Unexplored alpine meadow

This is indeed a good news for district Ganderbal in generaland for the Kashmir valley in particular that finally, hitherto unexploredtourist destination ‘Mohand Marg with adjacent destinations viz Lal Marg andTraugh’ are likely to come up on tourist map of the state. 

Mohand Marg, which is Kashmiri is known as “Mohana Marg”is agreenery pasture which lies at the river Sindh situated at the altitude of 3400meters. This meadow is located on top of Koaihama range overlooking Sindhvalley and gives a panoramic view of Pir Panjal range, Gadsar Range and MountKalahoi. Clothed by dense lush green forests, the destination is reachable viatwo ways:- One is from WaliwarGanderbal and another from Anderwan ManigamGanderbal . From Waliwar, this trek-destination can be covered within 4 to 5hours while as it takes near about 3 hours to reach to the destination if onestarts the trek from Anderwan Yarmuquam.

   

It would quite be a matter of injustice if one talks ofMohand Marg sans the name of Hungarian-born archaeologist Sir Marc Aurel Stein.Stein, who has taught at many Indian Universities and has been a greatprotagonist in exploring this unknown tourist spot. Sir Stein first visitedMohand Marg in 1895 and left from here in 1934. He has visited many a times tothis Alpine meadow where he used to pitch his tent there. Two years ago, in hismemory, the locals of the area erected a memorial stone on 14th of September,2017 for bringing attention of the government towards this unexplored spot.”Our main motive behind the installation of the memorable stone is to bringthis forgotten tourist spot in limelight so that the spot may be bought of thetourist map of the state”, said a local Shabir Ahmad

From almost a decade now, the nature and trek loving youthespecially from district Ganderbal often can be seen trekking this meadow. Onesuch youth is from Saloora namely Bilal Ahmad Wani. Bilal has fallen in lovewith this majestic destination and has been visiting here for so many years.

“Mohand Marg would be new discovery of beauty of Kashmir ifexplored well and put on the tourist map of the state”, Bilal said.

“This district which is mostly known for just Sonamarg,Mansbal and Naranag has also unexplored destinations of Mohand Marg and LalMarg as well. These majestic mountainous spots are keeping many meadows andpastures in its womb which when in their full bloom can act as great healthresorts and tourist spots for the adventurous souls”, he further added.

These meadows come up with a maximum length of over 10 kmswith maximum width of about 6 kms. The presence of different types of plenty offlowers, a small stream flowing north of Ganderbal town with Harmukh on itswest adds to its beauty. If Gulmarg Gandola type is projected from Waliwar orAnderwan areas, the destination would get a new breather and would attract theworld attention.

  Let’s hope this spotgets attention and attracts people the world over.

Sofi Imtiyaz is working in J&K Bank as AssociateExecutive and is presently posted at Business Unit Hajjin Bandipora.

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