KUPWARA, Jammu and Kashmir

Main Attraction: LOLAB VALLEY

The valley is located in the northern district of Kupwara of the state Jammu and Kashmir It is stunted with natural beauty and warm, hospitable locals.

Brief History

Kupwara district was initially part of the erstwhile Baramulla district and in July 1979, it was carved out as a separate district. The district is situated at an altitude of 5300 feet (above sea level) with varied topography. The western, northern and eastern areas of the district are hilly while as the southern areas are mainly plain. The district is flanked in the east and south by Baramulla district and in the west and north by LOC separating it from Muzafarabad district presently under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. It is located about 90 kms from Srinagar in the north –west corner of Kashmir Valley.

A Himalayan spur running from the Zojila goes to the west separating the valley of Kishan Ganga from the main Kashmir valley. This spur is crossed by the main Srinagar –Kargil rout over a height called Rajdhani pass joining Gurez with Bandipora. This spur goes along the left bank of Kishan Ganga valley, finally near Shamas Bary peak it veers towards the south and ends at the gorge of Jhelum near Uri. The south extension is called Qazinag range, the home of big Markhore goat .This range forms the western wall of Kupwara district. The Zojila Qazinag spur is crossed by famous passes like tootmar Gali, Nastichum Gali, Furkhan Gali, and Jar Gali connecting Leepa valley in Pakistan occupied kashimir, Karnah, Keran and Machil areas with Kupwara district

The Hilly areas of Karnah, Keran and Machil are situated on the line of control. These areas generally remain cut-off from rest of the district during winter for about five months. Some of the areas like Bodnambal, Jumagand, Kumkari and Lashdutt also fall in the hilly belt of the district. Kupwara district is surrounded by thick forests, mountain slopes and snow clad peaks from three sides. The district is famous for the beautiful Lolab valley, Chowkibal, Bungus and other health resorts and has a beautiful potential for development of tourism because of its natural scenery, climate and topography.

The district is dotted by magnificent and breathtaking natural beauty and has a great potential of tourist traffic. Some famous spots are bungas, chansdigam, Reshwari, Lolab valley etc. Kupwara district has the distinction of having monuments of immense archeological interest which include ruins of some temples of medieval era apart from many shrines of great Sufis\Saints and temples which are held in high esteem by the Muslims and Hindus of Kashmir respectively.

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in Kupwara as in the rest of the state. It is also rich in forest resources.

The forests of Kupwara district have a wide range of woods and flowers, Deodar, Kail, Pine, Fir, Elm, blue fir are found in abundance, Chinar, Poplar, Willows, Walnuts and variety of other trees are grown in the areas as well. The district forests are also rich in minerals and many other forest products. There is wide range of medicinal herbs in the area. The local names of the herbs are Ratanjog, Kuth, Memaakh, Booja Khaupittres etc.