Srinagar, Jan 21: As discontent grows among tourists in the Kashmir Valley due to the prolonged absence of snow, Bangus Valley in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district shines as a unique destination offering an immersive snow experience.
With up to 3 feet of snow, Bangus Valley stands out as the sole spot in the region where visitors can savour the beauty of winter.
In contrast to Gulmarg and other areas in Kashmir grappling with the dry spell, Bangus Valley has become accessible to tourists in January, a rare occurrence according to locals in the Mawer area. Traditionally impossible to traverse after November due to heavy snowfall, the valley’s newfound accessibility is drawing attention and interest.
Shahid Manzoor, a local resident from Nowgam, emphasized the need for the tourism department to focus on Bangus Valley, underscoring its exclusive status as the only current destination with snow. He credited the Forest Department’s Eco Tourism Wing for constructing rain shelters, wooden culverts, and huts, enhancing the allure of the snow-covered meadows.
Manzoor highlighted the efforts to improve accessibility, particularly during rainy days, expressing gratitude to the Eco Tourism division for addressing this need. He noted that such facilities were previously lacking in Bangus Valley.
Bangus Valley, well-suited for various winter sports activities, including ice skating in ‘Telwa Kul,’ is gaining attention from the tourism sector, as stated by Mohammad Issaq of Mankal. Issaq affirmed that Bangus Valley is easily reachable via Kupwara, Rajwar, and Mawer, and he personally experienced no obstacles during a recent visit.
Locals expressed appreciation to LG Manoj Sinha for his visit to Bangus Valley last summer, which brought the region into the tourism spotlight. They urged the LG to direct the tourism and youth services and sports departments to organize winter games, ensuring the continued vibrancy of winter tourism in Bangus Valley.
An official from Eco Tourism disclosed to Rising Kashmir that future plans for Bangus Valley include the establishment of a children’s park, an open stadium, and several other developments, promising an even more enchanting experience for visitors.
