Watlar

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  Matloob Ahmad Sheikh (guest)Matloob Ahmad Sheikh (guest)

  Kashmir, the "Paradise on Earth", is known for its captivating beauty. It is encircled by four mountain ranges of the Himalayas- Karakoram,Harmukh, Zanaskar and Pir Panjal, running from northwest to northeast. Forming the backdrop of Kashmir, these snow-capped ranges make Kashmir look like a picture straight out of a fairytale. Dazzling rivers, serene lakes, splendid gardens, flowering meadows, etc are some other features of the landscape of the Kashmir valley. The breathtaking beauty of Kashmir has earned it the name of the "Switzerland of the East". Nothing describes the beauty of Kashmir better than the following words of a Mughal emperor: "Gar firdous Bar-ru-e-Zamin Ast; Hamin Ast, Hamin Ast Hamin Ast." It means that if there is paradise on this earth, this is it, this is it, and this is it. It is impossible to overstate the beauty of Kashmir. Infact, the beauty of the Kashmir valley is beyond the scope of words. The gushing rivers, sparkling waterfalls, scenic surrounding and the lush green forests of Kashmir add to its splendor. Kashmir tourism is also famous for the exotic flora and fauna found in the region. The sanctuaries and parks in Kashmir abound in some of the rare and endangered species of birds and animals. Then, there are countless species of luxuriant vegetation too, attracting a number of botanists. Once you visit Kashmir, its beauty and charm will remain etched in your memory forever.Watlar is a small village(town)of kashmir valley in North kashmir Ganderbal District,Every district and village had its Asthan where a Rishi took his abode and practiced meditation. Their graves and relics are objects of respect and veneration to this day. The shrines attest to their founders' austerities and virtues. "Associated as they are with acts of piety and self-denial," observes Lawrence, "the Ziarat are pleasant places of meeting at fair time, and the natural beauty of their position and surroundings afford additional attraction. Noble brotherhood of venerable trees, of chinar, elms and poplar with its white bark and shimmer of silver leaves, gives a pleasant shade, and there is always some spring of water for the thirsty." watlar is famous for many things besides fine grassy meadows, pasturelands, grasslands, arable and wastelands. All these alpine and other meadows are situated in the lap or on the top of the harmukh mountains spreading along vast tracts, attracting aesthetic naturalists, poets, scientists and the people of other fields. Many such meadows have turned into tourist places because of being lovely attractive and soothing to eyes and having abundant green turf and flowers of visible spectrum. These are locally known as "Margs" and "Nais". Many such meadows have attained the world famous names like Mohan Marg,Lal Marg,Mini Marg,Trag,Maidan Wudder,Upper reaches of watlar Lar Ganderbal e.g Alpine meadows were supporting huge number of medicinal herbs besides other fodder grasses, are unrestrictedly grazed by sheep and goats that has resulted in the replacement and proliferation of number of useless and obnoxious weeds that are not edible but poisonous and harmful to the livestock, besides exterminating other nutritive alpine herbs. The unregulated and uncontrolled grazing and felling of the trees is responsible for the destruction of many rare and endemic grass species The condition of WATLAR'S vast spread grasslands and meadows is pitiable because of the mismanagement, overgrazing, erosion of the land and the illegal encroachment for the construction of the residential houses,God has been kind enough by providing such climatic and edaphic conditions particularly in the surrounding high lands of WATLAR that favour the growth of temperate and alpine species of grasses and medicinal herbs.The Sind River, a major tributary to the Jehlum River flows through WATLAR. The water of the river is mainly used for irrigation, and generation of hydroelectricity. There are three hydroelectric power stations, Lower Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project Ganderbal, Upper Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project 1st Kangan and Upper Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project 2nd Sumbal generating electricity on the Sind River......Stay connected more to come..............Matloob Sheikh (Kashmir Media,)

  12 years ago | reply | hide comment