Rafting Championships here and the third is being held soon. The main thrust for going through with such major events should have been to generate employment in rafting sector. The Tourism Ministry has never come up with a policy to develop this sector of tourism in Kashmir while as rafting trade is flourishing in Ladakh region. On the one hand Tourism Department is spending millions of rupees for organizing the Championship and on the other hand Sonamarg Development Authority is charging Rs.5.5 lacs to an unemployed youth to run commercial rafting at Sonamarg, Surprisingly, the other rafting companies at Pahalgam, Mammar and Wusan are charged a meager amount of Rs.2,000.00 per boat per month. This is purely anti youth and anti tourism policy of the concerned ministry in Kashmir.

For general public Rafting is run by a rafting company “Mountain Magic” at Sonamarg. Sonamarg Rafting has no parallel at any other place in the valley. It is because of these factors that our dynamic Chief Minister Jenab Omar Abdullah ran down a very high graded river stretch at Sonamarg last year. To make rafting a safe and secure affair the Mountain Magic has employed foreign River Guides. It has three sections of 3, 8 and 20 nautical miles run. Rafting is best way to experience fun, thrill, challenge and excitement with families at Sonamarg. Every School and College must allow their students to undertake a pleasure rafting trip at Sonamarg whenever they happen to go Sonamarg for excursion or trekking.

Sonamarg is considered mountaineering paradise. Some of the best mountaineering and rock-climbing is in Thajiwas or in the Sogput Dhar. There are some long and more technical rock faces at Shitkari as well. The mighty peaks such as Vishensar, Umbrella, Cefn Carnedo, Innominate, Mosquito, Valehead, Crystal and Blade/Arrow, etc. offer great challenge to intended climbers.

Sonamarg offers wide variety of high altitude trekking. It is a base for many magnificent treks. One can undertake circular treks to Amarnathji Cave; Bandipora; Gurez; Drass; and Pahalgam etc. A trek to Krishensar, Vishensar, and Gangabal is most interesting among all. It has nearly 55 high altitude lakes within a radius of 20 Kilometers. One can also undertake day treks from Sonamarg to Ludderwas, Eagle’s Nest, Sarbal, Amaranth cave, Lashi Pathri, Thajewas, Zabnar, Hapatnar and Kazim ridge etc. Zabnar, 4040 mtr. high above sea level makes a splendid day walk and provides one of the finest view points in the area for peaks such as Nanga Parbat, Nun & Kun and Amarnath massif etc.

Sonamarg is also called “valley of glaciers”. It receives heavy snowfall during winter but unfortunately it remains cut off from rest of the state during winter. The frequent avalanches in Shitkari area blocks the road and makes it impossible for tourism players to sell winter tourism here. Score of European Heli-Skiers have zoomed down the virgin passes, ridges and long ski runs covered with fantastic powder snow in Gund and Kulun areas. From April to July it is possible to ski the whole Thajewas Nar. Glacier 6 is not crevassed and provides good ski runs. Glacier 3 would make a fine ski-mountaineering expedition to the peaks “Valehead” and “Umbrella”. A Ski team of J&K Ski & Mountaineering Association, led by this writer, undertook first-ever reconnaissance expedition to Thajewas glaciers in May 1988. The team along with some Swiss skiers also undertook ski tour to Bear Valley. There is also possibility of operating other snow sports here.

Sonamarg is also ideal for aero sports. There is best and constant wind condition for Paragliding and Parasailing here. Paragliding pilots could fly here on land as well as on glacier. Paragliding was first introduced in Sonamarg way back in May 1988 by JKSMA. The team took first flight from Glacier 2 to the Thajewas base which in fact was first flight of its kind in the sub-continent.

There is also possibility of organizing many other allied adventure and recreational activities like Zorbing, Mountain Biking, Grass Skiing, Angling, Orienteering and snow baseball etc. Orienteering is a Cross-Country race involving map reading. Competitors make their way through unfamiliar mountain terrain using a compass and a topographical map. There is also possibility of introducing Scree Running in Vishensar area. Scree is an accumulation of rock debris on a mountain or hill. Scree Running is a method of descending gravelly slope. There are number of naturally groomed scree slopes covered with fine small loose stones here.

Sonamarg is an amazing and magnificent place where you will always love to be. This is the time for you to pay a visit. So what are you waiting for?

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on June 3, 2010