Shopian, June 2: If there is anything that is abundant in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, it’s the natural and the pristine beauty of the area. And if there is anything that is scarce, it’s a man- made and a well-kept park. But this is going to change.  A recreational park - first of its kind - is set to bloom soon in this picturesque town.

LOVELY LOCALE
 Located in the Bona Bazaar area of the town, the park-yet to be named- is a perfect blend of natural grace and artificial finesse. The resplendent natural surroundings of the area are in complete harmony with the intricately crafted pavements and the cedar panelled shades. Guarded on one side by the roaring waters of the river Sangloo and bordered on the other by the calm waters of the rivulet Grie Kol, a walk in this park is definitely one to remember. “It (the park) has been constructed at a good location. The surroundings are very beautiful. I can’t remember any beautiful man- made park having such good mix of natural beauty and artificial work,” says Peer Amir from Srinagar.

ICING ON THE CAKE
 The park has added to the natural beauty of the area and brought about a much needed makeover of the town which is otherwise known for its raw and untamed landscapes. “There are not many places in Kashmir that are as beautiful as Shopian. There is abundance of  natural beauty here. This park complements the natural landscape here”, says Muhammad Ashraf, a local resident.

A WALK IN THE PARK
 The ‘size- zero’ bug has been active for some time now and it hasn’t spared the women of the town too. These fitness freaks have been sweating it out and hitting the dusty roads for an early morning jog. The construction of the park has spurred their motivational levels and has all but served the purpose of the health conscious, young and old alike. “We go for a walk early in the morning but we take the road. The park is definitely a better place to jog than a road. You can rest  for a while in a park which is something you can’t do on a road,” says Gulshan  (name changed), a house wife.

CHILDREN IN HEAVEN
 With teeter boards and swings already installed, children of the locality have begun frequenting the park. These equipments are proving hard to resist as the boisterous laughs of the frolicking children are heard from a distance. “These kinds of parks should come up at more places. It is a good way to keep children occupied who otherwise play on the streets. They can come here by themselves and play with their friends. It is a heaven for them,” says Riyaz Ahmad.

THE TOWN
 Known as the ‘Apple Town’ of the Valley, Shopian is dotted with verdant meadows and breath taking landscapes. Some of them are widely renowned like Aharbal and Dabjan while others, although less known but equally awe-inspiring like Sedow, Hirpora, and the upper reaches of the imperious Pir Panjal mountain range. The sylvan town has the potential to become a major tourist spot and the opening up of the much awaited Mughal Road may help in bringing the untrodden areas into the limelight.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 2 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 2 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 3 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST